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How to Find Cases

Use this guide to learn how to find federal and state legal cases.

Need help?

Email: reference@law.usc.edu

Phone: (213) 740-5070

In person: Ask @Service Counter

Finding by Case Citation

If you have a case citation, you can go immediately to the appropriate set of case reporters and look up the case by volume and page number.

Finding by Topic

We recommend that you use books and articles to find references to cases related to your topic. Consult the USC Law Library guide How to Find Journal Articles for information on finding books and articles that may help you in this regard.

If you are looking for cases related to a federal or California statute or constitutional provision, consult the USC Law Library's federal or California statutory research guides (Finding Federal Primary Law or Finding California Primary Law).