Palm Beach County Felony Records Lookup
Palm Beach County felony records document serious crimes in West Palm Beach and surrounding areas. The Clerk of Court maintains these files. You can search online or visit in person. Records show charges, hearings, and outcomes. Most are public under Florida law.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts
Under Clerk Mike Caruso, the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts manages a large volume of records. The office serves over 1.5 million residents. The main location is in West Palm Beach. Branch offices exist in other towns. You can call the clerk at (561) 355-2994.
According to the clerk's website, you can search records online. Visit mypalmbeachclerk.com to start. The portal shows case details and hearing dates. You can search by name or case number. Basic facts are free. Copies may need fees.
The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Some services close early. Check before you visit. Parking is available at most locations. The main office is near the courthouse on North Dixie Highway.
Palm Beach County has records going back many years. Recent cases are all digital. Older files may be on paper. The clerk can find these with notice. Archives hold cases from decades past. Plan ahead for old searches.
The Palm Beach County Clerk serves the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Felony cases are processed through the criminal court division. Contact the clerk for information about case status or document requests.
For help with searches, call the clerk. Staff can guide you through the process. You can also email for support. Responses take one to two business days.
FDLE Criminal History for Palm Beach County
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a statewide database. This includes all Palm Beach County felony cases. You can search online for $24 plus $1. Results appear instantly after payment.
To search, enter the full name and date of birth. Gender helps narrow results. Social Security numbers are optional. The system covers all Florida counties. This helps find cases in other areas.
Sealed records stay private. Expunged files do not appear. Juvenile cases have limits. Active cases may lack full details. The FDLE updates daily. New charges show up fast.
Visit the FDLE portal to search. Check www.fdle.state.fl.us for more tools.
Note: The FDLE search provides the most complete view of criminal history across Florida. The $25 fee includes the $24 search cost plus a $1 processing charge.
For those who need certified copies of criminal history records, FDLE offers mail requests processed within 5 to 7 business days. The same $24 fee applies. You may also request a personal review of your own criminal history record at no charge under Florida law.
Palm Beach County Court Records Access
The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit covers Palm Beach County. This court hears all felony cases. Records track each step of a case. You can view charges, motions, and orders. Sentencing details are public. The clerk holds all files.
In most cases, you can search at the courthouse. Public terminals are free to use. Staff can help if you need it. Printing costs per page. You may save files to a device. Some courts allow this free.
The main courthouse is in West Palm Beach. It serves all of Palm Beach County. Security checks are at all doors. Bring photo ID. Arrive early to clear security. The building is near downtown.
Old cases may need archive access. The clerk can pull these with time. Digital scans exist for newer files. Searches are quick for recent years. Plan ahead for very old records.
Note: Palm Beach County court records are open under Florida's Sunshine Law, Chapter 119.
Florida State Criminal Record Resources
State agencies offer more tools. The Florida Department of Corrections tracks inmates. Find status and release dates. This service is free. Visit their site to use it.
Chapter 119 of Florida law gives rights to public records. Courts must respond to requests. Some files have limits. Most court records stay open. You can request copies by mail.
Sealing records is possible for some. This hides cases from public view. Strict rules apply. You may need a lawyer. The FDLE reviews all requests. Processing takes several weeks.
Victims can sign up for alerts. The state sends case updates. You learn about hearings and releases. This helps keep families safe. The service is free online.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides access to criminal history records and seal or expunge information. Visit their website for comprehensive services.
The FDLE Seal and Expunge Section handles Certificate of Eligibility requests. Processing typically takes 12 weeks from receipt of a completed application packet. The certificate costs $75 and remains valid for 12 months from the date stamped.
To begin the sealing process, you must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE before petitioning the court. Only first-time offenders with no prior seal or expunge orders qualify.
Nearby Counties for Felony Records
If your search spans beyond Palm Beach County, check these nearby areas. Each keeps its own records. You must search them one by one.