The Manatee County Court Docket is a public ledger of every case filed, heard, and decided in Manatee County, Florida. It sits under the 12th Judicial Circuit and covers Manatee, DeSoto, and Sarasota Counties. Anyone can look up active and closed cases online through the Clerk of the Circuit Court, or in person at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.
More than 400,000 people live in Manatee County. Each year the courts handle thousands of civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. Every motion, hearing, and order gets a docket entry. This page explains how the docket system works, how to search it, what each case type shows, and where to get help.
What Is a Manatee County Court Docket?
A court docket is a running list of every step in a legal case. It shows who filed what, when they filed it, and what the judge ordered next. In Manatee County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps the official docket for both the Circuit Court and the County Court.
Each entry has a date, a short description, and a document number. You can see motions, orders, hearing results, judgments, and fees paid. The docket also shows the assigned judge, the attorneys of record, and the current case status.
Florida law makes docket records public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to view and copy these records. You do not need a reason to ask. You also do not need to be a lawyer, party to the case, or Florida resident.
How the Manatee County Court System Works
Manatee County has two trial court levels. Each one keeps a separate docket.
Circuit Court Docket
The Circuit Court handles cases with the highest stakes. This includes felonies, family law, divorce, juvenile matters, probate, guardianship, and civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $50,000. Circuit Court judges also hear appeals from County Court decisions.
County Court Docket
The County Court handles less serious matters. This includes misdemeanors, traffic infractions, DUI, small claims up to $8,000, county civil cases up to $50,000, and landlord-tenant disputes. County Court judges also preside over marriage ceremonies and issue protective orders in domestic violence cases.
Appellate Court Docket
When a case is appealed, it moves to the District Court of Appeal. The 2nd District Court of Appeal serves Manatee County. The federal docket is separate and runs through the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.
How to Search the Manatee County Court Docket Online
The fastest way to find a docket is the online search tool. The Clerk of Court runs a free public search on its website. You can search by name, case number, citation number, or date range.
Step 1: Open the Clerk Website
Go to manateeclerk.com. On the home page, click the “Court Records” link. This opens the case search portal. No account or login is needed for basic public searches.
Step 2: Pick Your Search Type
The system gives four search options. Choose the one that fits what you know:
- Party Name Search – Use this when you know a person’s full legal name. You can add a date of birth to narrow results.
- Case Number Search – Use this when you have the exact case number, such as 2024-CA-001234.
- Citation Number Search – Use this for traffic tickets and minor violations.
- Business Name Search – Use this for cases involving a company or corporation.
Step 3: Enter the Date Range
Set a date range to limit results. A narrow range works better for common names. You can search back to 1985 in most case types.
Step 4: Read the Results
Each result shows the party names, case type, filing date, assigned division, and current status. Click the case number to see the full docket. You can then click each docket entry to view the scanned document image.
Types of Cases in the Manatee County Docket
The Manatee County docket covers many case categories. Each one uses a different case type code. Knowing the code helps you search the right division.
Civil Court Docket
Civil cases involve disputes between people, businesses, or government agencies. The docket shows complaints filed, answers, motions, hearings, and final judgments. Civil cases are split by dollar amount. Cases over $50,000 go to Circuit Court. Cases at or below $50,000 go to County Court. Mortgage foreclosures, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and insurance fights all fall under civil dockets.
Criminal Court Docket
Criminal cases track charges filed by the State of Florida. Felonies go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanors go to County Court. The docket shows arrests, initial appearances, arraignments, pretrial hearings, plea agreements, trials, and sentencing. Each entry lists the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney.
Felony Docket
Felony cases appear in Circuit Court under case types like CF (felony criminal), TC (felony traffic), and CFJ (juvenile felony). These cases carry penalties over one year in prison. The docket tracks grand jury indictments, motions to suppress, discovery deadlines, and trial dates.
Misdemeanor Docket
Misdemeanor cases appear in County Court under case types like MM (misdemeanor) and TC (lesser traffic criminal). These cases carry penalties up to one year in jail. Common charges include simple battery, petty theft, and first-time DUI.
Traffic Court Docket
Traffic infractions appear in County Court under the TR case type. This includes speeding tickets, red light camera citations, and driving with a suspended license. The docket shows the fine amount, court date, and election to contest or pay.
Probate Court Docket
Probate cases handle wills, estates, and guardianships. The docket shows the petition, the will filing, the personal representative appointment, creditor claims, inventory filings, and final distribution orders. Probate cases use the PR or GA case type codes.
Family Court Docket
Family cases cover divorce, custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and domestic violence injunctions. The docket shows petitions, financial disclosures, mediation reports, parenting class certificates, and final judgments. Family cases use codes like DR (dissolution), IN (injunction), and AP (adoption).
Juvenile Docket
Juvenile cases involve minors under 18. Delinquency cases use the DP code. Dependency cases, where the state removes a child from a home, use the DP and DN codes. Most juvenile records are confidential under Florida law. Only limited docket data appears in the public search.
Small Claims Docket
Small claims cases involve disputes up to $8,000. The docket is simple and fast. It shows the claim filed, the hearing date, and the judgment. Small claims uses the SC case type code.
How to Read a Manatee County Docket Entry
Each docket line has six parts. Knowing each part helps you follow the case without calling the clerk.
- Date – The day the clerk entered the record.
- Description – A short note about the event.
- Document Number – A link to the scanned file.
- Filed By – The party or attorney who filed the document.
- Pages – The number of pages in the filed document.
- Amount – Any fee paid with the filing.
Common docket codes include MOT (motion), ORD (order), NOT (notice), HRG (hearing), and JMT (judgment). A new entry appears the same day the clerk processes the document.
Manatee County Court Calendar and Daily Docket
The daily docket shows every hearing on the schedule for a given judge or division. You can view the calendar online through the Clerk’s website. The calendar lists case numbers, party names, hearing type, and the courtroom location.
Arraignment dockets, trial dockets, and motion dockets are posted the day before. Juvenile and sealed hearings are not shown on the public calendar. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office also posts warrant and bond data, but those lists run on a separate system.
For upcoming court dates, search your case and look for the next event date in the docket. The system updates each evening with the next business day schedule.
E-Filing in Manatee County
Attorneys must file most documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Self-represented parties can also e-file. The portal is at myflcourtaccess.com. It works for civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims cases.
To e-file, you need a valid email and a credit card for filing fees. Standard fees include a $10 flat portal convenience charge on top of the clerk filing fee. Most filings get processed within one business day. The portal sends an email when the clerk accepts the filing.
Common Filing Fees
- New civil case filing: $401 in Circuit Court, $300 in County Court
- Small claims filing: $55
- Family dissolution filing: $409
- Probate petition filing: $235
- Motion filing: $50 in most divisions
- Certified copy: $2 per page
Fees change each year. Check the current fee schedule on manateeclerk.com before filing.
Mobile App and Hearing Alerts
The Manatee Clerk offers a free mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store. The app lets you search court records, pay traffic tickets, view official records, and get push notifications about case events.
You can also sign up for text alerts on the 12th Judicial Circuit website. The system sends a text before each hearing for any case number you add. This service is free and open to the public.
Confidential and Sealed Records
Most docket records are public. Some are not. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists the exceptions. Common sealed records include:
- Adoption files
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Mental health commitment orders
- Sealed criminal cases after expungement
- Trade secrets in civil cases
- Personal identifiers like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers
You can see that a sealed case exists, but the docket details are not visible. To get a sealed record, you must file a motion and get a court order.
How to Get Certified Copies
You can order certified copies of docket documents in three ways:
- Online – Through the Clerk’s website using a credit card.
- In Person – At the clerk’s office on the first floor of the Judicial Center.
- By Mail – Send a written request with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment to the clerk’s office.
Certified copies cost $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Each additional page of the same document costs $1. The clerk processes most requests within five business days.
Manatee County Clerk Contact Details
Office: Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 749-1800
Website: https://www.manateeclerk.com
Traffic School Email: traffic@manateeclerk.com
General Email: servicedesk@manateeclerk.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions About Manatee County Court Docket
How do I find a specific case on the Manatee County Court Docket?
Use the Clerk’s online search at manateeclerk.com. Enter the party name, case number, or citation. Add a date range to narrow results. The docket shows all filings, hearings, and orders in the case. You can click any docket entry to see the scanned document. If you cannot find the case, try alternate spellings of the name or contact the clerk’s office by phone.
Can I view Manatee County criminal records online?
Yes. Criminal dockets are public under Florida law. Search by defendant name or case number. The docket shows charges, pleas, motions, hearings, and judgments. Sealed and expunged criminal records do not appear. Juvenile criminal records are also hidden. For criminal history background checks, use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at fdle.state.fl.us.
What does it cost to search the Manatee County docket?
Basic docket searches are free. The Clerk’s online portal does not charge for looking up cases or viewing docket entries. You only pay if you request certified copies. The fee is $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card.
How long does Manatee County keep court records?
Most Manatee County court records are kept permanently. Felony cases, civil cases over $50,000, probate cases, and family cases never get destroyed. Misdemeanor records are kept for at least five years after the case ends. Traffic infractions are kept for at least two years. Older paper records have been scanned and saved as digital images. You can access these through the online search tool.
Can I attend a court hearing in Manatee County?
Yes. Most court hearings in Manatee County are open to the public. Sit in the gallery of any courtroom during posted hours. Bring photo ID to enter the Judicial Center. Sealed hearings, juvenile proceedings, and certain family hearings are closed. No electronic devices are allowed in the courthouse without prior permission. Photography and recording are not allowed without a court order.
What is the difference between the docket and the case file?
The docket is a running list of all events in a case. It includes short notes, dates, and links to documents. The case file is the full collection of all original documents filed in the case. The clerk keeps the original file. You see the file by viewing each docket entry’s scanned image. Certified copies come from the case file.
How do I get a case number in Manatee County?
You get a case number when you file a new case. The clerk assigns it the same day. The format includes the year, the case type code, and a sequence number. For example, 2024-CA-001234 means a 2024 civil action. You can look up your case number through the online search by party name. If you filed by paper, the clerk mails the case number to you within one business day.