Use Caution When Searching Case Law Online

Looking up case law online? If you're not a lawyer, here's why you need to be cautious.

Discover the potential pitfalls of relying solely on internet searches for case law.

Legal cases can be complex, and without proper training, it's easy to misinterpret their meaning. Online summaries may oversimplify or omit crucial details.

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Please note: This video and all statements made therein are for informational purposes only. The information and opinions contained in this video do not constitute legal advice. Additionally, viewing this video does not create an attorney/client relationship. If you have a legal issue or concern, you should consult with an attorney in your state.

[thorinpalladino]

Things to understand about case law:
1) Whether or not the case cited is still good law. That case may have been overturned.
2) Whether the precedent is binding or persuasive. Binding means that a lower court must follow that precedent. Rulings on the subject from the USSC are binding. Most federal appeals court rulings are binding within that circuit. The senior court and appeals courts in your state are usually binding. But sometimes they are listed as unpublished. That means that they did not want the ruling in that particular case to be the rule for how other cases are handled.
Persuasive rulings are used to persuade the court rather than dictate to them. These are unpublished opinions from higher courts, similar cases from courts at an equal level to the one you are at now, and similar cased from outside your court system. E.G. If you are in a NJ court you can point out how a Texas court handled things.
3) Unless the facts are exactly the same a judge can say that case law does not apply. Sometimes the differences can be as time as the color of the victim's socks.

[loistrask]

What if you have shown Fraud from the courts dealing with foreclosures in Illinois, filed a fed.complt. no response Citibank being represented by the Attorney General. No one filed an answer to the complaint and the judge refused to assign a default, even though a written motion for saying was requested.

[henlohenlo]

what if it's a case from 8 years ago, but the law was updated last year. is there a way to align what the law was then to the case they are presenting. lets suppose opposing party did that apply current law to a case 8 years ago when the law may of been different. any ways to be able to see list of law revisions of laws and align it with old cases that may be presented in court?

[NinoPino-eopz]

case law and essentially laws a absolutely meaningless as judges can literally pull things straight out their asses on their ruling.

not only this, but bad rulings can be ignored on appeal