FINDING DOCKETS AND CASE FILINGSLegal Research Refresher

Lindsay Steussy

lhs27@drexel.edu

Dockets

What is a Docket?

• Contains information about a trial or case:• Judge, Parties, & Attorneys• Documents: motions,

testimony transcripts, jury instructions and worksheets, judge rulings, expert witness names, etc.

• Tracks case timeline and actions

Why Research Dockets?

• Tracking cases you are participating in or are interested in

• Vetting clients and conducting due diligence

• Finding sample documents

• Researching opposing counsel, opposing parties, & expert witnesses

• Finding background on judges

• Current awareness and client development

Docket Terminology

• Docket Number – assigned by the court to each newly filed case

• Docket Sheet / Register of Actions – chronological list of actions and papers filed for each• Docket Item Number –

given to each paper• Filing Date • Date of Entry – date court

clerk added to sheet

Federal Docket Number• Long version - 3:05cv07953 ABC(XYZ)• 3 – filing location/courthouse• ABC – judge• XYZ – magistrate judge

Where to Find Docket Information

Free Online Sources

• U.S. Supreme Court - www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docket.aspx

• RECAP The Law - www.recapthelaw.org/

• LegalDockets.com/• Justia -

dockets.justia.com/• Some State Court

websites

Paid Online Sources

• PACER - www.pacer.gov/• Charges $.10/page

• Bloomberg Law – PACER access included for free, substantial state coverage

• WestlawNext - cases with opinions only, but may have filings and sheets

• Lexis Advance – Courtlink docket search not available to students

Bloomberg Law• Search Dockets

• Breaking Complaints - recently filed cases

• Docket Coverage – access

• Docket Tracking – follow cases in progress

• Docket Requests

• Docket Analytics – find cases by specific company or person

Search DocketsChoose Courts by either entering name or using Browse menu

Keywords: may use Boolean searching and operators

Docket number is the easiest search option

Federal Courts have extra search options:• Ticker: Stock ticker• Nature of Suit: type,

such as antitrust or civil rights

• Type: Civil or Criminal

Search Results

Keyword search

Filter by Circuit, State, Court

Limit by date

Create Search Alert

Understanding the Docket

Case Name

Docket Number

Filing Date

Parties and Attorneys

Track Docket

Understanding the DocketShown in chronological order

Entry #s in blue can be downloaded

Red must be requested from PACER (free for law students)

Type of document is in CAPS

Requested documents are found under Docket Requests and emailed

Docket Analytics

WestlawNextDockets page allows searching across court, jurisdiction, topic – only cases with opinions

Coverage varies by jurisdiction

May only have docket sheet, not documents

Can also see Filings attached to a case - typically briefs, but may include motions, orders, filings, and pleadings for some courts

State Court Dockets in Bloomberg LawVaries by state and court

Fully Electronic – Docket and filings available

Docket-Only – no filings

All Paper – little/no online access

Search using Docket Search and select jurisdiction

State Court Dockets OnlineGoogle search <state> dockets / court filings / court records

LegalDockets.com

Philadelphia – • Case number• Person/Organization• Case Filing Date

Pennsylvania• Docket Number• Person/Organization• OTN – Offense

Tracking Number• SID – Student

Identification Number