Flagler County Court Records

Court records in Flagler County, Florida, are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. FlaglerCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Flagler County. You can also search records directly through the Flagler County Clerk & Comptroller's website, the official records search portal, and the Florida Courts system.

Flagler Court System Overview

Flagler County is part of Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit, which also includes St. Johns, Putnam, and Volusia counties. The circuit court and county court both operate from the Flagler County Courthouse in Bunnell. The circuit court handles felonies, larger civil disputes, family law, probate, and juvenile matters, while the county court addresses misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions, and civil cases within its jurisdictional limit. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller serves as the custodian of all court records and official records for the county. Appeals from the circuit court in Flagler County go to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

Courts Serving Flagler

Flagler County does not have a separate municipal court. All criminal and civil matters at the local level are handled through the county and circuit courts.

What Types of Cases Flagler Courts Hear

Flagler County's circuit and county courts handle a wide range of case types:

• Felonies and misdemeanors
• Traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses (including DUI)
• Civil litigation (all dollar amounts)
• Small claims
• Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions
• Probate — decedent estates, guardianships, trusts
• Juvenile — delinquency and dependency proceedings
• Adoption and termination of parental rights

District Court Cases in Flagler

The circuit court in Flagler County is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Florida's system. It hears all felony criminal cases, civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000, and appeals from county court decisions. Family law matters such as divorce, custody, and child support are also handled at the circuit level, along with probate, guardianship, and juvenile cases. Cases typically arrive at circuit court through filing of an information or indictment for criminal matters, or a complaint or petition for civil and family cases. A circuit judge presides, and cases are assigned based on division and subject matter. Post-conviction motions under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850 are also heard here.

Magistrate Court Cases in Flagler

The county court in Flagler handles misdemeanor criminal cases, criminal traffic offenses, civil disputes where the amount in controversy is $50,000 or less, small claims cases up to $8,000, and non-criminal traffic infractions. County court judges also conduct first-appearance hearings and issue certain warrants. DUI arraignments and hearings begin at this level. Landlord-tenant disputes and code enforcement appeals are commonly heard in county court as well. If you have a small claims matter or a traffic ticket, this is where your case will be heard. Civil filings and small claims can be initiated through the Flagler County Clerk's office.

Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Flagler

Family Law: Divorce (dissolution of marriage), child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and termination of parental rights are all handled by the circuit court in Flagler County. Self-represented litigants can access forms and guidance through the Florida Courts self-help and legal aid resources. For certified copies of dissolution of marriage records, the Florida Department of Health maintains certificates from June 6, 1927 forward.

Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are filed in the circuit court's probate division. The clerk's office processes filings and maintains probate case files.

Juvenile: Delinquency and dependency cases — including child protective proceedings — are heard by the circuit court. Juvenile court records are confidential under Florida law and are not available through public search portals.

How Cases Move Through the Flagler Court System

1. Filing / Initiation: A case begins with a criminal complaint, arrest, civil complaint, or petition filed with the Clerk of Court.
2. Case Assignment: The clerk assigns the case to a judge based on case type and division.
3. Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants appear for arraignment or first appearance. Civil cases receive a scheduling conference or case management order.
4. Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may negotiate plea agreements (criminal) or settlements (civil).
5. Trial or Resolution: The case proceeds to trial, plea, settlement, or default judgment.
6. Post-Judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, probation, or appeal. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgment or post-trial motions. Appeals from county court go to the circuit court; appeals from circuit court go to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.

Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Flagler

The 7th Judicial Circuit is overseen by a chief judge who sets administrative orders and local rules governing court operations in Flagler County. The trial court administrator's office coordinates day-to-day court functions. Local administrative orders and rules can typically be found through the 7th Judicial Circuit's website.

Public access: Under Florida's broad public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, most court records are open to the public. Exceptions include juvenile records, certain family law records involving minors, sealed or expunged records, and records protected by confidentiality statutes such as Florida Statutes § 119.071. You can search many Flagler County court records online through the clerk's website.

Attending hearings: Hearings at the Flagler County Courthouse are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be available via remote audio or video technology — contact the clerk's office at (386) 313-4400 to ask about electronic hearing options for a specific case.

Court Records and Related Court Resources in Flagler

• Court records search: Search court case dockets and filings through the Flagler County Clerk & Comptroller's website, which offers access to court records, daily dockets, and official records.
• Official records search: Deeds, liens, mortgages, and other recorded documents can be searched through the Flagler County Official Records portal.
• Appellate case information: Search appellate dockets and documents through the Florida Appellate Case Information System.
• Supreme Court case information: Access Florida Supreme Court orders and filings through the Supreme Court case information page.
• Self-help and legal aid: The Florida Courts legal aid directory lists free and low-cost legal resources available to Flagler County residents.
• Inmate search: The Florida Division of Library and Information Services maintains a directory of county jail inmate search tools, including Flagler County. The Florida Department of Corrections offender search covers state prison inmates.
• Property tax records: The Flagler County Tax Collector provides access to property tax information, payment records, and address changes for property tax accounts.
• Dissolution of marriage certificates: Order certified copies of Florida divorce records from the Florida Department of Health.
• Additional court information: FlaglerCourt.us provides links and guidance for locating Flagler County court record information.