How can I get a copy of a civil rights lawsuit that I filed?

Question

I want to look into a case that I filed. Where do I go and what do I do?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

To obtain a copy of a civil rights lawsuit that you have filed, follow these steps: 
 
1. Identify the court where you filed the lawsuit (e.g., federal district court or state court). 
 
2. Contact the clerk's office of the court where the case was filed. You can usually find the contact information on the court's website or by searching online for the court's name and location. 
 
3. Provide the clerk with your case number and the names of the parties involved in the lawsuit. If you don't have the case number, the clerk may be able to find it using your name and the approximate date of filing. 
 
4. Request a copy of the complaint or any other specific documents you need from your case file. 
 
5. Pay any required fees for copying and certification, if applicable. Some courts may allow you to access the documents electronically for a lower fee. 
 
Alternatively, if you have an attorney representing you in the case, you can request a copy of the filed complaint and other documents from them. 
 
If you cannot visit the clerk's office in person, you may be able to make your request by phone, mail, or email, depending on the court's policies. Some courts also provide online access to case documents through their electronic filing systems, such as PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) for federal courts.

Q: How can I get a copy of a civil rights lawsuit that I filed?