District of Columbia Public Records /District of Columbia Court Records Online

District of Columbia Court Records Online

Are Court Records in District of Columbia Open to the Public?

Yes, court records in the District of Columbia are open to the public under the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This Act mandates that all public bodies within the District of Columbia government must disclose their records to the public, except for those restricted by law. To obtain these records, requesters must provide specific details such as the case number and the names of the litigants involved. Additionally, requesters might need to submit their requests in writing to the court clerk where the case was filed.

What Information Appears in a District of Columbia Court Records Search?

Case number
Names of litigants
Judge's name
Case type (criminal, civil, probate, etc.)
Case status and hearing dates
Docket entries
Filed documents and motions
Court's final judgment

How To Find Court Records in District of Columbia

To find court records in the District of Columbia, individuals can start by identifying the courthouse where the case was filed. Court records are typically maintained by court clerks. Interested parties can request these records either in person by visiting the clerk's office or through online portals provided by the District of Columbia Courts. For in-person requests, individuals should visit the specific courthouse, submit a written request, and follow the clerk's instructions. Alternatively, online access to court records can be obtained via the eAccess portal for the Superior Court and the Appellate E-Filing System for the Court of Appeals. There may be administrative fees for obtaining official copies of court records, payable by cash, money order, certified check, or credit card.

Public Access to District of Columbia Court Records

The District of Columbia Courts provide different online portals for public access to court records. For Superior Court records, individuals can use the eAccess portal, while appellate court records can be accessed through the Appellate E-Filing System. These online systems allow users to search for case information, docket entries, and some document images. Access to these portals is free, although they only provide access to docket entries and not official record copies.

Searching District of Columbia Court Records by Name

To search for court records by name in the District of Columbia, individuals can use the eAccess portal for the Superior Court and the Appellate E-Filing System for the Court of Appeals. On the eAccess portal, users should visit the Cases Online page, select the "Learn More" button under the Superior Court section, and then click "Search Now." After entering the verification text on the Captcha challenge, users can select the Name Search tab. For individual parties, users should enter the last name and first name, with middle names and suffixes being optional. For business names, users should enter the company name. Additional search fields include case type, case status, party type, birth date, and date of death search range.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in District of Columbia

Court records in the District of Columbia can be accessed online for free through the eAccess portal and the Appellate E-Filing System. To access records via eAccess, users should visit the Cases Online page, select the "Learn More" button under the Superior Court section, and click "Search Now." After completing the Captcha challenge, users can search for records by case number or party name. The Appellate E-Filing System allows users to search for appellate court records by case number or participant name. Both portals provide free access to docket entries but not official record copies.

Exemptions for District of Columbia Court Case Lookup

Certain records are exempt from public access under the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act. These exemptions include:

Juvenile case records
Sexual assault case records
Company secrets contained in court records
Divorce records
Child custody records
Civil harassment records
Certain criminal records

These exemptions are in place to protect sensitive information and ensure privacy. Records that fall under these categories may be heavily redacted or entirely withheld from public access.

Finding a Court Docket in District of Columbia

A court docket in the District of Columbia is a chronological listing of filings and proceedings in a court case. To find a court docket, individuals can visit the clerk's office of the relevant court or use the eAccess portal for Superior Court cases and the Appellate E-Filing System for appellate cases. Dockets provide valuable information, including hearing dates, case status, and filed documents. They are essential for attorneys, judges, and members of the public who need to track case progress and obtain copies of court records.

What Information Is Found in District of Columbia Judgment Records?

Judgment records in the District of Columbia contain the following information:

Names of litigants
Judge's name
Case background summary
Issued judgment
Date of judgment
Any court-ordered actions

To obtain judgment records, individuals must visit the clerk's office, provide case details such as the case number and litigants' names, and pay any applicable administrative fees.

Are Bankruptcy Records in District of Columbia Publicly Accessible?

Yes, bankruptcy records in the District of Columbia are publicly accessible. These records include financial documents such as lists of assets, income statements, tax returns, bank statements, and debt profiles. To obtain these records, requesters must provide specific information such as the debtor's name and case number. Bankruptcy records can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database, where anyone with a PACER account can view the records.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in District of Columbia

To search for bankruptcy records in the District of Columbia, individuals can use federal court resources, credit reporting agencies, and third-party websites. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia creates these records during bankruptcy proceedings. Requesters can access these records by visiting the court, using the PACER database, or contacting credit reporting agencies. Some third-party websites also provide access to bankruptcy records. Administrative fees may apply for obtaining official copies of these records.

Different Types of Courts in District of Columbia

Superior Court: The trial court of general jurisdiction, handling criminal, civil, probate, landlord-tenant, tax, traffic, family, and small claims cases.
Court of Appeals: The highest court, reviewing appeals from the Superior Court and decisions from administrative boards, commissions, and agencies.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in District of Columbia

Civil cases in the District of Columbia involve lawsuits between entities with monetary claims. These cases are handled by the Civil Division of the Superior Court, which includes the Civil Action Branch, the Landlord and Tenant Branch, and the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch. The Civil Action Branch deals with claims of $10,000 and above, while the Small Claims Court handles claims of $10,000 or less. Small claims cases are treated with simpler procedures, allowing self-representation except for businesses, which must have an attorney. Jury hearings can be requested in writing, and cases approved for jury hearings are transferred to the Civil Division.

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