Court records of St. Johns County, Florida, are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the clerk's office. StJohnsCourt.us is a convenient resource for finding publicly available information about court records in this county. Additionally, you can use the official portal of the St. Johns County Clerk of Court, visit the office in person, or call to clarify details about specific cases.
St. Johns Court System Overview
St. Johns County is part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also includes Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia counties. The Circuit Court handles serious criminal and civil cases, while the County Court deals with less severe offenses, small claims, and traffic cases. The Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit coordinates the administrative work of all courts in this jurisdiction.
The courthouse is typically open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on public holidays.
Courts Serving St. Johns
Residents of the county may deal with several courts of different levels of jurisdiction.
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| St. Johns County Circuit Court (7th Judicial Circuit) | 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 | (904) 819-3600 |
| St. Johns County Court | 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 | (904) 819-3600 |
| U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville Division) | Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse, 300 N. Hogan St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 549-1900 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville Division) | 300 N. Hogan St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 301-6490 |
What Types of Cases St. Johns Courts Hear
St. Johns County courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations and civil infractions
- Civil lawsuits — from small to large amounts
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony
- Probate cases, guardianship
- Juvenile and child protection cases
- Adoption
Each category is divided between the Circuit Court and the County Court depending on the severity and the claim amount.
District Court Cases in St. Johns
The Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction in Florida. In St. Johns, it handles serious criminal cases after a lower court establishes sufficient grounds for prosecution. Civil cases with a claim amount over $50,000 also fall here. A Circuit Court judge presides over trials, and cases are distributed according to the internal rules of the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Additionally, the Circuit Court hears appeals from the County Court and post-trial motions in criminal cases.
Magistrate Court Cases in St. Johns
The County Court serves a role similar to a magistrate court in other states. This is where misdemeanors, traffic violations, and DUI cases are heard. Civil claims up to $50,000 are also under this court's jurisdiction. Small claims are limited to $8,000 according to Florida law. Preliminary hearings in felony cases start here before being transferred to the Circuit Court. If you received a traffic ticket or were summoned for an arraignment, you likely need the County Court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in St. Johns
Family law cases — divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders — are handled by the Circuit Court. This is also where paternity and termination of parental rights cases are filed.
Probate cases also fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. This includes estate administration, appointing guardians for incapacitated individuals, and trust management issues. The court clerk maintains a registry of all probate cases.
Juvenile cases — both juvenile offenses and child protection cases — are handled separately. Juvenile case records are confidential under Florida law. The state's Department of Juvenile Justice coordinates work with local courts on these matters.
How Cases Move Through the St. Johns Court System
- Case initiation. A criminal case begins with an arrest or the filing of an indictment. A civil case is initiated by the plaintiff filing a complaint with the clerk's office.
- Judge assignment. The clerk assigns the case to a specific judge according to the internal schedule.
- Initial hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment, where charges are read to the defendant. In civil cases — a planning conference.
- Pre-trial phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or settlement. The case concludes with a jury verdict, judge's decision, settlement agreement, or guilty plea.
- Post-judgment. Sentencing, filing an appeal, or enforcing the court's decision.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in St. Johns
The administration of the courts in the Seventh Judicial Circuit is carried out by the Chief Judge along with the Trial Court Administrator. Local court rules regulate procedural matters — from document filing to conducting hearings.
Under Florida's Public Records Act (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), court records are generally open to the public. However, some categories — juvenile cases, certain family cases, sealed or expunged records — have restricted access. Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration details what information may be restricted.
Hearings in St. Johns are typically open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely via the Zoom platform — check with the clerk's office before visiting.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in St. Johns
To search for court records and related resources, use the following tools:
- Online case search: The St. Johns County Clerk of Court Portal allows searching for cases by party name or case number.
- Court hearing calendar: The schedule of hearings is available on the clerk's website or directly at the courthouse.
- Court forms and self-help resources: The Florida Courts website offers forms for self-filing documents in family, civil, and other cases.
- Public records request: Contact the clerk's office in person or in writing. Copies usually require a certification fee.
- Inmate search: The Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search provides information on individuals in state correctional facilities.
- Sex offender registry: The Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators database by FDLE.
- Crime statistics: FDLE Annual Reports contain county data.
If you can't find the information you need online, contact the St. Johns County Clerk of Court's office directly — staff can assist with finding old records or advise on the correct request procedure. StJohnsCourt.us can also be a helpful starting point for navigating available county court records.