Court Records Research for Reporters

• Not everything is online; sometimes you must go to the court to request a copy of the case and photocopy it there.

Juvenile/family

• In New York State, the court that handles juvenile delinquency is the family court.
• Juvenile records are usually not available, unless convicted in Supreme Court as an adult – called a “juvenile offender.” Youthful offender records are sealed. Some kids are classified as “juvenile delinquents.”

• A NYS family court case “record of filing” is usually available, but the documents filed in the case are not public. These rules usually apply in most states.

Civil and criminal

Housing Court

You need to know these legal terms.  A complete glossary of legal terms from New York State is linked below.

• jurisdiction: the geographical, subject matter, and monetary limitations of a court. Civil or Criminal – State or Federal – Misdemeanor or Felony – Etc.
• index number: a number issued by the county clerk, which is used to identify a case – in civil matters there is usually a charge
• docket: a document which summarizes a case, provides a list of actions/events in a case
• caption: in a pleading, deposition or other paper connected with a case in court, it is the heading or introductory clause which shows the names of the parties, name of the court, number of the case on the docket or calendar, etc
• complaint: initial pleading in an action formally setting forth the facts and reasons on which the demand for relief is based. In a civil case a plaintiff files the complaint. In a criminal case that is a misdemeanor, the state files the complaint. In felony criminal cases, the grand jury indicts the defendant
• answer: a paper submitted by a defendant in a civil case in which s/he responds to and/or denies the allegations of the plaintiff
• plaintiff: the party bringing a civil action
• pleadings: complaint or petition, answer, and reply
• motion: an oral or written request to the court made by a party for a ruling or order