- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
What are Florida Court Records?
With over 23.3 million residents, Florida is the third most populated of the US states. The state's court system comprises appellate and trial courts, and has a judicial branch divided into four separate levels. The levels are divided into the supreme court, district court of appeals, circuit courts, and county courts. Florida allows people to be punished via a death penalty. It's important to note that more than two million cases go through Florida courts annually.
There's a record that is kept for evidence of each hearing or trial. Among the different records kept in Florida, there are criminal indictments, civil suits, complaints, and each of these specific types:
Docket Sheets
Dockets are lists and summaries detailing the various documents from the trial itself, serving as the inventory record.
Judgment and Orders
These are official determinations by a jury or judge. Once the final judgment is determined, the selected judge fills out all the paperwork outlining all the terms, the punishments, and any responsibilities.
Transcripts
A transcript is a complete record that captures everything said throughout court proceedings. The name of every speaker, as well as what is said, is kept in transcripts, and these documents can be used for evidence for appeals or motions.
Evidence
This includes both documents and physical materials gathered from all police reports, as well as introduced by any of the parties during legal proceedings.
Court Minutes
They are official records of courtroom proceedings from the beginning to the completion of the trial. The minutes are composed of a summary detailing the testimonies, events, all official statements, and recesses.
Pleadings
These are records of statements made by each party in a case describing the party's request for the court.
Types of Court Cases
Florida has criminal and civil court cases. Both types are meant to determine who is at fault. The different case types utilize different processes and have different punishments.
Civil Cases
Civil cases are legal processes meant to handle any non-criminal issues between groups or individuals. These disputes may encompass a variety of issues, including contract disagreements, property disputes, and claims related to personal injuries. Notably, civil cases do not involve the participation of state prosecutors. The primary objective of such cases is to provide fair compensation to the victims through the relevant legal framework.
Examples for civil cases are:
- Bankruptcy filings
- Property Disputes
- Family law
A standard of proof that's known as the preponderance of evidence is utilized to resolve most civil cases. This requires a party to demonstrate that their version of the facts is more likely true than not.
Criminal Cases
A criminal case is a legal proceeding initiated by a government representative against an individual accused of committing a crime. These cases aim to maintain the law to ensure justice is administered, rather than resolving disputes between private parties. Consequently, the consequences of criminal cases can be significantly more severe, potentially resulting in imprisonment or, in certain jurisdictions, the death penalty.
Before a jury reaches a verdict, the prosecuting authority must establish that the defendant is guilty of the alleged crime beyond any reasonable doubts. This process is concluded when the jury decides unanimously and can confirm the individual's culpability in the matter.
Examples of criminal cases seen commonly are:
- Domestic violence
- Burglary
- Murder
What Are the Different Courts in Florida?
Florida's unified court system has four tiers, and the State Courts System received about $794.6 million in the fiscal year 2025-26 state budget. Trial courts sit in 20 judicial circuits and 67 counties, with appeals going to six district courts of appeal and the Florida Supreme Court.
| Court Level | Court Name | Jurisdiction | Key Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appellate | Florida Supreme Court | Statewide; seven justices | Reviews death sentences, invalid-law rulings and utility rate orders, and issues advisory opinions |
| Appellate | District Courts of Appeal | Six appellate districts | Hear appeals from trial court final judgments and review state agency decisions |
| General Jurisdiction | Circuit Courts | 20 judicial circuits | Handle felonies, civil cases over $50,000, family, juvenile and probate matters, and some appeals |
| Limited Jurisdiction | County Courts | One or more per county | Hear misdemeanors, traffic cases and civil disputes of $50,000 or less |
| Limited Jurisdiction | County Court Small Claims Division | Statewide, within county courts | Resolve money disputes up to $8,000 in a simplified procedure |
How Many Federal Courts Are in Florida?
Florida has three federal district courts: the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Presently, there are 33 sitting federal district judges in the state, most of whom are affiliated with the Republican Party.
These courts have limited jurisdiction over cases that challenge federal laws or involve disputes between parties from different states. In addition, these courts have the authority to hear bankruptcy cases. Decisions rendered by federal district courts can be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
How Many Court Cases Are Filed Each Year in Florida?
Florida's circuit and county courts received 3,628,225 filings in fiscal year 2024-25 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), counting only civil traffic infractions handled by a judge or hearing officer. Courts disposed of more cases than were filed, for an overall clearance rate of 102.3%, with civil and small claims rates above 100%.
| Case Type | Annual Filings | % of Total | Common Offense/Subtype | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic | 1,511,554 | 41.7% | Civil traffic infractions handled by a judge or hearing officer | 100.0% |
| Criminal | 714,114 | 19.7% | Felonies, misdemeanors, criminal traffic offenses and DUI | 95.5% |
| Civil | 483,079 | 13.3% | Circuit civil, foreclosures, evictions, replevins and county civil claims | 105.8% |
| Small Claims | 538,293 | 14.8% | Money disputes up to $8,000 in the county court small claims division | 116.0% |
| Domestic Relations | 207,419 | 5.7% | Dissolution, child support, paternity, protection orders and adoptions | 101.3% |
| Juvenile | 32,600 | 0.9% | Delinquency, dependency and termination of parental rights | 98.6% |
| Other | 141,166 | 3.9% | Probate, guardianship and mental health matters | 98.5% |
| Total | 3,628,225 | 100% | — | 102.3% |
How Do I Look Up Court Cases in Florida?
In Florida, court records are managed by the court that handled the case. To access court records, you may be required to contact the trial court that handled the case. There is no central database for trial court records in Florida, so those seeking trial court records may visit the court location in person or search the official websites. Note that fees may be incurred to obtain a copy of official court records and transcripts.
Unlike trial court records, appellate court records are entered into the Florida Appellate Court Case Information System. The system allows users to search dockets and case documents in Florida's appellate courts. Users do not need to register to search public records on the system.
Number of Active Judges — State & Federal
Florida has seven Supreme Court justices, district court of appeal judges, circuit and county trial judges, and 37 active federal district judges in three districts. Appellate and trial counts are authorized judgeships rather than sitting judges.
| Court | Jurisdiction | Active Judges | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Supreme Court | Statewide appeals and discretionary review | 7 | Appointed by the Governor from nominating commission list; retention elections every six years |
| District Courts of Appeal | Appeals from trial courts in six districts | ~73 | Appointed by the Governor from nominating commission list; retention elections every six years |
| Circuit Courts | Felonies, major civil, family, juvenile and probate cases in 20 circuits | ~608 | Elected in nonpartisan elections to six-year terms |
| County Courts | Misdemeanors, traffic, small claims and civil disputes up to $50,000 | ~342 | Elected in nonpartisan elections to six-year terms |
| U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida | Federal civil and criminal cases | 4 | Nominated by the President; confirmed by the Senate; life tenure |
| U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida | Federal civil and criminal cases | 14 | Nominated by the President; confirmed by the Senate; life tenure |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida | Federal civil and criminal cases | 19 | Nominated by the President; confirmed by the Senate; life tenure |
| Total Active Judges | — | ~1,067 | — |
What Court Records Are Not Available to the Public in Florida?
In Florida, certain court records are confidential and not open to the public. This can happen if disclosing the records would threaten fair court proceedings, expose trade secrets, harm essential government interests, help gather evidence in legal cases, or hurt innocent third parties.
Records currently labeled as confidential by court rules, such as those related to the Rules for Admission to the Bar, Florida Statutes, previous court decisions in Florida, and the Judicial Qualifications Commission, are also not accessible to the public.
In addition, memoranda, drafts of opinions and orders, court conference notes, and other similar documents created by judges or court staff as part of their decision-making process are not available for public viewing.
Lastly, copies of arrest and search warrants and the supporting affidavits kept by judges, clerks, or court staff remain confidential until the warrants are executed or law enforcement decides they can be released.
Average Case Processing Time & Clearance Rates
Processing times in Florida vary by case type: traffic and small claims cases usually finish within a few months, while contested civil and family cases can take a year or more. Durations are estimates of typical handling, and clearance rates compare dispositions with filings in each division.
| Case Type | Court Level | Average Processing Time | Description | Clearance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic & Parking | Limited Jurisdiction | ~30–60 days | Most infractions are paid or resolved by a hearing officer or county judge shortly after the citation | 100.0% |
| Small Claims | Limited Jurisdiction | ~2–4 months | County judges set a pretrial conference and trial within weeks; many cases end by settlement or default judgment | 116.0% |
| Misdemeanor Criminal | Limited Jurisdiction | ~3–6 months | Most cases are resolved by plea or dismissal at arraignment or pretrial; contested cases go to bench or jury trial | 93.8% |
| Civil Cases | General Jurisdiction | ~12–24 months | Circuit civil cases move through discovery and mediation, then settle or are tried; evictions and foreclosures move on faster tracks | 105.8% |
| Domestic Relations | General Jurisdiction | ~6–12 months | Cases go through financial disclosure and mediation before final judgment; uncontested dissolutions finish sooner | 101.3% |
| Felony Criminal | General Jurisdiction | ~6–12 months | Cases move from arraignment to pretrial and plea, and most end in a plea agreement; trials extend the timeline | 101.8% |