There are several ways to access US Supreme Court briefs:
LLS Databases
- ProQuest Supreme Court Insight
- Coverage: 1933/1934 term through the current term.
- Content: This database is a complete online collection of full opinions from Supreme Court argued cases, including per decision, dockets, oral arguments, joint appendices and amicus briefs. Content associated with each case is compiled on a dynamic page organized to facilitate understanding of the judicial process, and is also retrievable on a document by document basis.
- More information on the ProQuest Supreme Court Insight Collection and how to use it can be found HERE.
- Gale The Making of Modern Law (MoML II): U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs
- Coverage: 1832-1978
- Content: Records and Briefs of the United States Supreme Court - Including transcripts, applications for review, motions, petitions, supplements, and other official papers.
- Lexis
- Coverage: Earliest brief dated August 12, 1936 through current.
- Content: Includes merit briefs for cases granted certiorari and special masters, amicus curiae briefs, and joint appendices beginning in January 1979, with selected coverage from 1936. All briefs are available for cases granted certiorari beginning after the 1993-1994 term; also includes briefs petitioning for certiorari in civil cases (other than habeas cases) from the 1999-2000 term through current. For civil cases where cert. is denied, briefs are provided for most cases on the paid docket but are not provided for the cases on the In Forma Pauperis docket. No cert-stage briefs are provided for habeas cases or for criminal cases that are summarily decided or where cert. is denied.
- Westlaw
- Coverage: Selected coverage begins with 1930. For petitions, selected coverage begins with 1985. For joint appendices, selected coverage begins with 1982. A limited number of selected older briefs, petitions, and joint appendices may be included.
- Content: U.S. Supreme Court Briefs, Petitions, & Joint Appendices includes selected briefs, petitions for writ of certiorari, and joint appendices filed in the U.S. Supreme Court. Briefs content includes Merit and Amicus briefs.
- Bloomberg:
- Coverage: 2003 to current
- For current cases, use dockets: Bloomberg > Litigation > Dockets Search > Select: Federal Courts Dockets > US Supreme Court > Search by docket number or party.
Internet
- Office of the Solicitor General
- Content: From 1985 to present, all briefs filed by the Solicitor General, except responses to IFP (“in forma pauperis”) cases. From 1993-1996 and 1986-1990 Solicitor General merits briefs and responses. From 1982-1985 Solicitor General merits briefs. Please see the web site for information on omissions, arrangement, and formats.
- Scotus Blog
- Posts merits case briefs from 2007-present