Palm Beach County Criminal Court Records

Palm Beach County Criminal Court Records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in West Palm Beach. The county sits on Florida's southeast coast and forms part of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Residents can access felony case files and court documents through the clerk's office. The office offers free online search tools including eCaseView. Both digital and in-person access options exist for the public.

Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Office

The Clerk of Court in Palm Beach County manages all criminal court records for the area. Mike Caruso serves as the elected clerk. His 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 205 N. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. 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.

The Criminal Court phone number is 561-355-2994. Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. They can answer questions about criminal records and case status.

Visit the Palm Beach 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: Palm Beach County offers free public access to basic court records searches with no registration required through eCaseView.

How to Access Palm Beach County Criminal Records

The Clerk of Court provides ways to search criminal records in Palm Beach 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 eCaseView system. You can search by defendant name or case number. The system shows charges filed and court dates. This works well for first checks. No registration is required for basic searches. Visit eCaseView to access the search portal directly.

In-person visits allow full access to Palm Beach 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.

Palm Beach 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: Free public access is available for basic searches without registration through the eCaseView system.

Types of Criminal Records Available in Palm Beach County

Criminal court records in Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Fifteenth Judicial Circuit and Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County is part of Florida's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers only Palm Beach County. The circuit court hears all felony criminal cases. County courts handle misdemeanors. Both levels keep records through the clerk.

The Fifteenth Circuit has courthouses throughout the county. West Palm Beach hosts the main courthouse. Judges hear trials, motions, and sentencing. Court staff create records that the clerk stores. The public can watch most hearings in person.

The circuit is one of the busiest in Florida. Many cases are filed each year. The clerk's office handles this volume. Digital systems help manage the load. Searches may take time during busy periods.

Note: The Fifteenth Circuit serves as the trial court for all felony cases in Palm Beach County under Florida law.

Marsy's Law and Victim Protection in Palm Beach County

Marsy's Law protects crime victim information in Palm Beach County. This amendment to the Florida Constitution shields certain victim details. The clerk follows these rules strictly. They remove protected information before releasing records.

Victim addresses and contact info may be hidden. This protects victims from harm. The clerk staff review each request. They apply redaction rules as required. This balances public access with victim safety.

The law gives victims specific rights. They have the right to be free from harassment. They can refuse interviews. The clerk helps protect these rights. Records are released with care.

Note: Marsy's Law requires that certain victim information remain confidential in Palm Beach County criminal court records.

Public Access to Palm Beach County Criminal Records

Florida law gives the public access to most court records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets this right. Palm Beach 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.

The clerk removes social security numbers and financial data. This protects people from identity theft. Record requests are processed with care. Privacy rules are followed in all cases.

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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach County

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