How to research the judge assigned to your case
You got your case assignment and a judge's name you've never heard. Here's how to find the publicly documented record — and how to read it responsibly.
Research Center
Judicial Insights
Research, methodology, and plain-English explainers about the public record — every article sourced and checkable.
Why JUDGELENS only counts what it can verify
The most dangerous judicial analytics are the ones that look precise. Our rule: if the record can't support a number, the number doesn't appear.
Motion outcomes, explained: grants, denials, and what the record can (and cannot) show
A motion to dismiss that gets granted tells you about one case. Whether a pattern exists requires sample size, case mix, and time — here's how to tell the difference.
Where judicial data actually comes from: CourtListener, RECAP, and PACER
Behind every judge profile is a supply chain of nonprofits, volunteers, and official feeds. Understanding it explains every gap in coverage.