Lee County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Located in the southwestern part of the state of Florida, Lee County is one of the most populous counties, with a population of over 772,900 residents. Its county seat is located in the city of Fort Myers while its largest city is Cape Coral. The court system in Lee County is part of the 17th and 19th Congressional District and comprises the Circuit Court and a County Court, which handles all of its legal matters.

The Lee County Circuit Court is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The court has jurisdiction over several cases, including matters not assigned to any court by law. Cases within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court include civil claims that exceed $50,000 in value, felony offenses, juvenile cases, probate and mental health cases, and family matters. Additionally, the court handles hearings for declaratory reliefs, tax disputes, and prerogative relief. Lee County Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. It has authority over misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims of $8,000 or less, and civil cases not exceeding $50,000 in value. Proceedings of both the Circuit Court and County Court are held in Fort Myers.

During the 2022–2023 fiscal year, the Lee County Circuit Court had 27,628 case dispositions, while the County Court resolved 49,528 cases. Also, Lee County recorded an estimated crime rate of 90 reports per 100,000 people. The Lee County Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining case records in the county. There are several ways to request these records. Requesters can use the online Court Record Inquiry for recent records, the Record Request System for cases before 2004, or send a written request by mail to the Clerk's Office. Note that the Clerk does not grant public access to confidential case records. Confidential or sealed records are sensitive in nature and typically include all cases involving juvenile matters, mental health or medical records, custodial and or adoption matters, or cases including personal identifying information. However, an in-person visit with the County Clerk can assist in guiding you toward gaining special permission or court order to access the confidential files if need be.

In summary, the Circuit Court and County Court constitute the judicial system in Lee County. They handle several kinds of cases and ensure that disputes are resolved in accordance with the law. The courts promote transparency by granting public access to case records.