7 Critical Facts You Need To Know About The Chittenden County Court Docket In 2025

Accessing the Chittenden County Court Docket in late 2025 requires navigating the specialized online resources provided by the Vermont Judiciary. This docket, which is officially referred to as the Court Calendar, is the essential public record for all scheduled court proceedings, including civil, criminal, and family matters, held at the Chittenden Superior Court in Burlington, VT.

As of today, December 15, 2025, the court system is undergoing significant operational changes, most notably the implementation of a new special docket designed to aggressively tackle the long-standing case backlog. Understanding how to use the official Vermont Judiciary Public Portal and interpreting the case information is crucial for attorneys, litigants, journalists, and the general public seeking transparency in the judicial process.

The Essential Guide to the Chittenden County Court Docket: Access and Divisions

The Chittenden County Superior Court, located at 175 Main Street in Burlington, handles the largest caseload of civil matters in the state of Vermont. The term "docket" is the layman's term for the official Court Calendar, which details the daily schedule of hearings and trials. The Vermont Judiciary maintains a commitment to public access and transparency, providing several official methods for retrieving this crucial information.

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How to Access the Official Court Calendar Online

The primary and most up-to-date method for accessing the Chittenden County docket is through the Vermont Judiciary’s official online platforms. These tools allow the public to search for specific case information and view the daily schedule of court proceedings.

• The Public Portal: This web-based platform is the central hub for accessing Vermont court records. While it allows registered users (like attorneys) customized access, the anonymous general public can still utilize its search functions. Searching can be performed using key identifiers such as the Case Number or Party Name (e.g., the defendant or plaintiff).
• VTCourtsOnline: This portal serves as the main gateway for viewing the Court Calendar. Users must select the appropriate court (e.g., Chittenden Superior Court) and the specific division (Criminal, Civil, or Family) to view the daily or weekly schedule.

The information displayed on the Court Calendar is comprehensive, including the date and time of the hearing, the courtroom location (e.g., Courtroom 3B), the full Case Name (e.g., *State of Vermont v. John Doe*), the Case Number (e.g., 25-CR-11669), and the specific Type of Proceeding (e.g., Arraignment, Final Hearing, Pre-Trial Conference, or Change of Plea Hearing).

The Four Key Divisions in Chittenden County

Chittenden County’s judicial system is complex, housing multiple divisions under the umbrella of the Vermont Superior Court. The docket is separated by these divisions, each handling distinct types of legal matters:

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1. Criminal Division: Handles felony and misdemeanor cases, including arraignments and jury trials.
2. Civil Division: Adjudicates non-criminal disputes, such as personal injury, contract disputes, and small claims court cases (monetary damages of $5,000 or less).
3. Family Division: Focuses on domestic matters, including divorce, child custody, domestic abuse, and relief from abuse orders.
4. Probate Division: Oversees wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions.

The Clerk's Office for the Chittenden Superior Court, currently managed by Clerk of Court Chasity Stoots-Fonberg and Court Operations Manager Naomi Henderson, is the official custodian of all these court records and is the primary point of contact for in-person inquiries.

The Special Chittenden County Community Accountability Court (2025 Update)

The most significant and recent development impacting the Chittenden County court docket is the establishment of the Special Chittenden County Community Accountability Court (CAC). Announced by Governor Phil Scott in October 2025, this initiative is a direct response to the critical backlog of criminal cases that has been slowing down the justice system statewide.

Addressing the Case Backlog Crisis

The Vermont Judiciary has acknowledged that a substantial portion of the pending criminal cases involve a relatively small number of repeat offenders. Statewide data shows that over 44% of all pending court cases involve individuals with three or more pending matters. This bottleneck prevents timely resolution for all other litigants.

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The CAC was launched as a 90-day pilot program specifically to address this issue within the Chittenden Superior Court. Officials identified 193 repeat offenders in Chittenden County alone who have five or more pending criminal cases. These are the cases being prioritized for the special docket.

How the Accountability Docket Works

The Community Accountability Court operates as a dedicated docket to expedite the judicial process for these high-volume offenders. The goal is not just to process cases faster, but to connect individuals with services—such as mental health treatment, substance abuse programs, and housing assistance—that address the root causes of their repeated criminal behavior. This specialized approach is intended to reduce recidivism while simultaneously clearing the backlog of pending cases.

The establishment of this special court, which utilizes a dedicated special prosecutor, is a major shift in caseflow management. It creates a parallel judicial track that has a direct, positive impact on the overall efficiency and scheduling of the main Criminal Division docket.

Navigating Confidentiality and Public Records

While the Chittenden County court docket is a public record, it is essential to understand the limitations and rules governing access to sensitive information. The principle of judicial transparency is balanced against the need to protect privacy, particularly in certain types of cases.

What Information is Restricted?

Not all court records are available to the public. The Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records govern what can and cannot be viewed. Generally, full case files for certain types of proceedings are often restricted, including:

• Most Family Division proceedings (especially those involving minors or sensitive domestic matters).
• Certain records in Criminal Division cases, such as search warrants or grand jury minutes, before they are made public by judicial order.
• Sensitive information like financial affidavits or medical records.

While the daily Court Calendar (the docket) for all divisions is generally public, the underlying documents (pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments) for restricted cases may only be viewable in person at a Public Access Terminal (PAT) within the courthouse, or may require a formal motion to the presiding Judge.

In-Person Access and the Clerk's Office

For individuals who cannot find what they need online, or who require certified copies of court documents, the Chittenden County Clerk's Office remains the official resource. The courthouse is located at 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05402. The office staff can assist with searching by party name, case number, or attorney name, and can provide guidance on accessing records for the Civil, Criminal, and Family Divisions.

The Chittenden Superior Court has a long history of managing a high volume of cases, dating back to the 1980s when it already accounted for over a third of the state’s superior court civil caseload. The current efforts, including the new Community Accountability Court, demonstrate a continued focus on improving the efficiency of the judicial system for the residents of Burlington and surrounding Chittenden County.