Lake County Court Records
What Is Lake County Court Records
Lake County court records are official documents created and maintained by the Lake County Clerk of Court that chronicle judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records document the activities, decisions, and filings associated with cases heard in Lake County courts. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.222, the Clerk of Court serves as the custodian of all court records and is responsible for their maintenance, preservation, and accessibility.
Court records typically include:
- Case filings and pleadings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing transcripts
- Evidence presented during proceedings
- Docket entries
- Case dispositions
The Lake County Clerk of Court maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats, with an increasing transition toward digital record-keeping systems. The Lake County Clerk of Court provides various methods for accessing these records, including in-person requests and online search capabilities.
Lake County Clerk of Court
550 West Main Street
Tavares, FL 32778
(352) 742-4100
Lake County Clerk of Court
Are Court Records Public In Lake County
Court records in Lake County are generally considered public documents in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the state constitution's guarantee of access to public records. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, establishes that all records made or received in connection with official government business are available for public inspection and copying, with limited exceptions.
Members of the public may access most court records through various means, including:
- In-person requests at the Lake County Courthouse
- Online access through the Clerk's official website
- Written requests submitted to the Clerk's office
Certain records may be exempt from public disclosure or may have restricted access pursuant to Florida law. These exemptions typically include:
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with exceptions)
- Records containing confidential information such as Social Security numbers
- Records related to certain domestic violence cases
- Records involving ongoing criminal investigations
The determination of whether a court record is accessible to the public is governed by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 2.420, which establishes procedures for both access to and protection of court records.
How To Find Court Records in Lake County in 2025
Finding court records in Lake County in 2025 involves several established methods that have been enhanced through technological improvements. The Lake County Clerk of Court provides multiple avenues for accessing court records:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Lake County Courthouse during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form at the public records counter
- Provide case-specific information to facilitate the search
- Pay applicable copy fees as established by Florida Statutes § 28.24
Online Access:
- Navigate to the Lake County Clerk's official website
- Register for an account if accessing non-public records
- Use the case search function with appropriate identifiers
- Download available documents (fees may apply for certain documents)
Written Requests:
- Submit a detailed written request to the Clerk's office
- Include specific case information and document identification
- Provide contact information and preferred delivery method
- Enclose appropriate payment for search and copy fees
Remote Access Terminals:
- Use public access terminals located at the Lake County Law Library
- Access is provided free of charge during regular library hours
- Print copies are available for a nominal fee
The Lake County Clerk's Office has implemented enhanced search capabilities in 2025, allowing for more precise filtering of case types, date ranges, and parties involved in litigation.
How To Look Up Court Records in Lake County Online?
Lake County provides comprehensive online access to court records through its electronic case management system. The digital platform allows users to search and retrieve court documents remotely. To look up court records online:
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Access the Lake County Clerk of Court's online portal
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Select the appropriate search option based on information available:
- Case number search
- Party name search
- Business name search
- Date range search
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Enter the required search criteria and submit the query
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Review the list of matching cases
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Select specific cases to view available documents
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Pay any applicable fees for document access or downloads
For appellate cases involving Lake County matters, users may access the Florida Appellate Case Information System to search for docket information and electronic filings.
Users seeking federal court records for cases in Lake County should utilize the PACER system through the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, which has jurisdiction over Lake County.
Can You Search Lake County Court Records for Free?
Lake County provides several options for free court record searches, though certain limitations apply. The following free search options are available to the public:
- Basic case information searches on the Lake County Clerk's website are available without charge
- Public access terminals at the Lake County Courthouse provide free search capabilities
- In-person docket reviews at the Clerk's office incur no search fee
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Document copies (physical or electronic)
- Certified copies of court documents
- Extensive research requests requiring staff assistance
- Bulk data downloads or specialized reports
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, the Clerk of Court is authorized to charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Current fee schedules are posted at the Clerk's office and on the official website. Certain exemptions from fees may apply for specific government agencies and approved non-profit organizations as provided by statute.
What's Included in a Lake County Court Record?
Lake County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings. The contents vary by case type but typically include the following components:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions
- Summonses
- Initial appearances
- Indictments or information (in criminal cases)
Procedural Documents:
- Motions and responses
- Court orders and rulings
- Hearing notices
- Subpoenas
- Witness lists
Evidentiary Materials:
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Deposition transcripts
- Affidavits
- Expert reports
Disposition Documents:
- Judgments
- Verdicts
- Sentencing information (in criminal cases)
- Settlement agreements (when filed with the court)
- Dismissal orders
Post-Judgment Documents:
- Appeals notices
- Satisfaction of judgment filings
- Probation reports
- Restitution records
The Florida Courts system establishes standardized document requirements that apply to all counties, including Lake County, ensuring consistency in record content and format.
How Long Does Lake County Keep Court Records?
Lake County retains court records according to schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Retention periods vary based on case type and document significance:
- Felony case records: Maintained for 75 years from case disposition
- Misdemeanor records: Retained for 10 years after case closure
- Civil case records: Kept for 10 years following final judgment
- Probate matters: Preserved for 10 years after case closing
- Juvenile records: Typically retained until the subject reaches age 24
- Traffic infractions: Maintained for 3 years after disposition
Records of significant historical or precedential value may be designated for permanent retention. The Lake County government works in conjunction with the Clerk's office to ensure proper archiving of historically significant court documents.
Digital preservation initiatives have expanded retention capabilities, with many older records being digitized for permanent electronic storage. Physical records that have met retention requirements may be destroyed following proper protocols established by state regulations.
Types of Courts In Lake County
Lake County's judicial system encompasses several court types, each with distinct jurisdictional authority. The court structure includes:
Circuit Court (Fifth Judicial Circuit)
- Handles felony criminal cases
- Processes civil matters exceeding $30,000
- Adjudicates family law cases including divorce and custody
- Oversees probate, guardianship, and mental health proceedings
- Conducts juvenile dependency and delinquency hearings
County Court
- Processes misdemeanor criminal cases
- Handles civil disputes up to $30,000
- Manages small claims cases up to $8,000
- Adjudicates traffic infractions
- Conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases
Specialized Courts and Programs
- Drug Court
- Veterans Treatment Court
- Mental Health Court
- Teen Court
- Domestic Violence Court
Lake County falls within the jurisdiction of the Fifth District Court of Appeal for appellate matters and the Florida Supreme Court for final state appeals. Federal cases involving Lake County residents are heard in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
What Types of Cases Do Lake County Courts Hear?
Lake County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional limits established by Florida law. The following case types are regularly heard in Lake County courts:
Criminal Proceedings:
- Felony prosecutions (Circuit Court)
- Misdemeanor cases (County Court)
- Criminal traffic violations
- Probation violations
- Bail hearings
Civil Litigation:
- Personal injury claims
- Contract disputes
- Property matters
- Landlord/tenant conflicts
- Small claims (under $8,000)
Family Law:
- Divorce proceedings
- Child custody determinations
- Alimony and child support
- Paternity actions
- Domestic violence injunctions
Probate and Estate Matters:
- Will validations
- Estate administrations
- Guardianship proceedings
- Trust litigation
- Baker Act (involuntary examination) hearings
Juvenile Proceedings:
- Delinquency cases
- Dependency matters
- Truancy issues
- Children in need of services
Case assignment is determined by subject matter jurisdiction and monetary thresholds as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The Lake County Clerk of Court maintains records for all case types processed through the county's court system.
How To Find a Court Docket In Lake County
Court dockets in Lake County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the Lake County Clerk's case search portal
- Enter case number or party name
- Review chronological listing of case events
- Access links to available electronic documents
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the Lake County Courthouse Records Department
- Request docket information from court clerks
- Provide case number or party information
- Review physical docket sheets if electronic versions unavailable
Telephone Inquiries:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (352) 742-4100
- Provide case-specific information
- Receive basic docket information (limited details available)
Scheduled Hearings:
- Court calendars are published on the Clerk's website
- Daily hearing schedules are posted at the courthouse
- Attorney of record receives notifications of scheduled proceedings
Docket information is updated continuously as new filings and court actions occur. For appellate cases, docket information can be accessed through the Florida Appellate Case Information System.
Which Courts in Lake County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Lake County, certain judicial proceedings occur in forums that do not maintain official court records as defined by Florida Statutes § 34.01. These non-record courts include:
Small Claims Proceedings:
- While conducted within the County Court system, simplified procedures apply
- Limited record-keeping requirements for proceedings
- Parties may request recording of proceedings at their expense
- Appeals are heard de novo (completely new hearing) rather than based on record review
Traffic Hearing Officer Proceedings:
- Civil traffic infractions adjudicated by hearing officers
- Simplified procedures with minimal record-keeping
- No court reporters routinely present
- Limited appeal options based on procedural errors
Mediation Sessions:
- Court-ordered mediation proceedings
- Confidential process with no official record
- Only resulting agreements become part of court record
- Mediators maintain minimal documentation
Code Enforcement Hearings:
- Administrative proceedings for county code violations
- Not conducted under judicial branch authority
- Limited record-keeping requirements
- Appeals proceed to Circuit Court
While these proceedings may not generate comprehensive court records, resulting orders, judgments, or agreements are typically filed with the Lake County Clerk of Court and become part of the official record.
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