Criminal records in Duval County, Florida, are accessible through several channels. DuvalCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include official court systems such as the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and the Duval County Clerk of Courts. Under the Florida Public Records Act, most criminal court records are generally available to the public, though certain records may be sealed or expunged by court order.
How to Search Criminal Records in Duval
Several methods are available for searching Duval County criminal records. What you need to begin depends on the method, but having at least one of the following will help:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number
- Charge type or statute number
Online Search Options
- DuvalCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information by name or case number.
- Clerk's CORE Portal — The Duval County Clerk of Courts offers the CORE (Clerk's Online Record Environment) system for searching criminal, civil, and traffic case records filed in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
- FDLE Criminal History Records — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains statewide criminal history information. You can request a name-based or fingerprint-based background check through FDLE.
- Jacksonville Sheriff's Office — JSO provides inmate search tools, booking and release logs, and arrest information through its website.
- Florida Department of Corrections — Use the statewide offender search to look up individuals sentenced to state prison, including those from Duval County.
- PACER — For federal criminal cases originating in Duval County, search the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida through the federal PACER system.
In Person
Visit the Duval County Courthouse to use public access terminals or request assistance from the Clerk's office. The courthouse is located at:
Public access computer terminals at the courthouse allow searches of the Clerk's case index. Staff can help locate case files, though they cannot provide legal advice.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for court records to the Duval County Clerk of Courts. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), case number (if available), and a return address. For certified Florida criminal history records, submit a request directly to FDLE with the required form and applicable fees.
Search Duval Criminal Cases by Case Number
Florida uses a standardized case number format across all circuit and county courts. In Duval County, a typical case number looks like this:
16-2024-CF-001234-AXXX-MA
- 16 — Circuit number (Duval County is in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, but the county code "16" identifies Duval specifically within the statewide system)
- 2024 — Year the case was filed
- CF — Case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Circuit criminal felony
- MM — County criminal misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal traffic
- CFA — Criminal felony appeal
- 001234 — Sequential case number
- AXXX-MA — Division and judge assignment codes
When searching by case number in the Clerk's CORE portal, enter the full case number exactly as it appears on court documents. Partial numbers may return no results or incorrect matches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Duval
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Florida Statute section cited in the charging document (e.g., § 784.03 for battery) |
| Severity | Felony (first, second, third degree, life, capital), misdemeanor (first or second degree), or noncriminal infraction |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the State Attorney before or during trial — the docket will reflect both original and amended charges |
| Count Number | Each separate offense within a case is assigned a count number |
Case Status
- Pending / Open — Case is active and awaiting resolution
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered (conviction, acquittal, dismissal)
- Closed — All post-disposition obligations are complete
- Reopened — A previously closed case has been reopened, often for violation of probation or a new motion
Hearing Types
- First Appearance — Initial hearing, usually within 24 hours of arrest, where bond is set
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Scheduling and negotiation hearing between prosecution and defense
- Motion Hearing — Arguments on specific legal motions (e.g., suppression of evidence)
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial
- Sentencing — Court imposes sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Violation of Probation (VOP) Hearing — Hearing on alleged probation violations
Court Results
- Guilty — Convicted at trial or by plea
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Nolle Prosequi — State Attorney declines to prosecute
- Dismissed — Court dismisses the charge(s)
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charge; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Adjudication Withheld — Court does not formally convict; defendant may avoid a conviction on their record if conditions are met
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Duval
From the Duval County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk's office is the custodian of all court records filed in Duval County. You can request certified copies of criminal case documents — including judgments, sentences, and disposition orders — through the following methods:
- Online: Use the Clerk's CORE portal to identify documents, then contact the Clerk's office to arrange certified copies.
- In person: Visit the Clerk's office at the Duval County Courthouse.
- By mail: Send a written request with the case number, document description, and payment to the Clerk's office.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when requesting records in person. For mail requests, include a copy of your ID if the records involve sealed or restricted information.
From FDLE (Statewide Criminal History)
For a comprehensive Florida criminal history report — not limited to Duval County — submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE offers both name-based and fingerprint-based searches. Fingerprint-based results are more thorough and are typically required for employment and licensing background checks.
From the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Arrest reports and incident reports can be requested from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Contact JSO's Records Unit for availability and fees.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Duval
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $1.00 per page | Florida Statutes § 28.24 |
| Certification of court document | $2.00 per certification | Florida Statutes § 28.24 |
| FDLE name-based criminal history check | $24.00 | FDLE fee schedule |
| FDLE fingerprint-based criminal history check | $24.00 (state) + FBI fee if national check requested | FDLE fee schedule |
| Duplication of electronic court records | Varies; contact Clerk's office | Duval County Clerk |
Processing Times
- Online court record searches: Immediate results through the Clerk's CORE portal
- Certified copy requests (in person): Often same day, depending on volume
- Certified copy requests (by mail): Typically 5–10 business days
- FDLE name-based checks: Usually 1–3 business days when submitted electronically
- FDLE fingerprint-based checks: Approximately 3–5 business days after fingerprints are received
Fees are established under Florida Statutes Chapter 119 and § 28.24. Payment methods accepted at the Duval County Clerk's office typically include cash, check, money order, and major credit or debit cards. Confirm accepted payment methods before visiting or mailing a request.