Leon County criminal records are the official court files for every felony, misdemeanor, and traffic criminal case filed in Tallahassee and the rest of Leon County, Florida. These files are kept by the Leon County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller and the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court.
The records show who was charged, what the charge was, what court action took place, and what the final outcome was. Florida law makes most of these records open to the public, so anyone can look at them for a background check, a legal matter, a personal search, or journalism. This page covers where to look, how to search, what each record contains, and what you can and cannot see.
How to Search Leon County Criminal Court Records
You can search Leon County criminal court records in three main ways. You can use the Clerk of Court’s online portal, you can visit the Clerk’s office in Tallahassee, or you can use a statewide database through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Each method gives you a different view of the same court system. The Clerk’s portal is the most direct source for court files filed inside Leon County. The statewide search through FDLE pulls in records from every Florida county at once.
What Leon County Criminal Court Records Include
A standard Leon County criminal case file holds the full history of one court case from start to finish. The file lists the defendant’s full legal name, the case number, the date the case was filed, and the exact charge or charges. You can also see the arresting agency, the assigned judge, every court hearing date, plea deals, motions, and the final sentence or disposition. If the person was found guilty, the file shows the penalty, fines, probation terms, and any jail or prison time that was ordered.
Who Maintains These Records
The Leon County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller is the official record keeper for all criminal cases filed in Leon County. The Clerk’s office stores paper files, microfilm, and digital case files. The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court hears felony cases and serious misdemeanor cases in Leon County. The County Court branch of the same circuit hears less serious misdemeanor cases and criminal traffic offenses. Both courts send their case files to the Clerk’s office for storage and public access.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Right to View
Florida’s Public Records Act, found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records held by government offices. Leon County criminal court records fall under this law. You do not need to be a lawyer, a citizen, or a resident of Florida to ask for them. You also do not need to give a reason for your request. The Clerk’s office must give you access during normal business hours.
Leon County Clerk of Court Criminal Records
The Leon County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller is the main hub for criminal court records in the county. The office runs the official court records system, the online search portal, and the file room where paper records are kept. Anyone can use these services for free or for a small copy fee, depending on what they need.
Clerk’s Office Location and Contact Details
The Leon County Clerk’s main office sits at 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. The office is in the Leon County Courthouse near the state capitol. The general phone number is (850) 577-4000. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except for state and federal holidays. The official website is www.leonclerk.com, where you can reach the online search portal, look up forms, and pay fees.
Online Court Records Search System
The Clerk’s online portal, called the Court Records Search, runs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases filed in Leon County. You do not need an account to search. You can use the portal from a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access. Basic case details are free to view, including the case number, party names, charges, court dates, and final disposition.
Searching by Name, Case Number, or Date
The online search tool gives you three ways to look up a case. You can search by name if you know the full legal name of the person involved. You can search by case number if you already have the official case number from a prior search or legal document. You can also search by date range if you want to see every case filed during a specific week, month, or year. The system lets you narrow the search by case type so you only see criminal results and skip civil or family cases.
Visiting the Clerk’s Office in Person
Some people prefer to search records in person at the Clerk’s office. The records counter is on the first floor of the courthouse. Staff members can help you look up a case, pull a paper file, print documents, and order certified copies. Bring a valid photo ID and any case details you already have, such as the name, date of birth, or case number. The staff can locate files faster when you give them as much detail as possible.
Fees for Copies and Certified Documents
Basic case searches and on-screen viewing through the online portal are free. You only pay when you want paper copies or certified documents. The standard copy fee is $1.00 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page and include the Clerk’s raised seal and signature. The Clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards. You can call (850) 577-4000 to check the current fee schedule before you visit.
Leon County Felony and Misdemeanor Case Lookup
Leon County handles two main types of criminal cases: felonies and misdemeanors. The two types are filed in different court divisions and have different court procedures. You can search both types through the same Clerk of Court portal, but the search results will show which court heard the case.
Leon County Felony Case Search
Felonies are the most serious criminal charges. They include crimes like burglary, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, robbery, and homicide. Felony cases in Leon County are heard by the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court, which sits in Tallahassee. The Clerk’s online portal lists felony cases under the “Circuit Criminal” case type. You can search these cases by name, case number, or filing date. Felony case files include indictments, arraignment records, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and final sentencing orders.
Leon County Misdemeanor Case Lookup
Misdemeanors are less serious criminal charges, but they still create a public court record. Common misdemeanors include petty theft, simple assault, DUI first offense, and minor drug possession. Misdemeanor cases in Leon County are heard by the County Court division of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The Clerk’s portal shows these cases under the “County Criminal” case type. You can run the same name, case number, or date search to pull up misdemeanor dockets.
2nd Judicial Circuit Court Coverage
Leon County sits inside Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers Leon, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties. The main courthouse is in Tallahassee, but the circuit also runs satellite court operations in each of the other counties. The Leon County Courthouse hears the largest share of criminal cases in the circuit because Tallahassee is the state capital and a major population center.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Arrest Records
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It handles arrests, runs the county jail, and keeps arrest reports. These records are separate from court files but work together with them. An arrest report can lead to a court case, and the court case file often references the original arrest report by number.
Sheriff’s Office Contact Details
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office headquarters is located at 2825 Municipal Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. The main phone number is (850) 606-3300. The Records Division handles all public records requests for arrest reports, incident reports, and jail records. You can reach the Records Division by phone during normal business hours. The official website is www.leoncountyso.com, where you can find contact forms, current news, and jail information.
How to Request Arrest Reports
You can ask for a copy of an arrest report or incident report from the Sheriff’s Records Division. Records requests can be made in person, by mail, or by email. Florida law requires the Sheriff to respond to public records requests in a reasonable amount of time. There may be a small fee for printed copies. You need to give the date, location, and names of the people involved to help staff locate the right report.
Jail and Inmate Records
The Leon County Detention Facility, which the Sheriff’s Office runs, holds people who are waiting for trial or serving short county sentences. You can look up current inmates online through the Sheriff’s website. The inmate search tool shows the person’s name, booking date, charges, and bond amount. The Leon County Jail is different from the Florida state prison system, which holds people serving felony sentences of one year or more.
Statewide Criminal History Search Through FDLE
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s central criminal history database. This database, called the Computerized Criminal History system or CCH, holds arrest and conviction records from every county in Florida, including Leon County. The public can search this system online through a service called CCHInet.
What FDLE CCHInet Provides
CCHInet returns a Florida criminal history report based on a person’s name and date of birth. The report shows every arrest in Florida, the charge for each arrest, and the final disposition if one is on file. You can use this service to check if someone has a record anywhere in the state, not just Leon County. The report can take a few minutes to generate after you submit the search request.
Cost of a Statewide Search
Each name search through CCHInet costs $24.00. The service charges a $1.00 processing fee for credit card payments, so the total charge is $25.00 per search. The fee must be paid by credit or debit card at the time of the request. There is no refund for searches that return no results. You can pay for one search at a time or buy a subscription for higher volumes.
What the State Search Does Not Show
The FDLE criminal history database only covers arrests and convictions that took place inside Florida. It does not include out-of-state arrests, federal charges, or sealed and expunged records. Juvenile records that were processed in juvenile court are also missing from this system. The CCHInet report only shows what law enforcement agencies have reported to FDLE, so some older or incomplete records may not appear.
Leon County Criminal Case Status and Docket Search
A criminal docket is the running list of every event in a court case. Leon County dockets are part of the public case file and can be searched the same way as the rest of the record. Dockets help you track where a case stands today and what has already happened.
Checking Active Case Status
You can check the status of any active Leon County criminal case through the Clerk’s online portal. The case status will show if the case is in arraignment, pre-trial, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, or on appeal. Active cases update on the portal as new filings are entered, but there can be a short delay between a court event and the online update.
Reading a Criminal Docket
A criminal docket is a chronological list of every paper filed or action taken in a case. Each docket entry shows the date, the type of filing, and a short description. Common entries include “Information Filed,” “Arraignment,” “Motion to Suppress,” “Plea Entered,” and “Judgment and Sentence.” You do not need legal training to read a docket, but the short legal terms may need a quick explanation.
Court Hearing Dates and Dispositions
You can see upcoming and past court hearing dates on the online portal. Past hearings show what happened, such as “Hearing Held” or “Case Continued.” The final disposition tells you how the case ended. Common dispositions include “Guilty,” “Not Guilty,” “Nolle Prosse” (dropped by the state), “Adjudication Withheld,” and “Dismissed.” Each disposition has a different legal meaning and shows up clearly on the case record.
Sealing and Expunging Leon County Criminal Records
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge their criminal records. Sealing means the record is hidden from most public searches but still exists. Expungement means the record is destroyed by the agencies that hold it. Both options can help people move past old charges, but not everyone qualifies.
Who Qualifies Under Florida Law
You can only seal or expunge a record if you have never had a record sealed or expunged before in Florida. You also cannot have been found guilty of any disqualifying offense. Serious crimes like murder, sexual battery, kidnapping, and certain drug trafficking charges can never be sealed or expunged. People who were found not guilty, had charges dropped, or completed a diversion program usually qualify.
Certificate of Eligibility From FDLE
The first step in sealing or expunging a Leon County record is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. The application fee is $75.00 and is non-refundable. FDLE takes about twelve weeks to process the application. You can apply online through the FDLE website or by mail using the official form. The certificate is good for one year from the date it is issued.
Filing a Petition in Leon County Court
After you get the certificate, you must file a petition in the Leon County court where the original case was heard. The court will set a hearing date and may ask the State Attorney’s Office for an objection. A judge makes the final decision. If the judge signs the order, the Clerk’s office and the Sheriff’s Office must seal or destroy the records listed in the order. You can hire a lawyer for this step or file on your own.
Restricted Records and Privacy Limits
Not every Leon County criminal record is open to the public. Florida law protects certain records from public view. These limits help protect victims, juveniles, and people whose cases were dismissed or resolved long ago.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Records that have been sealed or expunged by a court order are not open to the public. The Clerk’s online search will not show them. Law enforcement agencies can still see them for criminal justice purposes, and some employers in specific fields can request access. Most people, including employers and landlords, will not see sealed or expunged records in a normal background check.
Juvenile Records
Criminal cases involving minors are handled in juvenile court, not adult criminal court. Juvenile records are not open to the public. Only the people involved in the case, their lawyers, and certain agencies can see them. When a juvenile turns 18, they may be able to ask the court to expunge their juvenile record under Florida law.
Active Investigation Records
Records tied to an active criminal investigation may be kept confidential until the case is closed. Law enforcement agencies can deny public records requests for active investigation files to protect the integrity of the case. Once the investigation ends, most of the records become public, with some exceptions for victim identities and sensitive personal data.
Leon County Court System at a Glance
Leon County sits at the heart of Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit. The circuit handles thousands of criminal cases every year. Knowing the basic structure of the court system helps you understand where to look for the records you need.
Court Levels in Leon County
The Leon County court system has two main levels for criminal cases. The Circuit Court handles felonies and more serious misdemeanors, plus all criminal appeals from the County Court. The County Court handles less serious misdemeanors, criminal traffic offenses, and county ordinance violations. Both courts sit in the same courthouse complex in downtown Tallahassee.
Common Criminal Charge Types
The most common felony charges in Leon County include drug trafficking, aggravated assault, burglary, and grand theft. Common misdemeanor charges include DUI, simple battery, petit theft, and possession of marijuana. The Clerk’s portal lets you filter your search by charge type so you can narrow your results to the cases that match your search.
Leon County Clerk of Court Quick Reference
The Leon County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller is the main office for criminal court records in the county. Keep this contact list handy when you start your search.
- Office: Leon County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller
- Address: 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301
- Phone: (850) 577-4000
- Website: www.leonclerk.com
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Online Portal Access: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Frequently Asked Questions
People who search for Leon County criminal records often have the same set of questions. The answers below cover the most common ones. Each answer reflects the current rules in Florida and the actual setup of the Leon County Clerk’s office.
How do I look up a criminal case in Leon County for free?
You can look up a Leon County criminal case for free through the Clerk of Court’s online portal at www.leonclerk.com. The portal lets you search by name, case number, or filing date. Basic case details like the charge, court dates, and final disposition show up on screen at no cost. You only pay if you want printed copies or certified copies for legal use.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal court record?
An arrest record is created by a law enforcement agency when a person is taken into custody. It shows the arrest date, the charge, the booking details, and the releasing agency. A criminal court record is created by the court system after a case is filed. It shows every court event, motion, plea, and final sentence. An arrest can happen without a court case if the state drops the charge. A court case always starts with a filing, not an arrest.
Can I check Leon County criminal records using a person’s date of birth?
The Clerk’s online portal lets you search by name, case number, and date range. It does not let you search by date of birth alone. The FDLE CCHInet system, on the other hand, requires a name and date of birth for every search. If you are not sure about the exact spelling of a name, try multiple variations to get the most complete results.
How long does it take for a new Leon County criminal case to show up online?
New Leon County criminal cases usually show up in the Clerk’s online portal within one business day after the case is filed. Some updates, like new docket entries or court orders, may take a few extra business days to appear. Court hearings held in person may not show up in the online system until the clerk enters the result into the file.
Are misdemeanor DUI records in Leon County public?
Yes, misdemeanor DUI records in Leon County are public court records. You can see them in the Clerk’s online portal under the “County Criminal” case type. The record will show the charge, plea, sentence, fine, probation terms, and any required DUI school completion. The record stays on the public file unless it is sealed or expunged by a court order.
Can I get a criminal record removed from the Leon County Clerk’s website?
You can only remove a criminal record from public view by getting it sealed or expunged through the court system. The process starts with an application to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. After you get the certificate, you file a petition in the Leon County court. A judge must sign a final order before the Clerk’s office can take the record off the public search.
Does a dropped charge still show up in Leon County criminal records?
A dropped charge, also called a “nolle prosse,” still creates a case file in the Leon County court system. The file shows the original charge and the entry that the state dropped the case. The case is part of the public record unless it has been sealed or expunged. Many people who were never convicted still have a public case file because the court system records every filing.