Cecily Zamora
If you're interested in learning about Michigan case law, there are a few resources you can refer to. The Michigan Court of Claims deals with cases related to taxes, government contracts, constitutional rights, and injuries caused by government employees. You can find court rules and information on cases on the court's website, as well as in its administrative office's annual reports. Additionally, the Georgetown Law Library offers guides and resources for Michigan cases and courts, including information on how to access dockets and court documents. For an overview of the sources of law in Michigan, you can refer to the University of Michigan Law Library's guide on Michigan Legal Research.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Court Website | Court rules, administrative office annual reports |
| National Center for State Courts | Judicial branch links for each state |
| CourtLink | Briefs, Pleadings and Motions |
| Lexis | Some Briefs and Trial Court Documents |
| Westlaw | Some Briefs and Trial Court Documents |
| Dockets & Court Documents Research Guide | State court materials not available within Westlaw, Lexis or Bloomberg Law |
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What You'll Learn
Search dockets on the court's website
To search for Michigan case law, you can utilize the state's court system website, which offers access to a wealth of legal information, including court opinions, rules, and dockets. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to search for case law and dockets on the Michigan Courts website:
Locating Dockets via the Court's Website:
The Michigan Courts portal provides access to various case-related information, including docket entries, for all state trial courts and the appellate courts. To begin your search:
- Navigate to the Michigan Courts website: https://courts.michigan.gov/.
- From the homepage, select the "Court Case Lookup" option under the "Online Services" heading. This will redirect you to the Michigan Court Case Lookup page.
- On the Court Case Lookup page, you have two search methods available: a Basic Search and an Advanced Search. For a straightforward case search, the Basic Search should suffice. Here, you can look up cases by entering one or more of the following: Case Number, Party Name, Attorney Bar Number, or Hearing Date.
- If you're unsure of the specific details, the Advanced Search option provides a more comprehensive set of criteria to narrow down your results. This includes additional fields such as Court Type, County, Case Type, and Filing Date Range.
- Once you've entered your search parameters, click on the "Search" button. The website will display a list of cases that match your search criteria.
- From the results page, you can select a specific case to view its docket information. This typically includes details such as the parties involved, the case number, the court location, and a list of all filings and hearings in the case, along with their dates.
It's important to note that the level of detail available in the docket entries may vary depending on the court and the nature of the case. Additionally, while the Michigan Courts website offers free access to this information, there may be a slight delay in updating case information, and the site may not contain records for older cases.
By following these steps, you can efficiently search for and access docket information for cases within the Michigan court system, providing valuable insights into case law and legal proceedings in the state.
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Explore the National Center for State Courts
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) is an independent, non-profit organisation that works to improve the administration of justice in the United States and beyond. It was founded in 1971 following a conference attended by U.S. President Richard M. Nixon, U.S. Attorney General John N. Mitchell, and over 400 members of the legal community. Chief Justice Burger expressed a desire for a "national clearinghouse or centre to serve all the states and to cooperate with all agencies seeking to improve justice at every level". This sentiment was echoed by President Nixon, who endorsed the concept in his keynote address.
The NCSC is based in Williamsburg, Virginia. The location was chosen as the permanent site for the NCSC's headquarters in 1973, with the groundbreaking ceremony taking place in 1976. The NCSC initially focused on assisting state courts in reducing backlogs and delays. Today, it offers a range of services, including grant-funded training, technical assistance, and professional development programs for court administrators.
The organisation acts as a central resource for the state court community, with staff serving as researchers and consultants. They answer queries from court managers, distribute relevant information, and analyse trends and best practices in court operations. The NCSC also collaborates with various associations of judicial leaders, such as the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators, to drive innovation and progress in the justice system.
In 1984, the Institute for Court Management (ICM) merged with the NCSC, further enhancing its resources and capabilities. The ICM is renowned for its Fellows Program, which has graduated over 1,300 individuals. Together, the NCSC and ICM work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state courts, ensuring that justice is administered fairly and promptly.
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Review CourtLink, Briefs, Pleadings and Motions on Lexis
Lexis+ offers several ways to find briefs, motion papers, and pleadings. If you have a court decision in a case, look for the "Filings" tab, which lists briefs and other party-filed materials. To search for filings in a case for which you do not have a decision/opinion to start from, go to the "Content" tab (on the Lexis+/Legal Research home page) and select "Briefs, Pleadings".
From any page within Lexis+, find the Product Menu (a 9-dot icon at the top left) and select "CourtLink (Dockets)". Select and/or add search criteria/terms for jurisdiction (the "Within" search box), "Docket Number", and other available search fields; you can filter and search within the results list after executing a search.
To download briefs, pleadings, and motions, open a document or select it from your results list. Click the Download icon. Review the documents in "Selected Documents" and select the appropriate Basic Options. For more information on the available options, see the Download Page on Lexis CourtLink.
On Lexis, if you do not have a citation to a case, you must separately search dockets and briefs, pleadings, and motions. For each type of source, click the Advanced Search link above the search bar for a customized search form. Advanced Search lets you search by docket number, judge, litigant(s), and attorney, counsel, or firm. To receive an email notification every time a new brief, pleading, or motion is filed, create a custom Briefs, Pleadings, and Motions search and then click the icon at the top of the screen.
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Find briefs and trial court documents on Westlaw
Westlaw is a powerful tool that provides access to docket sheets and selected docket items from federal courts and state court systems. It offers the largest collection of briefs filed in all 50 states, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeals.
To find briefs and trial court documents on Westlaw, start by accessing the Dockets home page. Here, you will find the option to "Search dockets, available PDFs, and court filings." This search will include results from Westlaw's collection of Trial Court Documents and Briefs.
If you do not have a citation to a case, you must conduct separate searches for dockets, trial court documents, and briefs. For each type of source, click the "Advanced" link to the right of the search bar for a customized search form. For example, Advanced Search for Dockets allows you to retrieve federal and state dockets by topic, while Advanced Search for Trial Court Documents lets you browse by the type of document, helping you locate models for your own court filings.
When searching, you can use keywords, party names, judge and attorney names, and document titles. If you are searching for a specific individual, use a "/" between their first and last name to retrieve cases that use their middle name as well. You can also use quotes around law firm or company names to search for an exact match.
Additionally, if you are looking for filings associated with a court decision available on Westlaw, you can find the decision document by entering the case reporter or WL numbered citation. This will direct you to the "Filings" tab, where you can access both materials related to the decision and other documents filed in the same case.
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Contact the court directly for copies
If you are unable to access case law information online or have specific requests that online databases cannot fulfill, you may need to contact the court directly to obtain copies of Michigan case law. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Locate the Correct Court: Determine which court handled the case you're interested in. This could be a specific county court, a district court, or the Michigan Supreme Court, depending on the case's nature and jurisdiction. You can usually find this information online by searching for the case name and checking the case citation.
Find Contact Information: Look up the contact details for the specific court. You can usually find this information on the court's website. Most court websites will have a "Contact Us" or "Court Information" section that provides addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for the court clerk or administrator.
Make Your Request: Decide exactly what you need. Do you want a copy of a specific case file, a transcript of proceedings, or perhaps a certified copy of a judgment? Knowing precisely what you need will help streamline your request. Then, you can proceed to contact the court using the details you found. Clearly state your request, providing as much detail as possible, including case names, case numbers, and the specific documents you require.
Follow Up: Depending on the court's processes and your request's complexity, there may be a waiting period before you receive the copies. If you haven't heard back after a reasonable amount of time, follow up with the court to check on the status of your request. Again, you can do this by phone, email, or mail, depending on your preference and the court's usual communication channels.
Inquire About Fees: Keep in mind that there may be fees associated with obtaining copies of case law and other court records. These fees vary depending on the type of request and the court involved. When making your initial request, ask the court about any applicable fees and payment methods. Some courts may require a pre-payment or deposit before processing your request, especially for extensive or complex copy requests.
By directly contacting the court, you can access case law and supporting documentation that may not be readily available through online databases. This method ensures you receive accurate and official copies directly from the source, though it may take slightly longer than some online alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find Michigan case law on Lexis' Court Rules and Westlaw's Statutes & Court Rules. They are also available on the court's website and published in the court's administrative office annual reports.
You can find state court materials not available on Westlaw, Lexis, or Bloomberg Law on the Dockets & Court Documents page in the Briefs, Oral Arguments, and Other Court Documents Research Guide.
The best way to get court materials is to contact the court directly for copies.
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