Government Documents

The judicial branch of the federal government was established by Article III of the Constitution, outlining the function of the Supreme Court and allowing for Congress to create lesser federal courts. It does not establish a role for the courts in evaluating law, which was claimed by the courts in Marbury v. Madison (1803). The judicial branch now contains the Supreme Court, U.S. courts of appeals, and U.S. district courts.

Documents created by the judicial branch include:

• Case files
  • "The main type of record the federal courts create and maintain is a case file, which contains a docket sheet and all documents filed in a case. Case files and court records can be found on PACER.uscourts.gov."
• Case Law and Opinions
  • When the judiciary resolves a dispute over the law by making a decision about how the law is to be interpreted, this is considered new law. The written resolution of a judge or panel of judges is called an opinion or a case.

Legal research can be complex and researchers are encouraged to seek the help of an expert librarian. Guides from Chapman's Leatherby main libraries and Darling Law Library can be found linked in the sidebar.