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How To Look Up My Court Date Online

Look Up My Court Date Online

Looking for an upcoming court date? Whether you are scheduled to appear in court, or you are looking on behalf of the defendant, there are few simple ways to find your court date both online and offline. In this article, we will walk you through the information you will need to find your scheduled court date, as well as what to do if you are not able to find it online.

Keep in mind, failing to show up in court at the required time and date may cause you to forfeit your case, be liable for fines, or even receive a warrant for your arrest. Many courts allow individuals to look up their court dates online in order to save time and improve attendance.

How To Find My Court Date Online

Searching for your court date online is fairly simple. Before you begin the search for your court date, make sure you have your case or citation number available. This will make looking up your court date online or over the phone much easier. Any official information you’ve received regarding your case will include your case number. This includes police reports, court documentation, or official notices. The case number may be very long, and its format will vary between jurisdictions.

 Look Up My Court Date Online

Find My Court Date Name Search

If you are unable to find your case number, you may still be able to track down your case record and find your court date online. Most states have an online database that houses case records. Local county clerks will typically update the database regularly. To use the search engine, you will need the first and last name of the defendant, at least. 

To find this search function, start by typing your state of residence into a search engine, followed by “court date lookup.” The first result should say something along the lines of “Find Courts,” “Search Records,” or “Court Calendar Search.” Click the link, and enter the appropriate information into the search engine. 

Some of the more comprehensive court date lookup tools will provide you with:

  • The officer’s name
  • Agency
  • Officer’s Number
  • Court Date
  • County
  • Session
  • Courtroom
  • Defendant’s name
  • Citation number

However, this varies by state, and some jurisdictions do not provide an updated database for users to look through at all.

Find My Court Date for a Federal Offense

There is a separate court date lookup tool you can use if the case is covering a federal offense, or an appeal of a previous case at the federal level. You can find information on a federal court case with the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) tool. According to the United States Courts website, “PACER allows anyone with an account to search and locate appellate, district, and bankruptcy court case and docket information.”

There is also a tool called the PACER Case Locator if you aren’t sure which court your case is under. 

PACER database is updated daily. 

Find My Court Date Via Phone

While doing a simple Google search is the preferred method of finding information, giving the county clerk a call is the next best option. You can find the county clerk’s contact information by going to your county’s website. When you call, provide them with your first and last name, as well as your case number if you have it. Simply explain that you want to confirm an upcoming court date and time, and they will be able to search through the case records to find it. 

You can also ask a lawyer that is involved in the case for information about your court date. 

Find My Court Date WA

If you are a resident of Washington, you can find your court date online through a specialized search engine hosted by the Administrative Office of the Court for the State of Washington. After a case has been opened, county clerks will enter the information into a database that allows you to search for your court date, time, and case number. 

Find My Court Date NC

The North Carolina Judicial Branch also hosts a website that allows you to look up your court date online. This search engine is a bit more user-friendly than Washingtons. This resource offers comprehensive information about your court date, including where your court hearing will take place, as well as the specific date and time of the hearing. The website also allows you to search for a citation or case number. All you need is your name or the defendant’s name if you are looking for someone else’s court date. 

North Carolina’s Judicial Branch website also lets you view Civil Court Calendars by County and Criminal Court Calendars by County.

What If I Can’t Find My Court Date Online?

Each case is different, and sometimes details about a court case are not shared online. Typically, this has to do with juvenile or paternity cases, as well as other cases with sensitive subject matter.

Another reason you may not be able to look up your court date online is simply that it may not be uploaded yet. Details about court cases are taken from official court documents, so if you just found out that you need to appear in court, you may not be able to find the court date online just yet.

Regardless, it is your responsibility to find the date and arrive on time. Other options besides looking up your court date online are to call the court that you are scheduled to appear at and ask. If you have a lawyer, you may also reach out to him or her, and he or she will likely know the court date.

Disclaimer

This article contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. The Law Dictionary is not a law firm, and this page does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

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