Wyoming Court Docket Search
A Wyoming Court Docket Search is a method for exploring and gaining access to Wyoming court dockets and Wyoming court record information in general. Dockets are official records that include information about court proceedings, such as the parties involved, case numbers, charges, attorneys, case status, documents filed, and judicial actions. They serve as a chronological journal of the events that transpired during a court case and are necessary for keeping an accurate record of the legal process.
The Wyoming Judicial Branch is responsible for maintaining judicial dockets and organizing and preserving court records for all levels of Wyoming courts, including the Wyoming Supreme Court, District Courts, Circuit Courts, and Municipal Courts. Typically, these documents are preserved in both physical and electronic formats.
What is a Court Docket in Wyoming?
A Wyoming court docket is an official document that contains information about all legal proceedings in Wyoming State Courts. Important details of a case, such as the dates and times of hearings, documents filed with the court, and any orders or rulings that have been issued by the presiding judge, can be found in a court docket.
The Court Clerk is responsible for maintaining court dockets. Interested individuals can access a docket by visiting the clerk's office in person or using the online portal provided by the court.
What is the Purpose of a Court Docket in Wyoming?
Court dockets in Wyoming help to track all the different aspects of each legal matter occurring within the state. It functions as a historical record of proceedings and provides accurate information on the progress of a case.
Court dockets are intended to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial system. It is a useful tool for lawyers and case parties to stay informed on the latest developments in a case and prepare for upcoming hearings.
Additionally, court dockets can also present information about fines, fees, or financial sanctions on the parties involved. This is useful for anyone who wants to gain insights into a case's monetary outcome or monitor payment of fees made to the court.
Are Court Dockets Public Record in Wyoming?
Yes, Court dockets from any Wyoming court are open to public inspection and copying upon request. The Wyoming Public Records Act guarantees the public access to most court records in Wyoming.
It should be noted that court records that contain sensitive information relating to ongoing criminal investigations or juvenile matters may be sealed and therefore inaccessible to the general public. Sealed court records are only available to case parties and those who have authorization from the courts.
What Do Court Dockets Contain in Wyoming?
Wyoming court dockets contain a wide range of information related to legal proceedings in the state, including:
- Case number
- Names of case participants, otherwise known as case parties
- Names of attorneys representing the case parties
- Name of the Judge or Magistrate in charge of the case
- Name of the court where the case was filed
- Status of the case, indicating whether the case is matured, unmatured, closed, under advisement, or reopened
- Type/category of a case, which can be civil, criminal, or family
- The date when the case was entered into the court's docket
- Case decision information, such as citations and opinions
- Filings and orders associated with a case, such as indictments, trial orders, petitions, witness statements, exhibits, and motions submitted
- The date and time of documents filed and orders issued
- The final decision in the case, including any sentences or penalties imposed, called judgment
- The date judgment was given in a case.
The information listed here is common for court dockets in Wyoming; however, it may differ based on the case or the court.
Where to Find a Court Docket in Wyoming
When looking for a court docket in Wyoming, the best place to start is at the courthouse where the case was filed. These records are kept at the office of the court clerk, typically found inside each courthouse. By beginning their search at the courthouse, individuals can acquire accurate information and access all documents related to the case.
Wyoming Supreme Court offers an electronic portal through which inquirers can access court dockets online. This convenient online system makes it easy for record seekers to view court dockets from anywhere with an internet connection.
However, for cases heard in Wyoming's district and circuit courts, individuals need to visit the courthouse or call the court clerk to check the status of their case.
How to Conduct a Wyoming Court Docket Search
There are two primary ways to view court dockets in Wyoming: either online or in person at the courthouse.
To conduct a court docket search in person, a requester must visit the courthouse's administrative office where the case was filed. There, the requester will be asked to provide case-related information, such as names of case parties or case number, to assist the search.
Individuals can also request copies of court records from the court clerk. However, there is a fee for this service and it varies depending on the courthouse.
Those who prefer to access court dockets online, can do so any time of the day, without leaving the comfort of their homes or offices. By visiting the Public Docket Portal on the Wyoming Judicial Branch website, an inquirer can access docket of cases filed at the Supreme Court for free.
At the Public Docket portal, individuals have the following search options:
- Case Search
- Issue Search, and
- Participant Search.
The Case Search option involves the use of specific details related to the case such as the case number, title, status, group, type, and subtype to filter the database and find the desired case.
An inquirer can conduct an Issue Search by selecting the specific issue the case is related to. The issues are listed chronologically, starting from Abuse and Neglect, Administrative Law and Procedure to Adoption and others.
Alternatively, an individual can conduct a Participant Search by entering the first, middle, and last names or organization name of the case parties.
To search for federal court dockets, inquirers can register for an account on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) and enter the required search criteria, such as case number or names of case parties. The docket sheet on PACER displays all case filings and entries chronologically, and $0.10 is charged for each page accessed. It is advisable to read the PACER user manual for more information on how to use the service.
Additionally, private aggregate websites provide access to court dockets, especially for cases of public interest. When searching for Wyoming court dockets on third-party sites, individuals should verify case information against the official dockets maintained by the court clerk's office (where the case was filed). This ensures the accuracy and completeness of the case information retrieved from third-party sites.
What is a Court Docket Number in Wyoming?
Otherwise known as case number, court docket numbers are unique identifiers assigned by the courts for easy identification and administration for every legal matter it handles.
A court docket number consists of letters and numbers assigned in chronological order and varies according to the jurisdiction and level of court. It can be found in official documents related to such cases, including legal papers, court records, and other communications.
The docket number is pivotal for court administrators, lawyers, and other legal professionals as it helps them manage and access important case information while maintaining an efficient court system.
For example, court docket numbers assigned to cases by Wyoming's Supreme Court follow the format S-XX-0000. "S" indicates that the case is in the Supreme Court. "XX" represents the year the case was filed, while the last four digits (0000) are a unique identifier assigned by the court.
Docket numbers assigned to cases by Wyoming district, circuit, and municipal courts also follow a similar format. Each docket number is unique and typically includes information such as the case type, the year the case was filed, and a sequential identifier assigned by the court.
For instance, a case with docket number CV-2023-0345, signifies that it is the 345th civil case filed in 2023.
How to Conduct a Court Docket Number Lookup in Wyoming
The court docket number of a case in Wyoming can be obtained by contacting the court clerk's office where the case was filed. The court clerk is responsible for maintaining and organizing court records, including the case docket.
Typically, the court clerk's office can be contacted in person, by phone, or by email during business hours. It is important to note that the availability of court records may vary depending on the court and the case, and fees apply for obtaining copies of court records.
Interested individuals can also use the Public Docket tool to find the docket number of cases filed at the Wyoming Supreme Court.
