Lawsuits may remain on your record for several decades or as little as seven years. Ultimately, it comes down to the nature of the lawsuit, the outcome in court, and the parties involved.
Judges may also seal lawsuits after a certain amount of time passes if the case permits it. That said, it all depends on your specific case. For these reasons, it’s important to learn about the rules of court cases, their statute of limitations, and how to protect yourself.
Read on to learn everything you need to know below.
How Long Does a Lawsuit Remain on Your Record?
Most court cases will remain on your record for between one and ten years. Lawsuits, however, vary in length depending on the nature of the crime or court cases. In some cases, the lawsuit only lasts for seven years on your record. This is the case for bankruptcies and other civil lawsuits that have similar outcomes.
That said, lawsuits may also remain on your record indefinitely. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know unless you speak with the judge or know your background. This is why we always recommend running a background check on yourself before applying for jobs.
Can You Remove Lawsuits From Your Record?
Yes, you can remove a lawsuit from your record. To do so, you’ll have to speak with the judge or the court. Lawsuits may be reviewed after a specific period, so judges can seal the case and remove it from your records. This won’t happen with all cases and depends on your unique situation.
How to Find a Lawsuit That’s on Your Record
It’s not challenging to find a lawsuit that’s on your record. You can find a lawsuit that’s on your record in a few ways but we’ll only show you a couple of the best methods. After all, you want accurate and fast results to not waste any time.
Using a Background Check Tool
Lawsuits may be hard to find if you don’t know where to look. While you can Google case numbers and visit your local courthouse, it’s easier to use an online background check tool like Information.com. These tools come with accurate and up-to-date information about your background and will show if you have any lawsuits on record or pending.
To use their criminal records check tool you only have to follow a few quick steps. We list these steps below.
- Visit the website and navigate to the background check tool.
- Enter your name and address. If you’re searching for someone else, enter whatever available information you have about them.
- Click Search.
- Look through the results for the person you’re looking for or select yourself when you see yourself in the results.
- Open the Full Report and look through the information.
When you run a background check on someone this way, you’ll know if they have a criminal history, lawsuits, and other court records. That said, you won’t find anything if someone doesn’t have this information available.
Google Search
Google search is another way to find information about a lawsuit. This works best in prolific cases because there will be more content available about the person. However, knowing the name of the court case will usually get you information about a lawsuit. You can see when it happened, the results, and much more.
That said, you won’t be able to view sealed cases and you may have trouble in situations where you want to view a specific person’s records. In these cases, we recommend using an alternative option like what we discussed above. You’ll have much better luck finding the information you’re looking for.
Find Information About a Lawsuit Today
Whether or not a lawsuit is on your record is important to know before you sign a lease for an apartment, attempt to purchase a home, or apply for a position. You want to make sure you go in knowing what to expect.
When you run a background check on yourself using a lookup tool you’ll find out if you have any pending or open lawsuits on your record. You can then use that information to prepare yourself for an interview or any other situation.
Steps to Clear or Modify Your Lawsuit Record
Clearing or modifying a lawsuit record can be a complex process, but it is possible under certain circumstances. If you are seeking to remove or alter information from your record, the following steps can guide you through the process:
Understanding the Process:
Before initiating any actions, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the process involved in clearing or modifying a lawsuit record. Research the laws and regulations in your jurisdiction to comprehend the options available to you.
Expungement and Sealing of Records:
Expungement and record sealing are two common methods used to clear or modify lawsuit records. Expungement typically involves completely erasing the record as if it never existed, while record sealing restricts access to the information, making it inaccessible to the general public.
Eligibility Requirements:
Determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for expungement or record sealing. Eligibility criteria vary by jurisdiction and may include factors such as the nature of the offense, the time that has passed since the case’s resolution, and the absence of any subsequent convictions.
Seek Legal Assistance:
Given the complexity of the legal procedures involved, it is advisable to consult with an attorney or seek legal aid. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation, ensure you meet all requirements, and assist with the necessary paperwork.
Prepare Documents and Petitions:
Prepare all required documents and petitions as per the guidelines provided by your jurisdiction. This typically involves completing forms, providing supporting evidence, and drafting a formal petition stating the grounds for clearing or modifying your lawsuit record.
Filing the Petition:
Once all documents are in order, file the petition with the appropriate court or legal authority. Pay any required fees and follow the prescribed filing procedures. Ensure that all deadlines are met and that you retain copies of all submitted documents.
