Orange County Criminal Court Records

Orange County Criminal Court Records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Orlando. The county sits in Central Florida and forms part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Residents can access felony case files and court documents through the clerk's office. The office offers robust online search tools including My eClerk. Both digital and in-person access options exist for the public.

Orange County Clerk of Court Office

The Clerk of Court in Orange County manages all criminal court records for the area. Tiffany Moore Russell 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 vital role in the local justice system.

The main office sits at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 210 in downtown Orlando. 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 Orange 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: Orange County is part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which also serves Osceola County in Central Florida.

How to Access Orange County Criminal Records

The Clerk of Court provides ways to search criminal records in Orange 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 My eClerk 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 My eClerk to access the portal directly.

In-person visits allow full access to Orange 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.

Orange 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.

Florida Supreme Court Order AOSC16-14 authorizes electronic access to court records. This order allows the clerk to provide online access. The My eClerk system operates under this authority. Visit the Criminal Division page for more details.

Types of Criminal Records Available in Orange County

Criminal court records in Orange 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 Orange 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 Ninth Judicial Circuit and Orange County

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

The Ninth Circuit has courthouses in both counties. Orlando hosts the Orange County court. Judges hear trials, motions, and sentencing. Court staff create records that the clerk stores. The public can watch most hearings in person.

Osceola County is the other county in the Ninth Circuit. These counties share some court staff and systems. But each keeps its own criminal records. You must search Orange County for cases filed there.

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

My Cases Feature for Attorneys in Orange County

Attorneys can register for the My Cases feature in Orange County. This system allows lawyers to track their cases online. It provides alerts and updates. The feature is part of the My eClerk system.

Registration requires a Florida Bar number. Attorneys must verify their identity. Once approved, they can access case details. The system sends notifications of new filings. This helps lawyers stay current.

The My Cases feature is free for registered attorneys. It saves time and travel. Lawyers can check case status from their office. The system is secure and confidential. It protects client information.

Note: The My Cases feature requires attorney registration and verification through the Orange County Clerk's office.

Public Access to Orange County Criminal Records

Florida law gives the public access to most court records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets this right. Orange 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. Orange 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 Orange 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. Results usually come back within days. These checks are used for jobs and licenses.

Court records in Orange 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 Orange County

Orange 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 Orange County. Criminal cases must be searched in the county where filed. Each county keeps its own records through its clerk.