ℹ️Court records are public information governed by state and local access rules. This guide links directly to official government portals — no third-party databases or paid services.
Updated April 2026 · Official Portal · Free Public Access
Justice Court Case Search:
Official Online Lookup Guide
Official Online Lookup Guide
Searching court case records shouldn’t require a law degree. This guide breaks down the exact steps — which portal to use, what to type, what the results mean — so you can find what you need in minutes, not hours.
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Section 01
What Is Justice Court Case Search?
The Court Case Search — All States Directory provides free public access to court case records. You can search by name, case number, or other identifiers to find criminal cases, civil lawsuits, traffic violations, family law matters, and other court records.
🏛 Court Case Search — All States Directory
OFFICIAL PORTALThe official, free public portal for searching court case records in Justice.
What Records Can You Find?
| Case Type | What’s Included |
|---|---|
| Criminal | Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft |
| Civil | Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, debt collection, foreclosures |
| Traffic | Speeding tickets, red light violations, suspended license, DUI/DWI |
| Family Law | Divorce, child custody, child support, protective orders |
| Small Claims | Disputes under the small claims dollar limit |
| Probate | Wills, estates, guardianship, conservatorship |
ℹ️ Important: Court case search portals show filings and dispositions — not arrest records. For arrest/booking records, check the county sheriff’s jail roster. For background checks, use the state police criminal history portal.
Section 02
How to Search Justice Court Cases — Step by Step
Search by Name
- Go to the official portal: Court Case Search — All States Directory
- Accept the disclaimer if prompted — most portals require you to agree to terms of use before searching.
- Enter the person’s last name (required). Add the first name to narrow results. Some systems support partial name searches using wildcard characters (usually % or *).
- Select the case type if the portal offers filters — criminal, civil, traffic, family, etc. This dramatically reduces results for common names.
- Review results: Case number, case type, filing date, parties, charges or claims, and current status/disposition.
- Click any case number for the full record — hearing dates, judge assigned, motions filed, judgment, and sentencing details.
Search by Case Number
- Select “Case Number” search on the portal (if available as a separate option).
- Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on court documents. Format varies by jurisdiction.
- View the complete case record — all parties, all filings, all hearings, and the final disposition.
💡 Pro Tips: If a name search returns too many results, add the date of birth or narrow by date range. For common names (Smith, Johnson, Garcia), filtering by case type and year is essential. Try alternate spellings and maiden names if the person isn’t found.
Section 03
Understanding Justice Court Structure
Most jurisdictions operate multiple court levels — understanding which court handles your case type helps you search more efficiently.
| Court Level | Handles | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Superior / Circuit Court | Serious felonies, major civil cases, family law, juvenile | Jury trials available. Handles appeals from lower courts. |
| District / Municipal Court | Misdemeanors, traffic, small civil claims, landlord/tenant | Usually no jury trials. Faster processing. |
| Small Claims Court | Civil disputes under the dollar limit | No attorney required. Simplified procedures. |
| Family Court | Divorce, custody, support, adoption | Some records restricted for privacy. |
| Appellate Court | Appeals from trial courts | Reviews legal errors, not facts. |
⚠️ Some records are restricted: Juvenile cases, sealed/expunged records, certain family law matters, and grand jury proceedings are typically not available through public case search portals. Contact the court clerk for restricted record requests.
Section 04
Justice Court Contact Information
🏛 Court Clerk’s Office
OFFICIALFor questions about case records, filing procedures, court dates, or certified copies.
AddressSelect your state for the official portal
HoursMonday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (check for holidays)
💡 Can’t find what you need online? Visit the court clerk’s office in person during business hours. Bring any case numbers or party names you have. Staff can help locate records that may not appear in the online system — especially older cases or those that have been transferred.
Section 05
Search Tips & Common Issues
- 💡Exact spelling matters — try alternate spellings, hyphenated names, and maiden names if you get no results
- 💡Use wildcards (% or *) for partial name searches when the portal supports them
- 💡Old cases may not be online — many jurisdictions only digitized records from a certain year forward. Contact the clerk for older records.
- 💡Case numbers change format when cases are appealed or transferred between courts — search by name if the number doesn’t work
- 💡“Disposed” doesn’t mean dismissed — it means the case has reached a resolution (which could be guilty, not guilty, dismissed, settled, etc.)
- 💡For certified copies (needed for employment, housing, legal proceedings), you must request them from the court clerk — online records are informational only
- 💡Court records ≠ arrest records. For recent arrests, check the county jail roster or sheriff’s website. For background checks, use the state police portal.
Section 06
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The official court case search portal provides free public access to case records. Some jurisdictions may charge a small fee for certified copies or bulk data access, but basic searching and viewing is free.
Yes. Enter the person’s last name (required) and optionally the first name. Use wildcard characters (% or *) for partial matches. Filter by case type, date range, or court location to narrow results for common names.
Typically: case number, case type, filing date, party names, charges or claims, hearing dates, judge assigned, motions filed, disposition (outcome), and sentencing details for criminal cases. The level of detail varies by jurisdiction.
Possible reasons: the case may be sealed or expunged, it may be a juvenile case (restricted access), the person’s name may be spelled differently in court records, the case may be in a different jurisdiction or court level, or the records may predate the online system. Contact the court clerk for assistance.
Most court records are public information. Exceptions include sealed/expunged records, juvenile cases, certain family law matters (adoption, some custody), grand jury proceedings, and records restricted by court order. Access rules vary by jurisdiction.
“Disposed” means the case has reached a final resolution. This could be a conviction, acquittal, dismissal, settlement, or other outcome. It does NOT necessarily mean the case was dismissed — check the specific disposition for details.
Contact the court clerk’s office where the case was filed. Certified copies typically require a written request, the case number, and a fee (usually $5–$25 per document). Online records are informational only and not certified.
Court records are public, but employment use is regulated by the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). Employers using records for hiring must follow FCRA procedures, including consent and adverse action notices. Many states have additional restrictions (Ban the Box laws).
Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court records access is governed by state and local rules. For legal assistance, consult a licensed attorney.