Alachua County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Home to the world's largest freshwater natural springs and covering 875.6 square miles of land area, Alachua County is the 22nd largest county in Florida by total area. The county is home to a thriving community of over 279,700 residents. Its county seat, Gainesville, serves as the administrative center and the judicial hub for the entire county. Alachua County's court system comprises the District and County Courts. The Alachua County Circuit Court serves as the primary trial court with the original jurisdiction over various case types, including civil disputes involving more than $50,000, estate controversies, cases related to juveniles, felonies, tax disputes, and real property disputes. The Circuit Court operates in two different court buildings: the Criminal Justice Center and the Family/Civil Justice Center. The Criminal Justice Center is located on South Main Street, while the Family/Civil Justice Center is on East University Avenue, both in Gainesville. The Criminal Justice Center accommodates the county's Circuit Criminal Divisions and four specialty courts. The Family/Civil Justice Center manages proceedings related to the Circuit Civil and Probate Division, as well as the Family Court. The Alachua County Court, located in Gainesville, holds jurisdiction over civil disputes with claims amounting to $50,000 or less, traffic offenses, misdemeanor cases, and most non-jury trials.

Annually, the County Court System manages a substantial caseload of over 25,000 criminal and civil cases, highlighting the pivotal role played by the Alachua County judicial system in maintaining law and order within the community. With the current crime rate of 2.60 incidents per 1000 residents in Alachua County, the county court system ensures that criminal offenders are tried and judged in adherence to the constitution's provisions. The Alachua County Clerk of Courts is entrusted with the county's organization, maintenance, and storage of court records. These records, encompassing a wide array of legal documents, are made readily accessible to the public online.

In summary, the court system in Alachua County plays a pivotal role in ensuring access to legal remedies for individuals and businesses embroiled in civil disputes and in adjudicating and assigning appropriate sanctions to offenders. The county court structure, consisting of the Circuit and County Courts, enables it to adjudicate a wide range of legal matters at the county level, such as civil cases, criminal trials, family law issues, probate cases, and other legal disputes. This dual court system allows for a comprehensive and effective resolution of legal disputes and ensures that a diverse range of cases are managed within the county.