Palm Beach County Courts

Palm Beach County has over 1.5 million residents, accounting for approximately 6.5% of Florida's total population of 23 million. Its county seat is located in West Palm Beach. All the courts in the county handle more than 211,000 cases every year. These cases include 141,139 civil matters, 49,236 criminal cases, 12,212 family matters, and 8,838 probate matters.

The Circuit Courts and County Courts serve the residents of Palm Beach County.

• The 15th Judicial CircuitCourt of Florida, which serves Palm Beach County, has jurisdiction over felonies, family law, juvenile, probate, and civil cases exceeding $50,000. It also hears appeals from certain administrative agencies and the county courts.
• Palm Beach County Courts handle misdemeanors, small claims, violations of municipal ordinances, traffic infractions, and civil disputes less than $50,000.

How To Access Palm Beach County Court Records

Under the State's Public Records Law and Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rule of Judicial Administration, individuals may access most Palm Beach County court records. However, some court records, including juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed records, are restricted from public disclosure.

Generally, individuals must have a case number and a valid government-issued photo ID to access Palm Beach County court records. They may access these court records through various methods.

Online

Individuals may view and obtain non-certified copies of court records, including civil, criminal, and traffic cases, online through the eCaseView Portal. They may find the records by using the case number, name, court type, or citation number as the search criterion. Only registered users may view images of records related to mental health, guardianship, probate, and family cases. The registered user option features multiple search field criteria, including date of birth, driver's license, incident number, arrest date, booking number, and bar number. Record seekers may purchase electronic certified copies of court records through E-Certify.

Additionally, individuals may search for court records in Palm Beach County on CourtCaseFinder. This website compiles case information from various county courts nationwide.

Anyone interested in accessing federal court cases heard in Palm Beach County may use the PACER Case Locator service. To use this service, individuals must sign up for an account and pay certain fees.

In-Person

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Palm Beach County, is the custodian of court records in the county. Individuals may request court records from the clerk's office in person. They may need to provide case details, such as names, dates, or case numbers, to locate the records. Individuals may need a valid government-issued ID to access certain records, especially in sensitive cases involving minors or victims of abuse. Individuals must pay a $1 fee to obtain a copy of court records and an additional $2 for certification. The clerk's office also provides public computer terminals for access to court records.

Members of the public may obtain certified copies of court records from the clerk's office by mail. They must complete a Records Service Transmittal Form and submit it to the clerk's office.

Old and Archived Court Records

Old public records, including court records, are preserved in the Florida State Archives. To access old court records in Palm Beach County, individuals may contact the State Archives at:

Alternatively, record seekers may request old court records at the Record Service Center in the Main Courthouse in Palm Beach County. They may also obtain the old court records by visiting the clerk's office at other branch locations, including Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, and Belle Glade.

How To File a Case in Palm Beach County

To file a case in Palm Beach County, Florida, the filing party must determine the appropriate court and division that hears such types of cases. The plaintiff may file their cases online, by mail, or in person at the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts' office.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal enables residents of Palm Beach County to file their cases electronically. Through this portal, individuals may submit documents and pay the required court fees. They must register for an account using a valid email address, which is needed for verification. Individuals may find additional information about the e-filing portal in the manual available on the portal website.

Individuals may file their case in person by visiting the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office in the appropriate courthouse location. They need to collect all necessary forms and documents from the clerk's office for their case. The cost of filing a case in the Palm Beach Court, Florida, depends on the type and complexity of the case. Individuals must pay the filing fees or apply for a fee waiver, which is based on their indigent status. They may complete an Application for Criminal Indigent Status Form and submit it by mail or in person at any clerk's office.

For civil cases, individuals may fill out an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status Form and submit it electronically, by mail, or in person at the clerk's office.. The court will review the application form and decide on the fee waiver. After the case has been filed, the plaintiff must serve the other party with a copy of the filed document.

In summary, individuals must follow the following steps:

• Determine the appropriate courthouse that has jurisdiction over their case
• Attach all required documents and court-approved forms for the case.
• Pay the filing fee and file the case.
• Serve a copy of the filed document to the other party in the case.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

In the United States, the court system plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice. Citizens may learn more about the judicial system through legal assistance and self-help resources provided by the court and other organizations. These resources, which vary by jurisdiction, typically include self-help centers, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Palm Beach County, individuals who lack the financial means for legal representation may access free legal resources through various avenues, such as courthouses and legal aid organizations. Additionally, the local bar association provides pro bono services to help those in need.

The following is a list of organizations and legal resources available for residents in the county:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-Income Persons
• Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
• Private Lawyer Referral Service
• Palm Beach Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)

Some statewide self-help resources provide helpful legal support to residents of Palm Beach County, including:

• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• FloridaLawHelp.org
• Florida Free Legal Answers

Palm Beach County residents may also access legal aid services and helpful resources, including the following:

• The Self-Service Center assists residents in navigating the county's court system by providing resources for self-represented litigants.
• The Peach Beach County Law Library offers access to educational programs, courtroom equipment rental, legal forms, and up-to-date legal resources.
• Turning 18 helps parents with guardianship cases for their disabled children who have turned 18years
• FloridaNameChange enables residents to create the necessary documents to legally change their names.
• The Office of the Florida State Courts provides free family law forms online for residents.

Types of Courts in Palm Beach County, Florida

The courts in Palm Beach County comprise Circuit Courts and County Courts. Some federal courts also operate in the county.

The 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Palm Beach County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Felonies, family law, juvenile matters, probate, and civil matters exceeding $50,000. The court has several divisions that handle various types of cases, including domestic violence, juvenile, probate, and family law. It hears appeals from the administrative center and the county courts. It also operates specialized divisions, such as the Veterans' Court and Drug Court.

County Court of Florida, Palm Beach County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Misdemeanors, traffic infractions, violations of municipal ordinance, evictions, small claims, and civil cases less than $50,000.

The court locations in Palm Beach County are listed below:

Main Courthouse (Circuit and County Courts)

North County Courthouse (Circuit and County Courts)

South County Courthouse (Circuit and County Courts)

West County Courthouse (Circuit and County Courts)

Criminal Justice Complex

Federal Courts in Palm Beach County

The two federal courts serving Palm Beach County, FL, are listed below:

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - 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 Southern District of Florida

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Palm Beach County Courts

Common questions about the court system in Palm Beach County, Florida, are answered below: