Vermont Court Records

The Vermont Courts Web Portal provides information about the Vermont court system. Vermont uses a unified judiciary system with most cases beginning in the trial courts. These cases then move upwards through appeals to the Vermont Supreme Court. The highest court in the state is the Vermont Supreme Court, which has jurisdiction to review legal decisions from lower courts.

The primary trial court in Vermont is the Vermont Superior Court, which is divided into divisions handling different matters. Lawsuits and disputes are handled in the Civil Division. Criminal charges are handled by the Criminal Division. The Family Division handles custody, juvenile matters, and divorce. The Probate Division manages guardianships, estates, and similar matters. The Environmental Division handles environmental law cases.

Under Vermont’s laws, many court records are available to the public. However, certain files are sealed or restricted under privacy rules. Vermont’s Public Records Act governs access and provides guidelines for exceptions. This web portal provides general guidance on the court system and information for members of the public on how to access available records.