How to Find the Outcome of a Criminal Trial

The workings of the criminal justice system can be somewhat daunting to the uninitiated. However, it is very simple to get the basic information one is looking for regarding a criminal trial and its outcome. This information is public record and can usually be gotten with little trouble.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Driver's License or ID Card
• Money
• Courthouse

1. FIND THE CRIMINAL DIVISION: There is usually a placard on the wall inside the courthouse with where the divisions are housed. If this proves to difficult to follow (as there are sometimes more than one building to search through) ask the security guards or any police officers you may find there.
2. KNOW THE CASE: It is best to know the case title (State of California v. John Doe) and the case number if possible. Knowing at least the defendant's name and/or the date the case was heard or the date of judgment will narrow the search down if you don't know the case name and number.
3. ASK THE CLERK: In the criminal courthouse, you will find a filing clerk. This is the person who enters all the paperwork for the court. Ask this person if you can see the case you are looking for. Often, you will have to order the file out of storage, so you may have to come back on at a later date.
4. GET THE FILE: In many courthouses, the clerk will ask you to surrender your driver's license before they give you the file or limit access to the file to a designated room. This is a way to ensure that you do not walk away with the file.
5. GET THE INFORMATION: Paperwork in a file is usually filed with the most recent paperwork on top and the original filing on the bottom. The Judgment will tell you the outcome of the trial. The Sentencing (or similarly named document) will tell you what the "punishment" is if the person was found guilty. It is possible that the sentence may not be in the file yet as sentencing does not always happen the same day as judgment is passed.
6. GET COPIES: If you want a copy of any of the paperwork, the court will usually allow it, but for a per page fee. Some courts will tell you to mark the pages you want copies of, and they will copy them for you.
7. RETURN THE FILE: Give the file back to the filing clerk, retrieve your license, pay your copy fees, and you are done.

Tips & Warnings

• The copying fees can be quite steep so be prepared to pay a hefty sum if you want a lot of copies.
• If you want multiple copies, get the court to give you one and then copy it somewhere else. It is cheaper that way.
• Some courts have their own web sites now. If your court has one, and the case is still on the docket, you can get information about upcoming court dates that you might be able to attend.
• Most courthouses have metal detectors and security measures that you must go through to get into the courthouse. Be prepared to spend a little extra time going through security.
• These are just general guidelines. Each court has its own rules. Follow what the clerk tells you and you will be fine.