St. Lucie County Court Records
St. Lucie County court records consist of any information, document, or exhibit that is maintained by courts in connection with judicial proceedings across the county. Examples include case files, court decisions, filings, and court minutes. Access to these records is governed by multiple rules and laws, including the Florida Public Records Act. Court records are necessary for multiple reasons. They provide transparency and accountability of legal proceedings filed across the circuit courts and county courts of St. Lucie. Court records may also establish legal precedents and provide historical documentation of evolving court laws.
Are Court Records Public in St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County court records are generally open to the public, except where protected by law. In accordance with the Florida Public Records Act (Rule 2.420), members of the public have the right to inspect or obtain copies of "records of the judicial branch," which includes administrative records and court records. However, some records are exempted from public view. Official court custodians may deny a request for any record that contains protected information, such as the following:
- Drafts of orders and opinions prepared by judges or court staff
- Records deemed confidential under state or federal law
- Copies of unexecuted search or arrest warrants
Where to Conduct a St. Lucie County Case Lookup
Lucie County court case records can be obtained by contacting the official record custodian. Depending on the type of case, court records may either be maintained by the court clerk of the circuit court or county court. Residents can view or inspect most records by visiting the courthouse where the case was filed during regular business hours. Inquirers may also be able to obtain copies of a record using the e-search option provided by the courts.
How to Conduct a St. Lucie County Case Records Search
Members of the public can search through open court case information using the online search platform provided by the Clerk of the Court. Searches can be conducted using different criteria, including name, citation number, and password. Users can also filter results by the date opened, the date closed, and the court type. However, access to this platform requires a registered account. Inquirers can register an account by filling out the online registration form, signing it, and mailing it to the Clerk's main office at:
Clerk and Comptroller, St. Lucie County
P.O. Box 700, Attn: Information Technology
Fort Pierce, FL 34954
In addition to an option for individuals, the clerk also provides other types of registrations. The online court search tool only maintains records on cases from 2008. Residents can inspect or obtain copies of cases prior to 2008 by visiting the courthouse where the case was filed.
To process a search, inquirers must provide some related information, such as the name of the parties involved in the case, a case number, a citation number, an attorney's name, the type of court, or the filing date.
St. Lucie County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court records consist of files, documents, and other information generated during civil proceedings. These records are generally public and may be accessed by almost anyone. Court clerks serve as the official custodians for most court case records. Interested parties can inspect or view records by contacting the court clerk at the custodial courthouse. Alternatively, residents may be able to view civil court case records filed from 2008 using the clerk's e-Search tool.
St. Lucie County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records are generated during in-court proceedings at the circuit or county courts. Except where exempted by law, they include all records and documents associated with cases adjudicated in the county's judicial system. Criminal records may include copies of arrest warrants, orders, and motions, as well as the final outcome of a case, such as convictions, plea bargains, or dismissals. Court case records are maintained by the county court clerk and can be viewed following the submission of a request.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Members of the public may be able to view copies of a court case record using the e-search tool maintained by the court clerk. However, this online option requires that users create an active registered account. Residents may also be able to get court records online for free using third-party platforms. These non-governmental platforms provide user-friendly interfaces that make it easy for almost anyone to search for records using either a known party name or case number. The platforms provide access to records aggregated from multiple jurisdictions, making them a convenient option for wide searches. That said, compared to official sources, the accuracy and completeness of available records may vary.
Courts in St. Lucie County
Depending on when the record was recreated, county residents may be able to submit requests for court records in person by visiting the respective courts. The following are the addresses of some of the courts in St. Lucie County.
St. Lucie County Circuit Court
Fort Pierce Courthouse
218 South 2nd Street,
Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
Phone: (772) 462-6900
Clerk of Court Office
201 South Indian River Drive,
P.O. Box 700,
Ft. Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 462-6900
County Court of St. Lucie County
South County Courthouse
250 NW Country Club Drive,
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
Phone: (772) 462-6900
County Court of St. Lucie County
Clerk of Court Office
201 South Indian River Drive,
P.O. Box 700,
Ft. Pierce, FL 34954
Phone: (772) 462-6900
County Court of St. Lucie County
Fort Pierce Courthouse
218 South 2nd Street,
Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
Phone: (772) 462-6900
