Court Data Online
The federal court system is gradually moving its legal information online, making it much easier to search and read case information. The convenience of online access to court documents might eventually revolutionize court reporting.

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records system (known as PACER) allows users to get case and docket information online from Federal Appellate, District, and Bankruptcy courts.

At least 26 of 94 U.S. District Courts and 60 of 90 bankruptcy courts are now using online electronic systems for tracking some or all files, according to the Associated Press. Appellate courts will convert next year.

In some cases, you can get the whole case online, from the first motions filed to depositions to the judgment. Other information available online can include:

A listing of all parties and participants, including judges, attorneys, and trustees
A compilation of case-related information, such as cause of action, nature of suit, and dollar demand
A chronology of dates of case events entered in the case record
A claims registry
A listing of new cases each day
Appellate court opinions
Judgments or case status
Types of documents filed for certain cases
Images of documents entered into evidence
You can see which courts make information available online and access links to them via this page.

http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/links.pl

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=32&aid=51371