The following are some general, basic criteria to consider when evaluating resources:
Accuracy
Does the information presented seem accurate?
Are the facts verifiable?
Authority
Who is the author?
What expertise does he or she have on this topic?
Who sponsors the site?
Objectivity
What is the stated purpose of the site?
Examine the "About..." or "Mission" links on a web page.
What position or opinion is presented and does it seem biased?
What kind of sites does this one link to?
Currency
On what date was the page created?
Do you need more current information?
Do links on the site still work?
Use
Would you quote information from this site in a college research paper?
Websites
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Compiled by the Annenberg Foundation, this list of Landmark Supreme Court Cases is a great place to explore trials; many have short documentaries highlighting why each case is important.
Supreme Court Landmarks
Maintained by the United States Courts, this list highlights Supreme Court Landmark cases that have shaped history.
Landmark Cases of the US Supreme Court
Developed by the Supreme Court Historical Society, this site include 20 important Supreme Court cases in history.
ABA - Landmark United States Supreme Court Cases
Compiled by the American Bar Association, this short list contains historical Supreme Court cases..
Famous Trials
The Famous Trials site offers background information and details on many notable court cases. It's written by a law school professor and can be a useful tool for selecting a case to research.
AP News - Trials
The Associated Press collates daily news articles on notable trials.
