The Cases page (/cases)
The hub for all cases. It has a search box, a status filter (Active / Archived / All), and a "+ New case" button. Cases appear in a sortable table with Name, Created, Updated, and Status columns, plus a hover ⋯ actions menu.
- Default sort is most recently updated first; pinned active cases always float to the top.
- The list is paginated (about 20 per page).
- Empty states guide first-time users ("No cases yet · Create a case to start organizing files, drafting, and chat.").
Cases also re-sort by recency based on any interaction — chatting, drafting, uploading, editing notes, adding events — not just edits to the case record. Pinned cases are exempt.
Creating a case
Click "+ New case" (from the Cases page or the case switcher). It's a 3-step wizard:
Step 1 — Defendant
- Case name (required) — how it appears everywhere (e.g. "State v. John Smith").
- Defendant — optional.
- Case type — suggestions like "Felony", "Misdemeanor", "DUI", "Drug offense"; custom values allowed.
- Status — initial status (defaults to Active; see statuses below).
Step 2 — Details
- Charges — the structured charges editor (see Section 7).
- Docket number, Arrest date.
- Hearings & deadlines — add dated rows; these become real calendar events, and the soonest one drives the case's "what's next" banner.
- Advanced settings (collapsible) — Jurisdiction, County, Court, Judge, Prosecutor. These inherit firm-wide defaults; the placeholder shows the default that will be used if left blank.
Step 3 — Files
- Drag-and-drop or use "Upload files" / "Upload folder" to stage files (optional). Remove staged files with ✕ before creating.
While creating, the user sees "Creating your case…" then an upload progress phase. When done, they're taken straight to the new case.
Case statuses
Inquiry · Pre-Filing · Active · Negotiating · Trial · Sentencing · Appeal · Closed. Each has a colored badge. Change status by clicking the status badge on a case row (or in the case switcher) and picking a new one.
Pinning a case
Hover a case row → ⋯ → "Pin to top" (or "Unpin"). Pinned active cases float to the top of both the case list and the case switcher and show a pin icon. Archived cases can't be pinned.
Archiving a case
Hover a case row → ⋯ → "Archive" (or "Unarchive"). Archived cases are hidden from the default view — use the status filter's Archived or All to see them. Archiving is the recommended way to get a finished case out of the way without losing anything.
Deleting a case
Hover a case row → ⋯ → "Delete" (or use the case's context menu). The confirmation warns: deleting permanently removes the case and all its files, documents, chats, and calendar events, with no undo. The user must type the exact case name to enable the "Delete case" button. If the case isn't archived, an "Archive instead" option is offered as the safer choice.
Editing a case
Open a case → in the case context pane (right side) click ⋯ → "Edit details". The full-page editor lets you change the title, description, status, charges, docket number, arrest date, court/jurisdiction/county, judge, prosecutor, opposing counsel, and the case's calendar events. Save with "Update case."
The case context pane
When a case is open, a right-hand pane shows the case identity, status badge, a "what's next" banner (the soonest upcoming event), key metadata (court, jurisdiction + county, judge, prosecutor, next date), and the charges broken out as counts. The pane can be collapsed to a slim rail and resized; its state is remembered.