Putnam County criminal records are public court files that list every criminal case filed in Putnam County, Florida. These records cover felony charges, misdemeanor charges, arrest records, court dockets, case dispositions, and trial outcomes.
Any person can search these records for free through the Putnam County Clerk of Courts. This page explains exactly how to look up criminal cases online, in person, and by mail, and what each record contains.
What Putnam County Criminal Records Contain
Putnam County criminal records are official court documents that show the full history of a criminal case. Each record lists the defendant name, the charges filed, the court where the case was heard, the case number, hearing dates, and the final outcome. The records cover both felony and misdemeanor cases that pass through the Putnam County Courthouse in Palatka, Florida. These files stay open to the public under Florida Government in the Sunshine Law.
Felony Case Records
Felony case records cover serious crimes that carry a potential sentence of more than one year in state prison. Common felony charges in Putnam County include burglary, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and grand theft. The Putnam County Circuit Court handles all felony cases in the county. Each felony file shows the charging document, the court minutes, the plea agreement, the sentencing order, and any appeals paperwork.
Misdemeanor Case Records
Misdemeanor case records cover less serious crimes that carry a maximum sentence of one year in county jail. These cases include simple battery, petty theft, driving with a suspended license, and minor drug possession. The Putnam County Court handles misdemeanor cases. Each misdemeanor record shows the arrest date, the citation, the arraignment, the trial outcome, and any fines paid.
Traffic Criminal Records
Traffic criminal records cover driving offenses classified as criminal under Florida law. These include DUI, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license. The Putnam County Clerk stores these files with the same level of detail as other criminal cases. People can request copies of these records for insurance, court, or job purposes.
How to Search Putnam County Criminal Records Online
The fastest way to find criminal records in Putnam County is through the official online portal run by the Clerk of Courts. The portal runs twenty-four hours a day and works on any computer, tablet, or phone with internet access. Users can search by name, case number, or court date. The basic search is free. Users only pay when they want printed or certified copies of the documents.
Using the Clerk Public Records Search Portal
The Putnam County Clerk of Courts runs a public records search portal at their official website. Users type the defendant full legal name into the search bar. The system pulls up all matching cases filed in Putnam County. Each result shows the case number, the charge, the court date, and the current status. The system refreshes every night with new filings from the same day.
Searching by Defendant Name
A name search works well when you have the person full legal name. Adding a date of birth helps narrow the results. The portal sorts cases by the most recent filing date. Click any case number to view the full docket. The docket lists every document filed, every hearing held, and every order issued by the judge.
Searching by Case Number
A case number search gives you one specific file. Each criminal case in Putnam County gets a unique number, like 2024-CF-001234. The clerk assigns the number when the case is filed. The format shows the year, the case type, and the sequence number. Using a case number pulls up the full file without the need to sort through other names.
Searching by Court Date
A court date search helps people who want to watch a hearing or check the daily docket. The clerk posts the docket for each court day by 8:00 AM Eastern Time. The docket lists every case scheduled, the time, the courtroom, and the judge. Anyone can view this list without paying a fee or creating an account.
How to Search Putnam County Criminal Records In Person
Some records are not yet posted online. Records from older cases, sealed files, and certain restricted documents need an in-person visit. The Putnam County Clerk of Courts serves the public at their main office in Palatka, Florida. Visitors can use public access terminals inside the lobby. Staff can help locate specific files.
Visiting the Putnam County Courthouse
The Putnam County Courthouse sits at 410 St. Johns Avenue in Palatka, Florida. The clerk office handles all criminal records requests for the county. Visitors check in at the front desk. Staff guide them to the public terminal room. The terminal room has ten computers with full access to all case files filed since 1985.
Public Access Terminals
The public access terminals let visitors search the same database used by the clerk office staff. Each terminal prints a free summary of the case. Visitors who need full copies pay a small fee per page. The terminal room is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on weekends and state holidays.
Requesting Certified Copies
Certified copies carry the official court seal and signature of the clerk. Many employers, licensing boards, and immigration offices require certified copies. The clerk charges $2.00 per page for a regular certified copy and $8.00 for the first page of a long-form certificate. Payment can be cash, check, money order, or credit card. The clerk mails the copies within three business days of the request.
Putnam County Court System Structure
Putnam County runs two levels of criminal court. The Circuit Court handles felony cases. The County Court handles misdemeanor cases. Each court keeps its own set of records under one unified clerk. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right search path for your case.
Putnam County Circuit Court Criminal Cases
The Circuit Court sits in Palatka and hears every felony case filed in the county. The court also handles appeals from the County Court. Each felony case starts with an arraignment, moves to discovery, and ends in a trial or plea deal. The clerk files every motion, order, and ruling in the case docket.
Putnam County Court Misdemeanor Cases
The County Court in Palatka handles every misdemeanor case filed in the county. The court also handles criminal traffic offenses, ordinance violations, and county code issues. Misdemeanor trials follow the same rules as felony trials, but the sentences are shorter. The clerk files all the paperwork in the same system used for felonies.
Judicial Assignments and Terms
Putnam County uses rotating judges for criminal cases. Each judge covers a six-month rotation. The clerk posts the current judge assignment on the public docket. Visitors can check the assignment before going to a hearing. This helps lawyers, defendants, and family members plan their day in court.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks for Putnam County
Local records cover only cases filed in Putnam County. A statewide search covers cases filed anywhere in Florida. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the official state database. The Florida Department of Corrections tracks prison inmates. Both agencies offer public search portals.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the CCHInet system, which stands for Computerized Criminal History network. Users create an account, pay the fee, and run a name-based search. The fee is $24.00 per search, plus a $1.00 processing charge. The result shows every arrest and conviction in Florida. The system updates every business day with new data from county clerks, including the Putnam County Clerk.
Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search
The Florida Department of Corrections tracks every person serving a state prison sentence. The public inmate search is free and runs on the FDC website. Users can search by name, DC number, or alias. The result shows the current facility, the release date, and the county that issued the original sentence. Many inmates listed in this database started their case in Putnam County.
Purpose and Limits of Statewide Searches
Statewide searches are useful for jobs that require a full background check. They cover all Florida counties, including Putnam. They do not cover federal charges or out-of-state crimes. The search shows the arrest, the charge, and the final outcome, but it does not include court minutes or motions. For a deep look at the case file, a local search at the Putnam County Clerk is the better option.
Sealing and Expunging Putnam County Criminal Records
Florida law permits some criminal records to be sealed or expunged. A sealed record is hidden from the public. An expunged record is destroyed. Not every case qualifies. Violent felonies, sexual offenses, and certain drug charges can never be sealed or expunged. The procedure starts with a state certificate and ends with a court order.
Eligibility for Sealing and Expungement
A person qualifies for sealing or expungement if they have no prior sealed or expunged record, they were not adjudicated guilty for the charge in question, and they have completed all the terms of their sentence. Misdemeanors, first-time drug possession, and dropped charges often qualify. Murder, sexual battery, and child abuse do not qualify under any circumstance.
Certificate of Eligibility Procedure
The first step is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The form is on the FDLE website. The fee is $75.00. The application asks for the full name, date of birth, the case number, and the county where the case was filed. FDLE reviews the application in about twelve weeks. The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue.
Court Petition and Final Order
After the certificate is issued, the next step is to file a petition with the Putnam County Court. The petition states the case number, the charge, the reason for the request, and a copy of the FDLE certificate. A judge reviews the petition at a court hearing. If the judge grants the petition, the clerk sends a court order to every agency that holds the record. The record is then sealed or destroyed as ordered.
Public Access Rules and Fees in Putnam County
Florida has strong public records laws. Putnam County follows the same rules as every other county. The law says government records are open unless a statute specifically says they are closed. Criminal court records are open. Some parts of a record can be redacted, but the file as a whole is public.
Florida Public Records Law
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. The law covers all branches of state and local government. Putnam County cannot deny a request simply because the requester is not a lawyer or does not have a case number. The clerk can only deny access if a state law specifically exempts the record from public view.
Copy and Certification Fees
The Putnam County Clerk charges $1.00 per page for a regular copy of any criminal record. A certified copy costs $2.00 per page. A long-form certificate, which many employers require, costs $8.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, Visa, and MasterCard. Online payments carry a small service fee.
Records Not Open to the Public
Some criminal records are not open to the public. Sealed and expunged records are off-limits without a court order. Active grand jury proceedings are private. Juvenile criminal records are confidential. Records that reveal the identity of a confidential informant, a crime victim, or an undercover officer are redacted before release. The clerk applies these rules to every request.
Putnam County Clerk of Courts Contact Details
The Putnam County Clerk of Courts is the main point of contact for all criminal record requests in Putnam County, Florida. The clerk office handles online, in-person, and mail requests. The clerk serves the public Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time. The office is closed on state holidays.
Office Address: 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177
Main Phone: (386) 326-7600
Criminal Records Phone: (386) 326-7660
Official Website: putnamclerk.com
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Putnam County Sheriff Inmate Phone: (386) 329-0804
Frequently Asked Questions About Putnam County Criminal Records
Below are clear answers to the most common questions people ask about Putnam County criminal records. Each answer gives the facts, the law, and the practical steps you can take right now. The answers cover cost, timing, eligibility, and access rules. The FAQ section helps people who need quick answers without reading the full page.
Are Putnam County Criminal Records Free to View?
Yes, basic case details are free to view on the Putnam County Clerk online portal. Users can run a name search, see the case docket, and check the current status at no cost. The clerk charges a fee only when the user wants a printed page or a certified copy. Many people use the free online view to confirm the case number, then visit the courthouse to pay for the certified copy they need for a job, court, or licensing board.
How Far Back Do Putnam County Criminal Records Go?
The Putnam County Clerk online system goes back to 1985 for most case types. Older cases from the 1970s and 1980s exist on microfilm at the courthouse. The clerk can pull microfilm records for a small fee. Records older than 1950 may be in the state archives in Tallahassee. A written request to the Florida State Archives is the best path for very old cases that no longer appear in the county database.
Can I Search Putnam County Records by Case Number?
Yes, the Putnam County Clerk online portal lets users search by case number. Each criminal case has a unique number that the clerk assigns at the time of filing. The format is the year, the case type code, and a sequence number. A case number search returns one specific file, which is the fastest way to pull up a known case without sorting through other defendant names.
What Shows Up on a Putnam County Criminal Background Check?
A Putnam County criminal background check shows the defendant full name, date of birth, the case number, all charges filed, every court date, the plea entered, the trial outcome, the sentence imposed, and the current status. The check also shows any sealed or expunged record that the requester has a legal right to see, such as a court order or a law enforcement request that meets Florida law.
How Do I Find Out if Someone Is in Jail in Putnam County?
The Putnam County Sheriff Office runs the county jail and posts a daily inmate roster on its website. The roster shows the inmate name, booking date, current charge, and bond amount. The roster updates every hour. Users can also call the jail at (386) 329-0804 to check on an inmate by name. The sheriff office is located at 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard, Palatka, FL 32177, and serves the public twenty-four hours a day.
Can I Remove a Record From the Putnam County Clerk Website?
Records stay on the Putnam County Clerk website until they are sealed or expunged. A regular case that ended in a conviction or a withheld adjudication will remain public. Only a court order can remove the record. The order comes from a successful sealing or expungement petition. The clerk applies the order and removes the file from the public portal so it no longer appears in search results.
What Should I Do if I Find an Error in My Putnam County Criminal Record?
Anyone who spots an error in a Putnam County criminal record can file a written request to correct it. The request goes to the clerk office. The clerk reviews the file, checks the court minutes, and either corrects the record or schedules a hearing. The request should include the case number, the exact error, and proof of the correct details. The clerk responds within thirty days and sends a written notice of the change.