The purpose of this guide is to provide a brief introduction to and explanation of resources for low- and no-cost (i.e., free) online legal research, with the focus upon United States/American law.
The guide is organized according to a common dichotomy of legal resources/materials (please see here and here for two explanations) into:
Please note that it is the intent of this guide to refer and link to as many free (i.e., no-cost) online resources/materials as possible.
For more information on the subject matter of the guide, or to try and seek answers to any questions that may arise, please call or chat or email the Robert Crown Law Library Reference Desk at (650) 725-0800 or reference@law.stanford.edu.
Affordable (or Free) Online Legal Research Sources [PRIMARY & SECONDARY]
Copyright & Fair Use [SECONDARY]
Federal Legislative History Research: A Practitioner's Guide to Compiling the Documents and Sifting for Legislative Intent [PRIMARY & SECONDARY]
Free Law Project [PRIMARY]
Google Scholar [PRIMARY & SECONDARY]
GovInfo [PRIMARY]
Guide to Law Online [SECONDARY]
Justia [PRIMARY & SECONDARY]
LawSource.com [PRIMARY & SECONDARY]
Legal Information Institute [PRIMARY]
Regulations.gov(Beta) [PRIMARY]
State and Local Government on the Net [PRIMARY]
State Legislative History Research Guides [SECONDARY]