Searching for the details of a court case online can be a valuable tool for anyone looking to research a legal matter or stay informed about ongoing cases. With the increasing availability of digital court records, it’s now easier than ever to access this information from the comfort of your own home or office. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best ways to search for court case details online, and we’ll provide a list of resources that can help you find the information you need.
Use Online Court Record Search Tools
One of the easiest and most efficient ways to search for court case details online is to use an online court record search tool. These tools allow you to search for cases by a variety of criteria, such as case number, party name, or filing date. Some popular online court record search tools include:
- PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) – This is a federal court system that allows users to access and download court case information from all U.S. District and Appellate courts. It charges a small fee per page viewed.
- State and County Court Websites – Many state and county court websites provide online access to court records, and some may allow you to search for cases by party name, case number, or filing date.
Use Government Websites
Government websites can also be a valuable resource when searching for court case details online. Many government websites provide access to court records, as well as other legal information, such as statutes and regulations. Some popular government websites that provide access to court records include:
- The Law Library of Congress – The Law Library of Congress serves as the de facto law library of the United States, providing access to a wide range of legal resources, including court cases, statutes, and regulations.
- The U.S. Department of Justice – The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about ongoing court cases and legal matters, as well as access to court records.
Use Legal Research Databases
Legal research databases—such as Trellis, LexisNexis, and Westlaw—can also be a valuable resource for searching for court case details online. These databases provide access to a wide range of legal information, including court cases, statutes, and regulations. Legal research databases support both natural language and Boolean searches, providing users with court dockets, case documents, and judicial rulings. These services, which are usually paid, are generally used by legal professionals, requiring subscription or membership to access the full information.
In conclusion, searching for court case details online can be a useful tool for anyone looking to research a legal matter or stay informed about ongoing cases. By utilizing the resources mentioned above, such as online court record search tools, government websites, and legal research databases, you can find the information you need quickly and easily. Remember to be aware of the restrictions and pay attention to the source when you are doing your research.
Nicole Clark
Prior to founding Trellis, Nicole Clark was a business litigation and labor and employment attorney who handled litigation in both state and federal courts. She regularly represented multinational corporations in claims ranging from high-profile trade secret disputes to complex class-action litigation. Frustrated by sending internal emails and collecting anecdotes on judges in order to make strategic case recommendations, she built Trellis to solve her own need for access to data, information, and analytics at the state trial court level. Prior to law school, Nicole attended Bard College, beginning her college coursework at the age of sixteen. She graduated with honors from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a BA in Journalism, and received her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers School of Law in Newark, NJ. Nicole sat for the Bar Exam in California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and remains licensed to practice law in all three states.