Most records and reports from criminal court proceedings are part of the public domain and can be requested from various agencies—local, state, or federal. This data contains information on offenses, violations, and crimes that led to convictions. Records may span multiple jurisdictions, and to obtain a complete report on court cases, you might need to contact several institutions.
How to Request Records from the District Court
Step 1. Find the District Court Website.
Start by searching for your district court's website. Many provide access to records of criminal offenses, administrative, and disciplinary violations. Make sure to check the information on how to obtain these records.
- Sometimes, websites may have incomplete or outdated data. If the information you need is not available, feel free to call the court's information department and ask your questions.
Step 2. Use the Database to Search by Name or Case Number.
Use the database to find information by the defendant's name or case number. Usually, searches are conducted based on these criteria. The more information you have, the easier it will be to find the needed data.
Step 3. Check the District Court Website Again.
Review the district court website once more—sometimes, certain cases may be available online. However, not all records may be accessible online.
Step 4. Follow the Instructions to Obtain a Copy of the Case.
Follow the instructions provided on the site to obtain a copy of the case. If you need printed versions, you may have to submit a request and pay a fee. The rules for obtaining records may vary on each site.
How to Request Reports from the State Court
Step 1. Find Court Hearing Transcripts on the State Court Website.
Search for transcripts on the state court website. For this, type your state's name into a search engine followed by "criminal court."
- Each state has courts of different levels: tax, appellate, supreme, and others. Typically, all transcripts are consolidated into a single database.
Step 2. To find a criminal case, you will need the defendant's first and last name and/or case number.
Step 3. Review Records Online.
Many criminal records are available for online viewing. You can find information about hearings, notices, and comments. However, not all data may be accessible.
Step 4. Request Printed Copies of Court Reports.
Follow the instructions on the court's website to request printed copies of court reports.
- Usually, there will be a fee for obtaining copies. You can contact the court's clerk to learn how to access the materials you are interested in.
Obtaining Reports from the Supreme Court
Step 1. Find the Federal Supreme Court Website.
Step 2. Locate the "Hearing Search" Section for Access to Court Hearing Transcripts.
Use the "Hearing Search" section to find transcripts. This will give you access to official reviews of court proceedings.
Step 3. Enter a Phrase or Keyword in the Search Bar.
Type in the necessary words or phrases. If you have specific case details, feel free to provide them. Otherwise, you can use a person's name or a general keyword.
Step 4. Click on the Relevant Item in the Search Results.
Select the appropriate result from the list, and the system will show you all corresponding records.
Step 5. Find Additional Information in Other Databases.
If you need more information, try additional databases. For example, to search for comments or summaries related to the case, you can enter the hearing number, keyword, or date.
- Visit your local library to see if they have additional materials.
Step 6. Complete summaries are usually available at the Supreme Court and regional libraries.
Step 7. Request a Complete Summary of a Specific Case.
If you cannot access databases or want printed copies, contact the clerk's office and inquire about how to apply for the documents. These services may be provided for a fee.
Requesting Court Records Through an Attorney
Step 1. Contact an Attorney for Criminal Record Summaries.
Reach out to a criminal defense attorney or public defender who worked on your case. The attorney will be able to provide you with the necessary reports and records.
Step 2. Specify Which Records You Need.
Decide whether you want a full description of the court session or a brief report on the case.
Step 3. Keep in Mind That Document Collection May Incur Fees.
Note that attorney services for document collection are typically fee-based. Most attorneys will require compensation for their work, as they spend time attending court sessions and gathering information. Payment may be hourly or a flat fee.
How to Request Court Records from a Government Agency
Step 1. Determine Which Agency Handles Court Records.
Find out which agency is responsible for maintaining court hearing records. This could be a state police department, courts, or agencies. Look for information about this agency online. The website should have contact details—call to find out how to access the records.
- It's important to obtain records only from official agencies and not from third parties to ensure the information's accuracy.
Step 2. Submit a Request for Access to the Records.
Fill out a request for access to the records. Request procedures may vary, so carefully review the instructions on the agency's website.
- In some states, a notarized statement may be required. The notary verifies the documents, and their services may incur additional fees.
Step 3. If You Are Requesting Someone Else's Records, Prepare Necessary Documents.
If you are requesting records about another person, you may need additional documents. Keep in mind that government agencies may notify the individuals about whom information is being requested.
- Many records are specifically formatted for employers. If you are an employer wishing to obtain information about a potential employee, you may need to register before submitting the request.
Step 4. Check the Request for Accuracy.
Carefully verify the correctness of the request submission. Typically, requests need to include a lot of information: name, date of birth, address, etc. Ensure your request is directed to the correct place.
Step 5. Pay the Fees and Submit the Request.
Pay the fee and submit the request. Follow the instructions for submitting the document. Requests can be sent by mail or online; sometimes, in-person presence may be required.
- Pay the fee as directed.
Obtaining Records from Local Police
Step 1. Locate the Police Department that Confirmed the Conviction.
Contact the police department where the conviction was recorded. Request records of the criminal investigation, which will include information about the proceedings.
Step 2. Visit the Police Department.
You will likely need to fill out and submit a request in person. Gather all necessary information that may assist you.
- If you do not have access to the local police station, you can submit a request via email. Clarify what information will be needed for the request, usually requested are name, address, date of birth, and social security number.
Step 3. Inquire About Criminal Court Transcripts.
Request records of the criminal investigation that are archived at police stations.
- You may have to come to the police department to submit your request, and the results will be sent later via email.
Step 4. Request Information from the Police Department that Holds Data on Court Cases and Arrests.
- For obtaining fingerprints, contact law enforcement; this may also be a paid service. You can find the nearest print shop or contact organizations that offer data checks and biometric identification.
Step 5. Inquire About the Request Fees and Pay for the Request.
Find out the service costs and payment methods. Pay for the request and coordinate how you will receive the court transcript or other reports.
Accessing Records Online
Step 1. Identify Which Case You Need Information On.
Select the case for which you want to obtain information. Criminal cases are handled at the district, state, and federal levels, as they are considered serious.
- Records about a person or organization may be available in multiple jurisdictions.
Step 2. Find the Federal Bureau on the FSB Website.
You can find the Federal Bureau on the FSB website, which hosts about 7,000 scanned documents, including court records of criminal cases. Access these records through the database.
- To search for documents of interest, enter a keyword.
Step 3. Start by Checking Online Services.
Begin by searching for online services. For instance, you can use resources like PeekYou, White Pages Neighbors, and Dirtsearch.org. They check information across several databases, helping you find records related to criminal cases.
- BlackBookOnline.info features data on convictions that may be useful to you. Enter "criminal cases" in the search bar, select the type of conviction, and click "Click here to view results." Scroll through the list to choose the desired region.
