A lot can be learned from party briefs. You can find out the arguments used by the parties in order to determine which were accepted and rejected by the court. Often more factual and statistical information appear in party briefs than appear in the opinion of the court. A brief filed in one jurisdiction may be used to write arguments for the same fact pattern in another jurisdiction. Additionally, students can use briefs as learning tools to write their own briefs.
This research guide describes where to find briefs online and where to find print and micro-format collections in the Law Library.
Electronic versions of most filings submitted after November 13, 2017, are available through the docket for the particular case. Electronic versions of other merits briefs are available at Online Merits Briefs.
