Jacksonville city criminal records are public court files that show arrests, charges, and case outcomes for people in Duval County, Florida. Anyone can look up these records for free through the Duval County Clerk of Court website.
You can also visit the courthouse in person or use statewide databases. These records include felonies, misdemeanors, and other court cases filed in Jacksonville. This page explains how to search, what you can see, what it costs, and how to seal or expunge a record.
What Jacksonville City Criminal Records Contain
Jacksonville city criminal records are official documents created during the court process. They cover every step from arrest to final judgment. The records are kept by the Duval County Clerk of Court, which serves as the main record keeper for the county. Jacksonville sits inside Duval County, so all criminal cases for city residents are filed there.
How the Duval County Court System Works
Duval County runs two main courts for criminal cases. The Circuit Court handles felony charges, which are the most serious crimes. The County Court handles misdemeanor charges and less serious offenses. Both courts send their files to the Clerk of Court for storage. The Clerk then makes those files public through the online portal and at the courthouse. Florida law requires that most court records stay open to the public.
Types of Cases Filed in Jacksonville Courts
You can find many kinds of cases in Jacksonville court records. Felonies include robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, and aggravated assault. Misdemeanors cover simple assault, petty theft, minor drug possession, and disorderly conduct. Traffic offenses that count as criminal charges also appear in the system. Juvenile cases are filed separately and have different access rules.
What Information Each Record Shows
A single criminal case file usually contains the arrest affidavit, charging documents, court motions, hearing minutes, plea deals, and the final judgment. You can see the defendant’s name, the charges filed, the attorney’s name, court dates, and the sentence. Some files also include police reports and witness lists. The level of detail depends on the case type and where the case is in the process.
Where to Search Jacksonville City Criminal Records
There are three main ways to search Jacksonville criminal records. You can use the online portal, visit the courthouse, or use statewide databases. Each method works for different needs. The online portal works best for quick checks. The courthouse works best for certified copies. Statewide databases work best when you need Florida arrest history from many counties.
Duval County Clerk of Court Online Portal
The Duval County Clerk of Court runs a free online search tool on its website. The portal works twenty-four hours a day from any computer or phone. You can search by name, date of birth, or case number. Results show the case number, charges, court division, hearing dates, and final status. Basic case details cost nothing. You only pay if you need a certified copy of a document.
- Website: duvalclerk.com
- Search by: full name, case number, or party type
- Cost: free for basic case data
- Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
In-Person Courthouse Access
You can search records in person at the Duval County Courthouse. The Clerk’s office has public terminals where you can look up cases for free. Staff members can help you find the right file or explain a court document. If you need certified copies, you must request them at the clerk’s window. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most credit cards.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Records
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office keeps police reports, arrest records, and incident logs. These are separate from court records. You can request a copy of a police report through the JSO Records Division. Some reports are available online. Others require a visit to the police station or a written request. The Sheriff’s Office also runs the county jail and provides an inmate lookup tool.
Statewide Florida Criminal History
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history search called CCHInet. This tool covers arrests and convictions from all Florida counties, including Duval. You must create an account and pay $25 per name search. Results arrive in minutes and show every arrest, charge, and disposition on file with FDLE. This tool works best for background checks that need statewide data.
How to Look Up Jacksonville Felony and Misdemeanor Cases
Searching for criminal cases in Jacksonville follows a simple step-by-step process. The same online portal handles both felonies and misdemeanors. The system sorts results by court division. Felonies appear under Circuit Criminal. Misdemeanors appear under County Criminal. You can also search by case number if you already have one.
Felony Case Search Steps
Felony cases are heard in the Circuit Court of Duval County. To search for a felony case, go to the Clerk’s online portal and choose the Circuit Criminal search option. Type the full legal name of the person. Add a date of birth if you know it to narrow the results. The system shows every felony case filed under that name. Click a case number to see charges, hearing dates, and current status.
Misdemeanor Case Search Steps
Misdemeanor cases are heard in the County Court of Duval County. The search process is the same as for felonies. Choose County Criminal from the menu. Enter the person’s name and date of birth if available. Results show charges like simple battery, petit theft, or driving under the influence. The system also shows the case outcome and any sentence.
Finding Records by Case Number
If you already have a case number, the search is faster. Go to the Clerk’s portal and select the case number search option. Type the full case number, including the year and sequence digits. The system pulls up that exact case. This method works well when someone gives you a case number from a court summons, police report, or legal document.
Reading the Jacksonville Court Docket
The court docket is the running list of every action taken in a case. It shows filings, motions, hearings, and orders. In Jacksonville, the docket is part of the online case record. You can view it for free through the Clerk’s portal. The docket helps you track a case without calling the court. It also shows whether a case is still open or has been closed.
What the Docket Includes
A typical docket lists the date of each entry, the type of document filed, and the party who filed it. You can see when a charge was filed, when an attorney entered an appearance, and when hearings were held. The docket also shows pleas, sentencing orders, and appeals. Some entries link to the actual document image. Others only list the document title.
How to Track a Case Over Time
You can save a case number and check back on the portal at any time. New docket entries appear within hours of filing. This lets you follow a case from arraignment through trial. You can also set up alerts through the Clerk’s eNotify system. Alerts send an email or text when a new entry is added to a specific case.
Fees, Copies, and Certified Documents
Searching for Jacksonville criminal records is free, but getting copies costs money. The Clerk of Court sets all copy fees under Florida law. The price depends on the document type and whether you need a certified copy. Certified copies carry the court seal and can be used in legal matters or other official settings.
Standard Copy Costs
A regular copy of a court document costs $1 per page in Duval County. This rate is set by Florida statute and applies to most court records. You can pay at the Clerk’s office or online through the portal. Online copies are delivered as PDF files. In-person copies are printed on the spot at the public terminal or the clerk’s window.
Certified Copy Requirements
A certified copy costs more than a regular copy. The fee includes the cost of the court seal and the clerk’s signature. Certified copies are required for immigration cases, name changes, employment background checks, and other legal filings. You must request a certified copy in writing or in person. The Clerk stamps the document and attaches a raised or electronic seal.
Free Public Search Options
You can view case data, docket entries, and hearing schedules for free. The online portal does not charge a fee to read basic case facts. You can also use the public terminals at the courthouse at no cost. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office provides free inmate search results on its website. The Florida Department of Corrections inmate search is also free for state prison records.
| Record Type | Source | Search Cost | Certified Copy Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court Felony Cases | Duval County Clerk | Free | $1 per page + certification fee |
| County Court Misdemeanor Cases | Duval County Clerk | Free | $1 per page + certification fee |
| Statewide Criminal History | FDLE CCHInet | $25 per search | Included in fee |
| Police Reports | Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office | Varies | Available upon request |
| State Prison Records | Florida DOC | Free | Not applicable |
Sealing and Expungement of Jacksonville Records
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge a criminal record. Sealing hides the record from public view. Expungement destroys the record in most cases. Both options require a court order. You cannot file for either option unless you meet the legal rules set by Florida Statute.
Eligibility Under Florida Law
You may qualify to seal or expunge a record if you were never convicted of the charge, the case was dismissed, or you completed a diversion program. You cannot have a prior felony conviction or any other sealed or expunged record in Florida. You must also have no pending charges anywhere in the state. Certain serious crimes like murder, sexual battery, and child abuse can never be sealed or expunged.
The Sealing Process
The sealing process starts with an application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE runs a background check and issues a Certificate of Eligibility if you qualify. You then file a petition with the Duval County Clerk of Court. A judge reviews the petition at a court hearing. If the judge grants the petition, the Clerk seals the record. Police and court agencies must then hide the file from public searches.
The Expungement Process
Expungement follows the same first steps as sealing. You must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through FDLE. Once issued, you file a petition with the court. A judge must approve the petition. If granted, the Clerk orders all agencies to destroy their physical records of the case. FDLE keeps the record in a sealed file. You may only receive one expungement in your lifetime under Florida law.
Official Contact Details and Locations
Below are the main offices that handle Jacksonville criminal records. You can visit in person, call, or use the websites listed.
Duval County Clerk of Court
The Clerk’s office handles all court records for Jacksonville and Duval County. You can search records, request copies, and file new court documents here.
- Address: 501 West Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Phone: (904) 255-2000
- Website: duvalclerk.com
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office handles police reports, arrest records, and inmate searches for the Jacksonville area. The main office and county jail are in downtown Jacksonville.
- Address: 501 East Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Phone: (904) 630-0500
- Website: jaxsheriff.org
- Records Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
FDLE runs the statewide criminal history database and the seal and expunge program. You can create an account on CCHInet to run a Florida background check.
- Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
- Phone: (850) 410-7641
- Website: fdle.state.fl.us
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Department of Corrections
The DOC maintains records for state prison inmates and supervised offenders. The online offender search tool is free and runs all day.
- Address: 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Phone: (850) 488-5021
- Website: fdc.myflorida.com
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Common Questions About Jacksonville Criminal Records
Many people have questions about how Jacksonville criminal records work. The questions below cover the most common search topics. Each answer gives clear, factual details based on Florida law and current Clerk of Court rules.
How Long Does a Criminal Record Stay in Jacksonville?
A criminal record stays in the Jacksonville court system forever unless a judge orders it sealed or expunged. There is no automatic deletion date under Florida law. Even old cases from many years ago still appear in the online portal. Arrest records without a conviction also remain visible. The only ways to remove a record are through sealing, expungement, or a governor’s pardon.
Can I View Jacksonville Criminal Records for Free?
Yes. Basic case data, docket entries, hearing dates, and case status are free through the Duval County Clerk online portal. You can also use the public terminals at the courthouse at no cost. Police reports from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office may carry a small fee. The FDLE statewide search costs $25 per name.
What Shows Up on a Jacksonville Background Check?
A background check through FDLE shows arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences from all Florida counties. It does not show sealed or expunged records. It does not show juvenile records. It does not show charges that were dropped before a filing. The check covers Florida only. Records from other states require a separate search in those states.
Are Juvenile Records Public in Jacksonville?
No. Juvenile records in Florida are not public. They are kept in a separate system with restricted access. Only the juvenile, the parents, attorneys, and certain officials can view them. Sealed juvenile records may become eligible for expungement once the person turns 24 or five years pass after the case closes, depending on the case type.
What Happens If a Record Is Sealed in Jacksonville?
A sealed record is hidden from the public. It does not appear in the online portal. It does not show on a standard FDLE background check. Law enforcement agencies and the courts can still see sealed records for criminal justice purposes. Private employers and most government agencies cannot view a sealed record. You can legally say you have no criminal record if the case was sealed or expunged.
Can I Remove a Mistaken Entry from My Jacksonville Record?
Yes, in some cases. If a court record has a clerical error, you can file a motion to correct the record. If the entry is factually wrong, you may need a court order to fix it. You should consult a lawyer for serious errors. The Clerk’s office can only correct typos and minor administrative mistakes without a court order.
Does a Dropped Charge Still Appear in Jacksonville Records?
Yes. A dropped or dismissed charge still shows in the public record. The docket will show that the State Attorney dropped the case or that a judge dismissed it. The arrest itself stays on the record. You may be able to seal or expunge the record if the case meets the legal rules. A dropped charge does not automatically disappear from the system.