Criminal records in St. Lucie County, Florida, are accessible through several channels. StLucieCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information on criminal court cases. Additionally, the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office maintains online search portals, the Sheriff's Office publishes arrest and inmate data, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a state-level criminal history database. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in St. Lucie
There are several ways to find criminal records. Which one to choose depends on what exactly you need and how quickly.
Online Search
- StLucieCourt.us — start here if you are looking for publicly available information on court cases in St. Lucie County.
- Clerk of the Circuit Court Case Search — the official tool of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (Michelle R. Miller). To search, enter the full or partial name of the defendant, case number, or date of birth. Some documents are available only to registered users through the Court Records Access Security Matrix.
- Public Search by Clerk — a single entry point from which you can proceed to search court cases, official records, state criminal history, sex offender registry, and wanted persons.
- Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup — shows individuals currently held in the county jail, as well as those released within the last five days. Enter a partial first or last name.
- Daily Arrest Information — the Sheriff's Office publishes data on recent arrests, including arrest affidavits.
- FDLE Wanted Persons Search — a database of arrest warrants from across Florida.
What you need to start a search:
- Full first and last name of the person (or at least a partial last name)
- Date of birth (preferable but not always necessary)
- Case number (if known)
In-Person Visit
Visit the Clerk of the Court's office in the St. Lucie County Courthouse. There are public access terminals where you can view court records. The Circuit Criminal division handles felony cases, while the County Criminal division handles misdemeanor cases.
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be sent by mail to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Include the full name of the person, date of birth, and case number (if available). To obtain an official state criminal history, submit a request to the FDLE — this is a separate procedure involving fingerprints.
Search St. Lucie Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific record. In Florida, court case numbers follow a standard format:
YYYY-CF-NNNNNN
- YYYY — year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- CF — case type code. For criminal cases, the most common are:
- CF — Circuit Felony (felony at the circuit court level)
- MM — County Misdemeanor (misdemeanor)
- CT — Criminal Traffic (criminal traffic violation, such as DUI)
- MO — County Ordinance (violation of local ordinances)
- NNNNNN — sequential case number within the year
Enter the full number in the search field on the Clerk's portal. The system will return information on parties, charges, case status, and scheduled hearings. If you only know part of the number — try searching by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in St. Lucie
Understanding what each element of a court record means will help you correctly interpret the information found.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Florida Statutes, e.g., § 893.13 (drugs) |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — for example, reduce a felony to a misdemeanor as part of a deal |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are completed, the case is closed
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Pre-trial conference — a meeting of the parties before the court to discuss evidence and possible agreements
- Sentencing — announcement of the sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — checking compliance with probation or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict — usually at the prosecutor's initiative |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Adjudication Withheld | The judge does not issue a formal conviction, although the person may plead guilty; this often allows avoiding a criminal record |
| Acquitted | Acquitted — the court or jury found innocence |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in St. Lucie
A regular printout from the online portal is not an official document. For legal purposes — employment, immigration, licensing — a certified copy is required.
Where to Apply
Certified copies of court cases are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. To request a state-level criminal history, contact the FDLE.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Clerk's office. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request indicating the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a copy of the ID. Include a check or money order for the fee amount.
- Online — through the Official Records Search portal, you can find and order copies of official records, although certified copies of criminal cases usually require an in-person visit or written request.
To obtain a complete state criminal history record, submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This procedure requires fingerprinting at an authorized center.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in St. Lucie
Fees are set according to Florida Statutes, specifically § 28.24.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 for the first pages, $0.15 for each subsequent (according to § 28.24, F.S.) |
| Certification fee | $2.00 per document |
| Search fee | $2.00 per name, per year |
| FDLE criminal history check (state background check) | Approximately $24.00 (may vary) |
Processing Time
- Online Search — results appear instantly
- Certified Copies (in person) — usually the same day or within a few business days
- Mail Requests — from 5 to 15 business days depending on complexity
- FDLE Check — from 1 to 15 business days after fingerprinting
Payment is accepted by check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court. Confirm current fees directly with the Clerk's office, as amounts may change.