Skip to main content

Searching Caselaw

Research NY criminal caselaw with AI assistance.

Two Ways to Research​

Second Seat offers two approaches to case law research:

  • Chat mode — Ask legal questions and get streaming answers with citations. Best for quick, issue-based questions.
  • Research mode — Submit a fact pattern and get a full research memo backed by CourtListener search results. Best for comprehensive, fact-pattern-based research. See Research Mode for details.

How Caselaw Search Works​

In Chat mode, Second Seat draws on its legal knowledge to:

  • Find relevant cases
  • Explain the holdings
  • Provide citations you can verify

In Research mode, Second Seat actively searches the CourtListener database to:

  • Find real cases matching your fact pattern
  • Read and analyze the full opinion text
  • Score each case for relevance
  • Write a structured memo with verified citations

Effective Research Questions​

Issue-Based Research (Chat mode)​

  • "What is the standard for a Terry stop in New York?"
  • "When can a defendant withdraw a guilty plea?"
  • "What constitutes 'depraved indifference' under NY Penal Law?"

Fact-Pattern Research (Research mode)​

  • "Research case law on guns found in bags during car stops"
  • "Find cases where identification was suppressed due to suggestive procedures"
  • "What does the case law say about warrantless searches of containers in vehicles?"

Statutory Research (Chat mode)​

  • "How have courts interpreted CPL 30.30 speedy trial requirements?"
  • "What does 'physical injury' mean under the assault statutes?"

Verifying Citations​

Always verify the cases cited by the AI. While Second Seat strives for accuracy:

  1. Check that the case exists
  2. Confirm the holding is accurately stated
  3. Verify the case hasn't been overruled