Understanding How Municipal Court Records are Created and Stored

When you need to find local court records regarding divorces, child custody issues, civil matters or criminal cases, you’ll often find what you need at the local municipal courts. Municipal court records can provide general information about local cases such as the parties involved and any judgments or rulings, but specific information may only be accessible by the parties themselves.

Types of Records Held at the City Level

Municipal courts are awarded local jurisdiction only, and may hear traffic and parking cases, zoning issues, civil issues such as property disputes, small claims and even preliminary hearings for criminal offenses. Cases heard in these courts are largely decided by the presiding judge versus a jury. However, each state’s court system varies, so different types of courts and cases may be held and presided over at the local level.

Misdemeanor cases such as drunk driving (first offenses), disorderly conduct or underage drinking may fall under the jurisdiction of the local court. There is typically a limit of potential damages set on such cases as small claims and tort suits which a municipal court will hear. For example, small claims cases of $6,000 or more may be immediately referred to the county level courts versus being heard at the city or town level.

How to Find Records from the Municipal Court

Many times, it will be necessary to visit the town County Clerk’s office to search for records from these cases. You may need to begin with a general search in an index to find the specific case file number if you do not already have this information. Armed with the case file number, you’ll be able to look up the complete record which will include parties involved, representative attorneys, charges against the defendant, defenses and pleas entered, and evidence presented. Minutes from the case proceedings will also be included.  However, personal information such as Social Security numbers and any information regarding minors will typically be removed from these files for public review.

Municipal courts are locally funded, so it is doubtful that many will have records accessible online. In addition, the ability to look up records on an in-house electronic database will largely be determined by the court’s budget and funding. If you do not live near the court that holds the records you need, you may contact them directly by phone or in writing to ask how you may obtain case information; each court’s rules will also vary in this regard.

Copies of records from municipal court will usually charge by the page, and are often very minimal. If you need certified copies from a particular case that will be legally depended upon, these will be more expensive. When a case culminates, you will often be provided a certified copy at no charge if you are directly involved.

These records may be used to verify any judgments awarded to you in the past, or even charges entered against you by the city. You may need these in order to satisfy a potential employer’s requirements, remarry legally, or apply to a professional school program. Each local government will vary, however, in the methods required to obtain them.

Specific Municipal Court Records Information:

Champaign, Illinois Court Records

Lorain, Ohio Court Records

Macon, Georgia Court Records

Sarasota, Florida Court Records