First You Need to Regsiter

Free or Freely Accessible

Warning: Charges Apply

Chock Full of Content

Free Content

Pay-Per-View Content

Limited Access Content

Scope of Content is Confounding

Database is NOT Comprehensive

Lack of Standard Search Parameters

Note to Readers

Track and Bill Back Search Costs

Note To Readers: In attempts to include everyday experiences of Daily Journal web site users into this review, I called several law firm librarians for their opinion of the site. One librarian said, “What site? I've been waiting all these years for the online Daily Journal and now that it's finally online, I didn't even know.” I sensed resentment in her tone.

Although the Daily Journal sent letters to all print subscribers, this librarian claimed not to have received one. The same goes for a law firm administrator in Pasadena who asserts that the print subscription is in her name, meaning that she too should have received the notice. Another firm librarian stated that she never received a return call about obtaining her password.

And, when I finally did locate a law firm librarian who had seen the site, it turned out that she was referring to the beta site in San Diego and her only comment was “The DAR did not look comprehensive online" (it is, I checked the online vs. the print DAR).

Track and bill back the cost of searches? We'll end Part I with the question that comes up most often: “Can the searches be tracked by client and billed back?” Yes. However, there does not appear to be a way to track the amount of time spent on each search, only the dollar amount spent on each search. To charge back searches, fill in the client name (or number) and the matter number in the box located at the top of the search screen, entitled “Search Title (optional)/Matter #”. I found this awkwardly phrased and would suggest it be re-worded to say “Client Name or Number” / Matter Name or Number.”

Part II (coming in February): We'll take a look at the following sections of the DJ's site: Current News Publications, “Research (archives), the Current DAR, the DAR archives, California Cases (back to 1934).

Part III (coming in March): We'll focus on the following sections: Court Forms (interactive), Court Rules, California Directory of Attorneys, Verdicts & Settlements, California Codes, California Legislation and Judicial Profiles.