Civil Records in Litchfield County

Litchfield County civil court records come from the Litchfield Judicial District in Torrington. Civil cases filed in any of the county's 24 towns go through this court. You can search these records online using the Connecticut Judicial Branch case lookup system. The database includes contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and housing cases. All civil filings in Litchfield County are searchable from home or at the courthouse. The online tool provides case info at no charge. You can also request full case files by email or visit the clerk's office to review documents in person.

Litchfield Judicial District Court

The Litchfield Judicial District is at 50 Field Street in Torrington. This is the only courthouse for civil cases in Litchfield County. The Chief Clerk's Office number is 860-626-2100. Court hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. All civil filings for the county go through this location.

This courthouse opened in September 2017. It replaced three old court buildings in Litchfield, Torrington, and Bantam. Now all civil, criminal, family, housing, and juvenile cases are heard at the Field Street location. The consolidation made court services easier to access for people across Litchfield County.

The court serves 24 towns. These are Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, New Milford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, and Winchester. Any civil case from these towns gets filed at the Torrington courthouse.

The Court Service Center is in the same building. Call 860-626-2529 for help with forms, filing, or court procedures. A law library is on site at 860-626-2696. Staff can show you how to research legal issues. They cannot give legal advice but can point you to resources.

Search Litchfield County Cases Online

Civil case records are on the Connecticut Civil Case Look-up system. You can search by name, docket number, or attorney. The database shows all civil cases filed in Litchfield County. It includes the filing date, case type, parties, and case status. Results are free to view.

The main case lookup portal shows all civil cases filed at the Torrington courthouse. Click on the civil case search link. You can also look up attorney cases and view court calendars. The system updates daily with new filings and court activity from the Litchfield Judicial District.

For housing cases, use the separate housing case search tool. Housing matters filed after January 1, 2017 are online for Litchfield County. Earlier housing cases may require a visit to the clerk's office or a records request.

Types of Civil Cases

The Litchfield court hears contract cases. These involve business deals, unpaid bills, or broken agreements. Property disputes go through this court too. Land boundaries, title issues, and real estate conflicts are common in rural parts of Litchfield County.

Personal injury cases seek damages for harm. Car crashes are frequent. Slip and fall claims, medical mistakes, and product defects also get filed here. The court handles negligence cases and insurance disputes. Tort claims make up a large part of the civil docket in Litchfield County.

Small claims court is for cases under $5,000. Home improvement disputes can go up to $15,000 in small claims. The process is simpler than regular civil court. You do not need a lawyer for small claims. Forms are at jud.ct.gov/webforms under the small claims category.

Housing cases include evictions and landlord-tenant problems. Security deposit disputes are common. Housing cases have their own session at the Torrington court. Family cases like divorce and custody are separate from civil cases but are heard at the same courthouse in Litchfield County.

How to Get Court Records

For current cases, visit the clerk's office at 50 Field Street in Torrington. Staff can pull the file and make copies. Court documents cost $1.00 per page. Administrative records are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more. Bring the docket number if you have it.

For disposed cases, email SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov with the case name and docket number. The Centralized Services Unit will get the file from storage. They can email small files at no charge. Large files must be picked up. Files are ready in one to two business days. You can also call 860-263-2750 to request records from Litchfield County.

Some files may need proof of ID before release. Sealed records are not public. If a judge ordered a case sealed, the clerk cannot give you the file. Most civil cases are open to the public under CGS 1-210, which requires public agencies to share records.

Filing a Civil Case

All court forms are free at jud.ct.gov/webforms. Pick the civil forms category. You can download them or fill them out online. E-filing is available for most civil cases in Litchfield County. Set up an account through the Judicial Branch E-Services portal. You can file documents any time through the online system.

Filing fees depend on the case type. A basic civil complaint costs a few hundred dollars to file. Fee waivers are available for low-income filers. Fill out the fee waiver form and attach proof of income. The court will decide if you qualify. Court staff cannot tell you if you will get a waiver in Litchfield County.

The Court Service Center at 860-626-2529 can help with forms and e-filing setup. Staff will show you how to use the online system. They cannot give legal advice. If you need help with legal strategy or which forms to use, talk to a lawyer.

Court Service Center

The Court Service Center at the Torrington courthouse is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. It is closed on legal holidays. Services are free. You can use computers to look up case info or fill out forms. Printers and copiers are available. Internet access is free at the center.

Staff can answer questions about court procedures. They help with docket lookups and court calendars. Notary services are also free at the center. Email Court.ServiceCenter@jud.ct.gov or call the statewide manager at 203-965-5288 for more info about services in Litchfield County.

The center has workspaces where you can review case files or prepare documents. Some staff speak more than one language. Self-represented parties use the center to navigate the court system without a lawyer. It is a good first stop if you need to file or respond to a civil case in Litchfield County.

Legal Help and Resources

The law library at the Torrington courthouse is open to the public. Call 860-626-2696 for hours. You can research Connecticut statutes and case law there. Librarians can help you find resources but cannot give legal advice.

Statewide Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income people in Litchfield County. They handle civil cases involving housing, family, and consumer issues. The Connecticut Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call to get connected with an attorney who handles civil cases in your area.

Self-help guides are on the Judicial Branch website. These explain how to file common civil cases. You can learn about court procedures and what documents you need. The Court Service Center also has printed guides and info sheets in Litchfield County.

Public Access and Appeals

Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act covers court records. The law is in CGS Chapter 14. Public records must be available for inspection during regular business hours. Copying fees apply. Agencies must respond to records requests within four business days under CGS 1-206.

If the court denies access to a record, you can appeal to the Freedom of Information Commission. The commission is at 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. Call 860-566-5682 or email foi@ct.gov. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the denial. The commission can impose fines if a public agency violates the FOIA in Litchfield County.

Case appeals are different from FOIA appeals. If you lose a civil case, you can appeal to the Appellate Court. The deadline to file an appeal is 20 days from judgment. Appellate case records are at appellateinquiry.jud.ct.gov. The appellate court reviews legal errors, not facts.

Cities in Litchfield County

Two cities in Litchfield County have populations over 25,000. Civil cases from these cities are filed at the Torrington courthouse. Click a city name to find local resources and courthouse information.

Nearby Counties

Browse civil court records in counties near Litchfield County: