Check your state or county court website for free public case search tools
Search the local clerk of court online records portal
Use federal court PACER only if necessary; it is not free, but some records may be available through free public terminals
Visit the county courthouse and request public criminal case records at the clerk’s office
Search state department of corrections inmate lookup databases
Use state sex offender registry websites for public offender information
Search local sheriff or police department inmate/jail booking lookup pages
Check state judicial branch websites for online docket searches
Search municipal court websites for city-level criminal cases
Use public records libraries or law library terminals that provide access to court databases
Request records in person from the relevant court if online access is unavailable
Search news archives and official press releases for publicly reported arrests or convictions
Verify identity carefully by matching full name, date of birth, and location before relying on any record