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Records in Court: Best Practices for Creating, Maintaining, and Destroying Them



Federal case files are maintained electronically and are available through the internet-based Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. PACER allows anyone with an account to search and locate appellate, district, and bankruptcy court case and docket information. Register for a PACER account.




Records in court




Most cases created before 1999 are maintained in paper format only. Access paper case files from the court, where the case was filed, or at one of the Federal Records Centers (FRCs). Contact the court where the case was filed for more information.


All bankruptcy courts have a telephone information system, also known as the Voice Case Information System, that enables callers to obtain basic case information through a touchtone phone. This is free to use and available 24 hours a day.


Court opinions are available for free on PACER to anyone with an account. Additionally, access to court opinions from many appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts are available for no fee in a text searchable format through a partnership with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), consistent with the E-Government Act.


When court records and case files are eligible for permanent preservation, they are transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for storage and preservation. These records can be accessed directly from NARA.


Individual researchers working on defined research projects intended for scholarly work can use the attached form (pdf) to request PACER fee exemptions from multiple courts. In accordance with the EPA fee schedule, the request should be limited in scope, and not be intended for redistribution on the internet or for commercial purposes.


The Florida Supreme Court has authorized the Orange County Clerk of Courts to provide the public with electronic access to many court records as well as non-confidential documents, pursuant to Administrative Order AOSC16-14.


When someone files a case in court, the court will keep an official record about the case. Information about you may be contained in a court record. For example, if you file a lawsuit claiming another person owes you money, your name and how much money you are asking for will become part of the court record.


A court may keep a record in paper or electronic format. A record kept in electronic format is known as an electronic record. An electronic record can only be viewed on an electronic device such as a computer, tablet, or cell phone.


The public is allowed to look at court records for most cases. However, there are some court records the public is not allowed to see. This happens when a law or court order makes a record confidential.


In other cases, there are certain documents in the case file that are not available to the public. An example of these is a fee waiver application. The public may be able to see part of the court record but would not be able to see this document.


Even when the public is not allowed to look at a court record, there will still be certain people who are allowed. For example, if you are a party in a case, you can look at the court record even if the public cannot.


As another example, if you and your spouse were getting a divorce, information about you and your marriage could be in an electronic record. But the public could not look at the electronic record using remote access. Members of the public who wanted to see the electronic record would have to visit the courthouse.


Keep in mind, all or part of a court record may also be confidential by law or court order. In that case, no one from the public would be able to view the electronic record at the courthouse or through remote access.


The sections below will give you more information about the people who can have full remote access to electronic records. The sections below only apply if the court is able to provide remote access. Not every court may be able to provide remote access. Even courts that are able to provide it may not yet be able to provide it to everyone listed below.


An official court reporter is a certified professional who makes a word-for-word record of court proceedings and may prepare typed transcripts from that record for purposes such as appeals. Official court reports are approved either by a senior resident superior court judge or the Administrative Office of the Courts. A list of official court reporters and transcriptionists is found here.


A transcriptionist listens to an audio recording of a court proceeding to prepare a written transcript. A transcriptionist does not usually attend the court proceeding, but rather listens to an audio recording made by the clerk in the courtroom.


On the other hand, an official court reporter attends the court proceeding and is trained to use special technology to make a word-for-word record of the proceeding. For example, court reporters may use stenotype machines or voice writing. Voice writing is the process of echoing the spoken words of a proceeding into a special, mask-like device that is connected to a computer. As the court reporter speaks into the machine, the computer software translates the spoken word into a transcription, which is then reviewed by the court reporter upon the conclusion of the proceeding.


When is a transcript prepared?A transcript is prepared at the request of a party and requires the payment of fees to the transcriptionist or court reporter to prepare the typed version. Typically, transcripts are prepared for appeals. If you are entitled to a court-appointed attorney on appeal, transcript fees will usually be advanced on your behalf for an appeal. Under some circumstances, however, you may be ordered to reimburse the court for such transcript fees.


The transcript gives the appellate court a word-for-word record of what happened in the trial court. Also, when making arguments on appeal, the parties cite to certain portions of the transcript to support their positions.


No. For example, criminal district court proceedings (other than pleas in H and I felonies) are not recorded unless ordered by a judge. Appeals from criminal district court go to superior court for a new trial (rather than a review of the record of what happened in district court), so a transcript is unnecessary for that purpose.


The Clerk has attempted to make searching the Alachua County online courts department records index as easy as possible. You should only enter the criteria by which you wish the computer to search. You do not need to enter data into every field.


Date Filed From: The beginning date defaults to the earliest date of records online, but you may change this date to any date through the present. The ending date defaults to the most recent documents. You may change this to any date to restrict your search results.


You will not be able to do online research for many closed civil action records prior to 1999. Records prior to 1999 may be researched at the Records Department located at the Courthouse located at 201 E. University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida.


You will not be able to do online research for many closed criminal records prior to 1990. Records prior to 1990 may be researched at the Records Department located at the Courthouse located at 201 E. University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida.


Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.


Note: Due to federal or state law or policy, the Oregon Judicial Department does not provide court records or court calendar information for certain cases through this service. This applies to records including, but not limited to, adoption, juvenile, mental health, and cases that fall under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).


Court staff may be able to provide case information by phone but cannot provide legal advice. Additionally, each local circuit court has a free public access terminal where you can look up case information for most cases (state and federal law require courts to protect some information).


The Broward County Clerk's Office is issuing a notice to the public about a recent change in the filing of court records with regard to the redaction of confidential information. Read Full Press Release.


Please remember that information provided through this site does not constitute the official court records of the Clerk. It is my ongoing commitment to continue to improve this site and the services offered both here and in my offices.


Genealogy Research Since 1787, probate records like wills are filed and kept by the Surrogate's Court in each county. These records are available from the courthouse and appointments may be needed to view the records. There may be a fee to access some of the records. Use the Court Locator box to find the Surrogate's Court in the county you're interested in.


Review the statewide processes for making and responding to public records requests; provisions that safeguard sensitive information and documents including local rules, court regulations and filing procedures.


Find the correct form to request information on a recurring or one-time basis, details on filing confidential information in magisterial district and trial courts and to request financial records through Rule 509.


The Brevard Electronic Court Application (BECA) offers online access to court records pursuant to Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 2014-19 and as amended thereafter. BECA is the replacement for our legacy, eFACTS program.


The King County Superior Court Clerk is the custodian of the King County Superior Court case records. Customers can quickly request or view court records using our KC Script Portal. Most court records can also be accessed in person or by mail.


The Superior Court Clerk's Office has three records access public areas offering customers the option to view court documents for free, during business hours. You can also request and purchase records at one of these locations as needed. 2ff7e9595c


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