Nevada Court Docket Search
Per the Court Rules of Nevada, court dockets are open records unless such dockets are confidential or sealed by a court order. Therefore, individuals can conduct a court docket search to view and/or obtain copies of court dockets or Nevada court record information deemed public. A court docket search provides access to basic case information, the case parties' names, court appearance dates, a brief summary of the claims or charges, and documents submitted during the court proceeding. A court docket search can be done online, by mail, or in person at appellate courts and courts of lower jurisdiction.
What is a Court Docket in Nevada?
A court docket contains a detailed history of each case filed with the Nevada Judiciary. A court docket is usually in the form of a brief chronological entry that summarizes a court proceeding. A case must be filed with a court to initiate a court docket. Then the case would be assigned a docket number which is usually on every document submitted in the court concerning the case.
Are Court Dockets Public Records in Nevada?
Most court records, including court dockets, are public records according to the Nevada Public Records Act. Therefore, anyone can inspect or obtain copies of court dockets online or in person at any court in Nevada. However, certain court dockets or portions of information in a court docket may be inaccessible to the public. For example, court dockets of juveniles are presumed confidential in Nevada. Similarly, court dockets containing sensitive personnel records, adoption records, and pending criminal investigations are open to the public. Confidential court dockets are only open to case parties, their legal parents or guardians, attorneys of record, and law enforcement officers.
Where to Find a Court Docket in Nevada
Inquirers can find court dockets at the court where a case was heard. Most courts in Nevada have online databases that can be used to find court dockets. The search criteria are usually by docket number or party name. The courts provide online services for free. Alternatively, individuals can visit Nevada Courts during business hours and make a request to view court dockets. Some courts allow in-person inspection of court dockets for free, but copies of records attract a nominal fee.
How to Conduct a Nevada Court Docket Search
The easiest way to conduct a Nevada court docket search is online. Most courts in the state have online databases that can be used to find court dockets of cases filed with Appellate, District, Justice, and Municipal courts.
For example, the Nevada Appellate Courts have a Case Lookup tool that can be used to conduct a court docket search. Dockets are searchable by case number and party name. A case number search requires entering the five-digit case number into the provided search box and selecting search. In addition to the case number and party name, the user can search by Caption and enter the appellant or respondent's Last Name or Company/Organization Name in the appropriate search box. Alternatively, a participant search requires entering the appellant’s last or Company/Organization Name and selecting search. In addition, a First and Middle name may be provided to refine the search. The search will return a case or a list of cases. If more than one case appears, click on the desired case docket. docket entries of the desired case would be displayed in the order of the filing. Requesters would have to scroll down to the bottom of the list to find the latest orders or notices in the case. A click on the number at the right of the document will provide access to a PDF that can be opened, saved, or printed.
Most District Courts also have online tools for conducting court records searches. For example, the Eight Judicial District Court has a Court Case Lookup tool that can be used to find court dockets of cases filed in Clark County. Upon getting to the portal, click on the Smart Search tool and conduct a search by record number or name in last, first, middle, and suffix format.
Another way to conduct a court docket search in Nevada is to submit mail or in-person search requests to the court where the case was filed. For example, individuals can obtain court dockets from the Eastline Justice Court by mailing a Record Search Request Form to:
Eastline Justice Court
1111 N. Gene L. Jones Way
P.O. Box 2300
West Wendover, NV 89883
Phone: (775) 664-2305
Fax: (775) 664-2979
Email: EastlineJusticeCourt@ElkoCountyNV.net
The mail packet must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the appropriate fees. The search fee is $1 per year searched. The court staff can print an electronic case docket for each case matching the name and information provided by the requester for free. copies of court docket documents cost 50 cents per page, and certified copies cost $3 per document. In-person requests can be made at the court during business hours. Inquirers must provide information like filing dates, case party names, docket numbers, and any other information that would help facilitate the search.
Using Third-Party Sites for a Nevada Court Docket Search
Asides from Nevada court websites, individuals can also conduct court docket searches on third-party aggregate sites. Information retrieved from these sites should only be used for informational purposes. This is because the accuracy and completeness of docket information on third-party sites are not guaranteed. Researchers should do due diligence in confirming all information retrieved on third-party sites with those available for free on Nevada court websites.
What is the Purpose of a Court Docket in Nevada
A court docket is important because it is used by different parties for different purposes. Generally, a court docket aims to identify all court filings like pleadings, exhibits, motions, declarations, judgments, or briefs associated with a case. The court uses a docket to track all events, hearings, filings, and decisions in a case. Researchers use the information in a court docket to understand why a court issued a particular decision or opinion in a case. Attorneys use information in court dockets to know a case hearing date and the judge that will be presiding over a case.
What Do Court Dockets Contain Nevada?
Generally, a court docket contains information about a case filed with a Nevada Court. Below are some information that can be seen in a court docket:
- Case information
- Party information
- Events and orders of the court
- Docket entries
- Financial information
- Opinions
The case information includes the case number, case type, filing date, the court where the case was filed, case caption, and the case status. Party information includes the case party names, the role of each party (appellant and respondent), and the names of their attorneys. Events and orders of the court contain information about disposition, hearing dates, and detailed explanation of the court proceedings as it pertains to the case. Docket entries include the date, docket type, description, and documents filed during the case. The financial information provides details on any monetary transaction that occurred as a result of the case. It reveals the payment date, what was paid for, and the amount paid.
What is a Court Docket Number in Nevada?
A case docket number, also known as a case number, are series of unique characters assigned to a case is filed at any Nevada Court. This number makes it easier to track or retrieve a case. A court docket number can be numbers, letters, or characters, and each Nevada court has its own system for assigning docket numbers. For example, the Nevada Appellate Court docket numbers comprise a five-digit number. However, courts of limited jurisdictions, like district, justice, and municipal courts, may attach specific meanings to their docket numbers. These meanings may include:
- The year the case was filed
- The court the case was filed in
- Case type
- A sequence number (randomly assigned to each case as it is filed)
For example, Rule 4.11 of the Rules of Practice for the Eighth Judicial District Court states that all cases filed in probate court usually begin with the letter “P,” then the assigned case number, followed by an “E” for estate matters or a “T” for trust matters. Note that individuals do not need to understand how docket numbers are assigned to use them to retrieve cases. However, reading a case number helps correct mistyped docket numbers and determine where and when a case was filed.
How to Conduct a Court Docket Number Lookup in Nevada
Nevada residents can conduct a court docket number lookup in person at the court where a case was held. However, the record seeker must provide case information that excludes the docket number. Common search criteria would be party name, attorney name, filing date, or the name of the judge that presided over the case. After processing the request, the court staff will provide a court record. The case docket number will be included in the court record.
A court docket number lookup can also be done electronically. For example, the Nevada Appellate Courts have an Appellate Case Management System that can be used to conduct court docket number lookups. Users can perform a participant search by entering a last name or company/organization name in the appropriate search box. A first name or middle name can be added to narrow the search.
