Find St. Johns County Felony Records

St. Johns County maintains felony records at the Clerk of Court office in St. Augustine. The clerk keeps all criminal case files for cases filed in the county. You can search these records online or visit the courthouse in person. The office follows Florida public records laws. This ensures access to court documents for all residents.

St. Johns County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

Brandon J. Patty serves as the Clerk of Court for St. Johns County. His office is located in the historic city of St. Augustine. The clerk maintains all official court records for the county. You can access these files during regular business hours.

Visit stjohnsclerk.com for online access to records. The website offers search tools for court cases. You can look up felony cases by name or case number. The system is free to use for basic searches. Some documents may require fees to view or print.

The Criminal Division handles all felony cases for St. Johns County. This includes serious crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Cases range from theft and drug crimes to violent offenses. The clerk tracks each case from arrest through final outcome.

To obtain records in person, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse. Bring valid identification. Staff can help you locate specific case files. Copies are available for a small fee per page. Certified copies cost one dollar each.

FDLE Statewide Criminal History Search

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains felony records from all 67 counties. This includes St. Johns County cases. The FDLE online portal offers instant name-based searches for $25. Results display immediately after payment.

Use the FDLE search to find criminal history across Florida. The system shows charges, convictions, and case outcomes. It also displays pending cases and arrests. Visit web.fdle.state.fl.us/search to begin your search.

When searching, provide the full legal name and date of birth. Gender is required for the search. A Social Security number helps ensure accuracy but is optional. The search covers the entire state database. This is useful if a person has records in multiple counties.

Note: Sealed and expunged records do not appear in FDLE searches. Juvenile records have limited access.

St. Johns County Court Case Files

Court records in St. Johns County include detailed case information. You can view charges, court dates, and final judgments. The clerk also maintains financial records for each case. This includes fines, fees, and restitution orders.

The online research portal at stjohnsclerk.com/online-research provides public access. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The system displays case summaries and document lists. Some records may require in-person review.

For comprehensive searches, use the Landmark Official Records system. This platform offers advanced search features. It covers both court records and official recorded documents. Access it through the clerk's website.

The Landmark system allows you to search across multiple record types. This includes judgments, liens, and other official documents. The tool is useful for comprehensive background research.

Florida State Criminal Record Resources

Florida provides several tools for finding felony records. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes guarantees public access to most records. The FDLE serves as the central repository for criminal history.

The Department of Corrections operates an Offender Search at dc.state.fl.us. This free tool shows inmates. You can find people sent to state prison. Records include photos, facility locations, and release dates.

Learn about your public records rights at leg.state.fl.us. The law requires agencies to respond promptly to requests. You do not need to explain why you want the records.

Record Retention and Archives

Court records follow specific retention schedules set by Florida law. Active cases remain in the main office files. Closed cases move to archives after a set period. The clerk maintains both physical and digital archives.

Digital records date back to the early 2000s for most counties. Older records exist on paper or microfilm. Some historic records may be stored off-site. The clerk can retrieve these with advance notice.

Retention periods vary by case type. Felony cases typically remain accessible indefinitely. This ensures public access to serious criminal history. The clerk manages these records according to state guidelines.

For very old cases, contact the clerk to check availability. Some records from before the 1970s may have different storage locations.

How to Request Felony Records

You have several options for obtaining felony records from this county. The clerk accepts requests in person, by mail, or through online portals. Each method has its own time frame and cost. In-person visits offer same-day access to most records. Mail requests take longer but work well for certified copies.

When submitting a request, include as much detail as possible. Full names help narrow results. Case numbers speed up the search. Dates of birth reduce confusion between people with similar names. The more details you provide, the faster staff can locate files.

Fees vary based on the type of copy you need. Standard photocopies cost 15 cents per page. Certified copies cost one dollar per document. Payment methods include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit cards.

Note: Processing times may vary during busy periods.

Understanding Felony Case Files

Felony case files contain multiple types of documents. The initial complaint or arrest report starts the file. Charging documents follow from the state attorney. Court orders track the case through hearings. Final judgments show the outcome.

You may also find witness statements and evidence lists. Financial documents show fines and restitution. Probation orders appear for cases with supervision. Each document tells part of the story.

Understanding what each document means helps you interpret the case. The clerk can explain the general flow of a case file. However, they cannot give legal advice about what the records mean.

Counties Near St. Johns

Cases sometimes cross county lines. Check these nearby clerks for complete records.