Sullivan County
Sullivan County, which was organized in 1827 from Cheshire County's northern section, is found in New Hampshire. Its population of nearly 44,000 people makes it the state's second-least populous county. Sullivan County is named for John Sullivan, a former governor and Revolutionary War hero. Newport is its county seat.
The Sullivan County trial court system is composed of several courts, including a superior court and a circuit court. The Sullivan County Superior Court is a general jurisdiction court with the authority to hear all civil and criminal cases. Typically, it hears cases relating to felonies, small claims for $1,500 for properly requested jury trials, contract enforcement petitions, injunctions, civil claims for amounts in dispute above $25,000, real property title controversies, and misdemeanor appeals from the Circuit Court District Division.
The Circuit Court in Sullivan County is a limited jurisdiction court that encompasses the following court divisions:
- Circuit Court District Division
- Circuit Court Probate Division
- Circuit Court Family Divisions
The Sullivan County District Division adjudicates cases relating to misdemeanors, stalking, landlord-tenant disputes, Involuntary Emergency Admissions (IEAs), small claims, and traffic infractions.
The Probate Division oversees probate cases, such as the probate of wills, administration of decedents' estates and trusts, and appointment of guardians and conservators. In addition, cases relating to equity, change of name, adoption, and involuntary commitments are also heard in this Division.
The Family Division of the Sullivan County Circuit Court handles family and children cases, including divorce, child support, parental rights termination, juvenile delinquency, guardianship of minors, children in need of services, domestic violence requests, and some adoptions.
Sullivan County court records contain details of various court proceedings of all the county courts. They serve as an important legal repository for researchers and establish precedence for court cases in the future. Common contents of court records include calendars, indexes, affidavits, docket sheets, and charge sheets. In Sullivan County, some typical court records are as follows:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Probate records
- Juvenile records
The Sullivan County Clerk of the Superior Court is the official record keeper of court records for the Superior and District Court. Under state law, non-confidential court records are open records that can be viewed or copied by the public upon request. Requesters can access court records online through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's case search portal. Physical records can also be obtained by personally visiting the Superior Court Clerk's Office to submit completed record requests or at the courthouses where the cases were heard.
