United States Courts Opinions Collection on GovInfo
Search Strategies
Introduction
The Government Publishing Office (GPO) provides access to federal, appellate, district,
bankruptcy and national judicial opinions through GovInfo (https://www.govinfo.gov). This
document provides search strategies and features on GovInfo that will help you better target your
search for opinions.
GovInfo search features include:
• The basic search box (first tab on search widget, all pages) uses keywords and search
operators. Apply specific filters and sorting to target your search further over certain
content, fields, or other criteria.
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• The advanced search box (second tab on search widget, on all pages) uses a form to
help you target your search using special criteria such as circuit or state.
• The browse tab navigates you to specific content (such as A-Z or Category pages).
Additional tips and tricks for finding information are posted on GovInfo’s United States Courts
Opinions help page. This page is linked from the United States Courts Opinions browse page and
also every single opinion’s Details page (located under Actions to the left).
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Search by Judge
Example: opinions with "judge __" in the docket text.
Note: Inclusion of judge in docket text is inconsistent across courts.
• Using Basic Search, enter: collection:uscourts dockettext:(judge __).
• Using Advanced Search, select United States Courts Opinions under Refine by
Collection, then under Search In, select Docket Text from the first box and enter judge __
in the free text box.
Search by Code Section
Example: opinions that reference code section "11 U.S.C. 347(b)" in the full text.
• Using Basic Search, enter: collection:uscourts "11 U.S.C. 347(b)".
• Using Advanced Search, select United States Courts Opinions under Refine by
Collection, then under Search In, select Full-Text from the first box and enter "11 U.S.C.
347(b)" in the free text box.
Search by Case Name
Example: opinions with case name "A.G.A. Flowers, Inc." in the title field.
• Using Basic Search, enter: collection:uscourts title:(A.G.A. Flowers, Inc.).
• Using Advanced Search, select United States Courts Opinions under Refine by
Collection, then under Search In, select Title from the first box and enter A.G.A. Flowers,
Inc. in the free text box.
Search by Keyword
Example: opinions with keyword “deference” in the full text.
• Using Basic Search, enter: collection:uscourts deference.
• Using Advanced Search, select United States Courts Opinions under Refine by
Collection, then under Search In, select Full-Text from the first box and enter deference
in the free text box.
Search by Order Title
Example: opinions with the phrase "memorandum opinion and order sanctioning" in the docket
text.
• Using Basic Search, enter: collection:uscourts dockettext:("memorandum opinion and
order sanctioning").
• Using Advanced Search, select United States Courts Opinions under Refine by
Collection, then under Search In, select Docket Text from the first box and
enter "memorandum opinion and order sanctioning" in the free text box.
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Search by Case Number
Example: opinions with "1:01-bk-13984" as the Case Number.
• Using Basic Search, enter: collection:uscourts casenumber:(1:01-bk-13984) OR the
shortened version of the case number, e.g., collection:uscourts casenumber:(01-13984).
• Using Advanced Search, select United States Courts Opinions under Refine by
Collection, then under Search In, select Case Number from the first box and enter 1:01-
bk-13984 in the free text box OR the shortened version of the case number, e.g., 01-
13984.
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