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Circuit Riders: Legal News & Commentary

Basic Legal Research Guide

Legal News & Commentary

Thanks to the Internet, it is easier than ever to stay abreast of local and national legal news. When cases are decided, the courts post their opinions online that same day. Commentary on court decisions is also available in real-time through legal news websites and blogs or blawgs (legal blogs). When Congress passes a law or a government agency writes a new regulation or the President issues an Executive Order, you can immediately access the text of the law, regulation, or executive order along with commentary via government and legal news websites and blogs. This is true on the state level as well. 

A few examples are:

The University of Pittsburg School of Law's JURIST

The University of Pittsburg School of Law's JURIST

SCOTUSblog for commentary on the U.S. Supreme Court

SCOTUSblog

 

The ABA Journal Blawg Directory 

ABA Journal Blawg Directory

South Carolina Lawyers Weekly is an example of a state specific legal newspaper. Public and academic libraries in South Carolina provide online access to full text articles via Gale Legal Trac. Richland Library is one example of a public library that provides its patrons with access to Legal Trac. The SC Lawyer bar journal is also a good source of legal news.

Gale Legal Trac