The United States Constitution
The United States Code
Federal Case Law
Supreme Court Opinions
All Federal Court Opinions
Federal Administrative Law
Federal Agency Documents
Presidential Documents
Federal Legislative History
Federal Session Laws
Congressional Committee Reports
Congressional Hearings
Congressional Debates
Legal Forms
Legal Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Legal Blogs
GPO Government Documents
The United States Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework for the federal government and defining the rights of its citizens. Ratified in 1788, it outlines the powers and limits of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. As a living document, it continues to guide legal interpretation and democratic governance.
The United States Code
Congress. Organized by subject into 54 titles, it reflects the current, codified federal statutory law. The Code is an essential resource for understanding the legal framework governing a wide range of federal matters.
The following links provide free access to the unannotated United States Code. Each source allows you to browse by title and section or search by keyword, making it easy to locate federal statutes online.
Supreme Court Opinions
Supreme Court opinions are the official decisions issued by the highest court in the United States. They interpret the Constitution and federal law, often setting binding precedent for lower courts. These opinions are essential for understanding how the law is applied and evolved through judicial interpretation.
These links provide access to U.S. Supreme Court opinions, including oral arguments.
All Federal Court Opinions
These decisions, issued by district courts, appellate courts, and specialized federal courts, help clarify statutes and constitutional provisions. They can establish precedent, guide future rulings, and influence legal arguments nationwide. Reviewing these opinions offers insight into the practical application of the law across jurisdictions.
These links provide access to federal court case information from district, appellate, and specialized courts. You can search dockets, opinions, and filings by party name, docket number, or keyword, depending on the court and coverage.
Administrative Documents
Administrative documents are official publications issued by federal agencies to communicate rules, proposed rules, notices, guidance, and other regulatory actions. These materials are primarily published in the Federal Register and form a key part of the administrative law process. They provide transparency into agency decision-making and inform the public of opportunities to comment or respond.
Presidential Documents
Presidential documents include official materials released by the White House, such as executive orders, proclamations, memoranda, and communications with Congress. These documents are published in the Federal Register and compiled in the Compilation of Presidential Documents. They provide insight into presidential actions, policies, and priorities.
Federal Legislative History
Federal legislative history refers to the collection of documents produced during the process of enacting a federal law. These materials—such as bills, committee reports, hearings, and debates—help reveal the intent behind legislation. Researchers use legislative history to interpret ambiguous statutes and understand the context in which a law was passed.
Federal Session Laws
Federal session laws are the chronological collection of laws enacted by Congress during each legislative session. Published in the Statutes at Large, these laws represent the official legal text as originally passed, before being codified into the U.S. Code. Session laws are useful for tracking the development of statutes over time and for conducting legislative history research.
Congressional Committee Reports
Congressional committee reports are official documents produced by House or Senate committees to explain proposed legislation. They often include background information, the purpose of the bill, section-by-section analysis, and views of the committee members. These reports are sources for understanding legislative intent and are a central part of federal legislative history research.
Congressional Hearings
Congressional hearings are official meetings held by House and Senate committees to gather information, examine issues, or evaluate proposed legislation. They often feature testimony from experts, public officials, and stakeholders, and serve as a key part of the legislative and oversight process.
Congressional Debates
Congressional debates are the official discussions that take place on the floors of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate as members deliberate on legislation, policy, and national issues. These debates are recorded in the Congressional Record and offer insight into lawmakers’ positions, legislative intent, and the policymaking process.
Legal Forms
Legal Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Legal dictionaries and encyclopedias are valuable reference tools that help explain legal terms, concepts, and principles in clear, accessible language. Legal dictionaries provide definitions of legal terminology, while encyclopedias offer broader overviews of legal topics, often with citations to primary sources and further reading. These resources are useful starting points for legal research, helping users build foundational understanding before exploring more detailed or case-specific materials.
Legal Blogs
Legal blogs share commentary, analysis, and updates on legal topics written by legal professionals, scholars, and institutions. They cover a wide range of subjects, from recent court decisions and legislative developments to practice tips and emerging issues in specific areas of law. There are several legal blog directories that provide a helpful place to get started with identifying useful legal blogs.
Government Documents Available Online
Below are links to the online versions of the GPO government documents print titles we maintain in our law library.