Federal racketeering question?

Question

My question is straightforword, but twofold:
1) Is there one specific court in which federal racketeering charges are prosecuted? I don't know if this is a simple answer or not, but the reason I ask leads me to my next question.
2)The reason that I'm asking this is because I am looking for legal filings related to a family member from a federal racketeering case in the early 1990s. Is there any specific (and preferably free) online (or if not, some kind at least) resource where I can access the full text of the court documents detailing the charges (i.e. the indictment or other similar documents)?

Thank you very much for your time, and I hope that this isn't too complicated of a question.

Answer 1

The federal racketeering case could be elevated to the next higher court for proper action.

Answer 2

The answer to your first question is no. The charges would be brought to the District Court which oversees the area where the offense occurred.

The answer to your second question is maybe. I don't believe that the full text of trials is available on-line, but definitely a case summary and dispositions are. You would have to check the web site of the appropriate District Court.

From The Federal Judiciary, U.S. Courts: (Here is a link with the Districts shown and links to the individual Districts.)

http://www.uscourts.gov/courtlinks/

From the FAQ on the U.S. Courts site:

Q: How can I check on the status of my case? Can I review case files?


Your lawyer, who likely is familiar with local court practice, is your best resource. Generally, all documents filed with a court are public records and are available through the clerk's office. By way of exception, some documents are sealed by special court order, and some documents are confidential by operation of law, such as grand jury materials and criminal files relating to juveniles.

As the keeper of court records, the clerk's office responds to most inquiries on the status of a case once given the specific case name or docket number. In many courts, inquiries for information and requests to examine dockets, case files, exhibits, and other records are made at the intake area in the clerk's office. Inquiries often are made by phone. There is a $26 fee for every search of the records conducted by the clerk's office. A fee of $ .50 per page is assessed for reproducing any record or paper record or $ .10 per page, for printing copies of any records or document accessed electronically at the public access terminal in the courthouse.

Almost all federal courts have automated systems that allow for the search and retrieval of case-related information through personal computers at the public counters and through an internet service called PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Electronic access to case-related information is available free of charge at the public counter in the clerk's office of most courts. The PACER service, which provides remote access to case-related information for registered users, currently assesses a fee of $.08 per page.


In many bankruptcy and appellate courts there also are telephone information systems, which enable callers to obtain basic case information through the use of a touch tone phone. These systems are provided free of charge, are available 24 hours a day, and have a toll free number for long distance service.

http://www.uscourts.gov/faq.html


The PACER Service Center is the Federal Judiciary's centralized registration, billing, and technical support center for electronic access to U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate court records.

http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

No.

No. You need to contact the court which heard the case.

Answer 4

http://www.findlaw.com/casecode/
Try searching it there?
--------
Luke ***
--------