Criminal Case Search
Today, some websites specialize in criminal case search. Their online database is open 24/7. When you find one, you have to fill in the form provided for running a query in their online database. For enhancing your chances of getting just what you want (and fast), you have to fill in as many fields as possible. Then just click.
And with standard sites for a criminal case search, you are allowed to fill in flexible fill-in options. For instance, you are often allowed to fill-in and search by:
- Name
- Case Number
- Last Name
- First Name
- Defendant
- Attorney
- Both defendant and attorney
- All Pending
- Disposed
- Appealed
- Date filed (on/after or on/before)
- Birth date (on/after or on/before)
What else involves in a typical search of criminal case?
Just as said earlier, a typical county website has the criminal records as a part of their official website. You have to just enter the details and search for a specific criminal case. However, the database will contain mainly adult criminal cases that were filed by the Attorney’s Office of the county’s District Court.
The information you see there is real time and is compiled from a variety of sources. The online public access of the record is a form of public service of the county’s office. Revealing information regarding adult criminal cases is meant for promoting public safety. People get to know who the victims, witnesses, or others related parties are in a given criminal case. Sometimes, you will find this information only in the county’s official site (a good example is the county of Stearns, Minnesota).
You might visit the county court in person for your criminal case search. But the county authorities usually hold the following conditions regarding their online database:
- The online information isn’t meant for official usage
- It is illegal to utilize these online data for commercial purpose
- Online case information database isn’t retrievable
Online database of the states
Some counties and states have their criminal case search systematized and offered online for the accessibility of the general public. So anyone can access case data in that county or state without visiting the courthouse. But you also need to bear in mind that the info provided on such websites doesn’t have the status (or legal power) of official records as far as the county’s Superior Court is concerned. And for obtaining the case data you wish, you first have to read their terms and accept them before you actually proceed.
For instance, if you are trying to access some traffic citations, it might not actually be available via such online case database 3 or 4 weeks (starting from the issuing of the citation. If you register and request so, you might be mailed a notice as courtesy, to the address enlisted onto your citation (containing general info as well as available options to resolve that citation).
If you however, don’t receive any of such courtesy notifications before the appearance of the citation date, you should contact the county court reporting the failure of the notice to reach you. This step is really important, since not receiving the courtesy notice isn’t an acceptable/legal excuse. While you submit payments and/or other docs by mail, you usually have to wait for another 10 to 12 days, so that the delivery or processing is done.
