Court records in Chittenden County, Vermont, are maintained by the clerk of the Superior Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. ChittendenCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for the county. Additional access points include the Vermont Judiciary's official website, the Vermont Crime Information Center, and in-person requests at the courthouse in Burlington.
Chittenden Court System Overview
Chittenden County is part of the Vermont Superior Court system, which replaced the former district and family court structure through a 2010 judicial reorganization. The Vermont Superior Court — Chittenden Unit operates out of Burlington and includes four divisions: Criminal, Civil, Family, and Environmental. Vermont's Probate Division also serves Chittenden County from the same courthouse complex. The Chittenden Unit is one of the busiest in the state, reflecting the county's status as Vermont's most populous. Cases are assigned to Superior Court judges who rotate among divisions as needed.
Courts Serving Chittenden
Several state and federal courts handle cases arising in Chittenden County:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Superior Court — Chittenden Unit (Criminal, Civil, Family, Environmental Divisions) | 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 863-3467 |
| Chittenden County Probate Court | 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 651-1518 |
| U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont | 11 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 951-6301 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Vermont | 11 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 657-6400 |
Vermont does not operate separate municipal courts. All state-level cases in Chittenden County flow through the Superior Court's divisions.
What Types of Cases Chittenden Courts Hear
The Chittenden Unit handles a broad range of case types across its divisions:
- Criminal Division: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, violations of probation, and infractions
- Civil Division: Contract disputes, tort claims, landlord-tenant matters, small claims, foreclosures, and appeals from administrative agencies
- Family Division: Divorce, legal separation, parentage, custody, child support, civil protection orders (relief from abuse), juvenile delinquency, and child protective (CHINS) proceedings
- Probate Division: Wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, name changes, and adoptions
- Environmental Division: Land use permits, zoning appeals, and Act 250 matters
Federal courts in Burlington handle cases involving federal criminal law, civil rights claims, bankruptcy filings, and other matters under federal jurisdiction.
District Court Cases in Chittenden
Under Vermont's unified Superior Court structure, the Criminal Division in Chittenden handles all levels of criminal cases — from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Felony cases are prosecuted by the Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office. Cases typically begin with an arraignment before a Superior Court judge, who then manages the case through pretrial motions, plea negotiations, and trial if necessary. The Civil Division hears lawsuits exceeding the small claims threshold, including personal injury, breach of contract, and real property disputes. Appeals from lower administrative decisions and post-conviction proceedings also fall within the Superior Court's jurisdiction.
Magistrate Court Cases in Chittenden
Vermont does not operate a separate magistrate court at the state level. Instead, judicial officers within the Superior Court handle matters that other states might assign to magistrate judges. In the Civil Division, small claims cases are heard for disputes involving $5,000 or less under Vermont law. Traffic violations, including DUI arraignments, and minor infractions are processed through the Criminal Division's judicial bureau or directly before a judge. Civil cases above the small claims threshold but within general civil jurisdiction are also heard in the Civil Division. For federal matters, U.S. Magistrate Judges at the District of Vermont in Burlington handle preliminary hearings, discovery disputes, and certain consent cases.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Chittenden
Family Law
The Family Division handles divorce, legal separation, custody, child support, parentage, relief-from-abuse orders, and termination of parental rights. Parties can file petitions directly with the Chittenden Unit clerk's office. Self-represented litigants may access court forms through the Vermont Judiciary website.
Probate
The Chittenden Probate Court handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, adoptions, and name changes. Probate judges in Vermont are elected officials who serve each county. Historical probate records may be researched through the Vermont State Archives.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency and Children in Need of Care or Supervision (CHINS) cases are heard in the Family Division. Juvenile records are confidential under Vermont law and are not available for public inspection. The Vermont Department for Children and Families is often involved in CHINS proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Chittenden Court System
- Filing or initiation: A criminal case begins with a complaint or citation filed by law enforcement or the State's Attorney. Civil cases start with a complaint filed by the plaintiff. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
- Case assignment: The clerk assigns the case to a judge. In criminal matters, an arraignment is scheduled; in civil cases, a scheduling conference or case management order follows.
- Pretrial phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and in criminal cases, negotiate plea agreements. Family cases may involve mediation or temporary hearings.
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to bench or jury trial, or resolve through plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, probation conditions, or appeals. Civil cases may require enforcement of judgments. Appeals from the Superior Court go to the Vermont Supreme Court.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Chittenden
The Chittenden Unit is administered by a court manager who oversees daily operations, staffing, and scheduling. Judges are assigned by the presiding judge of the unit. Local standing orders — including the Chittenden County Criminal Division Standing Order on Arrest Warrants — supplement the statewide Vermont Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure.
Under Vermont's Rules for Public Access to Court Records, most court records are public, but the court does not permit public internet access to criminal, family, or probate case records. To view these records, you must visit the clerk's office in person or submit a written request. Civil case information may be available through the Vermont Judiciary's online portal. Hearings are generally open to the public, and some proceedings may be conducted remotely by video or telephone — contact the clerk's office for current procedures.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Chittenden
- Court docket and case lookup: The Vermont Judiciary's online case access portal (Odyssey) provides limited civil case information. For criminal, family, and probate records, contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person.
- Criminal conviction records: The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) offers online criminal conviction record searches for a fee. Notarized copies require an in-person or mail request.
- Police reports: Request Vermont State Police reports through the Department of Public Safety public records portal.
- Sex offender registry: Search the Vermont Sex Offender Registry maintained by VCIC. Searches cannot be conducted by street address or county.
- Inmate information: The Vermont Department of Corrections provides an inmate locator tool. The Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington serves the county.
- Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, civil union, and divorce certificates can be ordered through the Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service or the Vermont Department of Health. The Vermont State Archives also issues certified copies of marriage, civil union, and divorce records.
- Land records: Vermont records land documents at the town level, not the county level. For Burlington properties, visit the Burlington City Clerk's land records office. Other Chittenden County towns maintain their own land records through their respective town clerks.
- Property information: The Vermont Parcel Viewer provides statewide parcel data linked to Grand List records. The Vermont Department of Taxes offers property tax guidance, though payments go directly to individual towns.
- Probate court research: Historical probate records can be explored through the Vermont Secretary of State's probate records page.
- Unclaimed property: Search for unclaimed assets through the Vermont State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division.