SEARCH GUIDELINES

FOR ODYSSEY WEB ACCESS

HOW TO SEARCH

You can search for case records using this website.  If you wish to perform a search, follow these steps:

1. Select the appropriate area that you would like to search from the search menu. 
The different search areas include the following:

• Civil, Family, & Probate Case Records
• Court Calendar

2. Select an option from the “Search By” drop-down menu.

• If you are on the Civil, Family, & Probate Case Records screen, you have the following options:

- Case

- Party

- Attorney

• If you are able to view the Court Calendar screen, you have the following options:

- Attorney

- Case

- Judicial Officer

- Party or Defendant Name

3. The search parameters displayed are based on the option you selected in the “Search By” field.  Enter the information you wish to search for in the parameters listed.

4. After you enter the information you wish to search for in the search parameters, click the Search button.  This will take you to the Search Results screen.

5. To view case information, click on the case number hyperlink on the Search Results screen (located on the left side of the screen).

When searching for case records, certain fields are required fields.  These fields require you to enter a value in the field in order to perform a search successfully.  The required fields are identified with a red “+” symbol.  In addition to the red “+” symbol, these fields have bold, red labels to help you easily identify which fields are required.

SEARCH HELP

If you do not have all of the information you need to search for case records, there are a few tools that might help you perform your search successfully.  These tools are listed below:

• Soundex – The Soundex feature allows you to search for names that sound similar to the name for which you are searching.  For instance, the system will return an individual with the last name of “Smythe” even though you performed a search for an individual with the last name of “Smith”, because it sounds similar.  To use the Soundex feature, simply check the “Use Soundex” checkbox when entering your search parameters.

• Wildcard – The Wildcard feature allows you to search for incomplete names and case numbers.  This tool is helpful when you may not know the entire case number or may not know the correct spelling of the individual’s name.  For instance, you may be searching for an individual with the last name of “Gonzales” but may not know if the individual spells “Gonzales” with a “z” or an “s” at the end of the name.  This would be a good time to use the Wildcard tool.  By performing a search for the last name of “Gonzale*”, the system will pull in all the last names that begin with “Gonzale” regardless of  the ending letter of the last name.  This means that it will pull in both “Gonzales” and “Gonzalez”.  To use the Wildcard feature, simply put an “*” at the end of the name or case number in question.

• Case Number Format – You may search by entering the exact Case Number into the search field. 

Here are a few examples:

25001019P

2008-2664-DR

2005-334-CCL2

If you are unsure of the exact Case Number, use the wildcard feature, i.e. “2005-334*”

There are a few restrictions when using these helpful search tools, which are:

1.    You cannot use the Wildcard feature and the Soundex feature at the same time.

2.    You must have at least 1 character in the first name before using the Wildcard feature on a First Name.

3.    You must have at least 1 character in the last name before using the Wildcard feature on a Last Name.

4.    You must have at least 4 characters (other than dashes) before using the Wildcard feature on a Case Number or Cross Reference Number.

AFTER YOU SEARCH

After you search for a case record, you can continue to perform additional searches.  If you wish to perform additional searches, you can use the hyperlinks located in the black header.  These hyperlinks include the following:

· Logout – Clicking this hyperlink logs you out of the site (if applicable)

· Search Menu – Clicking this hyperlink brings you back to the Search Menu screen

· New Search – Clicking this hyperlink allows you to perform an additional search in the same search area in which you are currently working

· Back – Clicking this hyperlink brings you back to the previous screen you were using

· Help – Clicking this hyperlink launches the Public Access Help dialog

FAQ

Q:  After I click on the link, why am I asked to select a program to view the file?

A:  Your computer does not have a program that can view *.tif files.  A .tif viewer is necessary to view these images.  

Q:  What does the red “W” icon next to the case number mean?

A:  The red “W” icon means there is an active warrant(s) for an individual on that case record.

Q:  How do I use the Soundex feature?

A:  Check the “Use Soundex” checkbox when entering your search parameters.

Q:  How do I use the Wildcard feature?

A:  Place an * at the area of the Case Number, Cross Reference Number, First Name or Last Name field in which you do not know the remaining information.