Saint Lucie County Court Records

Saint Lucie County Courts, FL *

St. Lucie County Courts, FL

St. Lucie County was formed in 1905 through an act of the Florida legislature. It is part of Florida's Nineteenth Judicial Circuit along with Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. The seat of Fort Pierce is home to the main courthouse, where most court activities take place. Cases are also heard at the annex courthouse in Port St. Lucie. Besides hearing cases, this courthouse also helps residents of the county with public documents like marriage certificates and passports.

The St. Lucie court system assists residents with many legal services. Its courts make judgments on various matters, including civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family disputes, and traffic offenses. Like most court systems in Florida, St. Lucie County also has a Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. This office assists residents who need to file cases at any of its courts. It's also where they go to if they need physical copies of court records as well as certified ones.

Overview of the St. Lucie County Court System

Cases in St. Lucie County are shared between the Circuit Court and the County Court. Splitting duties in this way makes it possible to deliver legal services to the residents more effectively. The Circuit Court hears cases such as criminal felonies, probate matters, and major civil disputes. Meanwhile, the County Court takes on small claims, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and other minor offenses.

The office of the County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is also integral to the court system in St. Lucie. It is responsible for new case filings and maintaining court records. It is also where residents go when they need copies of records or help with basic court paperwork.

Types of Courts in St. Lucie County, Florida

St. Lucie County courts manage cases through the Circuit Court and the County Court. Here's an overview of how they work and the matters they specialize in.

Circuit Court

The 19th Judicial Circuit Court is St. Lucie's apex court. This is where hearings for the county's most serious cases happen.

Its jurisdiction extends to:

Felony crime cases
Large civil claims
Probate issues
Injunctions
Family disputes
Juvenile delinquency

The Circuit Court sits in the main St. Lucie Courthouse in downtown Fort Pierce, and its judges also handle cases across several counties in the circuit. Proceedings here tend to follow strict court rules and take longer to conclude compared to those heard at the County Court. Given the serious nature of the matters handled here, many people choose to work with attorneys. The criminal felony cases heard at the court sometimes include jury trials.

County Court

Minor cases in St. Lucie County are heard at the County Court. This court is very often the first point of contact that residents have with the county's legal system.

It hears cases such as:

Misdemeanors
Traffic offenses
Housing disputes
Minor civil claims

The County Court is where St. Lucie residents turn to for minor disputes. County Court cases are mainly heard at the St. Lucie Courthouse Annex in Port St. Lucie, although the main courthouse also handles some of these matters to manage the backlog. Proceedings here are less formal than those at the Circuit Court. Hearings at the County Court are also usually shorter than those held at the Circuit Court and rarely involve jury trials.

How to Access St. Lucie County Court Records

St. Lucie County court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office. These records include everything from criminal and civil cases to probate and family law matters. Some files can be viewed online, while others need to be requested directly from the clerk. Below are the main ways residents can search for and obtain court records in the county.

Online Access

Court records in St. Lucie County can be searched online through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's case search system. Users can look up cases by party name, case number, or citation number. While the platform offers access to cases dating as far back as 1993, some court records are only accessible to authorized persons. Individuals looking up records on the system can view case details such as the parties involved, the charges, and the sentences.

Alternative Online Options

Researchers can also access St. Lucie County court records through third-party public records platforms such as CourtCaseFinder. These sites collect publicly available court information from various courts and present it in a single searchable system. They let users search for court records by party name, case number, or location. It's worth noting that these aggregate sites only show information that is already in the public domain. As such, records for sealed and restricted cases may not always appear in the search results.

In-Person Requests

Some St. Lucie County court records are not available online and must be requested through the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Residents can go to the clerk's office to request certified court records, physical copies, and archived documents. Having case details such as the party name, case number, and filing date makes it easier for the clerk to locate these records.

Archived Records

Older court records in St. Lucie County are maintained by the State Library and Archives of Florida. This is the state's primary repository for historical government and judicial records. Researchers can turn to this source for records that can't be accessed through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller or the third-party sites. Court records held at the archive include older civil and criminal case files, probate documents, and minute books. Not every historical case is transferred to the state archive. However, it's still a good resource for anyone researching historical cases in St. Lucie County.

The best way to search court records in the county is to combine online searches, in-person requests at the clerk's office, and state archival resources. Doing so provides a complete, holistic view of a case, especially when researching older cases.

For Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Practicing attorneys in St. Lucie have an easier time navigating the county's court system. However, visiting attorneys need to familiarize themselves with the court structure and procedures to ensure a more seamless experience. Cases in the county are shared between the Circuit Court and the County Court. Filings are processed through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, and errors in document preparation and submission can slow down a case.

Legal professionals also need to know how to locate records for any court cases they're working on or researching. Court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office. Attorneys can look up past and current court records on the official case search portal. Those who need physical or certified copies of records can visit the clerk's office. Having case information, such as party names and filing dates, makes it much easier for the clerk to locate records.

How to File a Case in St. Lucie County

The case filing process in St. Lucie is fairly simple. However, it needs proper preparation right from the outset. Even the most minor errors can complicate the process and cause delays. Here are the steps one can take to ensure a smoother filing experience.

Step 1: Choose the Correct Court

Court cases in St. Lucie are handled by different courts based on how weighty they are. So, the first thing any litigant should do is identify the appropriate court for their case. The Circuit Court typically takes on the most serious cases. This is where felony crimes, family law disputes, probate cases, and civil lawsuits involving large sums are heard. The County Court, on the other hand, focuses on misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims cases.

Step 2: Complete Required Forms

After choosing the right court, one must obtain and complete the necessary forms. The good news is that the Clerk's website provides downloadable forms for family law matters, probate, and criminal cases. St. Lucie residents can also get relevant forms from the Florida Courts forms page.

Step 3: File the Case

One of the quickest ways to file a case in St. Lucie is to file electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The system automatically redirects filings to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for review. Attorneys must use the e-filing system for all submissions. However, individuals representing themselves can file online through the portal or drop off documents at the clerk's office. While registry on the e-filing system is free, standard court filing fees still apply. After a submission is made, the clerk checks the documents to verify that they meet the required standards before admitting them to the court record or returning them for correction.

Step 4: Pay Filing Fees

St. Lucie County residents must pay filing fees before their cases can proceed. The amount to be paid depends on the type of case being filed. Cases heard in the Circuit Court typically attract higher filing fees than those in the County Court due to their weightier nature. Filing fees can be paid online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at the time of submitting documents. Litigants can also pay filing fees in person at the clerk's office. If one is unable to afford filing fees due to financial constraints, they can apply for a waiver. To do so, they'll need to complete an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status form and tender it to the clerk's office.

Step 5: Serve the Other Party

For a case to move forward in St. Lucie County, the other party in a lawsuit must be notified through service of process. This is to ensure the defendant is made aware that a case has been initiated and has a chance to respond. Service of process is done by the county sheriff's office or a certified process server. Once service is completed, proof of service must be returned and filed with the court to show that the other party was properly notified. If that step is not completed correctly, the case may be delayed until the issue is fixed.

Step 6: Monitor the Case

Court hearing dates can change with short notice. So it's important for litigants in St. Lucie to stay on top of updates and communications from the court. Doing so ensures they don't miss scheduled appearances, which can have adverse consequences. Residents can look up court dockets and upcoming hearings on the court case search page. They can also contact the clerk's office directly for more information.

St. Lucie County Courthouse Directory

Hearings in St. Lucie happen at the county's two courthouses. The primary courthouse is located in Fort Pierce, while the other is in Port St. Lucie.

St. Lucie County Courthouse Main

Serves as the center of legal activity in the county. It handles both Circuit Court and County Court cases, including criminal, civil, probate, and family law.

Fort Pierce

Address: 218 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Phone: (772) 462-6900

Website: circuit19.org/fort-pierce-courthouse/

St. Lucie County Courthouse Annex

Handles only county court matters and public services, such as passport applications and marriage license processing.

Port Saint Lucie

Address: 250 NW Country Club Dr., Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986

Phone: (772) 807-4370

Website: circuit19.org/slw-annex-courthouse/

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

St. Lucie County residents can get legal support through various statewide and local organizations. Some provide free legal representation for low-income individuals, and others guide residents on case filings and court procedures. Here are a few resources for anyone dealing with a civil legal issue in the county.

Free Legal Assistance

Low-income individuals in St. Lucie can get pro bono legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services. This non-profit law firm assists with housing issues, family law cases, consumer disputes, and domestic violence-related civil cases. Citizens can also access legal support from the Florida Courts Self-Help Center. It provides official court forms and procedural guides to make the court process easier for self-represented litigants. Although the platform doesn't offer legal advice, it helps people understand court requirements and procedures before filing a case.

Local Legal Support

St. Lucie County residents can also access support from local organizations like SafeSpace. This non-profit connects survivors of domestic violence with legal services. It assists them with protective injunctions, criminal justice support and advocacy, and victims' compensation claims. Another excellent resource is the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast. This organization doesn't provide legal representation or litigation aid. However, it connects senior citizens and caregivers with pro bono or affordable attorneys.

FAQs

What cases do St. Lucie County courts handle?

St. Lucie County courts handle a wide range of matters, including felony and misdemeanor charges, divorce and custody cases, probate and estate administration, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil lawsuits. More serious matters are handled at the Circuit Court level, while lower-level offenses and smaller disputes are dealt with in the County Court.

How can residents access St. Lucie County court records online?

Residents can access court records through the online search system maintained by the County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office. The portal allows users to look up cases using a party name, case number, or citation number. It also provides access to docket information, hearing dates, and filed documents. That being said, sensitive or sealed records are not available online. These records must be requested directly from the clerk's office.

How can residents obtain certified copies of court records in St. Lucie County?

Residents can request certified copies of court records through the St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office. Having basic case details such as party names, case number, or filing date helps the clerk's office locate records more quickly. Once retrieved, the clerk prepares an officially stamped copy confirming its authenticity.

How are filing fees handled in St. Lucie County courts?

Filing fees are paid when a case is submitted and are determined by the type of case being filed. Litigants can make payments online through the e-filing portal when submitting case forms. Individuals filing cases in person can also pay the filing fees directly to the clerk's office when they drop their documents. The total cost varies depending on whether the case is filed in Circuit Court or County Court.

Are juvenile court records public in St. Lucie County?

No. Juvenile court records in St. Lucie County are not open for public viewing. Florida law restricts access to these records to protect the privacy of minors involved in legal proceedings. Access to records involving juveniles is limited to authorized individuals. These include the minor's parents or guardians, attorneys involved in the case, and any other parties who've officially been granted permission by the court.

Does an individual need an attorney to go to court in St. Lucie?

No. One does not need to hire legal representation for most civil or family law cases in St. Lucie County. The county gives individuals the chance to represent themselves in these types of cases. Even so, they must still adhere to all court rules and procedures. It's also worth bearing in mind that the St. Lucie County Clerk's office doesn't provide legal advice to persons proceeding through cases pro se. Those who choose to go this route can use self-help resources like the Florida Courts Self-Help Center to guide them through the process.

Are there alternative ways to search court records in St. Lucie, FL?

Yes. Third-party platforms like CourtCaseFinder are a great resource for anyone looking up case records in St. Lucie. Sites such as these compile case records from different counties into a single database. Users can use these sites to search records by name or case number. While useful for general research, these platforms don't always have records of current or historical cases. That's why they're best used alongside the official case search portal and the state archive.

What happens if someone misses a court date in St. Lucie, FL?

Failure to appear for a scheduled court appearance, intentionally or otherwise, constitutes a breach of one's legal obligations and can carry serious repercussions. Florida law allows a judge to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of an individual who fails to appear in court. An individual who misses hearings in a civil case risks having the case ruled against them, while failing to appear in criminal proceedings can result in penalties.

Saint Lucie County Court Records Lookup

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