What is the primary purpose of KeyCite in legal research?

KeyCite plays a vital role in legal research by allowing users to trace the history of cases and evaluate the legal citations associated with them. It provides comprehensive information regarding whether a case is still valid law, considering factors such as whether it has been overturned, reversed, or cited by other cases. This helps legal professionals understand not only the status of the cited authority but also the context in which it has been used in various jurisdictions.

This capability is crucial for attorneys and paralegals who want to ensure they are relying on current and authoritative legal precedents when building their cases. Being able to see how a specific case has interacted with subsequent rulings aids in developing a well-supported legal argument.

The other options, while related to legal research in different ways, do not describe KeyCite's primary function. Tracking legislative changes pertains to legislative research tools rather than case law citation. Summarizing court opinions relates to case law services that provide brief insights but does not capture the detailed evaluation aspect of KeyCite. Cataloging forensic evidence is outside the scope of what KeyCite offers, as it is focused on legal citations rather than evidence collection or handling.