Examples of court case numbers. The last four digits are the sequence number .
Examples of court case numbers. Federal courts hear cases involving matters related to the Sep 5, 2024 · The following is a list of standard abbreviations for California case reporters. In complex cases only, parties must also use the Civil Case Cover Sheet to designate whether the case is complex. Table T. Example of a case number format: 1401CV001026 See the case number broken out below. Jun 9, 2023 · New Case number format for Odyssey Print Modified on: Fri, 9 Jun, 2023 at 5:29 PM What is the new case number format used in Odyssey? The new format is similar to the old format; the only difference is the county number is now at the end where the check digit used to be located. Just like a library book has a unique number to help you find it on the shelf, a docket number helps courts and the public locate and reference a particular case. The first digit indicates one of the six divisions in the district. For example, all cases filed in 2007 will begin with " 07" followed by a five digit number. For Civil, Family and Probate cases, start with the proper 3 or 4 case style prefix, the 2 digit year and the 6 or 7 digit sequence number. Lucas, District Court Executive & Clerk of Court Clerk's Office E-Filing Judges' Info Calendars Rules, General Orders & Forms CVB Violation Notice Apr 7, 2021 · These are two examples of civil index cards from the U. What is a Docket Number A docket number is a unique identifying number assigned to a specific legal case or proceeding by the court. 4 (Court & Jurisdiction) & 10. For example, case number 2008-56789-DI can be broken down as follows: • The first 4 numbers (2008) is the year of filing . Explore the underlying systems that dictate their format and length, and how to interpret these crucial legal identifiers. The next series of digits is the actual sequential number of the case beginning from 00001 in the current year. The information required by the bluebook can 3 days ago · Bluebook Rule 10 covers how cases should be cited in legal documents. Some have free online docket systems; others require a subscription to their What's the difference between a cause number and a case number? A case number (also referred to as a "cause number" or "docket number") is a number assigned to an accepted case by the court. The docket lists the judge, parties, and the attorneys of record, along with a summary of each document filed in the case, the date when it was filed, and the court case number assigned to the document. Format of Illinois case numbers in general Illinois court case numbers take the form of [year] [case type] [number filed in that county]. Manarite, 57 F. If you interview an attorney to take your case, they may ask for your docket number so they can research your issues. Two Digit Year > Two Digit Court Code > Two Letter Code > Six Digit Sequence Number Two digit year In case number 14 48CV001026, "14" represents the year 2014. Cohr, Inc. Smith’s case file with 0001/SMI. Superior Courts: The first two digits of the case number are used to indicate the year the case was filed. Note: legal databases still use the "print" citation format even though you find the case online. Jul 25, 2025 · Learn how to decipher case law numbers and citations. Zipps, Chief Judge | Debra D. What is a case number for US visa? Your DOS Case ID is 3 letters followed by 9 or 10 numbers (for example, XYZ0123456789). Provides information on interpreting the format of a case number assigned to a case within the SC District Court. However, the text of the actual decision will be identical across reporters. To ensure efficient tracking and systematic organization of information, each legal proceeding is assigned a unique identifier. What are case ID numbers? Apr 9, 2025 · Court records may include the case file containing the docket sheet and all documents filed in the case, as well as other documents generated during the proceedings, including, for example, trial transcripts and instructions to juries. For Civil and Probate cases, start with the proper 3 or 4 case style prefix, the 2 digit year and the 6 or 7 digit sequence number. Sep 11, 2023 · [1] For example, in adoption cases, the County Division case number consists of the 4 Digit Year, COAD, and the 6 Digit Case Number. Our system is designed to provide information within the case number itself. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Alabama changed its case number system to distinguish between its two divisions and to utilize unique numbers for bankruptcy, adversary, and miscellaneous cases. 2d/F. Some jurisdictions have free online docket systems while others require subscription to a database or even visiting the court in-person. The type of case (e. If you are a Diversity Visa immigrant, your DOS Case ID will have 4 numbers Learn how to cite case law correctly with this ultimate guide. Lower courts on the federal level include the U. The last two characters designate To view the case number matrix for limited civil cases filed before July 31, 2017, and unlimited civil cases filed before October 9, 2018, see page 2 below. Court of International Trade and U. 1). Jan 22, 2016 · This article provides information on decoding Illinois case numbers. Jul 18, 2025 · A court case number, often called a docket number, is a unique code assigned to every lawsuit. Rule 10. 2 Character Case Type Identifier2 Digit Year Delimiter Probate and Family Court case numbers also contain a case type, which you'll typically find at the end of the case number. S. It can also be helpful for legal research and analysis. 1/5 (49 votes) After a case is filed, the court assigns it a docket number, which is the court's case number or tracking number. In the examples above, the “CV” and “CR” prefixes indicate whether the case is civil or criminal, respectively. One basic thing to note about dockets before we dive in: each court has its own docket system. Suc Each case number consists of a combination of the case year, case sequence number and case type. R10- detailed format for cases in academic writing. If a plaintiff believes the case is complex under rule 3. 2d 156 (Wash. The last four digits are the sequence number Score: 4. Jun 12, 2025 · The same case may be included in multiple reporters. , district and municipal courts, may attach specific meaning to their case numbers. Mar 13, 2025 · Understand how Colorado court case codes function, their structure, and their role in organizing legal proceedings across different jurisdictions. You should review the rest of this section on citing cases (and the relevant rules in The Bluebook) before trying to format a case citation for the first time. For example, the Bluebook is the citation guide most lawyers adhere to, while the Harvard Style and APA Style are also used. Because each reporter is a separate publication, the citation format will be slightly different from reporter to reporter. To Parties in Complex Cases. • The last two letters (DI) is the abbreviation for case type. Bluebook Rule (22nd): 10. The divisions consist of Beaumont (1), Marshall (2), Sherman (4), Texarkana (5), Tyler (6) and Lufkin (9). Sample Case Number: 3:00-cv-5 May 4, 2025 · A court order is a legal document issued by a judge that details the ruling in a case identified by a unique case number. How do you read a docket number? A docket number may be composed of a number or letter indicating the court, a two-digit number to identify the year, the case type (either CV/cv for civil cases or CR/cr for criminal cases), a four- or five-digit case number, and the judge's initials. Entries are added to the case docket sheet as records are filed in the case. Key numbers are the same in all West digests for all jurisdictions; therefore, you would use the same topic and key number, Constitutional Law 4809, to find cases in a specific jurisdiction, e. The list indicates how many series have been published for each reporter and the courts covered by each reporter. Keep in mind that many courts use the same designations. Jan 28, 2016 · The court system in Iowa assigns court case numbers based upon the type of case. 99) A dash (-) A letter indicating the service type for the case C - Communication E - Electric F - Facility G - Gas M - Miscellaneous S - Steam T - Transmission To ensure consistency and quality in all of the transcripts we produce to attorneys, we ask all court reporters to follow JBCC guidelines for transcript formatting and also make sure that certain elements are in the transcript for purposes of how we convert and print depositions. g. It may also include information about the court and year in which the case was tried. It is used to manage case records, facilitate communication, and ensure proper documentation throughout the legal process. This guide will help you understand the meaning behind the numbers and navigate case law with ease. Included is a demo of the PACER case locator, which allows you to search multiple courts simultaneously, and a demonstration of how to retrieve statistical reports on the activities of a particular court. Case Numbers are up to 12 characters long without spaces, dashes or any other characters. For example: Jul 22, 2025 · Case law is law established by judicial decision in cases. 4 describes what information must be included in this parenthetical. In our example, the docket number is C-110094. Purpose The primary purpose of a case number is to provide a clear and organized method for courts, legal professionals, and parties Jan 1, 2025 · The following is an example of how a case number should appear before and after the case has been transferred from one court to another: 55C01-1101-CF-000123 (Case number as it appears in originating court). Oct 19, 2022 · Some case numbers assigned by limited jurisdiction courts, e. A series number, randomly assigned to each case as it is filed. If a plaintiff designates a case as complex, the cover sheet must be served with Throughout this book, you will read excerpts of cases from four levels of courts: the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals, state supreme courts, and intermediate appellate state courts (see Figure 1. What does "docket number" mean in legal documents? A docket number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific case in a court system. What is the proper case number format for Civil and Probate Online Searches? Case numbers must be entered in a specific format. Severson, 201 P. C or CV- Civil CR- Criminal D-Divorce RD- Reciprocal Divorce DR- Domestic A court case number is a unique identifier assigned to each legal case filed in court, crucial for tracking and referencing case documents and proceedings. To cite a court case or decision, list the name of the case, the volume and abbreviated name of the reporter, the page number, the name of the court, the year, and optionally the URL. The third digit is used to designate the case type. Okay, here are some examples of case numbers from various contexts, demonstrating the different form Jun 20, 2025 · These numbers, often referred to as case numbers, provide essential information about a specific case and facilitate efficient management of court records. District Court Department Get to Know the Case Number Format Example of Case Number Format: 1448CV001026. 400 of the California Rules of Court, this must be indicated by completing the appropriate boxes in items 1 and 2. Court of Claims, and the U. Understanding the distinction between civil and Feb 4, 2021 · Citations for court cases refer to reporters, the publications in which cases are documented. It serves Mar 10, 2025 · The precise format of a case citation depends on a number of factors, including the jurisdiction, court, and type of case. Similarly, in name change cases, the County Division case number consists of the 4 Digit Year, CONC, and the 6 Digit Case Number. In this article, you’ll explore various case number examples across different jurisdictions and types of cases. The case code indicating case category – depending on case category, is either comprised of two characters OR one character and a zero. Jul 25, 2025 · Any case that is initiated in the Odyssey Case Management Program will have a new case number format. A five digit sequence number can be found in every Superior Court case number. May 29, 2025 · The specific format varies from court to court, but most docket sheets include, in order: Information about the case, such as the docket number, nature of suit or case type, judge, related cases, date filed, and whether the case is open or closed Case A Case is a set of related issues to be decided by the Commission at a public meeting. If you are a defendant or party to a civil case, you'll need this number to file documents on your own behalf. Jul 3, 2025 · Identify the information contained in a docket number. The order ofthe designations within the case Dumber was chosen to ensure that each case could easily be identified by the county where the case was filed; the year in which tllC case was filed; the court division/case type where the case was filed; the sequential number The Court of Appeal cover page is placed in front of the Superior Court cover page: The “Court of Appeal” cover shall contain following information: Title (Court of Appeal xxxx) Caption (People v. What is a case number? After a case is filed, the court assigns it a docket number, which is the court's case number or tracking number. May 29, 2025 · Each court generally has its own system for assigning docket numbers, which may include some or all of the following: The year the case was filed, in two or four digit format. Circuit Court of Appeals Cases For U. Sep 26, 2025 · In our example, they are Thomas v. How do you use a docket? How do docket numbers work Jun 21, 2023 · For example, a paralegal might label the first page of Mr. Example of a case number format: 1448CV001026 See the case number broken out below. How do you read a case number? A docket number may be composed of a number or letter indicating the court, a two-digit number to identify the year, the case type (either CV/cv for civil cases or CR/cr for criminal cases), a four- or five-digit case number, and the judge's initials. Type of case (e. However, the basic format of a case citation is as follows: Note: In court documents (briefs, motions) and legal Aug 5, 2025 · A guide to legal citation using Bluebook rules. Aug 2, 2018 · See specific formatting and examples for each filing division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Dockets vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction in type of information recorded, the detail of the information, and availability to the public. Oct 16, 2024 · How should I search for my case by case number? If you are not sure of the case number format when searching by case number, try the county specific provided below. District Court for the District of Connecticut (National Archives Identifier 134379567). The first two numbers refer to the case year. volume number first page, year decided For example: Roe v. 3d volume number first page, year decided For example: United States v. The following uniform case numbering scheme was recommended by the Florida Court Technology Commission for the trial courts. B2 & R2 - rules for underlining and italicizing case names. The court the case was filed in, represented by a letter or number. Case Number Examples Civil, Family and Probate Examples Case numbers must be entered in a specific format. In normal language you would also say " case number " instead of " case ID " Mar 12, 2023 · Court Case Numbers Court case numbers serve as unique identifiers for legal cases and are used to track and manage court proceedings. . Generally, a case citation should include the case name, the year of the decision, the court identifier, and the case United States District Court District of Arizona Honorable Jennifer G. Definition A case number is a unique sequence of numbers and letters assigned by the court to identify and track a specific legal case. CASE NUMBER FORMAT EXAMPLES 2 Digit Year Delimiter 6 Digit Sequence Number 2 Character Case Type Identifier 2 Digit Year Delimiter Mar 8, 2022 · What is the interpretation of the superior court case number format? District and Municipal Court Case Number Format: Case numbers assigned by courts of limited jurisdiction (district and municipal courts) are determined by each court. The year the case is proposed, in two or four digit format. Index Number Formats Index Numbers are entered differently in each county, in each court type. This number is crucial for us to be able to search for and locate the appropriate case file (s). UNIFORM CASE NUMBERS Effective January 1, 2003, the Clerk's Office started using the Florida Supreme Court's mandated Uniform Case Number (UCN). In case number 1473CV 00213, "00213" is the sequence number. That means that the case number can provide useful information about the court case if one knows how to interpret the case number. The case number format will append the county abbreviation to the beginning of the case number. Jun 26, 2025 · This tutorial will show you how to find a particular court's records, including cases by name, date, and docket number. If you continue to have issues, contact your local court or clerk’s office. Bankruptcy Courts. 1948). This system is fundamental to the administration of justice. Here is is the Court of Appeals of Ohio, First District, Hamilton County. What does p mean in a court case? Party Number. Case Category Descriptions The number of the case (comprised of 6 numbers, including leading zeros) Examples: Chancery (CH Legal Terms Dictionary case ID - Meaning in Law and Legal Documents, Examples and FAQs A case ID, or case number, is a unique code assigned to a legal case that helps identify and track it in the court system. Learn how to conduct an Ohio court docket search, where to find court cases online, what is a court docket, how to find docket number for a case and the typical features of an Ohio court docket. Courts of Appeals, U. This identifier is the tool courts use to organize and track a case’s journey through the legal system. McLean County Court case number is comprised of twelve characters – no spaces, no hyphens. Master citation formats, court rules, and legal referencing in 2025. The first part of the series tracks the page number, while the second element remains constant and represents the client’s last name. civil, criminal, bankruptcy). A complete bankruptcy case number consists of the court division in which the case was filed, the year of filing, the type of case, five additional digits, and the initials of the judge assigned to the case. They can provide an overview of what happened wi Sep 23, 2021 · To make a successful request for a specific Supreme Court record, you must first determine the case file number and provide the number to our staff. The first fourteen characters are formatted uniformly throughout the state. xxxxx) Court of Appeal case number (D0xxxxx) Superior Court case number (SCDxxxxx) May 12, 2025 · A case number is a unique identifier assigned to a legal case in a district court, facilitating tracking and reference. Example case number: 99-X-1234 Case numbers have the following parts: They begin with the last two digits of the year they were opened. This article aims to elucidate the significance of case numbers and the structure they typically follow. (e. This is a number that contains twenty characters in length. The letters represent case type. Think of it as a special code that helps keep track of legal matters. Sep 24, 2024 · the volume number of the reporter containing the full text of the case the abbreviated name of that case reporter the page number on which the case begins the year the case was decided; and sometimes the name of the court deciding the case. If a case is appealed from a district court to a circuit court, removed to federal court from state court, or transferred to a different jurisdiction, that event will (usually) be the last entry on the original docket. The United States Supreme Court has the final word in interpreting the United States Constitution. CASE NUMBER SCHEMATICLASC XLIT 029 NEW 10/24 In the United States, courts exist on both the federal and state levels. Kentucky court case numbers have a nine-digit format with two numbers, two letters and five numbers, in that order. After the docket number you will see the court. Wade, 410 U. Jul 15, 2025 · Learn how to navigate case law with docket numbers. District Courts, the U. What Does A Court Case Number Look Like? Have you ever encountered a court case number and wondered what it signifies? In this enlightening video, we delve into the intricate structure of court May 29, 2025 · Bluebooking and Legal Citation Rules for Cases B10- basic format for cases in court documents. “CR” represents a circuit criminal case. Also understand California's legal provisions for a court docket search. When referencing case law, the style of citation will depend on the style guide you are using. Follow these formats when searching for an index number. Supreme Court reporter is abbreviated simply as “U. Below is an example of a case citation: Hebb v. Underneath the party names you have the docket number. The letter X represents any number 0-9 and Y represents the index year. Get to Know the Case Number Format Example of Case Number Format: 1473CV00213. However, such case numbers have no meaning to outsiders or people not involved in the case. Dockets include: case file number, party name(s), dates, and documents filed. Once a docket number is assigned to a case, it must appear on all papers submitted to the Court. After the division number and colon is the year the case was filed (e. 3d 1407, 1995 Here, “F. For the Arizona Superior Court the designators are as follows. The online availability of court dockets and records depends on the jurisdiction. Del Grosso’s case file number H79-549 includes several covert details: the filing year, 1979; and the location of filing as Hartford designated by the “H” preceding the number. What is a docket?A docket is simply a record of the proceedings of a court case. From criminal to civil matters, knowing how to interpret these numbers can streamline your research and enhance your understanding of the legal landscape. The case number must be six digits. Aug 10, 2025 · In the legal system, courts manage a vast number of cases daily. See the case number broken out below. Also, with Jun 9, 2023 · The Court Directory provides contact information for Washington State courts. 1 includes the official names and legal citation abbreviations for federal and state reporters, and federal and state statutory compilations. T1 - preferred reporter and court abbreviation for each court. The court case was filed in, represented by letters or numbers. Aug 10, 2025 · Demystify legal case numbers. Knowing how to read court case numbers is crucial if you need to access court records or track the progress of a case. For example, “CI” means circuit civil. Massachusetts, addressing the same topic as the Supreme Court case above. A docket number may be composed of a number or letter indicating the court, a two-digit number to identify the year, the case type (either CV/cv for civil cases or CR/cr for criminal cases), a four- or five-digit case number, and the judge's initials. 3d” indicates the Learn how to conduct a California court docket search, where to find court cases online, what is a court docket, how to find docket number for a case and the typical features of a California court docket. Many courts have databases that allow you to look up cases by name or case number, which will show you the caption and other details. That is to say that the 4-number year, a letter code representing the case type, and a sequence number for cases filed in the county of Jan 20, 2025 · Case numbers include the volume number, the court reporter the case appears in (an actual print volume), and the first page number of the case report. The case number also includes the four-digit year, case type abbreviation, and the six-digit case number. The decision date is next. 113, 1973 Note the U. Also understand Ohio's legal provisions for a court docket search. The difference between brief format and law review note Mar 10, 2025 · A citation to a case in the Supreme Court Reporter and the United States Supreme Court Reports, Lawyers' Edition has the same five elements as a citation to the United States Reports, except the reporter abbreviation and volume and page numbers are different. Jul 20, 2017 · Read More: What Is a Docket Number? Observe the case number. Slip opinions: When a case is unreported, but separately available as a slip opinion, give the docket number, the court, and the full date of the most recent disposition of the case. Most excerpted cases are United States Supreme Court cases. Circuit Courts of Appeals, use: Case name, F. , 98, 99, 00) and cv for civil, cr for criminal, mc for miscellaneous, and m for magistrate. A guide to understanding docket numbers and their importance in legal research and practice. What do the numbers mean in a court case? Each court generally has its own system for assigning docket numbers, which may include some or all of the following: The year the case was filed, in two or four digit format. Two Digit Year > Two Digit Court Code > Two Letter Code > Six Digit Sequence Number Two digit year In case number 14 01CV001026, "14" represents the year 2014. Each court system may have its own format for case numbers, but they typically follow a similar structure. For example: Lewis County is S21 in JIS/SCOMIS. The Jan 3, 2022 · The Courts create a docket for each case file. In the provided example, case number ES15A0064 AD ends in "AD," which is the case type for Adoption. 55D02-1101-CF-000123 (Case number as it appears in court to which case transferred). Our example case was decided on November 18, 2011. After a case is filed, the court assigns it a docket number, which is the court's case number or tracking number. Aug 16, 2023 · Case name, U. These prefixes, along with the “C” in the case number, offer a quick way to discern the type of case without delving into extensive case details. If you are writing a brief or memo, look at the Blue Pages, Rule B10 (Or apply the citation rules of the jurisdiction). A docket number identifies a case as it makes its way through the court system and appeals process. The “C” in a court case number signifies that the case is a civil case. The four digits of the year of filing. Is a caption the same as a title in a legal document? Dec 13, 2021 · Using and Understanding Docket Numbers To see also : How much does a restraining order cost in San Diego?. The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. • The next five numbers (56789) is the sequentially assigned number within the year of filing. Sep 8, 2025 · Each topic and key number combination represents a unique point of law. 5 (Year) Law Review Typeface: Ordinary After the reporter citation and pincite, if any, information related to the court and year of decision is placed in a parenthetical. Let`s take a look at an example of a court case number and break down its components: Feb 11, 2020 · Each case number begins with a letter or letters (example: CR-200500311) The alpha designators in case numbers are indicators for the court's filings. This is followed by the sequential case number, and then the initials of the presiding judge. Typically, a docket number is made up of a two-digit number (to signify the year), followed by the case type (either Civ. 3 days ago · Effective January 1, 2019, the U. The next four characters of the UCN are optional fields for the county to use. This number is essential What do you mean by docket number? The docket number is the court's case number or tracking number. For example, a case filed in Trenton would start with 3. vpm tu7e el1 xaql lzy nb w6ou w8x tqfwi io3
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