Florida Criminal Court Records

St Lucie County Criminal Records – Fast Court Case Lookup

St Lucie County criminal records are public court files that show felony, misdemeanor, and traffic criminal cases filed in the 19th Judicial Circuit. These records are kept by the St.

Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Anyone can look up a case by name, case number, or hearing date using free online portals. This page explains exactly where to search, what you can see, what is sealed, and how to get certified copies for legal use.

How St Lucie County Criminal Records Work

Criminal records in St Lucie County are created when a law enforcement agency makes an arrest or files a case. The record then moves through the court system, where a judge hears the matter and issues a final outcome. Each step creates a new entry in the court file. Members of the public can see these entries unless a judge orders the file sealed or expunged.

What Goes Into a Criminal Record

A standard St Lucie County criminal case file contains the charging document, the arrest affidavit, bond records, court orders, motions, plea paperwork, and the final judgment. You can also see the docket entries, which list every action the court took on the case. These entries show the charges, the plea, the sentence, and whether the person got probation, jail time, or a fine.

Who Keeps the Records

Three agencies hold criminal records in St Lucie County. The Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps court case files. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest reports and jail records. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps a statewide history that includes St. Lucie County arrests and convictions.

What Records Are Open to the Public

Most adult criminal cases are public under Florida’s public records law. Sealed records, expunged records, juvenile records, and active criminal intelligence files are not open. A sealed case still exists in the system, but the public cannot see it without a court order.

St Lucie County Clerk of Court Criminal Records

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is the main source for St Lucie County criminal court records. The office keeps a master index of every case filed in the county. You can search this index online or visit the office in person to see the full file.

Clerk Office Location and Contact Details

The main Clerk’s office sits at 201 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34950. The general phone line is (772) 462-6900. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for court holidays. The official website is stlucieclerk.gov, where you can access the online search tool.

The Clerk runs a public online search portal that lets you look up criminal cases by name, case number, or date range. The portal covers all criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, county ordinances, and traffic criminal offenses. Basic case data is free to view, and the portal runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Searching by Name

To search by name, type the last name first, then the first name. If the name is common, add a middle name or a date of birth to narrow the results. The portal will show every case where that name appears, including cases where the charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in a conviction.

Searching by Case Number

Each case has a unique number, also called a uniform case number. The format is the year, the court type code, and a sequence number. If you know the case number, you can pull the full docket and the scanned documents filed in the case.

Getting Certified Copies

Certified copies of court documents have a raised seal and a clerk’s signature. You can order them online, by mail, or in person. The cost is $1 per page for most documents, plus a $2 certification fee per document. Certified copies are often required for immigration, employment, or personal legal matters.

If you want to look at the full physical file, visit the public records room at the main courthouse. The clerk’s staff can pull the file for you during business hours. You can take notes and ask for printed copies at the standard per-page rate.

St Lucie County Criminal Case Search by Type

Different criminal charges follow different court paths. The Clerk’s portal separates them so you can search by the type of case you need.

Felony Court Records

Felony charges in St Lucie County are handled by the Circuit Court. These include serious offenses such as burglary, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and robbery. Felony records show the formal charges, grand jury indictments, plea hearings, trial dates, and sentencing orders. You can find felony cases under the Circuit Criminal section of the online portal.

Misdemeanor Court Records

Misdemeanors are less serious offenses and are handled in County Court. These include simple assault, petty theft, minor drug possession, and first-offense DUI. The County Criminal section of the portal lists these cases, including plea deals, probation orders, and fines.

Criminal Traffic Offenses

Criminal traffic cases include reckless driving, driving with a suspended license causing death or injury, and DUI. These records are kept in the County Criminal Traffic section of the online system. You can see the citation number, the trooper or officer who issued it, and the court outcome.

A court docket is the running list of every paper filed and every order entered in a case. The docket shows hearing dates, motions, pleas, and the final outcome.

How to Pull a Docket Online

Open the Clerk’s online portal and enter the party name or case number. Click the case caption to open the docket sheet. The docket will list each event in date order, from the first filing to the last entry. Each entry shows the document type, the filing party, and a link to view the scanned image if it is available.

Reading Docket Entries

Each docket entry has a short code that describes the action. Common codes include “ARR” for arraignment, “PLE” for plea, “MOT” for motion, “JUD” for judgment, and “SEN” for sentence. The docket also shows the judge assigned to the case, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney of record.

Case Status Meanings

The portal shows the current status of every case. Active cases show the next hearing date. Closed cases show the final outcome, such as “Adjudication Withheld,” “Dismissed,” “Nolle Prosse,” or “Conviction.” If the case is on appeal, the system shows the appellate court where the case was transferred.

St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Records

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking data. These records are separate from the court records kept by the Clerk.

Sheriff’s Office Location and Contact

The main Sheriff’s Office is at 4700 West Midway Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34981. The general line is (772) 462-7300. The public information office handles records requests during business hours. The official website is stluciesheriff.com.

The Sheriff’s Office runs an online inmate lookup tool on its website. You can search current inmates by name or booking date. The search shows the booking photo, the charges, the bond amount, and the next court date. The system updates several times a day with new bookings and releases.

Arrest Records and Incident Reports

Incident reports and arrest affidavits are public records in Florida. You can request a copy from the Sheriff’s Office records unit. A standard report costs a small per-page fee. Reports that are part of an active investigation may be exempt from release until the case is closed.

Active warrants are public records. The Sheriff’s Office does not publish a full warrant list online for safety reasons, but you can call the warrant unit at (772) 462-3217 to check if a person has an open warrant. You can also ask the Clerk’s office to search for outstanding capias warrants in a criminal case.

For a Florida-wide search that includes St Lucie County, use the state systems below.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the Computerized Criminal History system, called CCH. You can request a name-based search through the FDLE website at fdle.state.fl.us. The cost is $24 per search, plus a $1 processing fee for credit card payments. Results arrive by email within minutes and cover all Florida arrests and convictions on file.

The Florida Department of Corrections tracks state prison inmates. You can search the inmate database at dc.state.fl.us for anyone sentenced to state prison from St Lucie County. The search shows the current facility, the release date, and the underlying offense.

Sexual Offender and Predator Registry

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also runs the Sexual Offender and Predator Registry. You can search by name or by address to find registered offenders in St Lucie County. The registry shows the current address, the qualifying offense, and the registration status.

Sealing and Expunging St Lucie County Criminal Records

Florida law lets some people hide a criminal record from public view. The process has two steps: a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE, and a court order from a St Lucie County judge.

Who Can Seal or Expunge a Record

You can apply if you were arrested but never charged, if the charges were dropped, if you completed a diversion program, or if you got a withhold of adjudication on a qualifying charge. You cannot seal or expunge a record if you were convicted of certain crimes, including murder, sexual offenses, and most felonies that carry mandatory prison time.

How to Get a Certificate of Eligibility

Submit an application to FDLE along with a $75 fee and a full set of fingerprints. FDLE runs a state and national background check, then issues a Certificate of Eligibility if you qualify. The certificate is good for 12 months. You must file your court petition before the certificate expires.

Filing the Court Petition

After you have the certificate, file a petition to seal or expunge with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in St Lucie County. A judge will review the petition and set a hearing if needed. If the judge signs the order, the Clerk seals the file and sends a copy to the Sheriff’s Office and FDLE, which then update their records.

What Happens After a Record Is Sealed

A sealed record is removed from public search portals. Most private background check companies will not show the record. You can legally say you do not have a criminal record in most situations. A sealed record can still be seen by law enforcement, the courts, and some government agencies for specific purposes listed in Florida law.

Public Access Rules and Fees

Florida law guarantees broad public access to criminal records, but it also sets clear limits on what is free and what costs money.

Florida Public Records Act

Florida Statute Chapter 119 gives every citizen the right to inspect and copy public records made or received by a government agency. The Clerk, the Sheriff, and the courts must follow this law. A person does not have to give a reason for the request.

Record Request Fees

Online searches are free. Printed copies are $1 per page. Certified copies are $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Search fees may apply if the request takes more than 15 minutes of staff time. The Clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.

Records That Are Not Public

Sealed and expunged records are not public. Juvenile records have strict limits on access. Active criminal intelligence and investigative records are exempt while the case is open. Personal information about victims of certain crimes, such as sexual battery, is redacted from public files.

How to Find Someone in the St Lucie County Jail

The Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and posts current inmates online. This is the fastest way to see if someone was recently arrested in St Lucie County.

Using the Inmate Lookup Tool

Open the Sheriff’s Office website and click the “Inmate Search” link. Type the last name first. The result page shows the booking photo, the date and time of arrest, the charges, and the bond amount. The tool also shows the next scheduled court date if the court has set one.

Bond and Release Information

If the inmate is eligible for bond, the system shows the bond amount and the type of bond. Common bond types include cash bond, surety bond, and pretrial release. You can pay a cash bond at the jail 24 hours a day. Surety bonds must be posted through a licensed bail bond agent.

Phone Calls and Visitation

Inmates can make outgoing phone calls through the jail phone system. Friends and family can set up a prepaid account to receive calls. Visitation is by appointment only and must be scheduled in advance through the jail visitation system. The Sheriff’s Office website lists the current visitation hours and rules.

Common Record Search Questions

Below are answers to questions people ask most often when they search St Lucie County criminal records.

How long does it take for a new arrest to show up online?

Court records usually appear in the online portal within 24 to 48 hours after the Clerk enters the case. Arrest data at the Sheriff’s Office appears within a few hours of booking, but the linked court case may take longer to sync.

Can I remove old records from the internet?

You can only remove records that have been sealed or expunged by a court order. Third-party websites that publish old public records are not under the Clerk’s control. You must contact each site directly and ask them to remove the record, or hire a record-clearing service to handle the requests.

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

A felony is a serious crime punishable by more than one year in state prison. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime punishable by up to one year in county jail. The Clerk’s portal separates these into different search sections so you can see the charge level at a glance.

Can I search for free?

Yes. The Clerk’s online portal and the Sheriff’s inmate search are free. The FDLE statewide search has a $24 fee plus a $1 processing fee because it covers a national fingerprint-based check.

Are federal cases in the county records?

No. Federal cases are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in West Palm Beach or Fort Pierce. You can search federal cases through PACER, the federal court public access system, at pacer.uscourts.gov.

St Lucie County Courthouse and Contact Details

The St Lucie County Courthouse sits at 201 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34950. The Clerk’s main phone number is (772) 462-6900. The Clerk’s website is stlucieclerk.gov. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for court holidays. The Sheriff’s Office is at 4700 West Midway Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34981, and can be reached at (772) 462-7300. The Sheriff’s website is stluciesheriff.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About St Lucie County Criminal Records

These answers cover the specific record topics that come up most often. They are written for people who need quick, plain-language help with a real record question. Use them as a starting point, then call the Clerk or Sheriff for case-specific answers.

How do I find out if someone has a criminal case in St Lucie County?

Open the Clerk’s online portal at stlucieclerk.gov and click “Court Records Search.” Enter the person’s last name, then first name. If you know the middle name or date of birth, add it to narrow the results. The portal will show every criminal case under that name, open or closed. You can click each case to see the full docket and any scanned documents. If you do not have internet access, call the Clerk at (772) 462-6900 during business hours and ask the records desk to run a name search. There is no fee for a basic name search over the phone.

Can I see a mugshot and booking details for someone in the St Lucie County jail?

Yes. The Sheriff’s Office inmate lookup tool shows the booking photo, the booking date and time, the current charges, and the bond amount. The tool updates several times each day. Go to stluciesheriff.com and click the “Inmate Search” link. If the person has been released, the record will still appear for a short time, then drop off the public search. For older bookings, you must request a record from the Sheriff’s records unit and pay the standard copy fee.

What is the cost of a certified copy of a court record in St Lucie County?

Certified copies are $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee per document. Standard copies are $1 per page with no certification fee. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card. The Clerk’s office charges the same fees for online, mail, and in-person requests. Many employers, courts, and immigration offices will not accept a standard copy, so always order a certified copy if the document will be used for legal or official purposes.

How do I seal a St Lucie County criminal record?

Start by getting a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. Submit the FDLE application with a $75 fee and a full set of fingerprints. FDLE will run a state and national check, then mail the certificate if you qualify. The certificate is good for 12 months. File a petition to seal or expunge with the St Lucie County Clerk and pay the court filing fee. A judge will review the petition. If the judge signs the order, the Clerk will seal the file and notify the Sheriff and FDLE, which will then update their records. Most record seals take three to six months from the first FDLE application to the final court order.

Are St Lucie County arrest records the same as court records?

No. Arrest records come from the Sheriff’s Office and show the arrest, the booking, and the charges at the time of arrest. Court records come from the Clerk and show what happened after the case was filed, including motions, pleas, and sentences. The two records often overlap, but they are kept by different agencies and can have slightly different information. The Sheriff’s record may show charges that the State Attorney later dropped. The court record shows the final, official outcome of the case.

Can I search for a St Lucie County criminal case by case number only?

Yes. If you have the case number, you can pull the full docket and all scanned documents from the Clerk’s online portal. The case number format in St Lucie County is a four-digit year, followed by a case type code, then a six-digit sequence number. For example, a 2024 felony case might read 2024CF001234. If you do not know the case number, you can search by name, then click each result to find the matching number.

What happens to criminal records after a case is closed?

Closed cases stay in the Clerk’s online portal as public records unless a judge orders the case sealed or expunged. Most adult criminal cases remain public forever, even decades after the final judgment. Juvenile cases are sealed automatically when the case is closed and are not visible to the public. Expunged cases are removed from public search portals, but a record still exists in the sealed archive kept by the Clerk.