Many different types of users access court record information for various reasons. While there have been studies in the past on users of the court systems, they vary depending upon the locale and the court system. The following is an attempt to provide some insight into various users and the type of information they access.

Attorneys typically seek detailed civil and criminal docket, calendar, and party information from the court. This information may be used to track the attorneys’ cases or it may be gathered in an attempt to research similar types of cases.

Title searchers typically seek tax rolls, property indexes, and lien data. This group is also an active user of electronic public access. Though land records are a prime search area, this group also checks for liens, foreclosure judgments, and other more court-oriented data. 

Credit and background check companies typically seek more detailed personal data to assist them in their online research, including such items as marriage license records.

Legal News Media typically want as wide a range of data as possible, but are usually interested in case indexes. According to the report, “The Electronic Handshake,” [6] newspaper reporters generally access information after hours. This information may be used for following public officials or high-publicity figures, statistical analysis, or trend analysis.

Investigators generally spend more time connected to court systems that other users. More important, they are willing to pay for the service because they can do more checks electronically in less time than by visiting a courthouse and looking at files or using public terminals. According to the report, “The Electronic Handshake,” investigative companies spend a lot of time accessing court records. An average amount of time spent per session was reported to be 22 minutes. On the other hand, law firms accessing electronic public records spend an average of 17 minutes per session and less than two hours per week. 

The General Public may access specific information. They may want to know information about who is dating their daughter or to check for possible criminal backgrounds for the potential babysitters. If it is a pro se litigant, they may want to know if the defendant answered the complaint.

Employers may want to check court records themselves instead of using 3rd party investigators. This may include background checks of prospective employees or potential employers and their agents. 

Judiciary from adjoining counties who don’t normally have access to court records may want to check to see if there are any common cases between counties.