Criminal Court Records in Florida Cities
Florida's criminal court records system serves residents across hundreds of cities and municipalities throughout the state. While criminal cases are officially filed and maintained at the county level by Circuit Court Clerks, most Floridians identify with their city when searching for court records. Understanding which county serves your city is essential for locating the correct courthouse, accessing case files, and obtaining certified copies of criminal records. This guide connects you to criminal court record resources for all major Florida cities with populations exceeding 75,000 residents.
Understanding City vs. County Criminal Records
When searching for criminal court records in Florida, it is important to understand that cities do not maintain their own criminal court systems. All felony cases, serious misdemeanors, and criminal trials are handled at the county level through the Florida Circuit Courts. Each of Florida's 67 counties has a Clerk of the Circuit Court who serves as the official record keeper for all criminal cases filed within that county's jurisdiction.
This means that if you need criminal court records for an incident that occurred in Miami, you will actually contact the Miami-Dade County Clerk's office. Similarly, records for Tampa are maintained by the Hillsborough County Clerk, and Orlando records are held by the Orange County Clerk. Municipal courts in cities typically handle only minor civil infractions, traffic violations, and local ordinance violations. For comprehensive criminal case information, including arrest records, indictments, trial proceedings, and sentencing documents, you must direct your request to the appropriate county office.
Major Florida Cities and Their County Jurisdictions
Florida's largest cities span multiple judicial circuits and county jurisdictions. The following list includes all incorporated Florida cities with populations over 75,000 residents. Each entry indicates the county where that city's criminal court records are maintained. Click on any city name to access specific information about obtaining criminal court records for that area.
How to Access Criminal Court Records by City
When you need criminal court records for a specific Florida city, start by identifying the county that has jurisdiction. Once you know the county, you have several options for obtaining records. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal provides online access to case information for many counties, allowing you to search by name or case number from any location. For older records or certified copies, you may need to visit the Clerk's office in person or submit a written request by mail.
Each county Clerk maintains a public records department that handles criminal court record requests. Most offices accept requests in person, by mail, by phone, or through their websites. Fees vary by county but typically include charges for searching, copying, and certifying documents. Some counties offer expedited processing for an additional fee. If you are searching for records from multiple cities, remember that cities in the same county will all have their records at the same Clerk's office. For example, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and many other cities all fall under Broward County jurisdiction.
Cities Spanning Multiple Counties
While most Florida cities lie entirely within a single county, some jurisdictions span county lines. Jacksonville is a consolidated city-county government, meaning the city limits and Duval County boundaries are essentially the same, with the exception of the beach communities. This consolidation means that Jacksonville residents deal with a unified court system for all criminal matters. Other cities may have small portions extending into neighboring counties, which can affect where certain cases are filed depending on where the incident occurred.
For cities near county borders, such as those in the Tampa Bay area or along the Palm Beach-Broward county line, it is especially important to verify which county has jurisdiction for your specific case. If you are unsure, contact the Clerk's office in the county where the city is primarily located, and they can direct you to the correct office if the case was filed elsewhere. Many Clerks offer online case searches that cover their entire jurisdiction, making it easier to locate records regardless of which specific city within the county was involved.
Browse by County Instead
If you prefer to browse criminal court records by county rather than city, visit our counties page for a complete list of all 67 Florida counties. Each county page provides detailed information about the Clerk's office, available online services, and specific procedures for obtaining criminal court records.