Kara Sears
Knowing how to look up court cases and laws is an important skill for staying informed and exercising your rights. Court cases and laws are often accessible to the public, but the specific information available varies depending on the type of case and the court's policies. In many courts, you can find basic information about a case online, such as the names of the parties involved and any court dates. However, some cases, such as adoption records and juvenile court proceedings, are confidential and can only be accessed by authorised individuals. Additionally, while most modern court records are available electronically, older cases from before 1999 may only be accessible in paper format. To find federal court cases, you can use the PACER Case Locator, which provides access to federal case documents and updates daily. For state-level cases, you can visit the relevant court's website or courthouse to access case information. Understanding court cases and laws can be complex, and there are resources available, such as FindLaw's informational articles, to help you navigate the legal system and find the information you need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Court Case Information | Name of the parties, documents filed, and court dates |
| Court Case Record Availability | Available online or at the courthouse |
| Confidential Cases | Adoption records, juvenile court, and eviction records |
| Federal Case Search | PACER Case Locator |
| Federal Case Document Access | Real-time access via PACER login |
| Paper Case Files | Available at the court or Federal Records Centers (FRCs) |
| Case Preservation | Permanently preserved records transferred to National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) |
| Courthouse Record Access | Free viewing, 10 cents per page for printing |
| Fee Exemptions | Individuals on defined research projects for scholarly work |
| Federal Court Database | Federal Court Cases Integrated Database (IDB) |
| Supreme Court Information | Available on the court's website |
| State Laws and Court Opinions | Available on FindLaw |
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What You'll Learn
- Use online services to search for basic information about a case
- Access case files from the courthouse or clerk's office
- Understand confidentiality and access restrictions for certain cases
- Utilise PACER for federal case searches and document access
- Explore free resources, like FindLaw, for court opinions and state laws
Use online services to search for basic information about a case
Many courts allow you to look up basic information about court cases online, such as the name of the parties, what documents have been filed, and whether there are any court dates. To do this, go to the court's website where the case was filed. Most courts have a section on their website called "online services" or something similar, which will tell you whether you can look up a court case online and what type of records you can view.
However, not all types of records are available online. Some court records are kept confidential to protect privacy, such as divorce, criminal, adoption, or juvenile cases. In such cases, you may need to visit the courthouse to view the case record. If the case record is not available online, you may be able to access it at the courthouse, either on a court computer or from a court clerk.
Additionally, some online services, such as PACER, allow you to search for federal court cases. PACER provides access to court opinions from many appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts. It also has a Case Locator tool, which allows you to conduct nationwide searches to determine whether a party is involved in a federal case. To access documents for a specific federal court case, you need to log in to PACER. Case files can also be accessed from public access terminals in the clerk's office of the court where the case was filed.
It is important to note that most cases created before 1999 are maintained in paper format only and can be accessed from the court where the case was filed or at a Federal Records Center (FRC). There may be a fee associated with accessing case files through PACER or printing from public access terminals at courthouses.
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Access case files from the courthouse or clerk's office
Accessing case files from a courthouse or clerk's office is a straightforward process, but it's important to note that not all court records are available to the public. The availability of case files depends on factors such as the type of case, the sensitivity of the information, and the location of the courthouse. Here is a step-by-step guide to accessing case files:
Identify the Courthouse or Clerk's Office:
Determine the specific courthouse or clerk's office where the case was filed. This information is crucial because case files are typically stored and accessed at the location where the case was heard.
Understand Access Restrictions:
Before visiting the courthouse or clerk's office, it's essential to be aware of any access restrictions. In some cases, only certain individuals, such as parties directly involved in the case or their attorneys, may have full access to the case files. The public's access may be limited or restricted to protect individual privacy rights, especially in sensitive cases like divorce, child custody, civil harassment, or criminal proceedings.
Visit the Courthouse or Clerk's Office:
Once you have identified the correct location, visit the courthouse or clerk's office during their operating hours. Some courthouses may provide remote access to electronic case files, but this is not always the case, and you may need to access them on-site.
Provide Relevant Information:
To access case files, you will typically need to provide specific information about the case, such as the case number or the full names of one of the parties involved. If you don't have the case number, some courthouses offer public computers or terminals where you can search for it using the available case management systems.
Request and Obtain Copies (if necessary):
If you need copies of court documents, you can request them from the courthouse or clerk's office. There may be fees associated with obtaining copies, and the charges can vary depending on the format (e.g., paper or electronic) and the number of pages. In some cases, you may be able to view and print electronic records directly from public access terminals within the courthouse or clerk's office.
Off-Site Storage and Older Records:
Keep in mind that some case files may be stored off-site due to space limitations, especially for older cases. Retrieving these records may incur additional charges, and you may need to submit a request or follow specific procedures to access them.
By following these steps, you can effectively access case files from the courthouse or clerk's office, keeping in mind any access restrictions and potential fees associated with obtaining copies.
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Understand confidentiality and access restrictions for certain cases
When looking up court cases and laws, it is important to understand that not all cases are publicly accessible. Some types of cases or records are confidential and access-restricted.
Confidential cases include those involving sensitive matters, such as adoption records or juvenile court cases. Access to eviction records may also be limited. Only authorised individuals, such as the parties involved, their attorneys, or other authorised entities, can access confidential case information.
In some jurisdictions, like California, certain case information may be available online through the court's website or "online services" section. However, not all types of records are available online, and you may need to visit the courthouse to access additional information.
Federal court cases can be searched using the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system, which provides access to case documents and real-time updates. Paper case files for older cases before 1999 can be accessed at the court or Federal Records Centres (FRCs). There may be fees associated with accessing certain documents through PACER, but these fees are generally waived for low-volume users.
Additionally, lawyers have a professional obligation to maintain client confidentiality. They must make reasonable efforts to prevent the unauthorised disclosure of information relating to their client's representation. However, in certain situations, lawyers may be ordered by a court or governmental entity to reveal confidential information.
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Utilise PACER for federal case searches and document access
PACER, or Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is a service that provides electronic public access to federal court records. It is an official website of the United States government that allows users to search for and access federal court records online.
To utilise PACER for federal case searches and document access, follow these steps:
- Register for a PACER account: Visit the PACER website and create an account by providing your personal information and creating a secure password. There is no fee to register, but there is a fee to access court records once logged in. For immediate access, you can provide a credit card during registration.
- Search for cases: On the PACER website, you can search for cases by case number, party name, or nature of the suit. You can also conduct nationwide searches to determine if a party is involved in a federal case. The PACER Case Locator can assist you in finding the correct case and court location if you are unsure.
- Access case information: Once you have located the case, you can access case information, including case files and documents. There is a fee of $0.10 per page for accessing case information, with a maximum charge of $3.00 per document. You will be billed on a quarterly basis, and fees are waived for those accruing less than a certain amount in a quarter.
- View and download documents: To view any document, click on the hyperlinked number next to the document. You will be able to see the charges before proceeding. Consider using the Chrome extension RECAP to save and archive the documents you purchase.
- Request fee exemptions: If you are an individual researcher working on a defined research project for scholarly work, you can request PACER fee exemptions from multiple courts using the attached form on the PACER website.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilise PACER for federal case searches and document access. It is important to note that PACER provides access to electronic records, and older cases from before 1999 may only be available in paper format from the court or Federal Records Centers (FRCs).
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Explore free resources, like FindLaw, for court opinions and state laws
FindLaw is a free online resource that provides access to a wealth of legal information, including court opinions and state laws. The website offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to explore and search for the information they need.
In terms of court opinions, FindLaw provides access to a searchable database of United States Supreme Court decisions since April 1760. Users can explore cases by volume or calendar year, finding published opinions in volumes 1 through 557 and decisions published after June 2009 in volumes 558 and higher. Notable cases such as Roe v. Wade, Marbury v. Madison, and McCulloch v. Maryland are included in this collection. The website also offers information about the justices who shape the legal system through their decisions.
FindLaw also provides access to state and federal court opinions from courts such as the U.S. Federal District Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the U.S. Tax Court, and more. Users can browse case summaries and gain insights into the legal concepts addressed by these courts.
For state laws, FindLaw offers a comprehensive collection of state-specific laws across various legal topics. Users can access laws for individual states, covering a range of subjects relevant to that state. Additionally, FindLaw provides access to U.S. codes and statutes, as well as state codes and statutes, ensuring that users can find the specific legal information they seek.
To aid in understanding the legal concepts and terminology, FindLaw's "Learn About the Law" section offers thousands of informational articles. This feature helps users navigate their legal options and provides resources for finding an attorney in their area if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
You can look up court cases online to find basic information such as the name of the parties, documents filed, and court dates. If this information is not available online, you may be able to find it at the courthouse, either on a court computer or from a court clerk. Some case records are only available to view at the courthouse, and certain case records are confidential and can only be accessed by authorised individuals.
Court records and case files are often stored at the courthouse, where they can be viewed for free. There may be a fee to print from a public access terminal or to access files through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
You can find laws and court opinions on websites such as FindLaw, which offers a free collection of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code.
If you are looking for a specific federal court case, you can use the PACER Case Locator. If you know the specific court the case was filed in, you can log into PACER to access federal case documents in real-time.
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