How to Search State Court Records Online

State courts handle the overwhelming majority of legal matters that affect people’s lives — criminal prosecutions, evictions, civil lawsuits, divorce, probate, restraining orders, and debt collection cases. For investigators, landlords, journalists, and anyone conducting serious due diligence, state court records are often far more important than federal records. The problem is access. Unlike the federal … Read more

What Is PACER? A Beginner’s Guide to Federal Court Records

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is the official system used to search and access U.S. federal court case filings and documents online. Anyone with a free account can look up federal lawsuits, bankruptcy filings, criminal prosecutions, and court documents filed in federal courts across the country. PACER is operated by the Administrative Office … Read more