Upon finding a relevant case, what should be your next step?

When you find a relevant case, the logical next step is to check recent treatments and citations. This allows you to understand the current legal context surrounding the case and how it has been interpreted or applied in subsequent decisions. By reviewing recent citations, you can assess whether the case is still considered good law and learn how it has influenced later cases or been affected by subsequent rulings. This is crucial for ensuring that the information you rely upon is not outdated and that it accurately represents the current state of the law.

In legal research, the goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of how a case fits into broader legal principles and frameworks, which is why checking citations and treatments provides valuable insight into its judicial reception. Doing so can also help you identify additional relevant cases that may support your legal argument or provide contrasting viewpoints.