Criminal records in Lake County, Florida, are available through online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk of court's office. LakeCourt.org allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, you can use the online court records search portal of the county court clerk, resources from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, and statewide databases of the state of Florida.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lake
Start with LakeCourt.org — the site allows you to find public information about criminal cases that have been heard in Lake County courts. You will need at least one of the following for the search:
- Full name (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- Clerk of Court Portal. Go to the Public Record Searches page of the Lake County Clerk of Circuit and County Courts. You will need to accept the court records usage agreement before starting your search. After that, you can search cases by name or number.
- Online Court Records System. The Online Court Records portal provides access to case searches, hearing schedules, and status checks.
- Statewide Portal. The Florida Courts system provides access to case searches across the state.
- Sheriff's Tools. The Lake County Sheriff's Office publishes information about inmates. To search for individuals in state correctional facilities, use the inmate search tool of the Florida Department of Corrections.
In-Person Visit
The Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court accepts visitors at the courthouse in Tavares. There are public access terminals where you can view criminal cases. Contact a staff member for assistance if you need a specific case or document.
Written Request
Send a request by mail to the clerk of court's office at the address above. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and the type of records you are interested in. You can also submit a public records request through the official Lake County government portal.
For a complete statewide criminal history, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Search Lake Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Florida, court case numbers have a standard format consisting of several parts:
- Year of filing — the first two or four digits (e.g., 2024 or 24)
- Case type code — an alphabetical abbreviation indicating the category: CF (circuit felony), MM (county misdemeanor), CT (circuit criminal traffic)
- Sequential number — a unique case number within the year and category
Example: 2024-CF-001234 indicates a felony case filed in 2024 with a sequential number of 001234.
If you know the case number, the search will take seconds — enter it in the appropriate field on the clerk's court records portal. This is the fastest way to get information about a specific case, avoiding results with identical names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lake
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Florida Statutes under which the charge is brought (e.g., §893.13 — drugs) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case — new formulations are reflected in the record |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision yet
- Active — the case is actively being processed
- Disposed — the court has made a decision, the case is closed
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, including sentence execution
Hearings
A criminal case in Lake County goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant hears the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
- Pre-trial conference — a meeting between the parties before the main hearing
- Motion hearings — consideration of motions from the parties
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review hearing — a control hearing regarding the fulfillment of sentence or probation conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — found guilty
- Not Guilty — acquitted
- Dismissed — case closed (charges dropped)
- Nolle Prosequi — the prosecutor declined to prosecute
- Withheld Adjudication — the court refrained from formally finding guilt, allowing avoidance of a conviction under certain conditions
- Acquitted — full acquittal after trial
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lake
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the clerk of the circuit court's office. This document bears the official seal and signature of the clerk, confirming its authenticity.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk of court's office at the address below. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name, case number (if known), type of document needed, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online — use the public records request portal of the Lake County government.
Sheriff's Requests
To obtain records maintained by the sheriff's office (arrest reports, incident reports), download the public records request form from the Lake County Sheriff's website.
Statewide Criminal History
FDLE processes requests for a complete criminal history of a person in the state of Florida. Fingerprints and the appropriate form must be submitted. For more details, visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website.
Clerk of Court Contact Information
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lake
Fees for copies and certification of documents in Florida are regulated by §28.24 Florida Statutes. Below are the main rates applicable in Lake County:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 for the first page, $0.15 for each additional page |
| Certification | $2.00 per document |
| Record search (by name, per year) | $2.00 per name / per year |
| Criminal history check through FDLE (statewide) | Depends on the type of request; usually $24.00 and up |
Processing Times
- Online Search — results are displayed instantly
- Request for certified copies in person — usually the same day or 1–3 business days
- Request by mail — 5 to 15 business days, depending on volume and complexity
- Check through FDLE — 1 to 15 business days depending on submission method (electronic fingerprints are faster)
Check the exact fee amount directly with the clerk of court's office, as individual rates may change. Payment is accepted by check, money order, and in some cases, credit card when visiting in person.