greek columns50 Best Blogs About Going to Court

From serving on jury duty to receiving a summons, many of us will undergo a court-going experience at some point in our lives. Television and films can provide us with some understanding of what takes place when a gavel and plaintiff are in the room, but there's no substititute for gathering opinions from real people who frequently head to court: lawyers, judges, court reporters, and others. Their viewpoints on the nature of judicial environments can help prepare you for your own court day. The 50 blogs we've found here all focus on highlighting the truths of life at court. Click around, and sequester your favorites. 

Top Five

  1. SCOTUSblog: The highest court in all the American land is Supreme. Unfortunately, we may not all be granted an opportunity to head there and bear witness to history taking place. The SCOTUSblog makes for an excellent and comprehensive substitute for that experience, assessing the happenings of the Supreme Court without journalistic bent, and always with an excellent reporting style. Even people who aren't legally savvy can read this blog with ease and inject court appreciation into their mindset.
  2. May It Please the Court: Blogger J. Craig is an intensely passionate writer, having penned at least a little something every day for 25 years. That experience with the written word really shines through here, as each post crafted by this lawyer gleams with excellent prose. He focuses on relating the court-going life of a legal professional to his readers, discussing contemporary cases of note and his own experiences with judges, defendants, and others.
    • Why We Love It: A lover of the law and of words marries those two passions to terrific effect in this blog.
    • Favorite Post: Top Ten Jury Verdicts of 2010
  3. a public defender: Lovers of TV crime procedurals are often fascinated with the stories of public defenders being commissioned by the court to assist defendants, sweet and seedy alike. This blog provides those fans with account after honest account of the reality of the job and the demands it exacts on those who practice it. The site teems with honest insights on how lawyers really think of judges and jurors, with humor used liberally to guard the site's tough tone from growing dry.
    • Why We Love It: Learn about what really happens for public defenders with candor and humor here.
    • Favorite Post: undesirable jurors
  4. Lawyers on Strike: This blog commences by stating a truth: How people perceive American legal practice, and the reality of it, are completely different ideas. Lawyers on Strike seeks to inject a bit more honesty into how the general public regards life in the law. It relates stories of injured, sympathetic plaintiffs being screwed by the court, and lawyers' bar associations showing ineptitude. Anyone looking to see the law through the retinae of those whose grapple with the system daily will be hooked in no time.
    • Why We Love It: Educate yourself on the harsh realities of the legal system with this tell-it-like-it-is page.
    • Favorite Post: Oil Will Never Run Out
  5. Not Guilty: Criminal defense attorney Mirriam understands that reams of literature and decades of complex insight have imbued the meaning of two little words every accused person longs to hear: not guilty. Her blog helps readers understand the difficult task of bringing about that verdict in the actual courtroom. Focused on the legal scene of Maryland, Mirriam also plunges into the more nationwide interest of immigration law, as well.

The Rest of the Best

  • Above the Law: The legal tabloid blog specializes in breaking news regarding some of the country's most prestigious law firms. The writers also cater to those considering law school.
  • Amazing Firms Amazing Practices: Blogger Jerry has earned an international reputation for his finesse with the law and deep insights into the Canadian court system. He also writes about diversity and legal strategy.
  • Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer: A Texan lawyer who caters to criminals needing a fair trial composes this legal page. He writes about the best ways to the judges' hearts, conviction rates, and more here.
  • CA Labor and Employee Law: The Golden State's court cases involving employment provide the fuel for this page. Class action waivers and meal breaks are recent topics for two well-written posts.
  • California Appellate Report: Decisions of the Ninth Circuit and California Appellate courts are discussed in satisfyingly deep detail on this page. The head writer is a law professor who lends a clear tone to each post.
  • Capital Defense Weekly: This blog covers the state of capital punishments as it is practiced, or not practiced, in various American states. Started in 1997, CDW is one of the Web's oldest legal blogs.
  • City Room: Courts and Law: The New York Times' excellent coverage of the Gotham court world is funneled into this enlightening page. The Strauss-Kahn debacle has generated many passionate posts.
  • Court Beat: Blogger Joan covers every happening of the Supreme Court with a delightfully fine-toothed comb. She regularly devotes posts to focusing on one judge in particular.
  • Court-O-Rama: Everything and anything that has to deal with the nature of courts, and working in them, can be fodder here. Each of the writers sports a law degree and writes clearly.
  • Defending People: This blog's writers understand firsthand the difficulties of defending criminals -- guilty and innocent alike. Those passionate about trial lawyering will fixate on the posts here.
  • Deliberations: The American Society of Trial Consultants helms this blog that focuses on American legislation practices. The nature of judges today and Taco Bell are recent topics here.
  • Florida Jury Selection Blog: Blogger Bob has composed this site for trial attorneys who understand just how important excellent jury choices can be. Non-lawyer readers can learn a ton on the processes of selection.
  • Food Court: Blogger Mark both practices law and bakes, whipping up a gastronomically minded legal blog here. Food-related court case news is cooked up here hot and fresh often.
  • Fully Informed Jury Association: This association's blog looks to promote jurors who are more aware of the political and legal climate in which we all live. Quotes from the Constitution appear often here.
  • Gamso -- For the Defense: Jeff, an Ohio defense lawyer, critiques his everyday activities in the court here. Ruminations on the death penalty are a primary focus in many posts.
  • Gavel to Gavel: This blog focuses on the troubles that plague American state courts. Issues like court jurisdiction and mandatory retirement ages for judges appear in well-crafted posts here.
  • Internet Cases: Blogger Evan handles intellectual property law when not writing his brainy but clear page here. Those who love both technology and law themes will enjoy Evan's blend.
  • Jottings By An Employer's Lawyer: Named as one of America's best lawyers, blogger Michael knows a thing or two about doing well in court. He divulges some of his litigation secrets in his posts here.
  • Judge James Kimbler: Blogger James is the longest serving Judge in Medina County, Ohio. That experience provides additional heft and meaning to his thoughtful posts here.
  • Kramm Court Reporting: This San Diego-based court reporting company provides deep insights on the American legal system from the inside. You can also glean smart court management skills from the page.
  • LawMemo: This blog was one of the first to tackle the sometimes weighty theme of employment law. The writers are ravenous about getting word out on Supreme Court decisions first.
  • Legal Blog Watch: The legal pros of this blog keep an eagle-eye's watch on a number of other court blogs here. It's a great way to keep track of worthwhile pages all over the Web.
  • Legal History Blog: Your next court-going experience could be vastly improved with an increased appreciation of the law -- exactly what you'll earn here. This blog also reviews the best in contemporary legal writing.
  • Legal Literacy: Legal jargon can leave you confused and lost in understanding the court; this blog helps you understand the lingo. It focuses on helping business people grasp the diction of law.
  • Legal Theory Blog: Understanding how courts function is supported by grasping the theory behind the law. This blog, though written in Greek, features legal truths that apply in many locales.
  • Mathis's Mind: Celebrated TV legal expert Judge Mathis has taken to the Web to blog about life with a gavel in hand. Discrimination and imprisonment procedures are frequent topics here.
  • New York Injury Cases: Anyone searching for court advice on handling Empire State injuries will enjoy this site. The blog is built to provide insight into how NY settlements are handled.
  • Ohio Court of Appeals: This blog covers the latest decisions of the Ohio Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Those who have recently appeared before it can learn about it decisions here.
  • Overlawyered: The writers of this blog decry the excess of litigation in the United States. Readers who are jaded by the American court system will find solace in these posts' opinions.
  • People v. State: This blogger and Indiana lawyer believes that good courts and cops are being troubled by the current judicial system. The 1st Amendment gives this blog license to vent honestly.
  • PointOfLaw: Readers can find an sophisticated, opinionated take on the current state of U.S. litigation here. Manifold legal experts lend their learned viewpoints on courts with zeal.
  • Public Defender Stuff: This blog helps to champion the sometimes thankless job held by public defenders. The writers also can help you track dozens of other idea court blogs.
  • Real Lawyers Have Blogs: Kevin's polished blog talks about the use of social media in law firms and the courts they occupy. Junkets like USA Today have praised Kevin for his expert legal skills.
  • The Becker-Posner Blog: Two gifted legal professionals provide deep and exciting perspectives on lives involving the court here. The posts are dense and detailed, but incredibly worth the long read.
  • The Court: Osgoode Hall Law School students and staff run this blog to discuss the goings on of the Canadian Supreme Court. Those interested in Canadian court systems will find noteworthy perspectives here.
  • The False Rape Society: This blog covers the highly controversial nature of false rape accusations as they appear in contemporary courts. Individuals of both genders who've suffered from such accusations supply the site's content.
  • The Greatest American Lawyer: A lawyer who could feasibly contend for his blog's titular honor writes expertly about courts here. He brings an international focus to the legal conversation in these posts.
  • The Jury Box Blog: Blogger Edward works as a jury consultant and lets his readers know here how jury research takes place. The blog provides several insights into the science of juries and courts.
  • Traffic Court Blog: This blog is tailored toward anyone who's ever had to make a court appearance due to bad behavior on the road. Learn important tips about how to obtain a lenient sentence from the judge here.
  • Trial Practice Tips: Heading to court soon and need to brush up on your professional legal manner? Evan's blog will arm you with the litigation tips you need to earn your desired verdict.
  • UK Supreme Court: The highest court in Great Britain keeps its populace informed about recent events through this blog. Experts also use the space to comment on the court's decisions.
  • US Supreme Court Cases: This blog is updated every time the U.S. Supreme Court comes to a new, historic decision. Kentucky v. King and Bobby v. Mitts are two of the latest to be assessed.
  • Washington Supreme Court: Washington State's top court is analyzed and commented on with zeal and intelligence here. The posts are written so that anyone can grasp the latest on the law decisions.
  • Wired GC: Corporate law and contemporary concerns about global energy intertwine and inform one another here. Blogger John provides sharp perspectives on going to court for these issues.
  • Your Legal Corner: This blogger writes with more than a decade of experience in the California court system. She concentrates her posts on issues regarding employees and businesses.

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