Where Can I Find Slip Opinions? - FAQ

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Answered By: Kate Britt Last Updated: Mar 03, 2022 Views: 1330

Generally, slip opinions are judicial decisions that are not published in a reporter. Slip opinions are cited using the docket number. (See Bluebook rule 10.1)

U.S. Supreme Court

Slip opinions are the first version of the Court’s opinions. A slip opinion consists of the majority or principal opinion, any concurring or dissenting opinions written by the Justices, and a prefatory syllabus prepared by the Reporter’s Office that summarizes the decision.

  • A slip opinion is posted on the SCOTUS website soon after it is issued and remains there for the rest of the Term, when it is published in the U.S. Reports.
  • SCOTUS slip opinions (from 2002-current) are also available in the HeinOnline U.S. Supreme Court Library.

U.S. Courts of Appeals

  • Find slip opinions of Circuit Courts on the individual court's website soon after publication.
  • Fastcase provides a full-text, searchable database of case law for United States federal courts.
  • The U.S. Government Publishing Office website includes unpublished Circuit Court opinions.

Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

The Michigan Courts website allows opinion searches by party name, docket number, keyword, or a combination thereof.

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