The Villages Criminal Court Records Guide
The Villages is a unique master-planned retirement community. Over 82,000 residents call this census designated place home. It spans multiple counties. Sumter County is the primary location. The community is known for golf courses. Residents drive golf carts everywhere. Town squares offer entertainment. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement. Criminal court records are maintained by Sumter County.
The Villages Quick Facts
The Villages and Sumter County Courts
The Villages is not a traditional city. It is a census designated place. No city government exists. The developer manages community affairs. Sumter County provides government services. This includes law enforcement. Courts are county operated. Records are maintained centrally.
The Sumter County Sheriff's Office patrols The Villages. Deputies respond to calls. They handle incidents. They make arrests when necessary. Reports go to prosecutors. But records are not local. They go to the Sumter County Clerk. This is standard for Florida.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit serves this area. It includes multiple counties. Sumter is one of them. The county seat is Bushnell. This is where the courthouse stands. Cases from The Villages are heard there. The clerk maintains all records. Public access is provided.
Note: The Villages spans parts of Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties, but most residents live in Sumter County where criminal court records are maintained at the Bushnell courthouse.
Sumter County Clerk of Courts
The Sumter County Clerk maintains criminal court records. The courthouse is in Bushnell. The address is 215 East McCollum Avenue. This historic building serves the county. The clerk manages records professionally. Public access is provided. Over 140,000 residents are served.
The Sumter County Clerk provides access to criminal court records for The Villages and all county residents.
| Clerk of Courts | Glenda A. Hood |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 E. McCollum Ave., Bushnell, FL 33513 |
| Phone | (352) 569-6600 |
| Website | sumterclerk.org |
| Circuit | Fifth Judicial Circuit |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Online Records Access for The Villages Cases
The Sumter County Clerk provides online searching. Villages residents benefit from this. They can check records without traveling. The system operates continuously. Access is available day and night. Weekend searching is possible. This saves the drive to Bushnell.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit provides court services for The Villages and all of Sumter County.
Online searches are simple. Enter the defendant's full name. Date of birth improves accuracy. Case numbers provide direct access. The system displays matches. Current status is shown. Court dates are listed. Some documents may be viewable.
Basic case information is public. Registration may be required. The clerk's website explains details. Help is available by phone. Email questions are answered. Support is provided to users.
Types of Criminal Records Available
The Villages criminal court records cover various cases. Felony cases are the most serious. Violent crimes are felonies. Drug trafficking qualifies. Major property crimes are included. These cases generate paperwork. The clerk maintains all files.
Misdemeanor cases are also documented. Simple battery is a misdemeanor. Petty theft falls here. Some DUI cases are misdemeanors. Disorderly conduct is included. These records affect employment. Background checks reveal these.
Golf cart incidents create records. The Villages is cart-friendly. Accidents sometimes occur. These are documented in court. Records are maintained locally. The system handles these matters.
Juvenile records have special protections. Florida law restricts access. Parents can view their child's records. Attorneys have access for representation. Law enforcement uses them properly. The general public is excluded.
Accessing The Villages Criminal Court Records
Multiple methods exist for obtaining records. Online search is most convenient. The clerk's website operates around the clock. Basic information is free. Copies may require payment. Credit cards are accepted. Results appear instantly.
In-person visits provide full access. The Bushnell courthouse is the location. Staff help locate records. Viewing files is free. Copies cost money. Certified copies cost more. Payment methods are varied.
Note: Villages residents should allow approximately thirty minutes travel time to reach the Sumter County Clerk's office in Bushnell for in-person record access.
Criminal Background Check Options
Background checks for Villages residents use multiple sources. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers statewide coverage. All sixty-seven counties are included. Sumter County data is current. The cost is twenty-four dollars per search.
Local checks through the Sumter Clerk show more detail. Complete case files are viewable. All court documents are accessible. Final dispositions are clear. Using both sources is recommended. Many situations require both levels.
Nearby Fifth Circuit Counties
The Fifth Judicial Circuit covers multiple counties. The Villages is primarily in Sumter. Parts extend into Lake and Marion. Cases are filed by location. The appropriate county clerk maintains records.