Duval County Courts

Duval County, with a population of approximately 1 million people, accounts for about 4% of Florida's total population of 23 million. The seat of government is located in Jacksonville. Annually, the county's courts witness over 96,000 filings, including 59,587 civil matters, 18,801 criminal cases, 15,095 family matters, and 2,844 probate matters.

The Duval County trial court system comprises the Circuit and County Courts, with the main courthouse located in Jacksonville and a branch in Neptune Beach.

• The Fourth Judicial CircuitCourt, serving Duval County, has jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases that fall outside the jurisdiction of the county court. These include felonies, family law, juvenile, probate, and civil cases over $50,000. The court also hears appeals from certain administrative bodies and the county courts.
• Duval County Courts have limited jurisdiction over cases such as misdemeanors, small claims, violations of municipal and county ordinances, traffic infractions, and civil disputes with a value of less than $50,000.

How To Access Duval County Court Records

According to the state's Public Records Law and Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rule of Judicial Administration, public records, including court records, may be accessed by interested individuals. However, certain court records, including those generated from juvenile and adoption, as well as sealed court records, are prohibited from public disclosure. Additionally, court records containing health case files, social security numbers, and addresses of domestic victims are classified as confidential and inaccessible to the public.

An Individual who wants to access Duval County court records is required to provide the case number and a valid, government-issued photo ID. They may access these court records through various methods.

Online

Online access to Duval County court records is possible through the Clerk Online Resource ePortal (CORE). According to AOSC24-65, an individual's viewing permission depends on the user's role, the type of case, the type of court records, and the nature of the information within the court records. They may search case files by using the case number, case year, the offender's name, or case type as search criteria.

Individuals who search court records through the "Public Access" option may not be able to request access for records that have not been reviewed and published to CORE for viewing. However, to request new documents or access records governed by the Florida Rules of Family Law or the Florida Probate Rules, individuals must register for a free CORE account. If a document is marked as "View on Request", it means the document is available but must be processed by the clerk before it can be viewed.

Additionally, publicly available county court records may be accessed through CourtCaseFinder, which offers a convenient way to look up case information across multiple courts nationwide. To access federal court cases in Duval County, interested individuals may use the PACER Case Locator service. While creating an account is free, users typically must pay certain fees to access court records.

In-Person

To obtain criminal court records in person, individuals may visit the Duval County Clerk of Courts' Office in Jacksonville. A valid government-issued ID is required for in-person access to court records. Record seekers typically pay $1 per page for an uncertified copy and an additional $2 per document for certification. The clerk's office also provides public access terminals inside the courthouse. The terminals allow individuals to search for court records by case number or party name.

Old and Archived Court Records

The State Archives of Florida collects and preserves old records, which generally include court case files, probate and estate files, court minute books, and government reports. Individuals may access these records by contacting the State Archives at:

Alternatively, record seekers may request old court records at the Official Records and Research Department in the Duval County Courthouse.

How To File a Case in Duval County

Filing a case in Duval County, Florida, involves several steps and requirements depending on the nature of the case. The plaintiff must identify the appropriate court that handles the type of case they intend to file. For example, small claims cases are filed in County Court, while family law and criminal (felony) cases are filed in the Circuit Court.

Prepare the necessary legal documents and file the documents online, by mail, or in person with the Duval County Clerk of Courts' office.

Duval County offers an online court filing process through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. This portal allows users to file documents and pay the required court fees, as well as processing fees. To begin the eFiling process, users must register for an account on the portal. Account registration is free, but a valid email address is required for verification purposes. Users may find guidance and support through the manual provided by the courts.

Individuals may choose to file their documents in person at the main courthouse in Jacksonville. They may also file a case by submitting the documents and required fees to the Records Department of the Duval County Clerk of Courts. To file a case in the Duval County Court, an individual must pay a fee, which varies depending on the type of case being filed. However, if they cannot afford to pay the filing fees, they may apply for a fee waiver.

To apply for a fee waiver, the plaintiff is required to obtain and complete an Affidavit of Indigency Form. Upon completion, this form should be submitted to the courthouse for review. If the court finds sufficient merit in the application, it may grant a waiver or reduction of associated fees.

The following steps generally outline the case filing process in Duval County:

• Determine the appropriate courthouse - Identify the proper courthouse that handles cases they want to file.
• Prepare all necessary documents - All vital documentation must be meticulously prepared for submission to the court.
• Use Court-Approved Forms - Make sure to use the court-approved forms.
• Pay the Filing Fee - Filing fees vary depending on the type of case.
• File and Serve - File your documents with the courthouse. All opposing parties must be served with a copy of the filed documents.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Duval County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation may seek assistance at local courthouses, through local legal aid organizations, or by exploring free services offered by the local bar association.

The following is a compilation of organizations providing pro bono as well as self-representation resources within the county:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA)
• Three Rivers Legal Services offers free advice and representation in cases involving probate, bankruptcy, and expunging criminal records.
• Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida offers legal assistance to residents in specific areas, including family law and consumer issues.
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Jacksonville Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)
• Legal Services of North Florida

Duval County residents may also find help through statewide self-help resources listed below:

• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• FloridaLawHelp.org
• Florida Free Legal Answers (Online Advice Clinic)

Individuals living in Duval County also have access to a variety of helpful legal aid services and self-help resources, including:

• Self-Help Center provides basic legal information for self-represented litigants.
• The Duval County Law Library provides access to research materials and offers assistance in locating legal forms and information.
• Senior Legal Helpline (for those above 60 years) - Provides free legal advice and services for seniors on issues like housing, estate, and consumer fraud.

Types of Courts in Duval County, Florida

The trial courts in Duval County comprise Circuit Court and County Court. While the Circuit Court and County Court are located in the same building, the county is home to two federal court facilities.

Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Duval County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The Circuit Court handles felonies, family law, juvenile matters, probate, and civil matters exceeding $50,000. The court also hears appeals from the administrative center and the county courts. The County Court has jurisdiction over traffic infractions, ordinance violations, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, misdemeanors, and civil disputes with a value of less than $50,000.

The following are the designated court locations in Duval County:

Downtown Courthouse (Circuit and County Courts)

Neptune Beaches Branch (Circuit and County Courts)

Federal Courts in Duval County

Residents of Duval County, FL, are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts handle matters such as civil rights violations, immigration matters, federal crimes, intellectual property disputes, and lawsuits involving federal agencies.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court deals with bankruptcy cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Duval County Courts

Here are some common questions about the court system in Duval County, Florida: