Civil Case Files, 1938-1995, Records of the District Courts of the United States
Civil rights cases from U.S. District courts
More About This Collection
Date of Original
1938/1995
Subject
Court records--United States
Location
United States, 39.76, -98.5
Medium
judicial records
Type
Text
Description
Civil case files were maintained by the court as a permanent record of the various proceedings in civil litigation.
By an act of Congress dated June 19, 1934 (48 Stat. 1064), the Supreme Court could, at any time, unite the general rules prescribed by it for cases in equity with those in actions at law so as to secure one form of civil action and procedure for both. The Supreme Court issued such an order on December 20, 1937 and this order took effect in the regular session of the District Court on January 3, 1938. In 1966, admiralty cases were also consolidated with civil action cases.
This series contains papers filed in civil proceedings which may include petitions, bills of complaint, transcripts of testimony and of record, writs, answers, depositions, exhibits, motions, court orders, decrees, findings of fact and conclusions of law, cross-petitions, affidavits, decisions, writs of error, notices, summonses, mandates, pleas, praecipes, subpoenas, and other related papers.
Information and papers relating to any appeal of a case to a higher court might be also found in the case file.
Language
eng
Original Collection
Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1995, Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2009, National Archives at Atlanta
Holding Institution
United States. National Archives and Records Administration. Atlanta Branch
Rights
