Martin County criminal records are public court files that list felony, misdemeanor, and traffic case details filed in Stuart and across the Treasure Coast. These records show charges, court dates, pleas, sentences, and final outcomes for people accused of crimes in the county.
The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps the master copies of these files. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest and inmate files. State agencies like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) keep statewide history files that include Martin County cases. Anyone can check these records online, by mail, or in person under Florida public records law.
How Martin County Tracks Criminal Records
Three main agencies create and store criminal records for Martin County. Each agency handles a different part of the case journey from arrest to final sentence. Learning the role of each agency helps you pick the right office for the record type you need.
Court Records
Court records start when a case is filed with the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The file includes the charging document, plea papers, motions, judgment, and sentence. These records stay on file even after the case ends. The Clerk runs the public online portal where you can search the full case history.
Arrest and Inmate Records
Arrest records start at the booking desk inside the Martin County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office logs each booking with charges, bond, and custody status. The daily jail roster on the Sheriff’s website shows current inmates. Older arrest data sits in the Records Bureau archive.
Statewide History Records
FDLE collects arrest and conviction data from every county clerk in Florida. The Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system merges these files into one statewide name search. The Florida Department of Corrections tracks people sentenced to state prison time. Both sources cover Martin County cases alongside the rest of Florida.
Martin County Clerk of Court Records
The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the main record keeper for all court cases filed in the county. The office handles thousands of new filings each year for both criminal and civil matters. Records date back many decades and remain open to the public. You can check most files online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse in downtown Stuart.
Online Court Records Portal
The Clerk runs a public online search system at www.martinclerk.com. This portal lets you look up case files by name, case number, or filing date. You can view charges, hearing dates, plea entries, and final dispositions for both active and closed cases. The system runs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week from any computer or phone with web access. Basic case data shows up at no cost. Printed or certified copies carry a fee.
Case Number and Name Search
The online portal accepts three search types. You can run a name search using a person’s full legal name. You can run a case number search if you have the full case number. You can run a date range search to see all filings in a set window. Each search type returns matching case summaries with the next hearing date, judge name, and final outcome.
- Name search: enter last name, first name, and middle initial when known.
- Case number search: use the full 20-digit case number from any court paper.
- Date range search: enter a start and end date to see all filings in that window.
In-Person Records Access
You can visit the Martin County Courthouse at 100 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994, to check files in person. The Records Department desk is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff at the desk can help you search for cases using public terminals. Bring a valid photo ID and any case details you already have, such as the full legal name or case number. Walk-in visitors do not need an appointment for most record requests.
Certified Copies and Document Fees
The Clerk’s office charges set fees for paper copies and certified documents under Florida law. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. You can order copies in person, by mail, or through the online portal. Mailing address: Martin County Clerk of Court, PO Box 9016, Stuart, FL 34995. Phone for records questions: (772) 288-5736.
| Record Type | Fee | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online case view | Free | Instant |
| Standard printed copy | $1.00 per page | Same day |
| Certified copy | $2.00 per page + $2.00 fee | 1 to 3 business days |
| Faxed document | $1.00 per page | Same day |
Martin County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement across the county. The main office sits at 800 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34994. The Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, jail rosters, and inmate status for the Martin County Jail. Public records from the Sheriff’s Office follow the same Florida laws that apply to Clerk records.
Daily Jail Roster and Inmate Search
The Sheriff’s Office runs a daily jail roster on its website at www.sheriff.martin.fl.us. The roster shows people booked into the Martin County Jail in the past 24 to 72 hours. You can search by name or booking date. Each listing shows charges, booking time, bond amount, and housing location. For older arrest data, you must file a public records request with the Records Bureau. Call (772) 220-7000 for records help.
Arrest Reports and Incident Records
You can request a copy of a police report for any case handled by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Reports cover traffic crashes, thefts, assaults, and other incidents deputies responded to. Most reports become public 30 days after the incident closes. The Records Bureau charges a per-page copy fee. Some reports stay sealed if they involve active investigations, juvenile suspects, or sealed court orders. You must provide the case number, date, and location to speed up the search.
Requesting Older Reports
For police reports older than 90 days, file a public records request with the Records Bureau. The Bureau responds within 10 business days under Florida law. You can submit the request in writing by mail, email, or in person. Include the case number, incident date, location, and names of people involved. A per-page copy fee applies to all printed reports.
Statewide Florida Criminal History Search
For background checks that cover all of Florida, you can use the statewide database run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This database pulls arrest and conviction data from every county clerk, including Martin County. The records go back decades and cover all adult arrests. You can use this search to check a person’s full Florida criminal history at once.
FDLE CCHInet Public Portal
The FDLE Computerized Criminal History system, called CCHInet, lets you run a name-based search for a small fee. Each search costs $24.00 plus a $1.50 processing fee for a total of $25.50. You need the person’s full legal name and date of birth to run a search. Results show up right after you pay online. Visit the CCH portal at https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us to start a search. The system works from any web browser on a phone or computer.
Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search
For people serving state prison time for crimes committed in Martin County, the Florida Department of Corrections keeps an inmate database. You can search the database at https://www.dc.state.fl.us/OffenderSearch. The search is free and shows current inmates plus people on parole or community supervision. Each listing shows the offense, sentence length, release date, and current custody status. The database updates daily with new bookings and releases.
Types of Criminal Cases in Martin County
Martin County courts handle three main types of criminal cases. Each type follows a different path through the court system. The Clerk’s office stores the records for all three types. You can look up the same way for each type using the online portal or in person.
Felony Court Records
Felony cases involve serious crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison. Common felonies in Martin County include drug trafficking, burglary, aggravated assault, and fraud. Felony cases start in the Martin County Courthouse and go through the 19th Judicial Circuit. Records show formal charges, arraignment dates, plea deals, trial outcomes, and sentencing. You can pull felony case files back many years from the Clerk’s online search tool.
Misdemeanor Case Records
Misdemeanor cases cover less serious crimes with a maximum sentence of one year in county jail. Common misdemeanors include simple battery, petty theft, DUI first offense, and disorderly conduct. Misdemeanor cases go through the same Martin County court system. Records show the same data points as felony cases. Sentences often include probation, fines, or community service instead of jail time.
DUI and Criminal Traffic Records
Many traffic cases in Martin County count as criminal offenses. DUI cases, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license all appear in criminal records. The Clerk’s office keeps these files alongside felony and misdemeanor cases. You can look them up the same way using the online portal. Some minor traffic infractions only appear on a person’s driving record through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, not the criminal court system.
| Case Type | Maximum Sentence | Court Level | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felony | More than 1 year in state prison | Circuit Court | Drug trafficking, burglary, aggravated assault |
| Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in county jail | County Court | Simple battery, petty theft, DUI first offense |
| Criminal Traffic | Varies by charge | County Court | DUI, reckless driving, driving on suspended license |
Sealing and Expunging Records
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge their Martin County criminal records. Sealed records stay hidden from public searches. Expunged records get destroyed by most agencies. Not every case qualifies for this relief. Serious charges like murder, sex crimes, and certain violent felonies cannot be sealed or expunged.
Eligibility Rules
To qualify for sealing or expungement, you must meet several conditions under Florida Statutes Section 943.059. You cannot have any prior sealed or expunged records. You must have completed all sentence terms, including probation, fines, and restitution. The case must have ended in a qualifying disposition, such as a dismissal, acquittal, or withhold of adjudication. Some traffic offenses do not qualify. A full list of disqualifying charges sits on the FDLE website.
Filing Process and Costs
You must first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE before filing anything with the Martin County court. The application fee is $75. Processing takes about 12 weeks. After you get the certificate, you must file a petition with the court within 12 months. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant the relief. The full process takes 6 to 12 months from start to finish in most cases.
Martin County Court System Details
Martin County sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The circuit covers Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties. The main courthouse sits in downtown Stuart. Some hearings happen at the Martin County Courthouse Annex on South Colorado Avenue. The court system hears thousands of criminal cases each year across all four counties.
19th Judicial Circuit
The 19th Judicial Circuit handles all felony cases, family court matters, probate, and civil cases above $30,000. Misdemeanor and county civil cases under $30,000 go through the Martin County Court, a lower branch of the same circuit. The chief judge and circuit administrator oversee all court operations. Public records for both court levels sit with the same Clerk of Court office. The circuit was created in 1925 when Martin County separated from Palm Beach County.
Courthouse Locations and Hours
Main Courthouse: 100 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on weekends and all federal holidays. Phone: (772) 288-5736. Mailing address: PO Box 9016, Stuart, FL 34995. Self-service terminals in the lobby run 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on business days. Free parking is available in the courthouse garage across the street. The county covers about 555 square miles with a population near 162,000 people.
Martin County Records Contact Directory
Use the contacts below to reach the right office for the record type you need. Phone lines are open during business hours. Email requests get a response within 2 to 5 business days. The Clerk’s office and Sheriff’s Office use separate systems, so contact the right office for the right record type.
Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court
100 East Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 288-5736
Website: www.martinclerk.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Martin County Sheriff’s Office
800 SE Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 220-7000
Website: www.sheriff.martin.fl.us
Records Bureau: (772) 220-7060
Jail Information: (772) 220-7200
FDLE Criminal History Search
Website: https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Florida Department of Corrections
Website: https://www.dc.state.fl.us/OffenderSearch
Phone: (850) 488-5021
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common search needs for Martin County criminal records. Each answer gives you a clear path to the right office, fee, or form. Use these details before you start your search to save time and avoid mistakes.
How do I check criminal records in Martin County Florida?
You can check Martin County criminal records through three main sources. The Martin County Clerk of Court runs the public online portal at www.martinclerk.com. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest and jail records at www.sheriff.martin.fl.us. For statewide Florida background checks, use the FDLE CCHInet system. Each source covers a different type of record, so you may need to check more than one source for a full background check on any person.
Are Martin County criminal records free to view?
Yes, basic case data is free to view through the Clerk’s online portal. You can search by name or case number at no cost. Printed copies and certified copies carry fees. The Sheriff’s Office charges small fees for arrest reports. The FDLE charges $25.50 per name search for statewide records. Court records for cases filed before 1980 may need an in-person visit at the courthouse. Most modern cases from the past 30 years sit in the online portal.
What shows up on a Martin County criminal record?
A Martin County criminal record shows the full case history. This includes arrest date, formal charges, court appearances, plea entries, trial outcomes, and final sentence. It also lists probation terms, fines, restitution, and any appeals. The record stays on file even after the sentence ends. Sealed or expunged cases do not show up in public searches. Each record also shows the assigned judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney of record.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Martin County record?
Certified copies from the Martin County Clerk take 1 to 3 business days by mail. In-person requests at the courthouse take 30 to 60 minutes for simple documents. Online orders through the Clerk’s portal process in 1 to 2 business days. Rush requests cost extra. Mailing time adds 3 to 5 business days on top of processing time. You can pay extra for overnight return shipping on mailed requests.
Can I seal a Martin County criminal record?
You can seal a Martin County criminal record if you meet Florida’s eligibility rules. You must have no prior sealed or expunged records. You must have completed all sentence terms. Qualifying dispositions include dismissals, acquittals, and withholds of adjudication. Serious charges like murder, sex crimes, and certain violent felonies cannot be sealed. Start the process by applying to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. The full process from application to final court order takes 6 to 12 months in most cases.
Where do I find Martin County arrest records?
You can find Martin County arrest records through the Sheriff’s Office daily jail roster at www.sheriff.martin.fl.us. The roster shows recent bookings from the past 24 to 72 hours. For older arrest data, file a public records request with the Records Bureau at (772) 220-7060. The Clerk’s office also has the formal charges filed after each arrest. The FDLE CCHInet system shows arrest data from across the entire state of Florida.
What is the difference between felony and misdemeanor records in Martin County?
Felony records cover serious crimes with a possible sentence of more than one year in state prison. Misdemeanor records cover less serious crimes with a maximum sentence of one year in county jail. Both record types sit in the same Clerk’s office database. You can search both types the same way through the online portal. Felony cases go through circuit court. Misdemeanor cases go through county court. Sentencing, probation terms, and appeal rights differ between the two record types based on the charge severity.