West Palm Beach City Criminal Records are court files, case dockets, and docket filings for criminal cases filed in the 15th Judicial Circuit Court and Palm Beach County Court. These records cover felony cases, misdemeanor charges, and criminal traffic offenses handled by the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Anyone can search these records online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. The records show who was charged, what the charge was, and how the case ended.
How to Search West Palm Beach Criminal Court Records
The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court keeps all criminal case files for West Palm Beach. The Clerk runs the official public court records portal that lets you search by name, case number, or date. The system works twenty-four hours a day from any computer or phone. Most basic case lookups are free. You only pay when you want a printed or certified copy.
Palm Beach County Clerk Online Portal
The Clerk’s online portal is the fastest way to find a criminal case in West Palm Beach. You can reach the site at mypalmbeachclerk.com. The search page asks for a last name, first name, and middle name. You can also enter a case number or citation number if you have one. The portal pulls cases from the 15th Judicial Circuit Court, which includes West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and other cities in the county. Results show case type, charge, filing date, judge, and the current status of the case.
15th Judicial Circuit Court Records
West Palm Beach sits inside the 15th Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit court handles all felony cases and some misdemeanor cases. The Clerk’s office runs the records system for this circuit. The court covers Palm Beach County, which has more than one million residents. Criminal cases from West Palm Beach Police, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and other local agencies are all filed here. The same online portal covers both circuit and county criminal cases in the area.
West Palm Beach Police Department Records
The West Palm Beach Police Department keeps its own set of police reports and arrest logs. These records show incidents that officers responded to inside the city limits. You can request a police report by visiting the Records Division at the police station, calling the main line, or sending an email. Police reports cost a set fee per copy. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Some reports are online, and others require a written request. Call ahead to confirm the fee and what you need to bring.
Types of Criminal Records Available in West Palm Beach
Criminal court records in West Palm Beach come in several forms. Each one shows a different stage of the case. Court case files cover the full case from arrest to final sentencing. Police records show what happened at the scene when officers arrived. Jail records show who is sitting in the county jail right now.
Felony Case Records
Felony cases are serious crimes that can lead to prison time. These records are filed in the 15th Judicial Circuit Court. A felony case file includes the arrest affidavit, formal charges, court motions, plea paperwork, and the final sentence. Common felony charges in West Palm Beach include drug trafficking, burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, and DUI with serious injury. You can search felony cases by name on the Clerk’s online portal. Each result shows the case number, charge level, and current status.
Misdemeanor Court Records
Misdemeanor cases are less serious crimes. They include simple assault, petty theft, disorderly conduct, minor drug possession, and first-time DUI. Misdemeanor cases in West Palm Beach are handled in Palm Beach County Court. The same Clerk’s portal covers these records. The results show the charge, plea, fine, or sentence. Misdemeanor records stay on file for many years, and some can be sealed or expunged.
Criminal Docket and Case Filings
The docket is a list of every paper filed in a criminal case. It shows motions, orders, pleas, and hearing dates. The Clerk’s online portal lists dockets in a timeline format. You can click on each entry to see the actual document when it has been scanned. Most older dockets are scanned, and most new filings are digital. You can print dockets for free from the portal or pay for a certified copy.
Traffic Criminal Offenses
Some traffic cases are criminal, not civil. These include reckless driving, driving on a suspended license causing death, and leaving the scene of a crash. Criminal traffic records are filed in the same Clerk’s system as other misdemeanor and felony cases. The records show the original charge, any plea deal, and the final outcome. Fines, license suspensions, and jail time can all show up in the file.
What You Need to Start a Criminal Case Search
You need some basic facts to search West Palm Beach criminal records. The more you know about the person or case, the faster the search goes. Name, date of birth, and case number are the three most common search fields. If you only have a name, the system still works, but results may include other people with the same name.
Name-Based Searches
Searching by name is the most common way to look up a case. You need the person’s full legal name. A last name alone may return too many results, especially for common names. Add a first name and middle initial when you can. Date of birth helps narrow the list. The Clerk’s portal shows all matching cases with the same name. Look at the date of birth, address, and case type to pick the right person.
Case Number Lookups
A case number gives the fastest result. Case numbers look like the year, a court code, and a sequence. For example, 2024-CF-012345 means a 2024 felony case. Enter the full case number in the search field. The system pulls up only that one case. Use this method when you have a citation, court notice, or any official paper with the case number printed on it.
Date of Birth and Other Identifiers
Date of birth is the best extra detail. Two people can share a name, but few share a full name and birth date. You can also use an address, driver’s license number, or social security number in some cases. The FDLE statewide search lets you search by name plus date of birth for a small fee. That search pulls all Florida arrests and convictions for the person.
Fees, Copies, and Certified Documents
The Clerk’s office charges for copies of criminal records. The price depends on the type of copy you need. Regular copies are cheap. Certified copies cost more because they carry the court seal and a stamp that proves the document is real. Most legal matters, like immigration, gun permits, and job applications, need certified copies.
Standard Copy Fees
Regular printed copies from the Clerk’s portal cost one dollar per page. The portal shows a total before you pay. You can pay by credit or debit card. The system emails a PDF or lets you download it right away. For in-person requests at the courthouse, the fee is the same per page. Bring cash, check, or card. Some older paper files cost more to copy because the staff has to find and scan them by hand.
Certified Court Records
Certified copies carry the official court seal. They are legal proof that the document is a true copy of the original. The Clerk charges a few dollars per page for certification, plus a small fee per document. The total cost shows up before you complete the order. You can order certified copies online through the portal or in person at the clerk’s office. Most certified copies are ready the same day. Mail orders take a few extra days for shipping and processing.
| Record Type | Fee | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Regular printed copy | $1.00 per page | Online portal or in person |
| Certified copy | $2.00 per page plus $2.00 per document | Online portal or in person |
| FDLE statewide criminal history | $24.00 per name | cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us |
| Florida DOC inmate search | Free | DC.flgov website |
| FBI Identity History Summary | $18.00 per person | identogo.com or FBI.gov |
Sealing and Expungement in Palm Beach County
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge their criminal records. Sealing hides the record from most public searches. Expungement destroys some of the records. The Clerk’s office in West Palm Beach handles petitions to seal and expunge cases that were filed in Palm Beach County. The process takes several months and needs a judge to sign off.
Eligibility Requirements
You can apply to seal a record if you were not convicted, or if you received a withhold of adjudication. You cannot have any prior felony convictions or any other sealed or expunged records in Florida. The case you want to seal must be fully closed. There should be no pending charges or open cases against you anywhere in the state. Each applicant can seal more than one case, but only one expungement is allowed in a lifetime.
Steps to Seal a Record
Step one is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. The form is on the FDLE website. Step two is to file a petition in the court where the case was handled. For West Palm Beach cases, that is the Palm Beach County Clerk. Step three is to have your fingerprints taken at a local law enforcement office. Step four is a judge reviews the petition and signs an order. Step five is the Clerk sends the order to every agency that has the record. They must then seal the file.
Expungement Process
Expungement goes a step further than sealing. The Clerk physically destroys most of the case file, and law enforcement agencies destroy their records too. Only a few agencies keep a sealed note showing that an expunged case existed. You can only expunge one case in your entire life. The FDLE application and fingerprint step are the same as sealing. The petition form and court process are also similar. The judge has full power to deny the request for any legal reason.
Statewide and Federal Criminal History Checks
The Clerk’s portal only shows cases filed in Palm Beach County. People who lived in other parts of Florida, or who have a federal record, need a different search. The State of Florida runs its own criminal history database through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The federal government runs its own database through the FBI. Both can be used for background checks.
FDLE Criminal History Search
FDLE runs the Computerized Criminal History system, also called CCH. The system has arrests and dispositions from every county in Florida. You can search it through CCHInet at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. The fee is twenty-four dollars per name search. Results show the person’s arrests, charges, and outcomes. The search works for personal use, employment, and licensing. You need an account to use CCHInet. Fingerprints are not required for a name search, but they make the result more accurate.
Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search
The Florida Department of Corrections runs the state prison system. The DOC Offender Search shows every person who is in prison or on state supervision. The database is free to use at the DC website. You can search by name or DC number. Results show current facility, release date, and sentence details. The database only covers people convicted of state crimes and sent to prison. It does not show county jail inmates or people on probation for shorter sentences.
FBI Background Checks
Federal criminal cases are filed in United States District Court, not state court. The FBI keeps a national database of these cases. You can request a copy of your own FBI record through an FBI channeler like Identogo. The fee is eighteen dollars per person. Results come back in a few weeks by mail. The check covers federal arrests, convictions, and some out-of-state cases. Many employers, immigration cases, and gun permit applications ask for an FBI check.
Public Access Terminals and In-Person Searches
You can also search criminal records in person at the courthouse. The Clerk’s office runs public computer terminals in the lobby. The terminals give you the same search tools as the online portal. Staff at the front desk can help you find the right search fields and explain the results. In-person service is a good choice when you do not have a computer, when the online portal is down, or when you need help understanding the results.
Main Clerk’s Office Location
The main Palm Beach County Clerk’s office is in West Palm Beach. The address is 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The courthouse is right across from the Flagler Museum. The lobby opens at 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and closes at 4:30 p.m. The records counter closes earlier, so call ahead to confirm the time. You can reach the office at (561) 355-2996 for questions about criminal records and fees. Public parking is available in the garage next to the courthouse.
Branch Offices and Satellite Locations
The Clerk also runs branch offices in other parts of Palm Beach County. The branch locations serve the same records system as the main office. Each branch has public terminals and a records counter. Branch offices are open during normal business hours. You can request certified copies at any branch. The branch staff can pull case files from the main courthouse if the record is stored there. Branch locations are useful for people who live far from West Palm Beach.
Requesting Records by Mail
You can request criminal records by mail when you cannot visit in person. Send a written request to the Clerk’s office with the person’s full name, date of birth, and the type of record you need. Include a check or money order for the copy fee. The Clerk mails back regular copies in a few days. Certified copies are also available by mail but take longer. Mail requests work best for older, paper-only records that may not be scanned into the online system.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common concerns about West Palm Beach criminal court records. Each answer explains the rules, fees, and limits of public access. The answers reflect current Florida public records law and Palm Beach County Clerk procedures. Read through them before you start a search to save time and avoid common mistakes.
Are all West Palm Beach criminal records public?
Most criminal records filed in Palm Beach County are public. Florida law treats court case files as public records. You can look up felony cases, misdemeanor cases, and criminal traffic cases through the Clerk’s portal. Some records are not public. Juvenile cases are sealed by law. Cases under seal or expungement by court order are hidden. Active grand jury proceedings and certain undercover investigations may also be closed. If a record does not show up in a search, it may be sealed, expunged, or never filed. You can call the Clerk’s office to ask why a record is missing, but they may not be allowed to confirm the existence of a sealed case.
Can I search criminal records for free?
Yes, basic searches on the Palm Beach County Clerk’s portal are free. You can look up a name, view a case, see the docket, and read the basic case info without paying. The fee only applies when you want a printed copy or a certified document. The FDLE statewide search costs twenty-four dollars per name. Florida DOC inmate search is free. FBI background checks cost eighteen dollars. For most personal use, the free Clerk’s portal has enough details.
How long does it take to get certified copies?
Online certified copy orders are usually ready the same day. You can download a digital certified copy or pick it up at the courthouse. In-person requests at the records counter take about thirty minutes to a few hours, depending on the file. Mail orders take five to ten business days plus shipping time. Older paper files that have not been scanned can take longer. The Clerk will email or call you when the order is ready.
What is the difference between sealed and expunged records?
Sealed records are hidden from public view but still exist. Only certain agencies can see them, like law enforcement and some licensing boards. Expunged records are physically destroyed by the Clerk and most law enforcement agencies. Only a sealed note saying the case was expunged remains. A person can apply to seal several cases, but only one expungement is allowed in a lifetime. Both sealing and expungement require a court order.
Can I remove my own criminal record from public view?
You can, if you meet the legal requirements. The first step is to get a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. The second step is to file a petition in the Palm Beach County Clerk’s office. A judge will review your case and decide whether to grant the request. The whole process takes several months. You cannot seal a record if you were convicted of certain serious charges, or if you already used your one expungement.
Does the Clerk’s portal show federal cases?
No, the Palm Beach County Clerk’s portal only shows state-level cases filed in Palm Beach County. Federal cases are filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Federal court records are kept by the federal court clerk. You can search federal cases through PACER, the federal court public access system. PACER charges a small fee per page, but some documents are free. The West Palm Beach federal courthouse is located at 701 Clematis Street.
Can employers see dismissed or dropped charges?
Yes, the Clerk’s records show every case, including ones that were dropped or dismissed. The records show the original charge, what happened at each hearing, and the final outcome. Even dropped charges appear in the docket. A background check using the Clerk’s portal or the FDLE system will show the full history. This is why sealing or expungement can be important for people who were arrested but never convicted.