All cases have distinctive numbers in the following format:

The first 2 numbers indicate the year the case was filed;

• followed by 2 letters that indicate the case type (cv = civil, cr = criminal, mj = magistrate, mc = misc);

• followed by an individualized four or five digit case number.
  
  Civil and criminal case numbers also indicate the judge assignment by following the case number with a hyphen and the initial(s) of the district judge assigned. Magistrate and miscellaneous case numbers do not indicate judge assignment.

• Civil case numbers also indicate the magistrate assignment by following the district judge initial(s) with the initial(s) of the magistrate judge in parenthesis.

For Example:
The first civil action number in 1997 was 97cv0001-H(CM).
The first criminal action number in 1997 was 97cr0001-GT.
The first magistrate case number in 1997 was 97mj0001.
The first misc case number in 1998 was 97mc0001.

Archived files are not available at the Clerk's Office, but copies can be retrieved from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). NARA can be accessed online for more detailed information HERE.