A docket sheets is like a table of contents of the materials filed in a court case. This entry explains how to get docket sheets for cases in Federal and state courts. Special services -- online document ordering, case monitoring and getting older docket sheets online -- are discussed at the end of the entry.
Traditionally, you got docket sheets from the relevant court. You would either send someone to make a copy at the court or you would call the court clerk and ask (or beg) them to send you a copy. If that didn't work you could call one of the attorneys on the case. For closed cases, you might have to contact an archives or library that keeps older case files (see e.g., "New York State - Judicial Branch").
While those can still be good ways to get docket sheets, now most Federal and state court docket sheets are retrieved online.
Online Sources: The U.S. Supreme Court posts docket sheets on its own Web site (discussed below). The central source for most other Federal docket sheets is the Pacer system. For Pacer questions, call 1-800-676-6856 and/or check the FAQ posted by Legal Dockets Online. A list of all the direct-dial Pacer Courts and telephone numbers is available on the Internet (http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov).
There are several software systems that try to make it easier to search and track PACER information. These include CourtExpress and Courtlink.
In addition, many courts are posting their docket sheets on the Web, using PACER or an alternative system. Non-PACER systems are often free, and some even let you link to the full text of items listed on the docket sheet.
Searching Docket Sheets: All of the online databases provide at least the option to search for cases by the name of a party and subject code; you can do this simple search for all Pacer courts at once using the U.S. Party/Case Name Index. To my knowledge, the best searching is now available from Courtlink, which lets you search the case header/docket sheet/filed documents all at once or separately, and Westlaw, which lets you search the full text of the docket sheets. Courtlink lets you search by case name, attorney, judge, date, United States Code numbers, statute names and an extensive list of causes of action. Justia's Federal District Court Filings & Dockets page let's you search for district court cases back to January 1, 2006 for free, but you may get just the caption and not the list of filings. You can search by Nature of Suit (NOS) code for Federal cases in all the commercial services; on Westlaw and CourtExpress you can also search for state cases by NOS code.
Information for Specific Courts: Following is more detailed information on how to get docket sheets for specific courts.
United States Supreme Court: The U.S. Supreme Court post docket information for the current and prior Term (http://www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/docket.html). You can search by party name, Supreme Court docket number or a lower court's docket number.
FreeCourtDockets.com, Courtlink and Westlaw (DOCK-SCT) also provide Supreme Court docket sheets. Westlaw goes back to January, 2000.
Otherwise, you can get docket sheets by contacting the Court.
U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal: Most of the Circuit Courts have posted their docket sheets on the Web. Links to those sites are available the LLRX Court Rules, Forms and Dockets, the Pacer Service Center and, for subscribers, on Legal Dockets Online. Otherwise, you can use Pacer, CourtLink, CourtExpress, or get the docket sheet from the court.
U.S. District Courts: Visit LLRX's Court Rules, Forms and Dockets page or the Pacer Service Center to find PACER Web sites. Otherwise, use CourtLink, CourtExpress, CaseStream or get the docket sheet from the court. Justia's Federal District Court Filings & Dockets page let's you search for district court cases back to January 1, 2006 for free, but you may get just the caption and not the list of filings. Free Court Dockets lets you pull District Court dockets by case number at no charge.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts: Search the LLRX Court Rules, Forms and Dockets page or the Pacer Service Center site to find Web sites. Otherwise, use Pacer, CourtLink, CaseStream or CourtExpress, or get the docket sheet from the court. If you have a case number, Free Court Dockets lets you pull Bankruptcy Court dockets at no charge.
U.S. Court of Federal Claims: Claims Court docket sheets are available from Pacer,
CaseStream and CourtExpress. Or you can get docket sheets by calling the Court Clerk's Office (202-633-9686). If you have a case number, Free Court Dockets lets you pull dockets at no charge.
Tax Court: U.S. Tax Court docket sheets are available free on the Court's Web site www.ustaxcourt.gov/docket.htm.
State Courts: Many state courts post docket sheet information on the Internet. You find most of these sites through the The Virtual Chase, LLRX Court Rules, Forms and Dockets, or link to them from the court's home page. Subscribers can use Legal Dockets Online.
In addition, a number of commercial services provide state court dockets and generally offer better search features. Leading services include Courtlink, Westlaw and CourtExpress.
If that doesn't work, get the docket sheet from the court or the attorneys on the case.
Special Docket Sheet Services: Several docket sheet sources offer special services including ...
Online Ordering: Some of the Web sites posting docket sheets provide links directly to the materials listed on the docket sheet. Alternatively, you have to send someone to the court to pick up a copy of whatever you want. CourtExpress and Courtlink let you order the pickup online.
Case Monitoring: CourtExpress and Courtlink offer Alert services that monitor Pacer activity on cases you select. CourtEXPRESS (800-542-3320) and BNA Document Delivery Services (800-452-7773, x3332) will also monitor courts that don't have online docket sheets, such as the Court of Appeals of the Federal Circuit. PACER allows low-cost monitoring for selected courts. A few state courts have their own monitoring services, including those listed by the National Center for State Courts.
Foreign Courts: CourtExpress retrieves docket sheets from courts in countries outside the U.S. (call Aaron Butler at 1-800-542-3320). For other companies, see "Document Retrieval Services."
Old Docket Sheets: Courtlink offers a "Historical" database of Federal district court docket sheets that lets you (a) get docket sheets old enough to have been dropped from Pacer and (b) pull (day-old) docket sheets even when a Pacer database is down. Otherwise you can get the docket sheets from the court, archives or library that keeps files for older cases.
