Polk County Courts

Florida has a population of nearly 23.4 million people, with approximately 3.17% of them (878,000) residing in Polk County. On average, the county courts process approximately 88,900 new cases annually and resolve around 89,400 cases throughout the year. The annual case filings include about 27,000 criminal matters, 43,000 civil cases, 11,000 family law cases, and 6,000 probate cases.

Polk County has a trial court system designed to address all types of cases filed within the county. This system handles civil actions, criminal cases, small claims, probate matters, and family law through the following courts:

• Circuit Court: This court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, but generally adjudicates cases outside the jurisdiction of other county courts. Such cases include felonies, certain civil cases, and juvenile matters.
• County Court: It serves as the trial court of limited jurisdiction. Cases heard by the county court include lesser criminal offenses, small claims, divorce, and specific non-criminal matters.

How To Access Polk County Court Records

Polk County provides general access to court records in compliance with the Florida Sunshine Law, but confidential and sealed records are exempt from public disclosure. Court records that are typically inaccessible to the public include juvenile records, case files containing personal details of abuse victims, and medical records.

To obtain Polk County court records, individuals may be required to present a valid government-issued ID and provide the case number related to the files being sought. These records may be accessible to anyone through any of the following ways:

Online

Interested individuals may access court records in Polk County online through the clerk's public court records search portal. The portal allows users to search for court cases filed in the county, providing essential information such as party details, dockets, and filings.

Likewise, court records from every county in the United States, including Polk County, may be accessed through CourtCaseFinder. Interested persons may also access court records generated from federal cases heard in Polk County using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) case locator. Registered users may search federal cases and dockets on the portal by case number or party name.

In-Person

Polk County court records are generally available at the county courthouses. These courts have Clerks who are responsible for providing records they maintain to interested persons. Hence, record seekers may obtain copies of case files and related court documents by visiting the Clerk's Office. Similarly, courthouses may provide public access terminals that facilitate independent searches for such records.

In Polk County, court records are available for $1 per copy, but an additional certification fee of $2 applies to certified copies.

Old and Archived Court Records

Generally, court records older than 50 years in Polk County may be unavailable at the local courthouses. However, interested persons may consider searching for such historic court records using resources provided by the State Archives of Florida. To access these records, contact or visit the State Archives during regular hours at:

How to File a Case in Polk County

In Polk County, litigants may file new cases electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal or in person at the Clerk of Court's Office.

The court charges specific fees for filing cases. These fees vary by the type of case being filed. Filing civil cases typically costs $400, while family law matters incur a filing fee of $300. For real property disputes, if the value of the property is less than $50,000, the filing fee is $400. However, if the property's value is between $50,000 and $250,000, the filing cost for the case is $905. Additionally, litigants who qualify for indigent status may request a waiver of these filing fees by submitting an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status.

Individuals interested in filing cases in Polk County may contact the court clerk to verify the correct court with jurisdiction over the matter they intend to file. To file a case in the county, individuals may follow these steps:

• Determine the appropriate county court to file the case.
• Prepare the necessary documents and download the court forms related to the case on the court's website. Generally, litigants may file a petition, complaint, statement of claim, or similar document to begin a case. In specific cases, litigants may file additional documents such as affidavits, notices, or motions.
• Submit the prepared documents to the court online via the state's E-filing portal or physically with the clerk.
• Pay the necessary fees or request applicable court fee waivers.

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 Polk County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation may seek legal assistance from local legal aid organizations, pro bono panels, and resources available through the county court. Additionally, these organizations may offer self-help resources for litigants who choose to represent themselves in court. Such persons may consider one or more of the following legal help or self-help resources:

• Statewide Help Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
• Florida Law Help
• Free Legal Answers
• Florida Bar Appellate Pro Se Handbook
• Florida Courts E-Filing Authority Resources
• Local Court Self Help Resources
• Polk County Clerk Do It Yourself (DIY) Filings
• 10th Judicial Circuit Self-Help Program
• Stephen H. Grimes Law Library
• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Earners
• Polk County Public Defender
• Non-profit Legal Aid Organizations
• St. Michael's Legal Center for Women and Children (Family Law)
• Florida Rural Legal Services
• Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society
• Florida Legal Services
• State and County Pro-bono Panels
• Appellate Practice Section's Pro Bono Committee
• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• Lakeland Bar Association

Types of Courts in Polk County, Florida

Polk County has several courts with different jurisdictions, including County, Circuit, and Federal courts. Below is a list of the courts operating in the county, along with their respective jurisdictions and contact information:

Polk County Circuit Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: They exercise original jurisdiction over all matters not heard by other courts. Cases they hear include felonies, juvenile dependency, guardianship, mental health proceedings, probate, domestic relations, and civil matters exceeding $30,000.

The Circuit Court operates in the following locations:

Polk County Circuit Court - Bartow Branch

Polk County Circuit Court - Lakeland Branch

Polk County Circuit Court - Northeast Branch

Polk County Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: They handle cases involving misdemeanors, small claims, traffic crimes, civil suits with claims up to $30,000, and municipal ordinance violations.

These courts are located at:

County Court of Polk County - Bartow Branch

County Court of Polk County - Lakeland Branch

County Court of Polk County - Northeast Branch

Federal Courts in Polk County

The following are the federal courts serving the county:

United States District Court - Middle District of Florida

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Civil and criminal matters involving federal statutes, the U.S. Constitution, federal crimes, and federal agencies.

Address and contact information:

United States Bankruptcy Court - Middle District of Florida

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court handles bankruptcy filings and related proceedings originating in Polk County.

Address and Contact Information:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Polk County Courts