Parties in cases before the Lucas County Juvenile Court can now access critical case information online and will soon be able to receive text or email notifications.

Juvenile Court Administrative Judge Linda M. Knepp announced the court’s new CaseLook portal, which provides secure online access to case records. Due to restrictions on public access to juvenile court records, the portal is available only to authorized parties in a case, including attorneys, parents, and youth. Information available through the portal includes court documents such as orders and motions, as well as hearing dates and docket information.

“We remain committed to looking for ways to make the court user-friendly to those we serve, evidenced by both CaseLook and our text/email notification system,” Judge Knepp said in a court press release.

The juvenile court is one of the few that allow such a high degree of online access to juvenile records, court officials noted. They emphasized that juvenile records often contain confidential information, and that confidential case details are excluded from the system. CaseLook users must opt into the service and submit a form to the juvenile court’s clerk of court. Once approved, they are granted access to the portal.

Court Administrator Said Orra said CaseLook will save court users time and money. By accessing case information online, parties no longer have to visit the courthouse and wait at the clerk’s office to review their case records. The juvenile court considers CaseLook to be an important access to justice tool, giving parties convenient access to information that helps them better understand their cases and legal rights.

The court will soon roll out electronic hearing notification reminders for parties in cases. Those who opt in to the system will be able to receive text or email notifications when first hearings are set, when hearings are 10 days out, and the day before their hearings.

Sign-up information for CaseLook.

Information about hearing notifications.

Links to the forms are also available on the juvenile court’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

Courts are encouraged to share news of events, initiatives, programs, and other announcements with Court News Ohio. Ideas can be submitted to CNO@sc.ohio.gov.