Palm Beach County felony records are public court files that show serious criminal cases filed in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and every other city within the 15th Judicial Circuit. Anyone can search these records online through the Clerk of Courts portal or in person at the main courthouse.
This page explains how to run a felony case lookup, what details the files contain, who maintains them, and where to turn when a name returns no matches.
What Palm Beach County Felony Records Actually Contain
A felony record in Florida is a court file tied to a criminal charge punishable by more than one year in state prison. Palm Beach County processes these cases through the criminal division of the Circuit Court. Each file tracks the full life of a case from arrest to final sentencing.
Basic Identifying Information in Each File
Every felony case file starts with the defendant’s full legal name, date of birth, and a state identification number. The clerk also assigns a unique case number that follows the file from the first arraignment through the final appeal. You will see the arresting agency, the booking date, and the specific charge or charges filed by the State Attorney’s Office.
Court Actions Listed in the Docket
The docket records every hearing, motion, plea, and ruling in the case. Felony dockets show arraignment dates, bond hearings, pretrial conferences, motion filings, trial dates, verdict entries, sentencing orders, and any post-conviction motions. A simple Palm Beach County docket search lets you see the current status without paying for a full copy.
Outcome and Disposition Details
Once a case ends, the file shows the final outcome. A disposition may list a guilty plea, a not guilty verdict, a dropped charge, a deferred adjudication, or a withhold of adjudication. Sentencing information includes prison time, probation terms, fines, restitution, and any mandatory programs the judge ordered.
How the 15th Judicial Circuit Handles Felony Cases
The 15th Judicial Circuit Court covers all of Palm Beach County. Felony cases start in the County Court system, then move up to Circuit Court once the State Attorney files a felony information. The Circuit Court has four main divisions that handle criminal work.
Criminal Division Structure
Felony cases are sorted into four criminal divisions in West Palm Beach. Each division has its own judge and case manager. Cases rotate through these divisions based on the filing date and case type. The clerk assigns a division number when the case opens, and that number appears on every court notice.
Felony Case Number Format
A typical Palm Beach County felony case number follows this pattern: a two-digit year, a two-letter county code, a four-digit sequence number, and a court code. For example, a 2025 case might read CF50-2025-12345-AXXX. The “CF” stands for Circuit Felony. Knowing this format helps you search the clerk database more accurately.
Searching Palm Beach County Felony Records Online
The fastest way to run a Palm Beach County felony case search is through the Clerk of Courts public portal. The site works on phones, tablets, and desktop computers. No account or login is required for basic searches.
Searching by Name
Open the official portal at mypalmbeachclerk.com and click on the Court Records search tool. Type the defendant’s last name first, then the first name. Use a broad date of birth range if you are unsure of the exact birth year. The portal returns matching cases with the case number, filing date, current division, and next hearing date.
Searching by Case Number
If you already have a case number, type it directly into the case number field. This returns the full docket, all filings, and the most recent order. A case number search is the most accurate method because it removes the risk of pulling a record tied to a different person with the same name.
Searching by Defendant Details
The portal also accepts searches by date of birth, race, sex, and the date range when the case was filed. Use these filters to narrow results when the name is common. For example, a search for “John Smith” in Palm Beach County could return dozens of cases, but adding a birth year and sex drops the list to the right person.
What the Free Search Shows
Free public searches show the case header, charge list, party names, attorney of record, hearing schedule, and docket entry list. You can view scanned documents such as the arrest affidavit, motion filings, plea agreements, and sentencing orders at no cost. The portal updates each night, so new filings appear by the next business day.
What Costs Money
Certified copies of court documents cost $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Non-certified plain copies cost $1 per page. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Mailing certified copies to your home adds a small postage and handling charge.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Office Details
The Clerk of Courts serves as the official record keeper for the 15th Judicial Circuit. The office holds every felony case file from the founding of the county to today. Clerk Mike Caruso oversees the office as of 2026.
Main Office Location and Contact
The main Clerk’s Office sits at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The main phone line is (561) 355-2994. You can reach the criminal records department directly at (561) 355-2931. Email inquiries go through the contact form on the clerk’s official site. Staff respond within one to two business days.
Branch Office Locations
Palm Beach County operates branch clerk offices in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Belle Glade. Each branch handles a smaller set of services. The Boca Raton branch focuses on traffic and misdemeanor cases, while felony records are best handled at the main West Palm Beach office.
Office Hours and Holiday Closures
The main office opens Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Doors close at 4:30 PM on most Fridays before long weekends. The office closes on all federal and state holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History Records Search
For a complete criminal history that covers every Florida county, use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) criminal history search. This tool pulls data from every Florida county, including Palm Beach.
How the FDLE Search Works
Visit the FDLE public search portal and create a user account. Enter the person’s full name, date of birth, and sex. The system scans all 67 Florida counties and returns arrests, charges, and dispositions tied to that person. Results arrive in your account dashboard within minutes after payment.
Cost and Payment Methods
The standard FDLE criminal history search costs $24 plus a $1 processing fee for a total of $25. The agency accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Palm Beach County court records appear in this report along with records from every other Florida jurisdiction.
Certified Copies by Mail
If you need a certified criminal history report sent by mail, FDLE accepts paper applications. Print the form, attach a money order or check, and mail it to the FDLE headquarters in Tallahassee. Mail requests take 5 to 7 business days to process plus mailing time.
Searching Felony Records at the Courthouse in Person
Some searches require a trip to the courthouse. Old files, large document sets, and certified records with raised seals are best handled in person. The main courthouse in West Palm Beach serves all felony matters in the county.
Main Courthouse Address
The Palm Beach County Courthouse sits at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The criminal division is on the south side of the building. Visitors enter through the main security checkpoint on Dixie Highway.
Public Terminal Access
Free public computer terminals sit in the clerk’s office lobby. You can run the same online search available on the website. Terminal sessions last 30 minutes, and staff extend the time if no one else is waiting. Printers next to the terminals charge $0.25 per page.
Security and ID Requirements
All visitors must pass through a metal detector and bag screening. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Cell phones are allowed but cannot be used to take photos inside courtrooms. Food, drinks, and sharp objects are banned.
Types of Felony Cases Filed in Palm Beach County
Florida law divides felonies into five levels based on the maximum sentence. Palm Beach County prosecutors file cases at every level. Knowing the level helps you understand what the court record will show.
Capital Felonies
Capital felonies carry a possible death sentence or life imprisonment without parole. Murder in the first degree is the most common capital charge in Palm Beach County. These cases take years to resolve and generate very long docket entries.
Life Felonies
Life felonies include second-degree murder, kidnapping, sexual battery on a child under 12, and drug trafficking of large amounts. A conviction carries a mandatory life sentence under Florida law. The docket on these cases lists every appeal, every motion, and every post-conviction filing.
First-Degree Felonies
First-degree felonies carry up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Examples include armed robbery, home invasion robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm, and most large-scale drug trafficking charges. The clerk tracks these cases through trial and sentencing.
Second and Third-Degree Felonies
Second-degree felonies carry up to 15 years in prison. Third-degree felonies carry up to 5 years. Property crimes, fraud, lower-level drug offenses, and some violent crimes fall into these two groups. Many third-degree felonies resolve through plea bargains before trial.
Sealed and Expunged Felony Records in Palm Beach County
Not every felony case stays public forever. Florida law allows certain records to be sealed or expunged under strict rules. Sealed records remain on file at the clerk’s office but are hidden from public search portals. Expunged records are physically destroyed by court order.
The Certificate of Eligibility Requirement
Before filing a motion to seal or expunge, the defendant must first get a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE. The application costs $75 and takes about 12 weeks to process. The certificate stays valid for 12 months from the date stamped on it.
Who Qualifies for a Seal or Expunge
Florida law limits eligibility to first-time offenders with no prior seal or expunge orders. The person must have completed all court-ordered sentences, paid all fines, and stayed out of trouble for a set waiting period. Violent felonies, sexual offenses, and certain drug trafficking charges cannot be sealed or expunged.
Effect on a Public Search
Once a record is sealed, the public portal no longer returns the case in a name search. Expunged records are gone for good except for limited law enforcement access. A Palm Beach County felony record lookup that does not show a known past case often means the file has been sealed.
Florida Public Records Law and Felony Files
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes and the Florida Constitution give every person the right to inspect and copy public records made or received by government agencies.
What Chapter 119 Covers
Chapter 119 applies to every record made or received by any state, county, or municipal agency in connection with official business. Court files, arrest reports, booking photos, and clerk records all fall under the law. The clerk must provide copies at the cost of duplication only.
Requesting Records in Writing
You can send a written public records request to the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts by mail, email, or fax. The office must respond within a reasonable time, usually within 3 to 5 business days. The clerk may charge only the actual cost of producing the records.
Exemptions and Limits
Some records stay exempt from public release. Active criminal intelligence data, victim information in sex crime cases, juvenile records, and certain personal identifiers are protected. The clerk can withhold only the exempt portions and must release the rest.
Common Problems with Palm Beach County Felony Searches
Most search issues come from name spelling, date errors, or old case files. Knowing the common pitfalls saves time.
Name Variations and Spelling Errors
Court records use the exact legal name on the arrest report. Nicknames, middle names, and married names can all return different results. If a name search fails, try a wildcard search or use only the last name with a wide date range.
Records Older Than 20 Years
Very old felony files may sit in paper archives rather than the digital system. You must request these files by case number through the clerk’s office. The clerk pulls the box, scans the documents, and uploads them to the digital portal. This process can take several business days.
Common Names with Multiple Matches
A common name like “James Brown” can return dozens of results in Palm Beach County. Add a date of birth, sex, and middle name to drop the list. The docket entry with the matching birth date is the right one.
Nearby Counties for Felony Record Searches
If your search extends beyond Palm Beach County, use the table below to find the right clerk’s office in each nearby jurisdiction. Each county keeps its own felony records.
| County | Main City | Clerk’s Website |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County | Fort Lauderdale | www.browardclerk.org |
| Martin County | Stuart | www.martinclerk.com |
| St. Lucie County | Fort Pierce | www.stlucieclerk.gov |
| Hendry County | LaBelle | www.hendryclerk.org |
| Glades County | Moore Haven | www.gladesclerk.com |
| Okeechobee County | Okeechobee | www.clerk-okeechobee.com |
Official Contact Information for Palm Beach County Felony Records
Use the contact details below for direct help with felony record searches. The main clerk’s office handles all felony filings, docket requests, and certified copies. Call the criminal division line for the fastest service on a specific case.
Official Website: mypalmbeachclerk.com
Phone: (561) 355-2994
Criminal Records Direct Line: (561) 355-2931
Address: 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
FDLE Criminal History: web.fdle.state.fl.us
Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Beach County Felony Records
These questions cover the most common issues people face when running a felony record search in Palm Beach County. Each answer gives clear steps, real costs, and direct contact points. Use the FAQ to handle edge cases, name changes, sealed records, and certified copy requests without making a wasted trip to the courthouse.
How Do I Run a Free Palm Beach County Felony Case Search by Name?
Go to mypalmbeachclerk.com and open the Court Records search tool. Type the defendant’s last name and first name into the name field. Leave the date of birth blank for a broad search, or fill it in to narrow results. The portal returns matching felony cases with the case number, charge, division, and next hearing date. The search is free, and you can view scanned documents at no cost. Certified copies of those documents cost $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee.
Can I View Sealed or Expunged Felony Records in Palm Beach County?
No, sealed and expunged records do not show up in a public search. The clerk removes them from the public portal and the physical files are stored in a restricted section. Only law enforcement agencies, the State Attorney’s Office, and a few court staff can see sealed records. Expunged records are destroyed by court order and no longer exist except for limited law enforcement access. To check whether a record was sealed, you must contact the clerk’s office directly with a case number or full name and date of birth.
What Is the Difference Between an Arrest Record and a Felony Conviction Record?
An arrest record shows the booking, charge, and initial court appearance. A felony conviction record shows the final outcome after the case ends. Many people arrested on felony charges in Palm Beach County are never convicted because the charge gets dropped, the case is dismissed, or the defendant is found not guilty at trial. A background check that pulls only arrest data can mislead employers, landlords, and others. Always look at the final disposition listed on the docket before drawing a conclusion about a person’s criminal history.
How Long Does Palm Beach County Keep Felony Records?
Palm Beach County keeps felony case files permanently. Files from the 1920s and 1930s still sit in the clerk’s archive. Files from the 1980s forward are scanned into the digital system. Files older than 20 years may need a manual archive request, which takes 3 to 5 business days to process. The clerk charges the standard copy fees regardless of the file’s age. Expunged records are destroyed, so they no longer exist after the court order is complete.
How Much Does a Certified Copy of a Felony Record Cost?
Certified copies of Palm Beach County felony court records cost $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee per document. Non-certified plain copies cost $1 per page. Mailed certified copies add a small handling fee based on the delivery method. The FDLE statewide criminal history search costs $24 plus a $1 processing fee, for a total of $25. A personal review of your own criminal history record through FDLE is free under Florida law.
Can I Search Felony Records by Defendant Date of Birth?
Yes, the Palm Beach County Clerk portal accepts date of birth filters. Type the exact birth date into the date of birth field, and the search returns only cases tied to that specific birth date. This method works well for common names that return too many results. A search by date of birth plus a full legal name returns the most accurate match rate on the portal.
What Happens If a Felony Record Search Shows the Wrong Person?
File a challenge with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts in writing. Include your full name, date of birth, the case number you are challenging, and proof that the record does not belong to you. Acceptable proof includes a copy of your driver’s license, a Social Security number match, or fingerprints. The clerk will review the challenge and either correct the record or refer you to the court for a formal hearing. A wrong match on a background check can be fixed, but the process takes 30 to 60 days.