West Palm Beach criminal records are public court files kept by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court and local police agencies. Anyone can look up felony cases, misdemeanor cases, arrest reports, and court docket details online or at the courthouse.
The records show charges, court dates, plea deals, verdicts, and sentences. This page explains where to search, how the system works, what each record type contains, fees, sealing rules, and contact details for every agency involved in West Palm Beach criminal court records.
What Are West Palm Beach Criminal Records
West Palm Beach criminal records are official documents created when someone is charged with a crime in Palm Beach County, Florida. The records start with an arrest or citation and end with a final court order. They include every filing, motion, hearing, and judgment made by the 15th Judicial Circuit Court. The main custodian of these records is the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court, which serves as the official record keeper for all felony, misdemeanor, and traffic criminal cases in the county.
Court Case Files
A court case file is the full packet of paperwork for one criminal case. It includes the arrest affidavit, charging document from the State Attorney, plea agreements, court orders, sentencing paperwork, and the final judgment. These files exist for every case that passed through the Palm Beach County criminal court system, including West Palm Beach felony court records and West Palm Beach misdemeanor court records.
Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police reports are created by the West Palm Beach Police Department or the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. They document the initial call, witness statements, officer observations, and evidence. Arrest records show when a person was taken into custody, the charges at the time of arrest, and booking details. These records are separate from the court file and are kept by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
Jail and Inmate Records
Jail records show who is currently held at the Palm Beach County Jail, also called the Main Detention Center. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail and posts daily booking information online. These records include charges, bond amounts, and court dates. They are not the same as court records, but they are part of the criminal case file once a person is booked.
Where to Search West Palm Beach Criminal Records
There are three main places to search West Palm Beach criminal court records. The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court holds all court case files. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office holds inmate and jail records. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement holds statewide criminal history reports. Each agency uses a separate online portal, and all three portals are free for basic searches.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Online Portal
The Clerk of Court runs a public website where users can run a West Palm Beach criminal case lookup by name, case number, or citation number. The portal is called MyPalmBeachClerk and it is open 24 hours a day. Users can see case status, upcoming court dates, charges, and final dispositions for free. Certified copies of documents cost a fee set by Florida law.
The portal also lets users pull a West Palm Beach criminal court docket search for any active case. The docket shows every event in the case, from the first filing to the last hearing. Most documents filed after 1990 are available to view as scanned images. Older records may require an in-person visit to the courthouse records room.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search
The Sheriff’s Office runs a free inmate search on its website. The search shows every person currently booked into the Palm Beach County Jail. Results include a mugshot, booking date, charges, bond amount, and next court date. This tool is the best option for checking whether someone is in custody after a recent West Palm Beach arrest.
Users can also call the Sheriff’s Records Division during business hours to ask about a specific booking. The phone number is listed on the Sheriff’s website. The office accepts requests for copies of incident reports and arrest affidavits by mail, fax, or in person.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
FDLE runs a statewide criminal history check through a service called CCHInet. The search costs $24 per name and returns a complete Florida criminal history, including West Palm Beach cases. The report shows arrests, dispositions, and sentences from every Florida county. It does not include federal charges or out-of-state history.
FDLE also runs the Florida Sex Offender Registry and the Florida Missing Endangered Persons database. These are separate searches but fall under the same FDLE portal. Both are free and open to the public.
How to Run a West Palm Beach Criminal Case Search
A West Palm Beach criminal case search takes only a few minutes on the Clerk’s website. Users need the full legal name of the person they are searching. A date of birth helps narrow down results because common names can return dozens of matches. Users can also search by case number if they have a citation or court summons.
Search by Name
To search by name, go to the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court website and click on the Court Records search link. Enter the last name, first name, and middle name if known. The portal will return a list of matching cases. Each result shows the case number, filing date, charge type, and current status. Click on any case to see the full docket and scanned documents.
Search by Case Number
A West Palm Beach criminal case number search works best when the user already has a case number from a ticket, summons, or prior search. Florida case numbers follow a set format that includes the year, court type, and sequence. Enter the full case number in the search field. The portal will return the exact case file and all related documents.
Search by Citation Number
Traffic and misdemeanor citations have their own number printed on the ticket. Enter this number in the citation search field on the Clerk’s portal. The search will return the case tied to that citation, including court date and fine amount. This is the fastest way to look up a West Palm Beach misdemeanor case search for a traffic ticket.
Types of West Palm Beach Court Records
West Palm Beach criminal trial records fall into two main categories based on the court that handles them. Felony cases are heard in circuit court. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are heard in county court. Both courts are part of the 15th Judicial Circuit, but each has its own case number sequence and its own set of records.
Felony Court Records
West Palm Beach felony court records cover serious charges like burglary, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, robbery, and homicide. Felony cases start in county court for arraignment, then move to circuit court for trial. The case number starts with a “CF” prefix. The maximum penalty is more than one year in state prison. The Clerk’s portal lists every document filed in the case, from the arrest warrant to the sentencing order.
Misdemeanor Court Records
West Palm Beach misdemeanor court records cover less serious charges like simple assault, petty theft, DUI first offense, and criminal mischief. The case number starts with a “MM” prefix. The maximum penalty is one year in county jail. Misdemeanor cases stay in county court for the entire process. Users can view the full case file on the Clerk’s portal.
Traffic Criminal Records
Traffic criminal records cover offenses like reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and leaving the scene of an accident. These cases are handled in county traffic court. The case number starts with a “TR” prefix. Fines and points are tracked through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
West Palm Beach Criminal Court Filings and Docket Details
West Palm Beach criminal court filings lookup gives users access to every paper filed in a case. Filings include motions, responses, orders, and judgments. Each filing has a date stamp and the name of the filing party. The docket also lists every hearing and court event, with the judge assigned to each event.
What the Docket Shows
The docket is a chronological list of every event in the case. It shows the date of arrest, the date charges were filed, the arraignment date, pretrial conference dates, motion hearings, trial dates, and sentencing date. Each entry links to the actual filed document. Users can view scanned PDFs of motions, orders, and judgments directly on the Clerk’s portal.
Court Documents Available Online
Most West Palm Beach criminal case documents filed after 1990 are available as scanned images on the Clerk’s portal. These include the arrest affidavit, information, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final judgments. Older records and certain sealed documents require a trip to the courthouse. The records room at the Palm Beach County Courthouse has public terminals for viewing records for free.
Fees for West Palm Beach Criminal Records
Basic online searches for West Palm Beach criminal court records are free. Users can view case status, docket entries, and scanned documents without paying. Fees only apply when users want certified copies or printed records. The Clerk sets the fee schedule under Florida law.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies of court documents cost $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Users can order certified copies online through the Clerk’s portal, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. Certified copies are required for legal filings, immigration cases, and name change petitions.
Regular Copy Fees
Regular printed copies cost $1 per page. Users can print documents at the courthouse public terminals for a small fee. Self-service copiers are available in the clerk’s office lobby. Electronic copies downloaded from the portal are free.
Statewide FDLE Search Fees
The FDLE criminal history search costs $24 per name. The fee is paid by credit card when the user submits the search online. Results are available instantly as a PDF download. Bulk searches for employers are available through a separate FDLE program with volume pricing.
Sealing and Expunging West Palm Beach Criminal Records
Florida law lets certain people seal or expunge their West Palm Beach criminal records. Sealing hides the record from public view but keeps it in the court system. Expungement physically destroys the record. Both require a court order and a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE.
Who Qualifies for Sealing
A person qualifies to seal a West Palm Beach criminal record if they were not convicted, the case was dismissed, or they received a withhold of adjudication. The person must have no prior convictions and no other sealed or expunged records. Certain charges, including sex offenses and crimes against children, cannot be sealed.
How to Apply for Sealing
To seal a record, the applicant must first request a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. The application is filed online through the FDLE portal. FDLE reviews the request and issues the certificate if the applicant qualifies. The applicant then files a petition to seal the record with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. A judge holds a hearing and signs a court order if the petition is approved.
How to Apply for Expungement
Expungement follows the same process as sealing but with a higher eligibility bar. Only one expungement is allowed per person in a lifetime. The applicant must file the FDLE application, receive the Certificate of Eligibility, and file a petition with the court. If approved, the court orders all agencies to destroy their records of the case.
Limits on West Palm Beach Criminal Records Access
Not every criminal record is open to the public. Florida law limits access to certain records to protect victims, minors, and people whose charges were dropped. Users who run a search and get no results should remember that absence of a record on the public portal does not always mean no record exists.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Sealed and expunged records do not show up in public searches. Only certain agencies, like the FBI and FDLE, can see sealed records for law enforcement purposes. Once a record is sealed, even the person named in the record can legally say they do not have a criminal record.
Juvenile Records
Juvenile criminal records in West Palm Beach are not public. They are kept by the Department of Juvenile Justice and are only available to the court, law enforcement, and the minor’s parents or guardians. Adult convictions that happened when the person was a minor are treated as adult records and may appear in public searches.
Records Under Active Investigation
Police reports for cases still under active investigation may be exempt from public disclosure. The West Palm Beach Police Department and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office can deny a records request if releasing the document would hurt the investigation. Once the case is closed, the records become public.
West Palm Beach Criminal Court Case Status Updates
West Palm Beach criminal court case status changes constantly as cases move through the system. The Clerk’s portal updates case status within 24 hours of any new filing. Users can also sign up for free case alerts by email through the portal.
Common Case Status Codes
Florida case status codes include “Open/Active,” “Pending,” “Disposed,” “Closed,” and “Reopened.” A case marked “Disposed” means the court has entered a final judgment. A case marked “Reopened” means a new motion has been filed in a previously closed case. Each status update is timestamped and linked to the court event that caused the change.
How to Track a Case
Users can track a West Palm Beach criminal case by saving the case number and checking the Clerk’s portal every few days. The portal also offers a free e-mail notification service that sends an alert whenever a new document is filed. This service is the best way to stay current on an active case without visiting the courthouse.
Official Contact Details for West Palm Beach Criminal Records
The following agencies handle West Palm Beach criminal court records search and related services. Phone numbers, hours, and website links are accurate as of 2026.
Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Clerk’s office handles all West Palm Beach criminal court clerk records, including felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases. Users can visit the main courthouse at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The main phone number is (561) 355-2996. The online portal is available at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office handles inmate searches, arrest records, and incident reports for West Palm Beach. The main office is at 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The general phone number is (561) 688-3000. The inmate search is available at www.pbso.org.
West Palm Beach Police Department
The Police Department handles local incident reports and arrest records within the city limits of West Palm Beach. The station is at 600 Banyan Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The non-emergency phone number is (561) 822-1900. The website is www.wpbd.org.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
FDLE runs the statewide criminal history check and the seal and expunge program. The headquarters is at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. The customer service phone number is (850) 410-7000. The criminal history search portal is at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. The seal and expunge portal is at www.fdle.state.fl.us/Seal-and-Expunge-Process.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Palm Beach Criminal Records
Below are the most common questions about West Palm Beach criminal records, how to search them, what they cost, and how sealing works. Each answer is based on the current rules of the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, FDLE, and Florida public records law as of 2026.
How do I look up criminal records in West Palm Beach for free?
Go to the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court website at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com and click on Court Records. Enter the person’s full legal name. The portal returns a list of matching cases with the case number, charge, and current status. You can view the full docket and most scanned documents at no cost. You only pay if you want a certified copy of a document. The free search covers both West Palm Beach felony court records and West Palm Beach misdemeanor court records.
Are West Palm Beach criminal records public?
Yes. Florida law makes most criminal records public. The Palm Beach County Clerk of Court posts case files online. The Sheriff’s Office posts inmate records online. The only exceptions are sealed records, expunged records, juvenile records, and active investigation files. A person named in a sealed record can legally deny the record exists. A person named in a public record cannot.
How long does it take to seal a record in Palm Beach County?
The full process takes 6 to 12 months from start to finish. The first step is the FDLE Certificate of Eligibility, which takes 4 to 8 weeks. After that, the applicant files a petition with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. A judge reviews the petition and sets a hearing. Once the judge signs the order, the Clerk sends the order to every agency that holds the record. Most records are sealed within 30 days of the court order.
Can I find out if someone is in jail in West Palm Beach right now?
Yes. Go to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office inmate search at www.pbso.org. Enter the person’s name. The search returns a current list of inmates with a mugshot, charges, bond amount, and booking date. The search updates every 15 minutes. If the person was released, the search will still show recent bookings for up to 72 hours. For older releases, call the Sheriff’s Records Division at (561) 688-3000.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Florida?
A felony is a crime punishable by more than one year in state prison. Common felonies in West Palm Beach include drug trafficking, burglary, aggravated assault, and fraud. A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to one year in county jail. Common misdemeanors include simple battery, petty theft, and first-offense DUI. Felonies are handled in circuit court. Misdemeanors are handled in county court. Each has its own case number prefix and its own set of records.
Can I get a copy of someone else’s police report in West Palm Beach?
Yes, in most cases. Police reports are public records under Florida law. To get a copy, file a public records request with the agency that wrote the report. For incidents inside the city, contact the West Palm Beach Police Department Records Division at (561) 822-1900. For incidents in unincorporated areas, contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office at (561) 688-3000. Reports cost $0.15 per page for regular copies and more for certified copies.
What shows up on a Florida criminal history check?
A Florida criminal history check from FDLE shows every arrest in the state, the charge, the disposition, and the sentence. It includes felonies, misdemeanors, and certain traffic offenses. It does not include federal charges, sealed records, expunged records, or out-of-state arrests. The report is based on fingerprint and name-based data submitted by every Florida law enforcement agency. Users can run a check on themselves for $24 through the FDLE CCHInet portal.