New Jersey Court Case Lookup
A New Jersey court case refers to a legal dispute between two or more parties brought to a court to determine who is right or wrong under the law. Court cases typically have an accuser (the plaintiff) and an accused (the defendant) pleading for a favorable ruling.
Court cases are handled within the state court system in New Jersey, which operates on three tiers: the Supreme Court, Appellate Division of the Superior Court, and trial courts.The purpose of a New Jersey court case is to obtain copies of court case information pursuant to the provisions of the New Jersey FOIA.
The Supreme Court is the topmost court in New Jersey; it examines appeals of decisions entered by the Appellate Division and trial courts. The New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, has over 30 judges that review appeals of decisions rendered by the trial courts, state administrative agencies, and the New Jersey Tax Court.
Finally, the trial courts include the New Jersey Superior Courts (the primary trial courts) and courts of limited jurisdiction (the New Jersey Municipal Courts and Tax Court). The superior courts, stationed in each county, hear all types of cases, including civil, criminal, and family. The municipal courts handle minor offenses or crimes, such as violations of municipal regulations, petty traffic offenses, and motor vehicle infractions. The Tax Court reviews appeals of decisions made by the State Division of Taxation and county taxation boards.
Are Court Cases Public Record in New Jersey?
Yes, court cases are public records in New Jersey. Under New Jersey Court Rule 1.38, anyone can inspect records of New Jersey court cases. This includes motions, filings, transcripts, and decrees.
However, public inspection is prohibited for court cases deemed confidential by statute. This includes expunged records, the proceedings of a grand jury, the names and addresses of child sexual abuse victims, and most family law records, etc. Rule 1:38-3 contains the list of exempted court cases.
How to Conduct a New Jersey Court Case Lookup
Anyone looking up a New Jersey court case can do so online or in person. Online court case requesters can access the New Jersey judiciary's Find a Case site. Options to search and retrieve cases filed in the trial and appellate court divisions are available. Alternatively, a person can visit the court where a case was filed to access non-confidential cases at public access terminals.
Aside from the New Jersey courts, members of the public may utilize third-party alternatives to look up New Jersey court cases. Third-party sites typically allow for searches with a case party's name, but a fee applies in many cases.
Can I Get New Jersey Court Case Documents Online?
No. The New Jersey courts do not release court case documents over the internet. However, individuals can obtain these documents by downloading, printing, and completing request forms provided on the official websites of the New Jersey courts. A request form may be submitted by mail or dropped off at the courthouse where a case was heard.
How to Conduct a New Jersey Court Case Search by Name
Courts within the New Jersey judicial system allow persons to conduct a court search by name at the court clerk's office. Provision is also made for electronic case searches through a consolidated Case Search system available on the state judiciary's website. Here's how to find a court case by name on the site:
- Visit https://www.njcourts.gov/public/find-a-case.
- Select the relevant case search tool. For example, the "Search Criminal Convictions" to find criminal cases filed in the New Jersey Superior Courts, or the "Search Civil and Foreclosure Cases" to find civil case information.
- Answer the CAPTCHA and click "Agree".
- Select the "Search by Name" option and enter a case participant's last and first name.
- Answer the CAPTCHA and click "Search".
Note: Confidential cases do not appear in the online search results. This includes juvenile cases, sealed/expunged cases, cases involving trade secrets, and probation records.
Besides remote case searches, a person may also contact, mail, or visit a clerk's office to search for a court case using a participant's name.
What is a Court Case Number?
Every court document filed or generated because of a court case carries a case number. The case number (also called a docket number) aids in the easy identification of cases initiated within the judicial system, as well as the retrieval of related case information and documents.
How to Conduct a Case Number Search in New Jersey
Members of the public who want to conduct a case number search in New Jersey can visit the courthouse where the case was filed or submit a written request to the court clerk's office.
Alternatively, one may access the unified court case search portal provided on the New Jersey Judiciary's website to conduct a case number search as follows:
- Visit https://www.njcourts.gov/public/find-a-case.
- Select a case search tool.
- Answer the CAPTCHA and click "Agree".
- Select the "Search by Case/Docket Number" option and input the case number and filing year.
- Answer the CAPTCHA and click "Search".
How to Remove Court Cases From Public Records in New Jersey
People often request an expungement from the courts to remove their court cases from the public domain. However, before a person can obtain an expungement in New Jersey, they must be eligible under the law - the first qualification being that the petitioned case must be a criminal case. Civil cases cannot be expunged in New Jersey, but litigants may ask the court to seal a civil case.
Expungement
The steps to request an expungement in New Jersey are outlined in the judiciary's expungement brochure and web page. Most criminal cases qualify for expungement five years after an offender completes their sentence and pays all related fines and fees. However, in some instances, a person can file for expungement after four years. However, no petitioner can expunge more than one indictable conviction and three disorderly persons offenses or petty disorderly persons offenses.
In New Jersey, an order of expungement enables the isolation and eradication of an individual's records on file within a court, detention/correctional facility, law enforcement, juvenile justice agency, or criminal justice agency that relate to the person's arrest, detention, trial, or offense disposition. In essence, all such proceedings will be considered never to have occurred unless otherwise indicated by law. For example,
Sealing
When a court case is sealed, it is removed from public viewing and available only to specific parties. N.J. Rev. Stat. § 2A:4A-62 makes provision for the sealing records of criminal cases, whereas Rule 1:38-11 covers most court cases (including civil cases). Per these regulations, the courts only seal records under specific conditions. For instance, when a privacy interest considerably surpasses the presumption of open access to case records. Generally, it is advised to speak to a lawyer about filing for an expungement or sealing, as these procedures are somewhat complex.
How to Check a Court Case Status in New Jersey
One way to check the status of a court case in New Jersey is to search the Find a Case portal accessible on the state judiciary's official website. The usual search parameters are a case participant's name and the ticket/complaint/docket number assigned to a case. Also, inquirers can contact or visit the court custodian (clerk's office) to determine a court case status.
How to Find Supreme Court Decisions in New Jersey
Members of the public can find the New Jersey Supreme Court's decisions on the state judiciary's Court Opinions website. On the site, individuals can scroll down a list of opinions or filter searches by the filing date. One may also use a keyword, such as a case caption or number, to find a New Jersey Supreme Court's opinion. The court's opinions can also be found in the New Jersey Reports, which may be purchased from a case law reporter. More information about finding Supreme Court decisions is available on the NJCourts website.
What Percentage of Court Cases Go to Trial in New Jersey?
Although the New Jersey trial courts receive hundreds of thousands of cases yearly, only a small percentage go to trial. Many court cases are resolved through a plea deal or settlement. However, the exact percentage of cases that go to trial is not publicized by the New Jersey courts. One may consult an attorney for trial statistics specific to their court cases.
How Long Does a Court Case Last in New Jersey?
New Jersey court cases have varying shelf lives, given that several factors (including the court's backlog and case type) can affect the timeline to resolution. For example, a municipal court traffic offense may take weeks or months to resolve. An indictable offense at the superior court level may take several months or more. Meanwhile, a personal injury lawsuit may be resolved quickly (within a few months) if the parties involved settle, or it could go on for a year or more if the case is contested.
How to File a Case in Court in New Jersey
Individuals or organizations file a case in court to begin the legal procedure that will allow them to obtain justice for a dispute or claim. To file a civil case in New Jersey, the plaintiff (the person who files the case) must submit a civil complaint to the court with authority to hear the matter. For instance, a case worth up to $20,000 should be filed in the special civil part of a Superior Court's civil division, while a case worth $5,000 or less should be filed with the small claims division of the court. A plaintiff can file pro se (without an attorney) or with an attorney. The court staff can help the plaintiff to choose the suitable form based on the type of case they want to file.
The procedure for filing a case differs based on the type of civil case one wishes to file: small claims, special civil part, or civil case (a claim worth more than $20,000). However, plaintiffs filing a court case for monetary compensation in New Jersey may complete the Civil Part packet, which includes filing guidelines and the complaint form. (The court advises persons filing for $20,000 or less to use the packet for the special civil part or small claims, respectively, as there are lower filing fees and shorter timeframes).
Each civil complaint submitted to the superior court must carry the following information, which lets the court know why the case is being filed, identifies the defendant(s), and allows the defendant to understand why they are being sued:
- The defendant's name and address
- The reason(s) for the lawsuit
- The expected monetary relief
The plaintiff must also submit other documentation and forms, such as:
- Civil Case Information Statement (CIS).
- A check or money order of the filing fee (fee waivers may be available). The cost is $250 and payable to the Treasurer, State of New Jersey.
- Two copies (each) of the original complaint and CIS.
- A self-addressed envelope for the court to send the plaintiff a Track Assignment Notice (TAN) and Summons.
The packet can be sent to the court by certified mail or delivered in person. Subsequently, the court will send file-stamped copies of the documents, the TAN, and the summons to the plaintiff.
The plaintiff must then serve everyone named in the lawsuit with the documents. More details about filing other civil cases in New Jersey can be obtained from the NJCourts Civil Court Self-Help page.
What Does It Mean if a Court Case Was Resolved Before the Trial Date?
Any case resolved before the trial date is a case terminated by other legal means, such as:
- Diversion: A pre-trial procedure that allows the defendant to skip a trial and participate in a rehabilitation program or court probation.
- Plea bargain: A legal process where a criminal defendant pleads to a lesser charge to avoid a trial where harsher penalties may be imposed.
- Preliminary hearing: The court may dismiss a case before a full trial at a preliminary hearing if sufficient evidence does not exist to charge a defendant.
- Alternative dispute resolution: The parties may settle the case through mediation or arbitration ies
In any event, no further court proceedings take place once a case is resolved before a formal trial.
