Oregon Public Records /Oregon Court Records Online

Oregon Court Records Online

Are Court Records in Oregon Open to the Public?

Yes, Oregon court records are generally open to the public as stipulated by the Oregon Public Records Law. This law permits individuals to request access to and inspect or copy court records. However, certain records are confidential and not available for public access due to statutory protections. These confidential records may include:

Cases involving minors
Records that protect an individual's privacy rights
Sensitive documents as defined by law

Requesters must provide specific details to obtain court records, including the type of record, the estimated date of creation, the subject matter, and the names of the parties involved. Additionally, requesters must include their personal information, such as name, address, and contact details.

What Information Appears in an Oregon Court Records Search?

An Oregon court records search may reveal the following information:

Case information
Dockets
Transcripts of hearings
Documents filed in the case
Judgments

How To Find Court Records in Oregon

To find court records in Oregon, the first step is to identify the record custodian, typically the court clerk where the case was filed. The court clerk is responsible for creating and maintaining official court records.

Requests for court records can be made in several ways:

In-person requests: Visit the courthouse and use public access computer terminals.
Mail requests: Send a written request or a completed request form to the court.
Email requests: Contact the court clerk via email.

Costs may apply, such as a $5 fee per certified copy and $0.25 per page for non-certified copies. Payment must be made before processing the request.

Public Access to Oregon Court Records

The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) provides access to non-confidential case dockets through a paid subscription. Interested individuals must log in with a registered account or create a new account, which costs $150. Additionally, the Judicial Department offers free online access to unofficial court case information for circuit court cases.

Searching Oregon Court Records by Name

Individuals can search Oregon court records by name using the Oregon Judicial Department's website. The OJD Records and Calendars Search tool allows searches by case party name, business name, attorney name, or judicial officer.

To use this tool, visit the Oregon Judicial Department website and select either the court calendar or online record search option. On the search page, choose the criteria (such as attorney, judicial officer, or case party names) to conduct the search. Note that sealed or restricted cases, including adoption, juvenile, and mental health records, are not accessible through this tool.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in Oregon

To access court records online for free, individuals may use the OJD Records and Calendar Search tool available on the Oregon Judicial Department's website. This tool offers remote access to case information and court calendars at no cost.

Public access computer terminals at courthouses also provide free access to court records, though this requires an in-person visit. Additionally, requests for court records can be made via email to the court clerk without any charge.

Another resource is the United States Courts Opinions portal, which allows users to access court opinions for free. Users can select the US District Court in Oregon and the relevant year to find the records they need.

Exemptions for Oregon Court Case Lookup

Certain records are exempt from public access according to Oregon Revised Statutes 192. These exemptions include:

Sealed or restricted case records
Personally-identifying information
Drug court program records
Jury source lists
Child support records
Adoption records
Juvenile case records
Mental health records
Records under the Violence Against Women Act

These exemptions are designed to protect privacy and sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access such records.

Finding a Court Docket in Oregon

Oregon court dockets are logs that list events and brief descriptions of every filing in a case. They include documents filed, hearings, trials, notices, judgments, and reminders. Court dockets do not contain detailed documents but provide an overview of case timelines and events.

To find a court docket, individuals can use the OJD Records and Calendars Search tool, which allows access to case registers and logs. This tool helps litigants follow up on case trials and action deadlines, aiding in effective case management.

What Information Is Found in Oregon Judgment Records?

Oregon judgment records contain various details depending on the case type. Generally, these records include:

Litigants' names
Judge's name
Case background
Issued judgment

Individuals seeking judgment records must visit the clerk's office and provide case information, such as the case number and litigants' names. Administrative fees apply for retrieving and copying these records.

Are Bankruptcy Records in Oregon Publicly Accessible?

Yes, Oregon bankruptcy records are publicly accessible and contain financial information about individuals and businesses that filed for bankruptcy. Requesters must provide the bankruptcy case number, case name, or the name of the filing entity to obtain these records.

Bankruptcy records are maintained by the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Oregon. These records can be viewed or copied by querying the record custodian in the relevant jurisdiction.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in Oregon

To search bankruptcy records in Oregon, identify the court with jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. Federal court records are maintained by the US Department of Justice and can be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.

The Case Locator on the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon website serves as an entry point to the PACER Services Portal. This portal requires a subscription and charges $0.10 per page for record searches. Requests can also be made by email or in person at the Bankruptcy Court location, with fees applicable for document retrieval and copying.

Different Types of Courts in Oregon

The Oregon court system includes various courts:

Justice Courts
Municipal Courts
Circuit Courts
Tax Courts (Magistrate and Regular Divisions)
Complex Litigation Court
Court of Appeals
Supreme Court

Each court has specific jurisdictions and functions, contributing to the overall judicial system in Oregon.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in Oregon

Small claims courts handle money disputes up to $10,000, allowing individuals to resolve issues without a lawyer. These courts are subdivisions of County Circuit Courts and do not hear claims involving false imprisonment, title to real property, libel, slander, or malicious prosecution.

Civil courts handle more complex cases, including those involving amounts over $10,000. Plaintiffs in civil cases are advised to consult an attorney due to the complexity of the legal process. Small claims courts provide a more straightforward, quicker resolution for minor disputes.

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