Lee County Criminal Court Records

Lee County Criminal Court Records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Fort Myers. The county sits on Florida's southwest coast and forms part of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Residents can access felony case files and court documents through the clerk's office. The office offers robust online search tools including the MATRIX system. Both digital and in-person access options exist for the public.

Lee County Clerk of Court Office

The Clerk of Court in Lee County manages all criminal court records for the area. Linda Doggett serves as the elected clerk. Her staff processes filings for felony and misdemeanor cases. They maintain court documents and make them available to the public. The office plays a key role in the local justice system.

The main office sits at 1700 Monroe Street in downtown Fort Myers. This location houses the records division for criminal cases. Staff members help visitors look up cases and request copies. The office opens Monday through Friday during regular hours. You should call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.

Visit the Lee County Clerk website to learn more about their services and records access.

The website shows the range of services available through the clerk's office for court records.

Note: Lee County is part of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, which also serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties in Southwest Florida.

How to Access Lee County Criminal Records

The Clerk of Court provides ways to search criminal records in Lee County. Each option serves different needs. Some users want quick online checks. Others need official copies for legal use. The clerk offers both types of service.

Online access gives case details through the MATRIX system. You can search by defendant name or case number. The system shows charges filed and court dates. This works well for first checks. Visit matrix.leeclerk.org to access the search portal directly.

In-person visits allow full access to Lee County criminal court records. Staff can pull case files for review. You can request copies of any documents. Bring ID when you visit the office. Call first to check if old case files are on hand.

Lee County Criminal Court Records follow Florida public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs access. Most records are open to anyone who asks. Some files have limits due to privacy rules. Juvenile cases stay closed to the public.

Note: Many cases filed prior to 2004 are only available through the Records Request System rather than the online portal.

Types of Criminal Records Available in Lee County

Criminal court records in Lee County cover various case types. The clerk keeps files for felonies and misdemeanors. Each record holds specific documents tied to the charges. Knowing what exists helps you make smart requests.

Felony cases are the most serious matters in Lee County Criminal Court Records. These include crimes like burglary, drug sales, and theft. Felony files hold arrest reports and charging papers. They show court hearings and final outcomes. Sentencing orders spell out the punishment.

Misdemeanor cases involve lesser offenses. Petty theft and simple assault are common examples. The clerk stores these records too. Misdemeanor files are smaller but follow the same form. Both old and new records are kept on file.

Criminal traffic cases make up another group. DUI and reckless driving charges fall here. The clerk keeps these with other criminal records. These cases often have extra papers like test results and police reports.

The Twentieth Judicial Circuit and Lee County

Lee County is part of Florida's Twentieth Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers five counties in Southwest Florida. The circuit court hears all felony criminal cases. County courts handle misdemeanors. Both levels keep records through the clerk.

The Twentieth Circuit has courthouses in each county. Fort Myers hosts the Lee County court. Judges hear trials, motions, and sentencing. Court staff create records that the clerk stores. The public can watch most hearings in person.

Other counties in the Twentieth Circuit are Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry. These counties share some court staff and systems. But each keeps its own criminal records. You must search Lee County for cases filed there.

Note: The Twentieth Circuit serves as the trial court for all felony cases in Lee County under Florida law.

Public Access to Lee County Criminal Records

Florida law gives the public access to most court records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets this right. Lee County follows these open records rules. The clerk provides access while guarding private data.

Criminal records are generally open to all. Anyone can ask for case files without a special reason. This openness supports honest government. It helps people learn how courts work. The press and public use these records often.

Some records have protection under state law. Juvenile cases stay sealed in most cases. Victim info may be hidden for safety. Mental health and drug treatment records are private. The clerk applies these rules to all requests.

Marsy's Law adds more protection for crime victims. This change to the Florida Constitution shields some victim details. Lee County staff follow these rules. They remove protected facts before releasing records.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Records

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps state criminal history records. FDLE acts as the main storehouse for arrest and court data. Their files include info from Lee County and all other Florida counties.

FDLE background checks cover more than just court records. They include arrests even when charges were dropped. The database shows results from all Florida courts. This gives a full view of a person's criminal past.

You can request a state background check from FDLE. Some searches need fingerprints. There is a charge for each request. Results usually come back within days. These checks are used for jobs and licenses.

Court records in Lee County add to FDLE data. The clerk's files have more details about each case. Court papers show evidence and rulings. Using both sources gives the best view.

Record Retention in Lee County

Lee County follows state rules for keeping records. Criminal court records are saved for set time periods. Some files stay forever. Others may be destroyed after time passes.

Felony case records usually remain forever. These serious cases often matter for years. Misdemeanor records may have shorter hold times. But many old records still exist.

The clerk keeps both paper and digital records. Old cases may be paper only. New cases often have digital copies. The move to digital storage continues. This will help future searches.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lee County. Criminal cases must be searched in the county where filed. Each county keeps its own records through its clerk.