Union County Felony Records Access

Union County maintains felony records at the Clerk of Court office in Lake Butler. These court files document serious criminal cases filed in the county. Florida law makes these records available to the public. You can search online or visit the courthouse. The process follows Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes.

Union County Clerk of Court

The Union County Clerk of Court serves the county from Lake Butler. Contact the office at (386) 496-3711. The staff can help with record requests during business hours. The website is www.unionclerk.org.

The clerk maintains all felony case records for Union County. These include serious crimes handled by the circuit court. Records track each case from initial filing through final judgment. The records show charges, court dates, and outcomes. All of this information is open to the public.

Under Florida law, court records are open to public inspection. Visit the clerk's office during regular hours. Staff members can help you locate specific files. Bring identifying information to assist with your search. Copies are available for a fee.

Standard copies cost 15 cents per page. Certified copies cost $1 each. Payment is due at the time of copying. The office accepts cash and other standard payment methods.

FDLE Statewide Criminal History Search

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement includes Union County in its criminal database. You can search statewide records for $25. The online system provides instant results. This covers all 67 Florida counties.

Visit web.fdle.state.fl.us/search to begin. Enter the person's full legal name and date of birth. Specify gender for better accuracy. The search returns records from all 67 Florida counties.

According to FDLE guidelines, results show felony charges, convictions, and pending cases. The database updates regularly. This is the most complete source for Florida criminal history.

Note: Sealed and expunged records do not appear in searches.

Union County Court Records

Court records in Union County contain detailed case information. You can view the original charges filed. Court orders and motions appear in the file. Final judgments document case outcomes.

The clerk organizes records for easy access. Search by defendant name or case number. Financial records track fines, fees, and costs. Some files include restitution orders for victims.

For cases resulting in prison sentences, check the DOC database. The Department of Corrections tracks inmates statewide. This complements the court records with incarceration details.

Archived records may require special requests.

Florida State Criminal Record Resources

Florida provides multiple tools for finding felony records. The FDLE maintains the central criminal history database. The DOC tracks current and former inmates. Public records law ensures open access.

Search the DOC Offender database at dc.state.fl.us. This free service shows people in state prison. You can find Union County residents who received prison sentences.

Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes protects your rights. Visit leg.state.fl.us to read the law. Agencies must provide access without unnecessary delay.

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. Contact the clerk for assistance.

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.

Note: Contact the clerk for special assistance with complex requests. The office staff can help.

Nearby Counties to Union

Criminal cases may involve neighboring counties. Check these clerks for complete information.