West Haven Court Docket

West Haven court docket records are managed through the Connecticut Judicial Branch, and the city falls under the New Haven Judicial District for most case types. If you need to search for a civil case, a criminal filing, or a family matter tied to West Haven, the state runs free online tools that pull up docket data from courts across Connecticut. Court docket records show each step in a case. That means you can track hearings, filed motions, and final rulings. You can also visit the clerk in New Haven or reach out by email to get copies of older West Haven court docket filings that have been sent to storage.

West Haven Court Docket at the New Haven JD

West Haven does not have its own Superior Court building. Cases from the city go to the New Haven Judicial District courthouse at 235 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510. Call (203) 503-6800 to reach the clerk. This court handles civil lawsuits, family cases, and serious criminal matters for West Haven and surrounding towns. The docket for each case tracks every filing, hearing date, and court order from start to finish. If you need to look something up for a West Haven case, this is the main court to contact.

The New Haven JD is one of the busier courts in Connecticut. It serves a large part of the county. Civil cases, divorce filings, custody disputes, and felony matters all flow through 235 Church Street. Walk-in hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to ask the clerk for case files. Staff can pull up any active West Haven court docket by name or case number while you wait.

Note: West Haven residents should plan for a short drive to New Haven when they need to visit the clerk or attend a court hearing in person.

West Haven Criminal Docket Filings

Criminal cases from West Haven can end up in two courts. Felonies and more serious charges go to the New Haven JD at 235 Church Street. Misdemeanors, motor vehicle offenses, and arraignments are handled at G.A. 23, which sits at 121 Elm Street, New Haven. You can call G.A. 23 at (203) 789-7461. Both courts create docket records for every criminal case filed. The docket shows the charges, plea, court dates, and outcome. Under C.G.S. 51-36a, the Judicial Branch sets rules for how these records are kept and who can view them.

West Haven has its own police department. You can reach them at (203) 937-8440. Police records are separate from court docket records. An arrest by West Haven police may lead to a docket entry at G.A. 23 or the New Haven JD, but the two systems do not share files. If you want court data, use the court tools. If you want an arrest report, contact the police.

Criminal docket records for West Haven cases stay in the online system for up to 10 years after sentencing. Pending cases stay visible until resolved. Under C.G.S. 54-142g, some records may be erased after a dismissal, acquittal, or pardon, so not every past case will appear in search results.

Search West Haven Court Dockets Online

The Civil/Family Case Look-up tool is the best way to find West Haven court docket records from your computer. This free tool covers civil lawsuits, family cases, small claims, and housing matters filed across the state. Type in a party name and the system pulls up results. You can filter by court location to narrow things down to just West Haven or New Haven JD cases. Each result gives you the docket number, case type, both parties, and the current status. C.G.S. 1-200 makes these records open to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. You do not need to be a party to the case.

The state also runs a housing court case search tool. West Haven housing cases file through the New Haven JD.

Connecticut Housing Court case search covers landlord-tenant disputes, eviction filings, and housing code cases from across the state.

The housing lookup tool lets you search by address or party name. Results show the docket number and case status for West Haven housing matters filed in the New Haven area courts.

West Haven Probate Court Dockets

Probate matters for West Haven go through the New Haven area probate courts. Probate handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes. Each probate case gets its own docket. The Connecticut Probate Court Case Lookup tool lets you search cases filed from 2011 forward. Older records must be requested from the probate court directly. Probate docket records are generally public, though cases involving minors or protected persons may have limited access.

West Haven probate filings are distinct from Superior Court docket records. They use a different system and a different set of forms. If you are not sure whether your matter is a probate issue or a Superior Court issue, call the probate court to ask. Staff can point you the right way.

Note: Probate court docket records do not appear in the civil/family case lookup tool, so you need to use the separate probate search system.

Appellate Court Docket Records for West Haven

If a West Haven case gets appealed, the docket moves to the Connecticut Appellate Court or the Supreme Court. These are statewide courts. Appellate docket records are available through a separate search tool.

The Appellate Case Look-up tool covers all appeals filed in Connecticut. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name.

Not many West Haven cases reach the appellate level. Most docket activity stays at the trial court. But if a party appeals a ruling from the New Haven JD, the appellate docket will show the briefs filed, hearing dates, and the final decision.

Getting Copies of West Haven Docket Records

You can get copies of West Haven court docket records a few ways. Visit the clerk at 235 Church Street in New Haven during business hours. Ask for the case by name or docket number. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies run $2.00 per document plus the page fee. Bring a photo ID. For closed cases that have been moved to storage, email SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov with the case name and docket number. Staff at the records center will pull the file and let you know how to get your copies.

Court transcripts are handled separately. They cost $3.00 per page for standard service. Audio recordings of court hearings run $25 per day per docket number for sessions from November 2018 forward. You need to request these through the court, not the records center.

West Haven City Government Contacts

West Haven city offices can help with local government records, but they do not hold court docket files. Court docket records stay with the Judicial Branch. Still, city contacts can be useful if you need related paperwork or want to check on a local matter before it reaches court.

• Mayor's Office: (203) 937-3510
• City Clerk: (203) 937-3515
• West Haven Police: (203) 937-8440

The city clerk handles vital records and local permits. The police department manages arrest reports and incident data. Neither office keeps court docket records. For dockets, go to the New Haven JD clerk or use the state online search tools.

New Haven County Court Resources

West Haven is part of New Haven County. All West Haven court docket records fall under the broader New Haven County court system. For more on courts and docket resources across the county, visit the New Haven County court docket page.

Nearby Cities

Several cities near West Haven also file court docket records through New Haven County courts. Check these pages for details on each location.