Cite Check
A free citation checker for people writing their own briefs
Before you file, check every citation: does each case exist, does each quote match the opinion word for word, and does each statute still say what you say it says? Cite Check does that in one report, and your document never leaves your device.
Why it matters
AI chat tools can invent cases that look real, with real-sounding names, reporters and page numbers. Courts across the country have sanctioned people for filing briefs with citations that did not exist. A lawyer has a research service to catch that. Most people representing themselves do not.
In Texas, signing a pleading or motion certifies that, after a reasonable inquiry, it is not groundless and brought in bad faith or to harass. A court that finds a filing signed in violation of that rule must impose an appropriate sanction after notice and a hearing (Tex. R. Civ. P. 13). The rule applies to parties as well as attorneys. A citation you never checked is a risk you can avoid.
What Cite Check checks
- Cases exist. Each case citation — reporter cites like 593 S.W.3d 271 and Texas docket numbers like No. 03-25-00205-CV — is looked up in public court records (CourtListener and the Texas courts’ case search). A citation that can’t be found is marked Not found — check this cite.
- Quotes match. Each quotation is compared with the opinion’s public text on your device. You see whether it matches exactly, matches with normal changes like [h]e or . . ., is close (with the difference shown), or was not found.
- Warning signs. Later Texas opinions are searched for words like “overruled” or “disapproved” near the case’s own name or cite, so you know which cases to read closely.
- Statutes are current. Texas statute cites are compared with the current text from the Texas Legislature, including when the section was last amended.
- Rules exist. Texas Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure cites are checked against the official rule text, with the date of that version.
Every row links to its source so you can read it yourself. If a lookup service is down or busy, the row says it couldn’t check instead of guessing.
What stays private
Your PDF or pasted text is read on your phone or computer. Only the citation strings — which are public information — are sent out to be looked up. Your brief, your quotes, your name and your cause number are not sent, and what is sent is not logged.
How to use it
- Set up ProSeFiler. It’s free and takes about a minute. No account.
- Open Cite Check. Upload your brief or motion as a PDF, or paste the text.
- Read the report. Problems are listed first. Open each source and fix what needs fixing before you file.
What it can’t do
Cite Check is not a citator like KeyCite or Shepard’s. It can miss partial overrulings, and it does not tell you whether a case supports the point you cite it for. It never labels a case “good law.” Read every case you cite.
Check your citations before you file.
Upload a brief or motion and get one report: cases found, quotes matched, statutes current, with a link to every source.
Free to start. No account. Your case stays encrypted on your device.
Common questions
Is Cite Check free?
Yes. Cite Check is one of ProSeFiler’s free tools. You do not need an account.
Does my brief get uploaded to ProSeFiler?
No. Your document is read on your phone or computer. Only the citation strings themselves, which are public information, are sent to look them up. Your brief, your quotes, your name and your cause number are not sent.
Can Cite Check tell me if a case is still good law?
No. Cite Check is not a citator like KeyCite or Shepard’s. It searches later Texas opinions for warning signs such as “overruled” near the case’s name or cite, and shows you what it found. It can miss partial overrulings. Read every case you cite.
Why do citations need checking if I did not use AI?
Mistakes creep in from copying, old forms and other people’s briefs: a wrong page number, a quote that drifted, a statute that has since been amended. When you sign a filing in Texas, you certify that you made a reasonable inquiry (Tex. R. Civ. P. 13).