Lake County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Located in the center of Florida, Lake County was founded in 1887 and named for the over 250 lakes within its borders. It has a population of over 386,800 residents and a land area of 938 square miles. Tavares is its county seat, and Clermont is its largest city. The people of Lake County are served by Circuit and County Courts. These courts are integral to maintaining law and order in the county and ensuring easy access to justice for all its residents.

The Lake County Circuit Court in Tavares is the highest in the county, and it handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of the County Court. It has specialized Divisions handling different cases. The Criminal Division hears all felonies and crimes arising from the same conditions as felonies, while the Civil Division hears civil lawsuits involving claims of more than $50,000. The Family Division handles domestic relations cases, such as domestic violence, child support, custody, adoption, annulment, divorce, and emancipation. The Probate Division deals with probate matters, such as guardianship, estates, trusts, and mental health. The Juvenile Division deals with all juvenile-related matters, including delinquency and dependency. The County Court of Lake County, also in Tavares, handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions, and civil cases with claims under $50,000.

Lake County has a crime rate of about 2,000 crimes per 100,000 residents. Data from the Florida Trial Court Statistics platform shows that the Circuit Court presides over 406 criminal cases and 474 criminal cases annually. It also reveals that about 4,000 civil cases and 3,600 criminal cases are filed and disposed in the County Court annually. The County Court also hears over 13,000 traffic offenses yearly. Furthermore, over 4,000 cases were handled in the Family Court comprising the Family and Juvenile Divisions of the Circuit Court. The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains the records from both courts. Public records from Lake County courts can be accessed by registered users via the portal provided by the county, or by visiting the Clerk's Office. However, some records are exempted from public access by court orders or by default under Florida laws, they can only be accessed by authorized persons or court orders. These records include personal identifying information, medical and mental health records, information about jurors and confidential informants, juvenile records, and adoption records.

In summary, Lake County's court system ensures the just and fair resolution of disputes to protect the people's freedom and rights. The Circuit and County Courts are critical to delivering justice for all persons in Lake County. The public's confidence in the judicial system is increased by the implementation of an effective electronic system for the management of court records, which guarantees transparency and accessibility. Lake County is a model of efficient court administration in Florida and maintains its high standards.