Are most federal and state court trial decisions published?

Most federal and state court trial decisions are not published, making the assertion that they are published true rather than correct. In the legal system, only a select number of trial court decisions are published in legal reporters. Typically, appellate court decisions or significant rulings that establish legal precedent or clarify existing law receive publication to provide guidance for future cases. Trial court decisions often remain unpublished because they generally involve specific facts and may not have broad legal significance.

Therefore, while it is common for people to think that most trial decisions are published due to the volume produced, the reality is that many remain unreported and thus not accessible in formal legal publications. In contrast to the answer selected, recognizing that publication is more reserved for notable cases can lead to a more accurate understanding of legal documentation practices in courts.