Palm Beach County criminal records are public court files held by the Clerk of the 15th Judicial Circuit Court and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. These records show felony cases, misdemeanor cases, traffic criminal cases, arrests, bookings, court hearings, and final judgments filed in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Anyone can search Palm Beach County criminal court case records online, by phone, or in person at the clerk’s office. The main courthouse sits at 205 N. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, with three branch courthouses serving the rest of the county. Records stay open under Florida’s public records law unless a judge has sealed or expunged them.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Criminal Records
The Clerk of Courts for Palm Beach County serves as the official record keeper for every criminal case filed in the 15th Judicial Circuit. The office stores case numbers, charging documents, arraignment dates, plea deals, sentencing orders, motions, appeals, and final dispositions. Records cover both adult felony and adult misdemeanor cases, plus criminal traffic offenses like DUI and driving with a suspended license. The clerk’s office maintains separate docket indexes for circuit criminal (felony) and county criminal (misdemeanor) cases.
Main Clerk Office Location and Contact
The main clerk’s office operates out of the courthouse at 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The main phone number is 561-355-2991, and the criminal division phone line is 561-355-2431. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with extended hours for the self-service public terminals. Visitors can use public computers on-site to run free searches of the criminal docket database. A photo ID is required to enter the building through the security checkpoint.
Online Criminal Court Records Search
The clerk runs a free public search portal at mypalmbeachclerk.gov. Users can search Palm Beach County criminal case records by name, case number, citation number, or hearing date. The portal covers circuit criminal, county criminal, and criminal traffic cases from 1990 to the present. Search results display party names, charges, court division, judge assigned, hearing schedule, and current case status. A separate case detail page shows the full docket, including filings, orders, and disposition codes like “Guilty,” “Not Guilty,” “Dismissed,” or “Nolle Prosse.”
Branch Courthouses Serving Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County operates three satellite courthouses so residents do not have to drive to West Palm Beach for simple matters. The North County Courthouse sits at 3188 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, and handles some criminal arraignments. The South County Courthouse is at 200 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444. The West County Courthouse, located at 38844 State Road 80, Belle Glade, FL 33430, serves the Glades communities. All four locations connect to the same central database, so any search covers cases filed at every branch.
Certified Copies and Document Fees
The clerk charges a fee for certified copies of court documents. A standard certified copy costs $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. A letter-sized plain copy runs $0.15 per page, and legal-sized copies cost $0.25 per page. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, and credit cards (with a convenience fee). Documents can also be ordered online through the clerk’s public portal for an additional processing fee, and mailed directly to the requester.
15th Judicial Circuit Court Case Search
The 15th Judicial Circuit covers only Palm Beach County. Criminal cases are split into two main divisions: Circuit Criminal for felonies and County Criminal for misdemeanors. Felony cases are punishable by more than one year in state prison, while misdemeanor cases carry up to one year in the county jail. The circuit also handles criminal appeals from county court judges, violation of probation hearings, and post-conviction relief motions.
Felony Case Search by Case Number
Each felony case filed in Palm Beach County gets a unique circuit criminal case number that starts with a two-digit year followed by a sequence number (example: 50-2024-CF-001234-AXXX). The clerk’s online portal accepts this full case number for a direct lookup. Search results return the defendant’s full legal name, date of birth (when available), booking photo, all charges filed by the State Attorney’s Office, the assigned division (North, South, West, or Main), and the assigned judge. The portal also shows the next scheduled court date, the defense attorney of record, and the prosecution file number.
Misdemeanor Case Lookup Process
Misdemeanor cases follow a different case number format, starting with a sequence number and the year (example: 50-2024-MM-005678). The same online portal handles both felony and misdemeanor searches. Users can search by defendant name, date of birth, or case filing date. Common misdemeanor charges in Palm Beach County include petit theft, simple battery, disorderly conduct, trespass, and first-time DUI. Each record shows the arresting agency, the police report number, the date of arrest, and bond information at the time of booking.
Criminal Court Docket and Hearing Schedule
The daily criminal docket for each courthouse is published online the evening before hearings. Users can view the docket by division, by judge, or by courtroom. Each docket entry lists the case number, defendant name, charge level, time of hearing, and type of hearing (arraignment, pretrial, status check, plea, or trial). Bond hearing dockets update in real time as the magistrate or judge sets or modifies bond conditions. Trial dockets show the expected length of trial and the names of all attorneys involved.
Criminal Court Documents and Filings
Once a user locates a case, the portal provides a list of every document filed in that case. Clicking a document opens a PDF copy that can be viewed for free. Common filings include the Information or Indictment charging the defendant, the Arrest Report, the Discovery Inventory, Motions to Suppress, Motions in Limine, Sentencing Memoranda, and the Final Judgment. The clerk stamps each document with a recording date, the deputy clerk’s initials, and the official case number. Many filings are available the same day they are recorded in the system.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) is the primary law enforcement agency serving the unincorporated areas of the county and several contract cities. PBSO headquarters sits at 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. The main phone number is 561-688-3000, and the records unit can be reached at 561-688-3640. PBSO maintains arrest records, incident reports, booking photos, and current jail inmate information for everyone processed through the Palm Beach County Jail.
Online Inmate Search and Booking Records
PBSO runs a free public inmate search tool at pbso.org. The tool shows every person currently housed in the Main Detention Center, the West County Jail, and the South County Jail. Each record lists the booking number, full name, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, booking date, current charges, bond amount, and projected release date. A booking photo is included for most inmates. The database updates every 15 minutes and retains records of recent releases for up to 90 days.
Arrest Reports and Police Incident Records
Anyone can request a copy of a police report or arrest affidavit through the PBSO records section. The request can be made in person at headquarters, by mail, or by email. Each report costs $0.15 per page for copies, with a $1.00 minimum charge. Police reports contain the officer’s narrative, witness statements, evidence collected, and the probable cause statement used to support the arrest. Reports are typically available within 5 to 7 business days after the incident.
Warrant Search for Active Warrants
PBSO publishes a public list of active felony and misdemeanor warrants on its website. The list shows the subject’s name, the warrant number, the issuing judge, the charge, and the bond amount. The list is updated daily. Anyone with an active warrant should contact a licensed criminal defense attorney before turning themselves in, so a surrender can be coordinated safely and bond can be set in advance. Outstanding warrants never expire, and they can lead to arrest at any traffic stop or ID check.
Statewide Criminal History Search (FDLE)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs a statewide criminal history database that covers every Florida county, including Palm Beach County. The system, called CCHInet, pulls data from county sheriffs, municipal police departments, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the courts. FDLE records show arrests, dispositions, probation status, and incarcerations that occurred anywhere in the state. Out-of-state arrests and federal charges are not included in the CCHInet database.
How to Run an FDLE Background Check
A name-based FDLE search costs $24.00 plus a $1.00 credit card processing fee, for a total of $25.00 per search. Users must provide the subject’s full legal name, date of birth, and race. Adding a Social Security number improves match accuracy. Results return immediately after payment is confirmed. The report shows every qualifying arrest in Florida, the corresponding disposition code, and the originating agency. FDLE offers a paid subscription service for employers who run high volumes of background checks.
Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) maintains a separate public offender search at fdc.myflorida.com. This database tracks everyone sentenced to state prison for a Palm Beach County felony conviction. Each record shows the inmate’s DC number, current custody status (in prison, on probation, on parole, or released), the facility of assignment, the maximum release date, and the primary offense. FDC records also show prior prison commitments and any active supervision status in Florida communities.
Sealing and Expunging Palm Beach County Records
Florida law allows some criminal records to be sealed or expunged under Florida Statutes section 943.059. Sealing hides the record from public view but leaves it accessible to criminal justice agencies. Expungement physically destroys most of the record so that it is gone for almost all purposes. Not every charge qualifies, and serious offenses like murder, sexual battery, kidnapping, and child abuse are never eligible. A person can only seal or expunge one arrest record in their lifetime.
Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE
The first step in the sealing or expungement process is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. The application fee is $75.00, and processing takes around 12 weeks. The application must include fingerprints, a certified copy of the final disposition for the case, and a sworn statement confirming eligibility. Once issued, the certificate stays valid for 12 months. If the court petition is not filed within that window, the applicant must start over with a new application and fee.
Filing the Court Petition in Palm Beach County
With the FDLE certificate in hand, the applicant must file a sworn petition with the Clerk of Courts in Palm Beach County. The petition identifies the case, the charges, the disposition, and the specific statute under which relief is sought. A proposed order is attached for the judge to sign. The State Attorney’s Office is formally served and has 20 days to file an objection. The assigned judge then holds a hearing, often without the applicant present, and either grants or denies the petition.
Costs and Effect of an Approved Order
The clerk’s filing fee for a petition to seal or expunge is $42.00. The judge may waive the fee for applicants who can show financial hardship. Once the order is signed, the clerk seals the court file, and PBSO seals its arrest records and booking photos. FDLE updates its database to mark the record as sealed or expunged. The subject can then lawfully deny the arrest ever occurred on most private employment applications, although government agencies and certain licensed professions still have access.
Public Access Laws for Palm Beach County Criminal Records
Florida has one of the broadest public records laws in the country. Florida Statute chapter 119 guarantees every person the right to inspect and copy public records, including criminal court files and police reports, without having to show ID or explain the purpose. Public agencies must respond to records requests promptly during regular business hours. Reasonable fees for copies may be charged, but the act of inspecting a record in person is free.
What Records Are Open by Default
The following Palm Beach County criminal records are open to the public: circuit criminal (felony) case dockets, county criminal (misdemeanor) case dockets, criminal traffic dockets, court filings and orders, arrest affidavits, police incident reports, inmate rosters, active warrant lists, probation status information, and final judgments of guilt or acquittal. The clerk’s online portal exposes most of this data at no charge.
What Records Are Exempt or Restricted
Some categories of records are protected by law and cannot be released to the general public. Sealed and expunged records are confidential. Juvenile criminal records (for offenders under 18 at the time of the offense) are not open to the public. Active criminal intelligence and investigative records stay confidential while an investigation is open. Victim identifying information is redacted from publicly released documents. Grand jury materials and pre-trial diversion records are also restricted.
Penalties for Wrongful Use of Criminal Records
Florida law prohibits the use of criminal record information to harass, intimidate, or discriminate against a person. Under the Florida Credit Reporting Agencies Act, it is a misdemeanor to share sealed or expunged information without authorization. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at the federal level, misuse of criminal records in employment, housing, or credit decisions can trigger civil penalties. Anyone who believes their sealed record has been disclosed unlawfully may file a complaint with FDLE or pursue a private civil action.
Tips for a Successful Palm Beach County Criminal Records Search
Running a public criminal record search in Palm Beach County is straightforward once you know the right tools. The clerk’s portal at mypalmbeachclerk.gov is the best place to start because it covers both felony and misdemeanor cases at no cost. If you need a statewide picture, the FDLE CCHInet service provides a complete Florida history for $25.00 per name. For current jail status, the PBSO inmate search is updated in near real time and includes mugshots and bond amounts.
Common Search Mistakes to Avoid
Many users type a nickname or shortened name into the clerk’s portal and miss matching cases. Always search using the full legal name, including middle name, when possible. The date of birth filter is the single best way to confirm you have the right person when names are common. Spelling variations, hyphenated last names, and last-name changes after marriage can all cause results to be missed. Try a few variations if your first search returns nothing.
When to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
A licensed Florida criminal defense attorney can pull certified records, run a private investigator database, request complete discovery from the State Attorney, and appear in court on your behalf. Anyone facing an active criminal charge, an active warrant, a probation violation, or a sex-offense registration requirement should consult an attorney before contacting law enforcement. Public defender services are available for people who meet the income eligibility guidelines.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts – Quick Reference
Below is a quick reference table with the key contact points for Palm Beach County criminal records. Save these numbers and addresses before visiting any courthouse.
| Service | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Clerk’s Office | 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | 561-355-2991 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Criminal Division | 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | 561-355-2431 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| North County Courthouse | 3188 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 | 561-624-6650 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| South County Courthouse | 200 W. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444 | 561-274-1400 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| West County Courthouse | 38844 State Road 80, Belle Glade, FL 33430 | 561-996-4840 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| PBSO Headquarters | 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 | 561-688-3000 | 24 hours a day |
| FDLE CCHInet (Statewide) | cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us | 850-410-8100 | Online, 24 hours a day |
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most common questions people ask about Palm Beach County criminal records. The answers below come straight from the clerk of courts, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. If your question is not covered here, call the clerk’s criminal division at 561-355-2431 during business hours for live help.
How do I find out if someone has a criminal record in Palm Beach County?
The fastest way is to search the clerk’s free online portal at mypalmbeachclerk.gov. Enter the person’s full name, including middle name when possible, and add a date of birth to filter the results. The portal will return every matching criminal case, including the case number, charges, and final disposition. For a complete Florida-wide history, run an FDLE CCHInet search at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us for $25.00 per name.
Can I see Palm Beach County mugshots online for free?
Yes. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office publishes booking photos of current inmates at pbso.org. The inmate search tool shows a mugshot, full name, booking date, charges, and bond amount. Photos stay on the public site for at least 90 days, even after the inmate is released. The clerk’s online docket also shows mugshots for many felony cases when a booking photo has been filed into the court record.
Are Palm Beach County criminal records free to view?
Yes. Searching the clerk’s online portal is free, and viewing case information on the portal costs nothing. The PBSO inmate search is also free. The only fees you may encounter are for printed or certified copies of documents, plus the $25.00 statewide FDLE search if you need records from outside Palm Beach County.
How long does it take to expunge a criminal record in Palm Beach County?
From start to finish, the process usually takes four to six months. The FDLE Certificate of Eligibility takes about 12 weeks. Filing the court petition and getting a hearing date adds another 30 to 60 days. Once a judge signs the order, the clerk and PBSO take an additional 30 days to seal the records. People with urgent needs can request an expedited hearing, but the judge decides whether to grant the request.
What is the difference between a sealed record and an expunged record?
A sealed record is hidden from the public but still exists in the system. Criminal justice agencies like police, prosecutors, and judges can still see it. An expunged record is physically destroyed by the clerk and most law enforcement agencies, and the subject can lawfully deny the arrest even on most private job applications. Both options still allow disclosure to specific agencies listed in Florida Statute 943.059, including the military, certain licensed professions, and immigration authorities.
Can I get a criminal record removed from Google search results?
A public record itself cannot be removed from Google, but a sealed or expunged record can be. Once the clerk issues a sealing or expungement order, the record is no longer accessible on the public portal. Google then has no source page to index. You can also file a removal request directly with Google under their “personal information” or “legal removal” policies. The clerk will not contact search engines on your behalf, so the petitioner handles the search engine cleanup personally.
What if I cannot find the record I am looking for?
Older cases filed before 1990 may not be in the online portal and must be searched on microfilm at the main courthouse. Some sealed and expunged records are removed from public systems entirely. If a name search returns nothing, try variations of the name, confirm the date of birth, and try a Social Security number if available. You can also visit the clerk’s office in person and ask the public terminal staff to run a deeper search using the older index books held in the records room.