AGENCY: District Court (Fifth District : Washington County)
SERIES: 3635
TITLE: Civil case files
DATES: 1896-
ARRANGEMENT: Numerical by case number.
DESCRIPTION: Original complaint or summons, and all legal papers filed through disposition or dismissal of civil cases, the proceedings between parties wherein rights are enforced or protected, or wrongs are prevented or redressed, which cannot legally be called criminal cases, involving real property and incidents in Washington. Transcripts and exhibits are not included. Civil cases include petitions for divorce, suits to recover money, voluntary withdrawal or dissolution of corporations, and writs of habeas corpus. For the approximately twenty years following statehood, grand jury reports and lists, various writs, oaths of office, etc, were also assigned civil case numbers.
RETENTION
Retain permanently
DISPOSITION
May Transfer to Archives.
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: For records beginning in 1956 and continuing to the present. Retain in Office permanently.
Paper: For records beginning in 1896 through 1955. Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in Regional Repository permanently.
APPRAISAL
Historical
Disposition based on documentation about individuals, legal procedure, court history and functions. Case files have legal and administrative value to the court through dismissal or satisfaction of the final judgment, as long as 25 years in some instances. Because they enforce or protect private rights and prevent or redress private wrongs, the value of the judge's decrees and final judgments to parties in the action may well extend beyond the 25-year designation.
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public