Checking Source Credibility

Credibility of sources has never been more important. Due to the growth of technology, anyone out there with the requisite knowledge, a computer and an Internet connection can create a web site or blog proclaiming just about anything.

Such individuals do actually exist (and in high numbers) so remain skeptical when you find information on a blog of which you are unfamiliar. When attempting to determine blog credibility, begin by looking around at the top of the main page for identification. You may see a brief intro about the contributors of this blog, or you may find an "About" link which may provide general or specific information about who's running the blog.

Professor/ Firm Blogs: Law professors and firms have hopped on the cyber-bandwagon with creating blogs for various reasons. These blogs may command immediate authority, but don't forget that, in the end, everyone has their own opinion and some blogs may be slanted to push a particular agenda. The best examples in this area are Professor Doug Berman's Sentencing Law & Policy blog (cited by Justice Stevens in the U.S. v. Booker decision) and Goldstein & Howe's SCOTUSblog.

How to Use Blawgs

Here's a quick overview of what you need to know:

FIRST: Utilize the links on the right-hand side of the page. There you will find blogs assorted into general legal blogs, law professor blogs (note that some of these have a focused area of interest as well), specific areas of law, Federal Circuit court blogs, various state and local blogs, and finally legal blogs from various different perspectives.

SECOND: Finding the specific blog you're looking for can prove to be a great challenge. I suggest starting off with a Google search. For example, searching Google for "Sentencing Law" will lead you directly to Professor Doug Berman's Sentencing Law & Policy Blog.

If you're more interested in browsing the legal blogs out there, start at one of the major "blawgs" and go through all of the links one by one. The Blog Book might be a good starting point. This can become time consuming, but can also prove to be the most effective way to find what you're looking for... However, beware, many hours can be wasted chasing links from one site to another.

THIRD: Identify the source. Just as you wouldn't cite a law review article written by Suzie ThirdYear in a brief to the Supreme Court, always take notice of the individual supplying the legal analysis or perspective on each blog you visit BEFORE becoming engrossed in what they have to say. Blogs written by the likes of Judge Posner and Professor Lessig are going to carry more weight than the ramblings of a 2-L at Colorado (no longer available) with an "affinity for Communist Rhetoric."