Legal Definitions - law reporter

A law reporter is a publication, typically a series of books or an online database, that systematically collects and publishes the written opinions and decisions issued by courts. These publications are essential for legal professionals because they provide access to the detailed reasoning and conclusions of judges, which often establish legal precedents that guide future cases.

• Imagine a lawyer preparing a defense for a client accused of a specific type of fraud. To understand how similar cases have been handled and what legal arguments have been successful in the past, the lawyer would consult a law reporter. For instance, they might look through the Federal Reporter, a prominent series that publishes opinions from U.S. federal appellate courts. By studying these published decisions, the lawyer can identify relevant legal principles and precedents to build a strong defense strategy for their client.

• A law student is assigned to research a landmark Supreme Court case, *Miranda v. Arizona*, which established the "Miranda warnings." To read the full, authoritative text of the Court's decision, including the majority opinion, concurring opinions, and dissenting opinions, the student would turn to the United States Reports. This specific law reporter is the official publication for all Supreme Court decisions, allowing the student to analyze the precise language and legal reasoning used by the justices.

• Consider a state court judge presiding over a dispute about a new environmental regulation. To ensure their ruling is consistent with prior judicial interpretations of similar regulations within the state, the judge would reference a state-specific law reporter, such as the New York Supplement. This publication compiles decisions from various New York state courts. If the judge finds a published opinion from a higher state court that addresses a similar legal question, they would likely cite that precedent in their own written decision, demonstrating adherence to established law.