Court Cases and Lawsuits: Guides for Journalists
How to find court filings, follow a lawsuit from complaint to ruling, and read what a court actually decided. Each guide links to the court or official source it relies on.
- Can You Film in Court? Cameras in Courtroom Rules
Can you film in court? Federal courts mostly bar cameras, while state rules vary. Learn what the rules say and how to ask permission before you record.
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- CourtListener and RECAP: Free Federal Court Documents
Use CourtListener and the RECAP Archive to find federal court documents without PACER fees. What is actually free to access, and where the gaps are.
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- How to Cover a High-Profile Trial: Credentials and Seats
Learn how to cover a high-profile trial: who to call, how press credentials and pool seats work, and what rules apply to phones, cameras, and closures.
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- How to Follow a Federal Lawsuit With PACER
A plain guide to following a federal lawsuit on PACER: register, find the case, read the docket, keep fees low, and set up free alerts.
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- How to Get Sealed Court Documents: Motion to Unseal Guide
Learn how journalists ask courts for sealed records, from a letter to the judge to a motion to intervene and unseal, and where rules differ by court.
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- How to Look Up a State Court Case Online
Learn how to look up a state court case online: find the right court, search by case number or name, read the docket, and know what stays offline.
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- How to Read a Court Docket: Terms Reporters Should Know
A plain guide to reading a federal court docket: where to find it, what PACER costs, what the entries mean, and what to check before you publish.
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- Indictment vs Complaint vs Motion Explained for Reporters
Learn what an indictment, a criminal complaint, and a motion are in federal court, how they differ, and how to read them before you report.
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All guides for independent journalists
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