Brevard County criminal records are official court files that show every criminal case handled by the Brevard County court system. These records include felony charges, misdemeanor charges, traffic criminal offenses, violation of county ordinances, and case dispositions.
The Brevard County Clerk of Court maintains these records and provides public access through an online portal and in-person services at the courthouse in Viera, Florida.
What Brevard County Criminal Records Contain
A Brevard County criminal record is a legal file created by the court when someone faces a criminal charge. Each file contains basic facts about the case, the people involved, and the final outcome. Anyone can view these files because Florida law treats criminal court records as public documents.
Basic Case Details
Every criminal case file starts with identifying information. The record lists the full name of the person charged, the case number assigned by the clerk, and the date the court received the case. The file also shows the division of court where the case is being heard and the name of the judge assigned to handle hearings.
Charge Descriptions
The middle section of a criminal record lists the charges filed by the State Attorney. Charges are written in plain legal language. A felony charge might read “Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling” or “Trafficking in Controlled Substances.” A misdemeanor charge could read “Petit Theft,” “Simple Battery,” or “Driving Under the Influence.” Each charge includes the Florida statute number violated.
Court Actions and Dispositions
The final section of a criminal record lists every court action taken in the case. This includes arraignments, motions filed, plea agreements, trial dates, verdicts, sentences, probation orders, and case dismissals. The disposition shows whether the person was found guilty, not guilty, or had charges dropped.
The Brevard County Court System Structure
Brevard County sits inside the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit covers Brevard, Seminole, and Orange counties. Criminal cases move through three main court levels in Brevard County.
County Court Criminal Division
County Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases in Brevard County. This court hears charges that carry a maximum penalty of one year in county jail. Examples include simple assault, minor drug possession, driving with a suspended license, and petit theft. The County Court Criminal Division is located in Viera at the main courthouse complex.
Circuit Court Criminal Division
Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases in Brevard County. Felonies are more serious crimes that can lead to state prison sentences longer than one year. Examples include aggravated battery, robbery, major drug trafficking, homicide, and sexual battery. Circuit Court judges also handle felony appeals from County Court decisions.
Appellate Court Review
Criminal cases that are appealed move to the Fifth District Court of Appeal. This court reviews legal errors in the lower court record. The Clerk of Court for Brevard County sends the case file to the appellate court for review. Appellate decisions create written opinions that become part of the legal record.
How to Search Brevard County Criminal Records Online
The Brevard County Clerk of Court runs a free online search tool. Anyone with internet access can use this tool to look up criminal case records without visiting the courthouse.
Steps to Use the Online Portal
The online portal is located at the Clerk of Court website. Users can search for criminal case records using a name search or a case number search. The search returns a list of matching cases with basic information. Clicking on a case opens the full record detail page.
- Open the Brevard County Clerk of Court website at brevardclerk.us
- Click on the “Court Records Search” or “Public Records” link
- Select “Criminal” as the case type
- Enter the last name and first name of the person, or enter the case number
- Click “Search” to view matching cases
- Click on a specific case to see the full docket and document list
What Information the Search Returns
The online search returns the case number, file date, party names, charge descriptions, court division, judge name, and current case status. Users can see upcoming court dates and past hearing results. The portal also shows whether the case is active, closed, or on appeal.
Limits of the Online Search
The online portal covers most criminal cases filed since the late 1990s. Very old cases from the 1970s and 1980s may not appear online. Some sealed or expunged records do not show up in public searches. Juvenile criminal records are confidential and do not appear in the online system.
Types of Criminal Records Available
Brevard County maintains separate record categories for different types of criminal matters. Each category has its own search section in the online portal.
Felony Records
Brevard County felony records cover all serious criminal charges filed in Circuit Court. These records include the formal charging document called an “Information,” the arrest report, witness lists, and sentencing paperwork. Felony records stay in the system permanently unless the court grants expungement.
Misdemeanor Records
Brevard County misdemeanor records cover less serious criminal charges filed in County Court. These include first-time DUI, simple battery, criminal mischief, and minor drug possession. Misdemeanor records are also public and searchable through the same online system.
Criminal Traffic Records
Criminal traffic offenses are different from regular traffic tickets. These cases include reckless driving, driving under the influence with injury, and leaving the scene of a crash. Criminal traffic records appear under the criminal search section of the online portal.
County Ordinance Violations
Brevard County enforces local ordinances through the criminal court system in some cases. Violations of county ordinances can include certain environmental violations and local regulatory offenses. These cases appear in the criminal records database under the county ordinance charge code.
Brevard County Clerk of Court Records Services
The Clerk of Court is the official keeper of all criminal court records in Brevard County. The Clerk’s office provides several ways to access these records beyond the online portal.
In-Person Records Requests
Visitors can request criminal records at the Brevard County Clerk of Court office in Viera. Staff at the public counter can pull case files for viewing. Some older case files must be pulled from archive storage and may take 24 to 48 hours to retrieve. Photo identification is required to view certain records.
Certified Copy Requests
Certified copies of criminal records are available for a fee. These certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted by other courts, government agencies, and employers. The Clerk’s office charges a fee per page and a certification fee per document. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
Record Authentication and Apostille Services
Criminal records needed for use outside the United States require authentication through the Florida Department of State. The Clerk of Court provides certified copies that can then be authenticated with an apostille. This process is common for immigration and international background check purposes.
18th Judicial Circuit Court Records
The 18th Judicial Circuit covers Brevard, Seminole, and Orange counties. Each county has its own Clerk of Court that maintains its own criminal records. Records from one county do not appear in another county’s online search system.
Circuit-Wide Case Number System
Each case filed in the 18th Judicial Circuit gets a unique case number. The number includes the year, a court division code, and a sequential identifier. For example, a case number starting with “05-2024-CF” indicates a felony case filed in 2024. The case number format helps clerks and judges track cases across the circuit.
Cross-County Records Search
People searching for criminal records across multiple Central Florida counties must search each county separately. The Orange County Clerk and the Seminole County Clerk each operate their own independent search portals. There is no single statewide search that covers all 67 Florida counties at once.
Unified Court System Reporting
While each county maintains its own records, the Florida Courts System publishes statewide statistics on criminal case filings. These reports show total felony and misdemeanor filings per circuit. The 18th Judicial Circuit is one of the largest in Florida by case volume.
Searching by Name Versus Case Number
The Brevard County online portal accepts two main search methods. Each method has different benefits depending on what the user knows about the case.
Name Search Method
A name search requires the last name and first name of the person whose record you want to find. The search returns all matching cases with that name. Users should add a middle name or date of birth if known to narrow the results. Common names may return many results that need to be filtered manually.
Case Number Search Method
A case number search is faster and returns only the specific case requested. The case number format is visible on any prior court paperwork. Case numbers appear on arrest reports, summons, and prior court orders. Once you have a case number, you can pull the full docket with one search.
Search Tips for Better Results
To get better search results, use exact name spelling as it appears on court documents. Avoid nicknames unless the court records use them. Try variations of the last name if the first search returns no results. Date of birth filters help separate people with the same name in the system.
Court Docket and Case Status Information
The court docket shows every scheduled event in a criminal case. The docket is updated in real time as new events occur. Case status shows whether a case is pending, in trial, on appeal, or closed.
Reading a Criminal Docket
A criminal docket is listed in reverse chronological order. The most recent event appears at the top of the list. Each entry shows the date, the type of event, the judge, and a brief description. Past events appear below the current scheduled events.
Active Versus Closed Cases
Active cases show ongoing court proceedings with future hearing dates. Closed cases show a final disposition such as “Adjudication Withheld,” “Conviction,” or “Dismissed.” Closed cases can still be appealed within the legal time limit. The system marks cases as closed once the sentence is complete and any appeal window has passed.
Warrant and Bond Status
Some criminal records include active warrant information. The docket shows whether an arrest warrant has been issued and whether it has been served. Bond information shows the current bond amount and any conditions of release. Bond status changes appear in the docket as new entries.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Some criminal records in Brevard County are sealed or expunged by court order. These records are removed from public access. The Clerk of Court follows strict rules on which records can be sealed and who can see them.
Eligibility for Sealing or Expungement
Florida law allows certain criminal records to be sealed under specific conditions. Cases that resulted in a not guilty verdict, a dismissal, or a withhold of adjudication may qualify. A person must wait a set period after the case closes before applying. The application goes through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a Certificate of Eligibility.
What Sealing Does to a Record
When a record is sealed, it is removed from public view. The Clerk of Court keeps a confidential file but does not display the record in online searches. Law enforcement agencies can still access sealed records for official purposes. Most employers and the general public cannot see a sealed record.
What Expungement Does to a Record
Expungement is a stronger form of record removal. The Clerk of Court physically destroys the public case file. Only a limited set of agencies retain access, such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and certain court officials. Expunged records do not appear in background checks.
Accessing Records for Background Checks
Many employers, landlords, and licensing agencies require criminal background checks. Brevard County records are often part of these checks.
Official Background Check Process
The official Florida background check is handled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE maintains a statewide database of criminal history. They provide certified background check results to employers, government agencies, and individuals who request their own record.
Self-Background Check Requests
Anyone can request their own criminal record from FDLE. The request requires fingerprints taken at an approved location. Results are mailed or delivered electronically. The fee for a self-background check is set by Florida law and is subject to change.
Third-Party Background Check Sites
Many private companies run criminal background checks using public court records. These sites pull data from county clerk databases across the country. The data may not be current or complete. Official court records from Brevard County remain the most accurate source.
Court Record Fees and Copy Costs
The Brevard County Clerk of Court charges set fees for record copies and certified documents. Fee amounts are set by Florida statute and may be updated each year.
Standard Copy Fees
Regular printed copies of court records cost a set fee per page. The Clerk’s office also charges for digital copies downloaded from the online portal. Printed docket sheets and case summaries fall under the standard copy fee schedule.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies include the Clerk’s seal and signature. The fee is higher than a regular copy because of the certification process. Each certified document requires a separate certification fee in addition to the per-page copy charge.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Clerk’s office accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, and major credit cards. Online payments through the portal use secure payment processing. Some services require payment before records are released.
Official Contact Information
The Brevard County Clerk of Court is the main contact for criminal record requests and courthouse services. The office is located in Viera, Florida, and handles all criminal record inquiries for the county.
Main Office Address and Hours
The Brevard County Clerk of Courts main office is located at 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The office closes on weekends and official Florida state holidays.
Phone and Online Contact
The main phone number for the Clerk of Court is (321) 637-2005. The official website is brevardclerk.us, which contains the online records search portal, fee schedules, and contact forms. Email contact options are listed on the website under the “Contact Us” page.
Satellite Locations
Brevard County operates satellite Clerk offices in Titusville, Merritt Island, and Palm Bay. These offices offer limited services compared to the main Viera location. Records requests requiring certified copies must go through the main office.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions address the most common concerns about Brevard County criminal records. These answers cover search methods, fees, eligibility, and legal details that often come up when researching criminal cases in Brevard County, Florida.
Are Brevard County Criminal Records Free to View?
Yes. The online records portal offers free basic searches of criminal court records. Users can view case dockets, charge descriptions, and hearing dates without paying a fee. Certified copies and printed documents require payment of the standard fees set by the Clerk of Court.
How Far Back Do Online Criminal Records Go?
The online portal covers criminal cases filed from the late 1990s to the present day. Older cases from earlier decades are stored in physical archives and may require an in-person request. The Clerk’s office staff can help locate older records using the physical case file number.
Can I Remove My Criminal Record from Public View in Brevard County?
Florida law allows certain criminal records to be sealed or expunged. You must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. After the certificate is issued, you file a petition with the Brevard County court that handled your case. The court holds a hearing and decides whether to grant the sealing or expungement.
What Is the Difference Between a Felony and Misdemeanor in Brevard County?
A felony is a serious criminal charge punishable by more than one year in state prison. Felonies are handled in Circuit Court in Brevard County. A misdemeanor is a lesser criminal charge punishable by up to one year in county jail. Misdemeanors are handled in County Court. The distinction affects the court location, the severity of penalties, and the long-term consequences.
How Do I Find Out If Someone Has a Warrant in Brevard County?
Active warrant information appears in the online criminal case docket for that person. You can search by name to see if any case shows an outstanding warrant. For confirmation of an active warrant, contact the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office warrant division. Some warrant details are restricted from public display for safety reasons.
Can I Use Online Records for a Background Check for Employment?
You can view public criminal records online, but most employers require an official background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or an approved third-party screening company. The FDLE background check pulls from all Florida counties and includes information that may not appear in a simple online search.
What Happens If I Find Incorrect Information in a Criminal Record?
If you find errors in a Brevard County criminal record, you can file a motion to correct the record with the court. The Clerk of Court staff cannot change court records without a valid court order. You may need to provide supporting documents to show the correct information before the court will issue an order to amend the file.