Felony

Felony handles all types of criminal cases, primarily felony but also misdemeanor and traffic charges. A felony is any criminal offense that is punishable under Florida laws, or that would be punishable if committed in Florida, by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary. Felony charges include Murder, Manslaughter, Burglary, Grand Theft, Kidnapping, Forgery and Uttering, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Child Abuse, Sexual Battery and Worthless Checks. Felonies are classified for purposes of sentencing into the following categories: a) Capital felony; b) Life felony; c) Felony of the first degree; d) Felony of the second degree; and e) Felony of the third degree.

Misdemeanor/Criminal Traffic

Misdemeanors are violations of the law that are less serious than felony offenses. They are punishable by a fine, probation, and/or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, as opposed to a state prison sentence on a felony charge.

Misdemeanor offenses include petit theft, worthless checks, prostitution-related charges, possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, resisting arrest without violence, battery (domestic violence), and assault.

Criminal Traffic can fall under Misdemeanor and Felony; offenses include driving under the influence, driving while license suspended, and leaving the scene of an accident, invalid registration. Ordinance violation cases are punishable by a fine or civil penalty.

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Forms and Assistance

Bondperson’s Application for Exoneration
Bail Bond Agent Forms
Criminal General Motion
Criminal Indigence Application
Marsy's Law Motion to Protect Victim Information
Notice of Confidential Crime Victim Information within Court Filing

Probation forms– these forms must be submitted to your probation officer, followed by the State Attorney for their response prior to filing them with the Clerk.
Motion to Modify
Motion to Terminate
Expunge & Seal forms
Adult Seal & Expunge Instructions
FAQs: Sealing & Expunging Criminal History Records in Florida
FDLE Seal & Expunge Forms, FAQs, & Instructions
Felony Expunge Packet
Felony Seal Packet
Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking Victim Expunge Packet
Misdemeanor & Criminal Traffic Expunge Packet
Misdemeanor & Criminal Traffic Seal Packet
State Attorney Office - Seal & Expunge Instructions
West Florida Center for Trafficking Advocacy

Criminal FAQ'S (850) 606-4070 (Felony)/(850) 606-4130 (Misdemeanor)

How do I change my court date after notification?

Our office cannot change your court date. Please contact your attorney to help you with this problem.

How do I find information about my cases?

How do I get a certified copy of my record?

We have a self-service eCertify option for all images that are available on the website. Locate the document you want, click on the folder icon to verify the information, then click the check-box check_box. Scroll up and click ecertify_button.
docket_table

How do I get my bond money back now that my case has been disposed?

At the conclusion of your case, we will withhold from the return of a cash bond, posted on behalf of a defendant by a person other than a bail bond agent, funds to pay any unpaid court fees, court costs, and penalties. If the amount posted is greater than the fees, costs, and penalties due, the balance will be refunded to the depositor by mail, generally within 10 days of the close of each case. You may contact staff in our Special Processes Division, at 850-606-4001, for more information about your bond.

How do I have a public defender appointed to my case?

At your arraignment, you will have an opportunity to complete the Criminal Indigence Application and request the appointment of a public defender. Prior to arraignment, you may file the Criminal Indigence Application. A determination will be made by the Clerk based on the information in the Affidavit. If you are determined indigent by the Clerk, the public defender will be appointed.

How do I have my civil rights restored?

The Florida Department of Corrections informs and educates inmates and offenders on community supervision about the restoration of civil rights and assists eligible inmates and offenders on community supervision with the completion of the application for the restoration of civil rights. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Corrections website, www.dc.state.fl.us.

How do I request a continuance of my misdemeanor court date?

  • No case will be continued without Judge approval, unless you are scheduled for Arraignment.
  • Requests to continue any court proceedings must be done by filing a motion. You can file the motion yourself, or if you have an attorney, he/she will file the motion for you. This form is on our website; click Forms & Assistance in the 1st box; go to General, and select General Motion.
  • Arraignments can be continued ONLY 1 time without Judge approval AND must be done in person 7 days prior to court date.

How do I withdraw my plea?

  • You may want to seek the advice of counsel.
  • You may file a pro se motion with the sentencing judge. Click here for the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.

How will I know when and where I go to court?

  • You will be notified by mail or at the issuance of your notice to appear by law enforcement.
  • Arraignment and/or case management dates are usually 30-45 days after the formal charges have been filed with the Clerk.
  • All notices will be sent to the address that was given at the time of arrest.
  • If you bonded out of jail, your bondsman will be notified as well.
  • Your case number, charges, type of court event, date/time, and location of hearing will be displayed on all court notices.

If I want copies of paperwork from your files, is there a charge?

  • For a complete listing of our fees and service charges, click here.
  • You may access your records directly via our VOR (viewable upon request) program on our website and then search for your case. After the full case view returns, you may request documents. If they already exist in electronic form, there is no fee.

May I file pleadings after office hours?

Yes, by registering to file electronically.

  • Visit the statewide portal to register here,
  • and go to the Help tab here for helpful videos and training manuals.

What do I do if my address changes?

If you move, it is your responsibility to notify the Clerk's Office, in writing, at the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, ATTN: Criminal Customer Assistance Division, 301 S. Monroe Street, #100, Tallahassee, FL 32301.

What happens after an arrest?

An arrest means that the defendant is usually booked into the county detention facility. Most offenses are bondable according to the approved bond schedule. The current bond schedule can be found here and it's admendment can be found here

Except when previously released in a lawful manner, every arrested person is taken before a judge, by electronic audiovisual device within 24 hours of arrest, for "first appearance".

Our office receives the initial paperwork from the Leon County Sheriff's Department after an arrest and prepares the official court file, including arrest documents as well as any release form. These documents are added to the case’s progress docket and imaged for public viewing.

What happens if I fail to appear for my court date?

  • A judge may issue a capias for your arrest. If you are arrested for failure to appear, you may be held in the Leon County Detention Center without bond.
  • You may forfeit any bond that you have posted, thus losing money or collateral.

What if I want to appeal the final decision of the judge in my case?

  • Any defendant can appeal any decision of the judge or the jury. Appeals from county court can go to the circuit court or First District Court of Appeal; appeals from circuit court can go to the First District Court of Appeal or the Florida Supreme Court. A Notice of Appeal should be filed in your original case.
  • Please visit the Appeals section of our website for the Frequently Asked Questions.