Court docket numbers can look confusing at first, especially if you have never dealt with the legal system before. In Montgomery County, Ohio, docket numbers follow a structured format that helps attorneys, clerks, judges, and the public quickly identify key details about a case. Once you understand how these numbers work, you can easily track your case online, request records, or verify information with the Clerk of Courts.
1. What Is a Court Docket Numbers?
A court docket number is the official identification code assigned to every case filed in Montgomery County. It works like a unique tracking ID that follows the case from start to finish. Every motion, hearing, order, or document filed in the case is stored under this number.
Docket numbers help you:
- Track case progress online
- Request case documents
- Confirm case status
- Identify the correct court division
- Avoid confusion with similar names
Understanding how the number is structured is the key to navigating Montgomery County’s court system efficiently.
2. How Montgomery County Court Docket Numbers Are Structured
Most docket numbers in Montgomery County follow a pattern that includes the year, case type, and a sequential filing number. Although each court division has slight variations, the general format looks like this:
Example Format:
2024 CR 012345
2023 CV 008912
2025 TRD 004501
Each part tells you something different:
1. Filing Year
The first four digits show the year the case was filed.
- 2024 CR 012345 → Filed in 2024
- 2023 CV 008912 → Filed in 2023
This is useful for quickly identifying whether a case is old or newly active.
2. Case Type Code
Montgomery County uses abbreviations to identify the type of case. Some of the most common codes include:
- CR: Criminal Felony (Common Pleas)
- CRA/CRB: Criminal Misdemeanor (Municipal Court)
- CV: Civil Case
- CVC: Civil Complaint (Municipal Court)
- DR: Domestic Relations (Divorce, Custody, etc.)
- TRD: Traffic Citation (Non-criminal)
- TRC: Traffic Criminal
- SC: Small Claims
- EV: Eviction / Forcible Entry & Detainer
- JC: Juvenile Court Cases
- PB / EST: Probate or Estate Cases
Understanding the case code instantly tells you what court division your case belongs to.
3. Sequential Case Number
The last digits represent the order in which the case was filed that year.
Example: 012345
This means it was the 12,345th case filed that year in that division.
3. How Different Courts Use Docket Numbers in Montgomery County
Montgomery County has several courts, and each uses its own numbering method, although the general structure remains similar.
Common Pleas Court (Felony, Civil, Domestic Relations)
Cases here typically follow a simple year + case type + sequential number format.
For example:
- 2024 CR 004567 → Felony case
- 2024 CV 002100 → Large civil case
- 2024 DR 000850 → Domestic relations case
Municipal Court (Traffic, Misdemeanors, Small Claims)
Municipal Court cases often include more specific codes, especially for traffic and small claims.
For example:
- 2025 TRD 006789 → Traffic non-criminal
- 2025 TRC 000912 → Traffic criminal
- 2025 SC 001045 → Small claims
Probate Court
Probate numbers may include the case category, such as:
- 2024 EST 12345 → Estate case
- 2024 GC 00950 → Guardianship case
- 2024 ML 00115 → Marriage license issue
These numbers help identify the type of probate matter immediately.
4. Examples of Montgomery County Docket Numbers Explained
Example 1: 2024 CR 003210
- 2024 → Filed in 2024
- CR → Criminal felony
- 003210 → 3,210th felony case filed that year
Example 2: 2025 TRD 001122
- 2025 → Filed in 2025
- TRD → Traffic violation
- 001122 → 1,122nd traffic filing that year
Example 3: 2023 CV 008550
- 2023 → Filed in 2023
- CV → Civil lawsuit
- 008550 → 8,550th civil filing that year
Example 4: 2024 DR 000475
- 2024 → Filed in 2024
- DR → Domestic relations
- 000475 → 475th family case that year
These examples cover the most commonly searched case types.
5. How to Use a Docket Number in Online Case Search
Once you understand the number, tracking case progress becomes simple. When searching a Montgomery County case online, the docket number allows you to:
- Instantly open the exact case
- Avoid confusion with similar names
- See hearing schedules
- Check the judge assigned
- Review docket entries and filings
- Determine if the case is active, closed, sealed, or dismissed
Name searches often produce multiple results, but a docket number search takes you directly to your case.
6. Common Mistakes People Make With Court Docket Numbers
Even small errors can produce incorrect results when searching a case. Some common mistakes include:
7. Tips for Reading Docket Numbers Accurately
To avoid confusion, keep these tips in mind:
- Always check the first four digits → They show the filing year
- Use the case code to identify the type of case
- Look at the court division matching your case type
- If filing multiple cases, record each docket number separately
- Never mix Municipal Court and Common Pleas formats
Understanding these small details makes navigating Montgomery County’s court system much easier.
Conclusion
Montgomery County court docket numbers may appear complex at first, but once you understand the structure year, case type, and filing sequence the system becomes easy to read. These numbers help you identify the correct court division, understand what type of case you’re dealing with, and track case progress online without confusion. Whether your case involves criminal charges, civil disputes, probate matters, or traffic violations, the docket number is your primary tool for staying informed and accessing accurate information. With this guide, anyone can confidently interpret docket numbers and navigate the Montgomery County court system more effectively.
FAQs
1. What does the first four digits of a Montgomery County docket number mean?
They represent the year the case was filed. For example, “2024” means the case began in 2024.
2. How do I know what the case type code stands for?
Case codes like CR, CV, TRD, DR, and SC indicate the type of case. Each abbreviation corresponds to a specific court division.
3. Can two cases have the same docket number?
No. Every docket number is unique and assigned sequentially within each case type and year.
4. Why can’t I find my case using the docket number?
You may be searching in the wrong court division, entering the wrong year, or using an incorrect case type code. Double-check each part.
5. Do juvenile or sealed cases appear in online searches?
Juvenile cases and sealed/expunged cases are not publicly searchable, even if you know the docket number.
