Online Court Records: PACER, State E-Filing Systems, and How to Find Any Case
Court records are the most comprehensive publicly accessible window into both civil and criminal legal proceedings. The challenge is that the U.S. has over 10,000 separate court jurisdictions — federal, state, county, municipal, and specialty courts — each with its own access system, fee structure, and coverage period. This guide provides the complete map.
The U.S. Court System: Jurisdiction Map
| Court Type | Jurisdiction | Cases Filed/Year | Online Access System |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. District Courts (94) | Federal civil and criminal | ~400,000 | PACER (pacer.gov) |
| U.S. Courts of Appeals (13) | Federal appeals | ~48,000 | PACER |
| U.S. Supreme Court | All federal; final state law questions | ~8,000 petitions/70 decisions | supremecourt.gov (free) |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Courts (94) | Federal bankruptcy | ~450,000 | PACER |
| State Trial Courts | State civil and criminal (majority of all cases) | ~80 million | State-specific portals |
| State Appellate Courts | State appeals | ~300,000 | State-specific portals |
| Municipal/Traffic Courts | Infractions, ordinance violations | Tens of millions | Varies — many not online |
PACER: The Federal Court Portal
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records — pacer.uscourts.gov) provides electronic access to case and docket information for all federal courts. Cost: $0.10 per page, with a quarterly cap of $30 for most users; accounts with less than $30 in charges per quarter pay nothing. Free access: PACER waives fees for access under $30/quarter, for federal government users, and for approved research programs. The PACER Case Locator allows name-based searches across all 94 federal district courts simultaneously. Documents filed in federal courts after ~1996 are generally available through PACER; older records require contacting the court directly or the Federal Records Center.
Free Alternatives to PACER
CourtListener.com (Free Law Project) — free archive of federal court opinions, with some docket information. Justia.com — free federal court opinions and Supreme Court docket. Google Scholar — indexes federal and state court opinions; useful for finding published decisions. Law.gov — aggregates free public legal information. Note: these free resources cover published opinions (decisions with legal analysis) but generally not the underlying dockets and filings (complaints, motions, exhibits) which require PACER.
State Court Online Access: A National Survey
State court online access varies dramatically. Best online access states: Florida (myflcourtaccess.com — free, real-time), California (California Courts — civil cases; criminal access varies by county), Texas (TexasCourts.gov — varies by county; Tyler Technologies Odyssey is the most common portal), New York (eCourts — civil cases free, criminal records restricted). Worst online access: Several southeastern states still require in-person visits or written requests for court records. CourtReference.com maintains the most comprehensive map of all state court portals.
What to Look For in a Civil Case Docket
The case docket is a chronological index of every filing in a case. Key entries to locate: (1) Complaint — the initial filing, names parties and alleges facts; (2) Answer — defendant's response; (3) Motion for Summary Judgment — if granted, often shows the strength of one party's case without trial; (4) Settlement documents — if filed publicly (not under seal), show amounts and terms; (5) Default Judgment — defendant failed to respond; the plaintiff won automatically; (6) Writ of Execution — shows the judgment is being actively collected. Many high-value civil judgments are never collected — the writ of execution tells you whether collection is proceeding.
Expungement and Record Sealing: What Disappears from Court Databases
When a court grants an expungement or sealing order, the case is removed from public online access — but the process and timing vary by state and court. Some courts remove records within days; others take weeks or months. Some states seal only state court databases while county clerk websites lag. PACER retains federal records unless ordered otherwise by a federal judge (rare). Third-party data aggregators (background check companies, public records websites) may continue to show expunged records even after the court database is cleared — a significant and litigated compliance issue under the FCRA. If you have an expunged record appearing in a background check, you have the right to dispute it and demand its removal under FCRA Section 611.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PACER and how much does it cost?
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is the federal judiciary's official portal for accessing federal district, bankruptcy, and appellate court records. It charges $0.10 per page, with a quarterly fee waiver for accounts accruing less than $30.
Are there free alternatives to PACER?
Yes. CourtListener (courtlistener.com) and RECAP provide millions of free federal court documents. Google Scholar, Justia, and Case.law also offer free access to many court opinions.
How do I find state court records online?
Each state court system maintains its own online portal. Use our Online Court Records page to navigate to the correct state court website. Access policies and fees vary by state.
What types of cases are in federal court?
Federal courts handle cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal law, disputes between states, cases involving the federal government, and diversity cases (parties from different states with claims over $75,000).
How long are court records retained?
Federal court records are generally retained permanently. State retention schedules vary: most felony case files are kept permanently, while misdemeanor and civil records may be held 5 to 25 years depending on jurisdiction.