Criminal records in Seminole County, Florida, are public documents that can be accessed in several ways. SeminoleCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the clerk of court's office. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to search, request, and understand criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Seminole
To begin your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
Here are the main methods for searching criminal records.
Online Search
- SeminoleCourt.us — Enter the name or case number to find publicly available information about criminal court cases in Seminole County.
- Florida Courts Portal — On the Florida Courts website, you can view appellate court documents through the ACIS system. For Seminole County circuit and district court cases, the Seminole County Clerk of Court system is used.
- Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts — Eighteenth Judicial Circuit serves Brevard and Seminole counties. The county's website provides information about judges, court schedules, and a telephone directory.
- Inmate Search — The Seminole County Sheriff holds inmates at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. An inmate list is also available through the state's jail and inmate search directory.
- FDLE — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the state's central repository of criminal histories. You can order an official criminal background check through FDLE.
In-Person Visit
The Seminole County Clerk of Court welcomes visitors at the courthouse located at:
The courthouse has public access terminals where you can view case materials. The clerk will assist in finding the necessary record if you provide the party's name or case number.
Written Request
You can submit a request for criminal records by mail or email to the Seminole County Public Records Department. For court and criminal records, contact the clerk of court directly:
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, send a request to FDLE with a completed form and fingerprints.
Search Seminole Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in Florida has a standard format consisting of several parts. A typical example: 2024-CF-001234-A.
- 2024 — Year the case was filed
- CF — Case type code (CF stands for Circuit Felony; MM — Misdemeanor; CT — County Criminal Traffic, etc.)
- 001234 — Sequential case number
- A — Alphabetical suffix sometimes indicating the court division
The most common criminal case type codes in Seminole County:
| Code | Case Type |
|---|---|
| CF | Circuit Felony |
| MM | Misdemeanor |
| MO | Municipal Ordinance Violation |
| CT | Criminal Traffic |
| CJ | Juvenile (restricted access) |
If you know the case number, the search will take just seconds. Without the number, use the defendant's name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Seminole
Each criminal case in Seminole County contains several key data categories. Below is an explanation of what each means.
Charges
- Statute Code — Reference to the specific Florida Statutes section under which charges are filed
- Severity Level — Felonies are divided into degrees from first to third; misdemeanors — first or second degree; infractions — lower level offenses
- Amended Charges — The prosecutor may change the initial charges: upgrade, downgrade, or replace with other statutes
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case has been filed, but no decision yet |
| Active | The case is under court consideration |
| Disposed | The court has made a decision — the case is closed |
| Closed | All procedural actions, including appeals, are complete |
Hearings
In Florida's criminal process, typical hearings include:
- Arraignment — The first court hearing where charges are read to the accused, and they plead guilty or not guilty
- Pre-trial conference — A meeting of the parties before the main hearing to discuss evidence, motions, or a possible agreement
- Motion hearing — Consideration of specific motions (e.g., to exclude evidence)
- Trial — The main court hearing before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — A session to announce the sentence after a guilty plea
- Review hearing — A control session to check compliance with probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case was closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Withheld Adjudication | The court refrained from formal guilt recognition — a common practice in Florida allowing avoidance of a conviction under certain conditions |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
Withheld Adjudication is a feature of Florida's judicial system. A judge may impose probation but not issue a formal verdict. This can affect the possibility of sealing or expunging the record according to the Florida Constitution and relevant statutes.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Seminole
Certified copies of criminal records differ from regular printouts: they have an official seal and the clerk's signature, confirming their authenticity.
Where to Submit a Request
- Clerk of the Circuit Court — Issues certified copies of court documents: indictments, sentences, orders, hearing transcripts
- FDLE — Issues official state-level criminal history (fingerprints required)
- Seminole County Sheriff — Can provide copies of arrest reports and police records
How to Submit a Request
- In-person — Visit the clerk of court's office at the Seminole County Courthouse at 301 N. Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the party's full name, case number (if known), type of document requested, and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- By email — For general public records requests in the county, write to publicrecords@seminolecountyfl.gov. For court records, contact the clerk of court: clerk@seminoleclerk.org.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- For criminal history requests through FDLE — completed request form and fingerprints taken at an authorized location
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Seminole
Fees are regulated by Florida Statutes, specifically § 28.24, which sets rates for clerks of circuit courts statewide.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document (in addition to copy costs) |
| Criminal history check through FDLE (fingerprint-based) | Approximately $24.00 |
| Criminal history check through FDLE (name-based) | Approximately $24.00 |
Processing Times
- Court document copies from the clerk — Usually ready within one to three business days for in-person requests. Mail requests may take one to two weeks.
- Criminal history through FDLE — Electronic results typically arrive within a few business days; paper results may take up to four weeks.
- County public records requests — Under Florida's public records law, a response must be provided within a reasonable time. Complex requests may take longer.
Check current fees and payment methods directly with the clerk of court's office at (407) 665-4330 or through the Seminole County public records request page. Federal criminal cases heard in the Middle District of Florida have a separate fee system through PACER.