U.S. Supreme Court opinions are online

Each Monday, The Eagle highlights a government record that is available to the public. Open records help people keep government in check and help them better understand how government affects their lives.

For a complete list of You Oughta Know columns, go to www.kansas.com/oughta.

The record: Opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Why you'd want them: To learn more about the judicial branch of government and what cases Supreme Court Justices are hearing. The cases often are interesting, such as an opinion issued in April about a Kansas criminal case that reads like an episode of "Law & Order."

Where you get the records: Go to www.supremecourtus.gov. Click on the "Opinions" link.

How much it will cost: The information is free.