Court case records include any document, information, exhibit any information in a case management system created or prepared by the court in relation to a judicial proceeding. Examples of court records are: pleadings, indices, calendars, dockets, orders, decrees, judgments, or minute entries in a courtroom proceeding.
District Court’s retention schedule is as follows:
- 3 years for closed criminal, civil and infraction cases,
- 10 years for domestic violence and driving while intoxicated-related cases,
- 10 years for open civil cases with judgments.
**Once the retention period has passed, the cases are destroyed**
Some categories of case records the public cannot access include: Police reports. mental illness commitment records, alcohol and drug treatment commitment records, court records sealed by judicial order.
Fees: The Court charges a fee for the time it takes to complete the necessary research, including copying, scanning and preparing the records. Fees for Court Records Requests: Research fee - $20.00 per hour. Certified copies - $5.00 for first page $1.00 for each additional. Copies of specific documents from a case file are charged at .50 per page for hardcopies and .25 per page for emailed copies. Copies of court recordings: $10.00 per CD/thumb drive, in addition to the search fee. For further clarification please see District Court Fee Schedule.
Record search fees may be paid in person or via NCOURT @ 1-855-873-9709 (a fee will apply)
