Pinellas County Court Docket records are the official list of filings, hearings, and rulings for every case handled by the 6th Judicial Circuit in Florida. The Clerk of Court, Ken Burke, keeps these records in Clearwater.
Anyone can search the Pinellas County court docket online, by phone, or in person. This page shows you how to look up cases, what each docket entry means, and where to go for help with civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate matters in the county.
What Is a Pinellas County Court Docket
A court docket is the running log of every event in a legal case. Each time a document is filed, a hearing is set, or a judge issues a ruling, a new line goes on the docket. In Pinellas County, the docket records the case number, the names of the parties, the lawyers involved, the charges or claims, and the date of every step in the case.
The Pinellas County court docket covers both the Circuit Court and the County Court. The Circuit Court handles felonies, family law, probate, juvenile, and civil cases over $50,000. The County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, evictions, and civil cases at or below $50,000. Both courts share the same online search system run by the Clerk of Court.
How to Search Pinellas County Court Docket Records Online
The Clerk of Court runs a free public search at courtrecords.mypinellasclerk.gov. You do not need an account. Type a last name, a business name, or a case number into the search bar. The system pulls up matching cases across all court types in Pinellas County.
Search results show the case number, case type, filing date, party names, and a list of docket entries. Each entry lists the date, the type of filing, the name of the filer, and a short description. Click on a docket entry to see the full document if it is open to the public. Some documents need clerk review before you can view them. That process is called View On Request.
You can also narrow your search by court type, date range, or case status. Use the filters on the left side of the search page. The portal works best in a single browser window. The system may log you out if you open multiple tabs. Clear your browser cache if the page loads slowly.
Pinellas County Court Docket by Case Number
If you already have a case number, the fastest way to pull up a Pinellas County court docket is to type the number into the search box on the clerk portal. The format for case numbers in the 6th Judicial Circuit uses the year, the court type code, and a serial number. For example, a 2024 felony case might read 24-CF-001234.
Court type codes include CF for felony, MM for misdemeanor, TR for traffic, DR for family, PR for probate, CC for civil county, and SC for small claims. Juvenile cases use the code DP for dependency or DJ for delinquency. Knowing the code helps you spot the type of case before you open the full docket.
Pinellas County Civil Court Docket
The Pinellas County civil court docket covers disputes between people, businesses, or groups where the claim is over $50,000. Common case types include contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property damage lawsuits. The Circuit Civil Division hears these cases at the Clearwater courthouse and the St. Petersburg branch.
You can search civil dockets by party name, attorney bar number, or case number. The docket will list the complaint, the answer, motions, hearings, and the final judgment. Civil cases can take a year or more to reach a verdict, so the docket often has dozens of entries. Each motion and response becomes a new line on the docket sheet.
Pinellas County Criminal Court Docket
The Pinellas County criminal court docket lists every felony and misdemeanor case filed in the county. Felonies go to the Circuit Criminal Court. Misdemeanors go to the County Criminal Court. The docket tracks each step from arrest to arraignment, pretrial hearings, plea deals, trials, and sentencing.
Public defenders, private lawyers, and self-represented defendants all check the criminal docket to track court dates. The docket also shows bond conditions, probation violations, and appeal filings. Search the criminal docket by full name, date of birth, or case number for the most accurate results.
Pinellas County Felony Docket
Felony cases in Pinellas County are filed under the CF case code. These are the most serious criminal matters and carry penalties of more than one year in prison. The felony docket shows the formal charges, the grand jury indictment or information, and the names of the prosecutors and defense lawyers.
You can view felony docket entries for open and closed cases. Sealed records, however, will not show up in the public search. Juvenile felony records also stay sealed under Florida law.
Pinellas County Misdemeanor Docket
Misdemeanor cases use the MM case code. These include simple assault, petty theft, minor drug possession, and first DUI offenses. The misdemeanor docket tracks arraignment, pretrial conferences, plea hearings, and trial dates. Most misdemeanor cases resolve within six months of the arrest date.
Pinellas County Traffic Court Docket
The traffic court docket covers moving violations, speeding tickets, license suspensions, and DUI charges filed as traffic infractions. Most traffic cases are heard at the Clearwater Traffic Court or the St. Petersburg branch. You can search traffic dockets by citation number, driver license number, or full name.
Paying a traffic ticket adds a closing entry to the docket. If you contest the ticket, the docket will show the trial date, the hearing officer, and the ruling. Some traffic cases get transferred to criminal court if the charge carries a potential jail sentence.
Pinellas County Family Court Docket
Family court handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence injunctions, and paternity cases. The Pinellas County family court docket uses the DR case code. These cases often have sealed sections to protect minors and financial records, but the docket itself stays public.
You can view hearing dates, motion filings, and final judgments on the family court docket. Confidential settlement agreements and sealed psychological evaluations do not appear in the public search. The Clerk of Court can help you tell the difference between public and sealed docket entries.
Pinellas County Probate Court Docket
Probate cases deal with wills, estates, and guardianships. The Pinellas County probate court docket uses the PR case code. It shows the filing of the will, the appointment of a personal representative, the inventory of assets, and the final distribution to heirs.
Search the probate docket by the deceased person’s name or the case number. Some probate filings involve real estate and may show up in both the court docket and the official records search. Guardianship cases also go through probate court and use the GA case code.
Pinellas County Juvenile Court Docket
Juvenile court in Pinellas County covers two main types of cases. Dependency cases involve children removed from their parents by the state. Delinquency cases involve minors charged with crimes. Dependency cases use the DP code. Delinquency cases use the DJ code.
Most juvenile records stay sealed under Florida law. The public docket only shows limited docket entries, such as the hearing date and the case type. The names of minors and the details of the charges do not appear in the public search. Only people with a court order can see the full record.
Pinellas County Small Claims Docket
Small claims court handles civil disputes where the claim is $8,000 or less. Common small claims cases include unpaid debts, security deposit disputes, and minor contract issues. The case code is SC. The docket tracks the claim, the hearing date, and the magistrate’s ruling.
You can file a small claims case online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Once filed, the case appears on the Pinellas County small claims docket. Most small claims hearings happen within 60 to 90 days of filing.
Pinellas County Eviction Docket
Eviction cases use the CC or EV case code in Pinellas County. Landlords file evictions for unpaid rent, lease violations, or holdover tenants. The eviction docket shows the complaint, the summons, the court date, and the writ of possession if the landlord wins.
Tenants can search the eviction docket by their name or by the property address. The docket also shows mediation dates, settlements, and judgments for back rent. Most eviction hearings happen within 15 to 30 days of filing under Florida law.
Pinellas County DUI Docket
DUI cases in Pinellas County can be filed as misdemeanors, felonies, or traffic infractions. A first-time DUI with no injury is usually a misdemeanor. A fourth DUI or a DUI that causes serious injury becomes a felony. The docket shows the arrest date, the breath or blood test results, and the court hearings.
The Pinellas County DUI docket also tracks driving under suspension charges, DUI programs ordered by the court, and the status of ignition interlock requirements. You can search DUI cases by name, case number, or citation number.
Pinellas County Drug Court Docket
Drug court is a specialty court for non-violent offenders with substance use issues. Eligible defendants enter a treatment program instead of going to trial. The drug court docket shows treatment plan reviews, drug test results, and progress hearings.
Drug court cases stay open longer than regular criminal cases. The docket can have dozens of entries as the defendant moves through the program phases. Successful completion leads to a dismissal or reduction of charges.
Pinellas County Mental Health Court Docket
Mental health court serves defendants with diagnosed mental illnesses who face criminal charges. The docket tracks treatment plans, medication reviews, and court-ordered evaluations. The goal is to connect defendants with services rather than send them to prison.
Mental health court records have some limits under Florida law. Basic docket entries, including hearing dates and rulings, are public. Detailed treatment notes and medical records stay sealed.
Pinellas County Dependency Docket
Dependency cases involve children removed from their parents because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The Department of Children and Families files these cases. The dependency docket shows shelter hearings, adjudication, case plan reviews, and the goal of reunification or termination of parental rights.
Dependency hearings are open to the public, but the records are sealed. You can attend a hearing at the Clearwater courthouse, but you cannot copy or photograph the case file. Limited docket information is available through the clerk’s office.
Pinellas County Foreclosure Docket
Foreclosure cases in Pinellas County are civil cases filed by lenders against homeowners who fall behind on mortgage payments. The case code is CC. The foreclosure docket shows the mortgage balance, the property address, the lis pendens filing, and the sale date.
You can search foreclosure dockets by homeowner name, lender name, or property address. The docket also tracks motions for summary judgment, auction results, and the final transfer of title. Foreclosure cases can take two years or more to resolve.
Pinellas County Jury Docket
The jury docket lists people summoned for jury duty, the dates they must report, and the status of their service. You can check your jury status online using your juror number and date of birth. The Pinellas County Clerk runs jury services from the Clearwater courthouse.
The jury docket also shows postponements, excusals, and the final outcome of service. Failure to appear for jury duty can result in a contempt charge, which then appears on the criminal docket.
Pinellas County Arraignment Docket
The arraignment docket shows the first court appearance for criminal defendants. At the arraignment, the judge reads the charges, confirms the lawyer, and sets the next court date. The docket also shows whether the defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Arraignment dockets in Pinellas County run every weekday morning. You can search the arraignment schedule by date, defendant name, or attorney name.
Pinellas County Pretrial Docket
The pretrial docket tracks hearings held before trial. Defense and prosecution lawyers file motions, exchange evidence, and argue legal issues. The docket shows each motion, the response, and the judge’s ruling on pretrial matters.
Pretrial conferences are often the last step before a case goes to trial. The Pinellas County pretrial docket also shows plea offers, discovery deadlines, and trial calendar settings.
Pinellas County Daily Hearing Docket and Calendar
The daily hearing docket lists every hearing scheduled for a specific day in the 6th Judicial Circuit. You can view the docket by court division, judge, or case type. The calendar covers criminal arraignments, civil motion hearings, family court trials, and probate reviews.
To find the daily docket, go to the clerk’s website and click on the court calendar link. You can filter by courthouse location, including the main Clearwater courthouse and the St. Petersburg and Largo branches.
Pinellas County Court Calendar and Docket Schedule
The court calendar shows all scheduled hearings for the week or month. The docket schedule lists the cases set for each docket sounding, which is a court session where multiple cases are called in order. The Pinellas County docket schedule covers civil, criminal, family, and probate dockets.
Lawyers and self-represented parties use the docket schedule to plan their court days. The schedule also shows the assigned judge, the courtroom number, and the time the case will be called.
Pinellas County Docket Status and Updates
The docket status tells you where a case stands right now. Possible statuses include open, closed, pending, dismissed, and sealed. You can check the status on the clerk portal by searching the case number or party name.
Docket updates happen in real time as new documents are filed. The portal refreshes every few minutes. If you check a case and do not see a recent filing, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
View On Request Process in Pinellas County
Some court documents in Pinellas County need clerk review before the public can view them. This is the View On Request process, also called VOR. The clerk checks the document for sensitive data, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and the names of minors.
When you click on a VOR document, a request form opens. Submit the request. Most reviews finish within minutes. Complex documents can take up to two business days. After the review, the clerk releases the redacted version for public viewing.
Sealed records, however, stay closed forever. VOR documents are public records that just need a quick review. Sealed records include juvenile files, mental health commitment orders, and adoption records.
Official Records and Court Docket Connections
Official records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. You can search these records separately at officialrecords.mypinellasclerk.gov. Some court cases, especially foreclosure and probate cases, involve filings in both the court docket and the official records system.
For example, a foreclosure case may have a lis pendens recorded in official records and a court docket showing the lawsuit status. A probate case may have a death certificate in official records and a will filing in the court docket. Both searches are free.
E-Filing and the Pinellas County Court Docket System
Lawyers and self-represented filers can submit court documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Once a document is filed, it appears on the Pinellas County court docket system. The system processes millions of filings each year statewide.
E-filing cuts down on paper and speeds up the docket. You can file a new case, submit a motion, or upload a response at any time of day. The portal charges standard court fees. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check. The clerk office can answer questions about e-filing technical issues.
Clerk of Court Office Details
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, Ken Burke, manages the docket system. The main office is at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. You can call (727) 464-7000 for help with docket searches, court records, and filing questions.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and on Pinellas County holidays. You can visit the office in person to use the public access terminals. The terminals let you search the docket for free and print documents for a small fee.
Official website: https://www.mypinellasclerk.gov/
Branch Locations
Pinellas County has branch clerk offices in St. Petersburg and Largo. The St. Petersburg office handles criminal, civil, and traffic cases for the southern part of the county. The Largo office processes marriage licenses, official records, and family court filings. You can search the docket at any branch using the public access terminals.
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Main Office | 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 | (727) 464-7000 |
| St. Petersburg Branch | 545 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | (727) 464-7000 |
| Largo Branch | 1643 North M.L.K. Jr. Avenue, Largo, FL 33770 | (727) 464-7000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up a Pinellas County court docket for free?
Go to courtrecords.mypinellasclerk.gov and type a name or case number into the search bar. No account or payment is needed. The free search shows the case number, party names, filing dates, and docket entries. You can also view most documents at no charge. Some documents need clerk review under the View On Request process, which is also free.
The portal works on any device with a web browser. Mobile users can search the docket from a phone or tablet. Use the official records portal at officialrecords.mypinellasclerk.gov to search deeds, liens, and marriage licenses.
Can I view sealed court records in Pinellas County?
Sealed court records stay closed to the public. You can only view sealed records with a court order. Common sealed records include juvenile cases, adoption files, and mental health commitment orders. The docket for a sealed case may still show the case number and hearing dates, but the details stay hidden.
To unseal a record, you must file a motion with the court. A judge reviews the motion and decides whether to grant access. The clerk office cannot unseal a record without a court order.
What is the difference between a circuit court and county court docket in Pinellas County?
The Circuit Court handles serious cases, including felonies, family law, probate, and civil cases over $50,000. The County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, evictions, and civil cases at or below $50,000. Both courts are part of the 6th Judicial Circuit and use the same online search system.
The case number includes a code that shows which court handles the case. CF means Circuit Felony. MM means County Misdemeanor. DR means Domestic Relations (family). PR means Probate.
How long does it take to get a court date in Pinellas County?
Most criminal arraignments happen within 24 to 48 hours of arrest. Civil cases can take several months to schedule. Family court cases depend on the type of issue. Uncontested divorces may get a final hearing in 30 days. Contested custody cases can take a year or more. Small claims hearings are usually set 60 to 90 days after filing.
You can check the docket status at any time on the clerk portal. The portal shows the next scheduled hearing date and the assigned courtroom.
Can I get a copy of a court document from the Pinellas County Clerk?
Yes. You can download documents from the online portal or visit the clerk office in person. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Standard copies are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $2 per page. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the clerk office. Online certified copies are available for some case types.
You can also mail a request for copies. Include the case number, the document name, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk mails the copies back to you within a few business days.
What should I do if my name appears on a Pinellas County court docket by mistake?
Contact the clerk office at (727) 464-7000 and explain the situation. Common issues include name matches with other people and incorrect party data. The clerk can flag the record and refer you to the court for a correction. You may need to file a motion to correct the docket entry.
A lawyer can help you file the motion. The judge reviews the motion and decides whether to remove or correct the entry. If the record was sealed or expunged, the clerk can remove it from the public search.
How do I find out if I have a warrant in Pinellas County?
Search the criminal docket on the clerk portal. Active warrants may not show up in the public search, but pending criminal cases with outstanding bench warrants often appear. You can also call the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line to ask about warrants. The sheriff office checks active warrants and can confirm whether you have one.
Do not ignore an active warrant. A lawyer can help you turn yourself in and arrange a bond hearing. The Pinellas County court docket will show the warrant status once the court issues one.