What does it mean when you search a case number and the record is sealed?

If there is a sealed record in the justice court system and it relates to a civil case (CC case number), then it is likely an eviction action that was filed against a person.  However, just because they were a party to an eviction, doesn’t mean they did anything wrong and the fact that the case is sealed demonstrates the case was ended in their favor.  They may have paid their rent and the case was dismissed, or they may have won and gotten a judgment against their landlord.

The law provides that there are 3 instances when an eviction case can be sealed and not made available to the public: (1) The case is dismissed before entry of a judgment; (2) A judgment is entered in favor of the tenant; (3) A stipulation is submitted by both parties, to have the file sealed.

Effectively, if an eviction is filed and a judgment is not ultimately entered in the landlord’s favor, the case could be sealed.  If a case is sealed, only the parties to the case and their attorneys’ will be able to access the file. In other words, such cases are not supposed to show up on a tenant’s credit or background check.  Except in rare situations, the fact that its sealed, should not be held against them.