Where is the docket number located

Researchers can often find these documents simply by conducting internet searches with the case name or topic combined with phrases like "court filings" or "court documents. Electronic access to state court dockets and filings varies from state to state. Of the Law Library's databases and eResources available in the Reading Room , Bloomberg Law Patron Access provides the most comprehensive electronic access to federal and state dockets and court filings.

Nexis Uni also has a collection of "Briefs, Pleadings, and Motions," primarily from federal courts. The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library. Search this Guide Search.

Supreme Court Records and Briefs U. Federal Appellate Courts: Records and Briefs Researchers should keep in mind that for certain topics and cases of interest—including very current cases—third-party websites will often publish or link to dockets and court filings. As with case law, there are a many simple ways to find trial court orders on Westlaw Edge. For instance, if you want to search California civil trial court orders, either of the following two options will get you to the right page:.

If you have tried both options above and you are still having trouble finding the court opinion you need, there is another place you can look: the docket itself. In fact, many dockets — particularly federal dockets — will include PDF versions of opinions and decisions issued by the court for that specific case.

There are several ways to find dockets on Westlaw Edge , but one of the easiest is to use the global search bar at the top. And then run your search and pick the case you are interested in from the results list. Once you are in the docket itself, scroll down until you find the order or decision you need. Typically, the dockets are organized in reverse chronological order, so if you know the date of the opinion or court order, it will help you find what you need more quickly.

As you can see, there are many ways to find a case or court order on Westlaw Edge. And if you ever need help, you can always contact our Reference Attorneys , who are bar-admitted lawyers and experts on Westlaw, including its databases, features, and functionality. You need to know the state and county where the case is being heard, and whether it is a state case or federal case.

Since docket numbers are assigned on a court by court basis, different courts may use the same file number for two different cases. Clerks assign docket numbers based on their court's coding procedure.

A state court docket number is very different from a federal court docket number because the two systems have different coding procedures.

Figure out what kind of case it is. Criminal cases, for example, have different letter codes from civil cases. While two cases may have the same date or file number, they will have different letter codes, such as CR for criminal and CV for civil.

Part 2. Find the docket number on the case documents. Most documents filed with the court will include the docket number, so if you have a copy of the Complaint, Answer, or a motion, there's a good chance the docket number is on one of those. The docket number will usually be in one of the upper corners of the first page.

Double-check the names to be sure you have the right docket number. A person may be involved in many cases, each with its own case number. Find the docket number by contacting the court clerk where the case is being heard. This is the most straightforward way to get the case number. As long as you know the party's name and the county where the case is heard, the clerk can quickly access the docket number. The clerk can also give you basic public information such as the next hearing date.

Contact the court clerk by phone or in person at the courthouse. Go to the courthouse in the county hearing the case. Even if you can't speak with the clerk, if you have the correct spelling of the defendant's name in a criminal case or at least one of the parties in a civil case, you can look up the docket number if the court has a public computer terminal.

Bring a notebook, as not all courts offer printing services. If printing is available, there will likely be a charge per page. Find the docket number with the state's online search system. Many states have computerized their records. To find the docket number, you will need a minimum of the last name for one party and the court hearing the case. The more information you have, the better results you will garner in your search.

Many states have dozens or hundreds of courts, so check the National Center for State Courts, which maintains a list of state court websites. Go to source. Interpret the information contained in the docket number. Knowing a few simple codes, you can tell a lot about a court case by looking at the docket number. Court case numbering conventions vary by jurisdiction, but there are some similarities.

If a docket number includes the code "CR" it is probably a criminal case, either a felony or misdemeanor. A "CV" code typically stands for a civil case. Juvenile cases are often confidential to protect the child's identity.

A typical state court docket number will include the county, the year of filing, the case type code, and the numerical file number.

Part 3. Retrieve the docket number from a court document. If you have access to a hard copy or online digital copy of a pleading, the docket number will usually be one of the upper corners of the first page. Verify the names to make sure you have the right docket number.

Identify which federal district court is hearing the case. If you know the city or state, you can use the federal government court locator to narrow your choices from the 94 district courts spread across 13 circuits.

A map of the circuits can also help you narrow down which court you are looking for. The circuit website will direct you to the online sites for the district courts. PACER, short for Public Access to Court Electronic Records, is the portal to "case and docket information online from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts. You can run sample searches against a database created for training purposes. Select and register your billing method.

Usually, a free name search will give you the docket number you need. However, you need to register a payment method in order to access the actual documents. You can print on your own printer or save them to your hard drive. There is no charge to read judicial opinions.