Oregon Court Records Search
Oregon court records play a crucial role in preserving the history of legal actions and case proceedings within the state. These records are diligently maintained by court clerks where the cases are filed or heard, providing a treasure trove of information including case details, hearing transcripts, filed documents, and judgments.
Click Here to Search this form: https://oregon.staterecords.org/court.php
To facilitate access to these records, the Oregon Judicial Branch offers multiple search options. Requestors can contact court staff via phone for case information, or they can visit the courthouse in person to use public access computer terminals. Alternatively, you can request records by email from your local court. For remote access, the Oregon Judicial Department provides two valuable tools: the OJD Records and Calendars Search, which offers case calendars and basic case information, and the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) for court judgment dockets and Register of Actions from Oregon State courts.
These Oregon court records are essential for both the legal system and the public. They help justice administrators evaluate court efficiency and effectively manage caseloads. Additionally, these records allow litigants to stay informed about their cases and action deadlines, while the public can access this data for research purposes.
Are Oregon Court Records Public
Oregon court records are generally considered public information, thanks to the Oregon Public Records Law, which was originally passed in 1973 and amended in 1997. This law grants the public the right to request, inspect, or make copies of court records. However, not all court records are accessible to the public. Some are confidential and protected by statutory provisions. Confidentiality reasons may include the age of parties involved, privacy rights, record sensitivity, and other legal grounds.
How to Find Court Records in Oregon
To obtain court records in Oregon, you need to identify the record custodian for the specific court records you’re seeking. In most cases, the record custodian is the court clerk where the case was filed. The Find a Court portal can help you locate the relevant court and provide contact information. Since Oregon has various types of courts, it’s crucial to know in which court the case was filed.
Once you’ve determined the appropriate court, you can request records either by mail or in person. Depending on the type of records you’re seeking, you may need to draft a written request or complete a request form and submit it to the court.
Oregon Court Records Public Access
The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) offers access to non-confidential case dockets for a fee. This system provides access to open records only and requires users to log in with registered accounts. A fee of $150 is required to create a new account.
The Judicial Department also offers free online access to unofficial court case information for circuit court cases. This service allows you to search for records by providing the case number or full names of the parties involved.
To obtain a certified court record copy, you’ll need to pay a $5 fee per certificate, along with a $0.25 fee per page. Payment must be made before processing your request, and you should include specific details in your request, such as the type of records, estimated creation dates, subject matter, names of parties involved, and the number of copies to be produced. Additionally, you’ll need to provide your personal information, including name, address, telephone number, and email address if available.
How to Conduct an Oregon Court Record Search by Name
Oregon court record searches by name can be conducted through the Oregon Judicial Department’s website. The OJD Records and Calendars Search tool allows you to search by case party name, business name, attorney name, or judicial officer (judge name). This tool is accessible without the need for user registration.
However, it’s important to note that certain types of cases, such as those involving adoption, juvenile matters, mental health, and cases under the Violence Against Women Act, are not accessible through this service due to federal and state laws.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Obtaining court records for free in Oregon is possible through various means. The Oregon Judicial Department’s website offers free access to court calendars and basic case information for circuit court cases. Additionally, you can visit the courthouse to use public access computer terminals at no cost. You can also request court records via email from the court clerk without incurring fees.
For a wider range of online resources, consider using the United States Courts Opinions website, which provides access to court records, including opinions from the U.S. District Court in Oregon. Other online portals may offer court records at a low cost, such as the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN), which provides access to the official Register of Actions and Judgments via subscription. The PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) service provides access to case records in U.S. Federal Court repositories for a per-page fee.
While government sources offer traditional access to court records, third-party websites, and organizations can provide more convenient and comprehensive search options. These websites are not limited by geographical or technological constraints, making them a helpful starting point for accessing specific records or multiple records.
What are Oregon Judgment Records
Oregon judgment records document the outcomes of criminal or civil cases that have been filed and adjudicated in state courts. These records are considered public and are preserved by the Oregon Public Records Law, with court clerks serving as the designated record custodians.
To access Oregon judgment records, you must visit the clerk’s office during business hours and provide relevant case information, including the case number and litigants’ names. In addition, there are court administrative fees to cover the cost of retrieving and copying the records, which can be paid in cash, by money order, certified check, or credit card. Alternatively, you can use the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network to search for these records, provided you know the case number and litigants’ names.
Oregon judgment records typically contain information related to the litigants’ names, the judge’s name, a briefcase background, and the issued judgment. The details included may vary based on the type of case.
What are Oregon Bankruptcy Records
Oregon bankruptcy records contain financial information regarding individuals and businesses that have filed for bankruptcy. These records are publicly accessible. To obtain bankruptcy records in Oregon, requestors may need to provide the bankruptcy case number, which can be obtained through the court’s automated voice case information system or public access terminal in the bankruptcy court’s divisional office. Alternatively, you can use the case name the entity’s name that filed the case, or their social security number to retrieve the bankruptcy record.
Oregon has only one federal bankruptcy court, the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Oregon. Bankruptcy records and related documents, including liens, judgments, writs, and contracts, are maintained and disseminated by the state’s Public Information Act. Interested parties can view or obtain copies of these records by contacting the record custodian in the jurisdiction where the petition or claim was filed.
How to Find Bankruptcy Records in Oregon
To find bankruptcy records in Oregon, requestors must identify the court with jurisdiction to hear bankruptcy cases. In the United States, bankruptcy court records are maintained in the court records repositories of the U.S. Department of Justice. These records can be obtained through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER).
The Case Locator on the website of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon serves as the entry point to the PACER Services Portal, where you can search for Oregon bankruptcy case records. Access to this portal requires a subscription and a user account, and fees apply, typically $0.10 per page for a random record search.
Additionally, you can request bankruptcy records from the court clerk via email. The requested documents will be emailed in PDF format at no cost. Requests by email should include the debtor’s name, case number, and the specific document you are seeking, such as a discharge order, petition, schedules, or order of dismissal.
In-person requests can also be made at the Bankruptcy Court location. Fees apply for personal searches using the computer terminal, as well as for obtaining record copies by mail. These fees cover costs related to the search and document certification. Mail requests should include the debtor’s name, case number, the requestor’s name, daytime phone number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Can You Look Up Court Cases in Oregon
Yes, you can look up court cases in Oregon, including trial, appellate, and tax court cases, through judgment dockets and the official Register of Actions from Oregon State Courts. The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) offers registered users the ability to track court cases online for a subscription fee. Access is limited to court case records that are not sealed from public view and non-confidential case dockets.
To use the OJCIN platform, you can log in with an existing account or create a new one, with a $150 fee required for new account creation. Additionally, the Oregon Judicial Department provides free online access to court calendars and basic case information for Oregon Circuit Courts and the Oregon Tax Court. However, please note that certain cases, such as those related to adoption, juvenile matters, mental health, and cases covered by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), are not available through this service due to federal and state laws.
Oregon Court Case Lookup Exemptions
While the Oregon Public Records Law typically grants access to public records maintained by public bodies in the state, there are exceptions outlined in ORS 192.338 that limit public access to certain records. Oregon Court Case lookup exemptions include those found in the Attorney General Catalog of exemptions from disclosure, Public records conditionally exempt from disclosure (ORS 192.345), and Public records exempt from disclosure (ORS 192.355).
Generally, the court case information and documents that are exempt from public access include:
Records of cases sealed by the court or restricted by law Personally-identifying information Drug court program records Jury source lists Child support records Adoption records Juvenile case records Mental health records Records of cases falling under the Violence Against Women Act Investigatory information compiled for criminal law purposes
What is a Court Docket in Oregon
In Oregon, a court docket is essentially a case register or log that contains a chronological list of events and brief descriptions of all filings in a case. These events can include documents filed, hearings, trials, notices, judgments, and action deadlines. However, it’s important to note that case dockets do not include copies or detailed information from the documents in the case file.
Court dockets are used by the courts to manage caseloads and provide basic case information and timelines. Litigants often use these dockets to keep track of their cases, including trial dates and action deadlines. The OJD Records and Calendars Search tool can be utilized to access court dockets.
Types of Courts in Oregon
The Oregon court system consists of various types of courts, including Justice Courts, Municipal Courts, Circuit Courts, Tax Courts, Complex Litigation Courts, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court, all under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Judicial Department. There are also other courts, such as US Federal District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts in Oregon, and Tribal Courts.
The Tax Court, with two divisions (Magistrate and Regular), handles tax appeal cases. The Magistrate Division is the initial level for tax appeal cases, while the Regular Division reviews decisions from the Magistrate Division that are appealed. Circuit Courts in Oregon serve as trial courts for civil and criminal cases, with 36 circuit courts in the state. The Court of Appeals functions as an intermediate appellate court, reviewing decisions from the trial courts, and the Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in Oregon, providing general guidance for the state’s judicial system.
What are Civil Court and Small Claims in Oregon
Small claims courts in Oregon address money disputes involving amounts exceeding $750 and up to $10,000. These courts are designed to resolve minor money disputes without the need for legal representation. Small claims courts in Oregon are a subset of the County Circuit Courts and specifically handle cases with values between these amounts. Claims exceeding $10,000 cannot be filed as small claims and must be handled in a civil court. Plaintiffs need to demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to collect the claim from the defendant before filing a small claim, and this should be noted on the claim form.
Justice Courts have non-exclusive civil jurisdiction over various types of cases, including the recovery of forfeitures or penalties, money claims not exceeding $10,000, and the recovery of specific personal property with a value not exceeding $10,000. Justice courts do not hear cases involving false imprisonment, disputes over title to real property, libel, slander, or malicious prosecution.
Typically, a defendant served with a small claim has 14 calendar days to file a response. If the court does not receive a response within this time frame, the plaintiff may request a default judgment, which includes the amount claimed, filing fees, service costs, and a prevailing party fee.
For civil cases, it is strongly recommended to consult an attorney before initiating legal action due to the complexity of civil matters.