Fort Myers city felony records are the official court files that hold details about every felony case handled in this Lee County seat. These records include arrest details, charges, court actions, verdicts, and sentencing data.
They are open to the public under Florida law. Anyone can search them through the Lee County Clerk of Court, the Fort Myers Police Department, or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This page explains how to find these records, what they contain, and what rules apply to them in 2026.
How Fort Myers Felony Cases Move Through the Court System
Fort Myers felony cases start with an arrest. Then they go to the Lee County court system for trial. The Clark for Swift Justice Building holds the main court office for felony cases in the area. The State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit reviews each case before formal charges are filed. After charges are filed, the case enters the public court record system. This means anyone can view the case details after that point.
Where Fort Myers Felony Cases Get Filed
Fort Myers felony cases get filed at the Lee County Justice Center. The center serves as the main courthouse for felony trials in the county. The address is 1700 Monroe Street in Fort Myers. All felony cases from Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, and other Lee County cities get filed at this same location. The Lee County Clerk of Court keeps all the files for these cases.
The 20th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Fort Myers sits inside the 20th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. This court covers five counties: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades. Felony cases in Fort Myers fall under this court’s authority. The chief judge and circuit court judges handle felony trials. They also handle appeals from county court felony cases. Every felony case file in Fort Myers gets a circuit court case number. This number starts with the year the case opened.
Types of Felony Charges Filed in Fort Myers
Florida law divides felony crimes into five levels. The levels depend on the crime type. The first-degree felony is the most serious. The third-degree felony is the least serious. Capital felony charges get handled at the state level in Fort Myers. Common felony charges in Fort Myers include drug trafficking, burglary, aggravated assault, DUI with serious injury, fraud, theft of large amounts, weapons offenses, and homicide. Each felony charge has its own Florida Statute number. That number appears on every court record.
Official Sources for Fort Myers City Felony Records
Three official sources hold Fort Myers felony records. Each source has its own search tools. Each one shows different parts of the case file. The three sources are the Lee County Clerk of Court, the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Using all three gives you the most complete picture of any felony case.
Lee County Clerk of Court Records
The Lee County Clerk of Court keeps the main court records for felony cases. You can search their online portal at leeclerk.org. The portal shows case status, charges, court dates, and verdicts. The main Clerk office sits at 2115 Second Street in Fort Myers. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call the Clerk at 239-533-5000 with questions about felony records.
Fort Myers Police Department Records
The Fort Myers Police Department keeps arrest records and police reports. These records show what happened before the case went to court. The police station is at 2210 Widman Way in Fort Myers. You can call the non-emergency line at 239-321-7700. The police website at fmpolice.com has a records request section. Police reports cost money to copy. The fee depends on the report length.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Database
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a state crime database. This database covers all 67 Florida counties. FDLE records show arrests, convictions, and case outcomes across Florida. The search costs $24 per person. You can search at the FDLE website. The search shows felony and misdemeanor records. Search results print right away for you.
How to Search Fort Myers Felony Records Online
The Lee County Clerk of Court website holds the main online search tool. You can search from home using any device with internet access. The tool is free to use for basic searches. You do not need an account to start a search. The system works 24 hours a day. Most searches return results in seconds.
Searching by Defendant Name
Name search is the most common way to look up felony records. You type the last name first. Then the first name. You can add a middle name if you know it. The search returns all cases tied to that name. Match the date of birth to find the right person. Results show case numbers, charges, and court dates.
Searching by Case Number
A case number search gives you the most direct result. Fort Myers case numbers follow a clear pattern. They start with two letters for the case type. Then the year. Then a sequence number. For example, a 2024 felony case might look like CF24-001234. You only need the full case number to pull the full record.
Searching by Court Date
You can search by court date to see what felony cases came before a judge on a given day. The Clerk website has a calendar search tool. The tool shows the case name, charge, and courtroom. You can also see the time of the hearing. This search helps lawyers and people watching a case.
What Results Show on the Online Portal
The online results show basic case details. You see the defendant name, case number, charge, and filing date. You see the division of the court that handles the case. You see the judge assigned. You see the next court date. You see the current status, like pending or closed. You can click the case to see more details. Some files link to scanned documents. Older files may not have scans online.
Fee Schedule for Fort Myers Felony Record Access
Most online felony record searches in Fort Myers are free. The Clerk does not charge for using the online portal. You only pay when you want copies. The fees are set by Florida law. The fee amounts stay the same across all Lee County clerk offices. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card in person. Online payments use a credit card or debit card.
Online Search Costs
The Clerk online portal is free. You can run as many searches as you want. You will not get charged for looking at case details. You only pay if you download a document. Each downloaded page costs $0.15. The system bills your credit card at the end of your session.
In-Person Copy Costs
Copies made in person at the Clerk office cost $0.15 per page. You can ask the clerk staff to copy files for you. They will tell you the total cost before they start. Some files are long. The clerk can tell you the page count first. You pay the full amount before they hand the copies to you.
Certified Copy Costs
Certified copies are official copies with a Clerk stamp. They cost $1.00 per page plus the regular copy fee. A certified copy of a one-page document costs $1.15. You need certified copies for most legal uses. They prove the record is real and current. The Clerk can certify Florida felony court records on the spot.
What Information Appears in a Fort Myers Felony Record
Fort Myers felony records hold many types of details. The details cover the defendant, the charges, and the court actions. Each felony case file has the same basic sections. The Clerk staff can pull up any section for you. The full record is a set of papers filed with the court over the life of the case.
Defendant Details
The defendant section shows the full legal name of the person charged. It shows the date of birth. It shows the address on file. It shows any aliases or nicknames. It shows the booking number from the jail. It shows the arrest date and location. Some files also show a photo taken at booking.
Charge Details
The charge section shows the exact Florida Statute number. It shows the charge description in plain words. It shows the charge level, like first-degree felony or third-degree felony. It shows the date of the alleged crime. It shows the law enforcement agency that investigated. It shows the officer who filed the case.
Court Action Details
The court action section shows every hearing date. It shows the plea entered in the case. It shows the verdict from the judge or jury. It shows the sentence handed down. It shows any fines or fees ordered. It shows probation terms if the court gave them. It shows the final case status. The status marks the case as closed, open, or on appeal.
Requesting Fort Myers Felony Records In Person
You can visit the Lee County Clerk office to get felony records in person. In-person visits work best for older cases. They also work for cases that need full paper files. You can pay for copies and certified copies at the office. The clerk staff can help you with your search.
Clerk of Court Office Location
The main Clerk office is at 2115 Second Street in Fort Myers. The office sits in the old downtown section. It is open Monday through Friday. The office opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. The office closes on all federal holidays. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. The building has wheelchair access.
Documents Needed for In-Person Requests
You need a photo ID to view felony records in person. A driver’s license works. A state ID works. A passport works. You do not need to say why you want the records. You do not need to fill out a form to view most files. You only fill out a form to get certified copies. You should bring cash or a card for fees.
Office Hours and Process
The records counter opens at 8 a.m. each weekday. The counter is busiest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can avoid wait times by coming early. You tell the clerk the name or case number. The clerk looks up the file. You can view the file at the counter. You can request copies from the clerk. The clerk gives you a receipt for any fees paid.
Florida Public Records Laws for Felony Documents
Florida law opens most government records to the public. Felony court records fall under this rule. The law aims to keep court actions transparent. The rule applies to state, county, and city records. The rule covers felony cases, arrest records, and court filings. There are some limits on what you can see.
Florida Sunshine Law
The Florida Sunshine Law is in Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes. The law gives you the right to see most government records. You do not need to be a lawyer. You do not need to live in Florida. You do not need to give a reason. The law covers police reports, court files, and arrest records. The law also covers meeting minutes and government emails.
Records That Are Sealed or Expunged
Sealed records are not open to the public. A court order must seal the record. The Clerk removes the file from public access. Only the people named in the order can see the file. Expunged records get destroyed in some cases. The FDLE keeps a sealed marker in some cases. The marker shows the case existed but no details are visible.
Records Exempt from Public View
Some felony records are exempt from public view. Active investigation files stay closed. Juvenile felony records are exempt. Records tied to a criminal intelligence system are exempt. Personal details like Social Security numbers are exempt. Home addresses of law enforcement officers are exempt. Witness names may be exempt in some cases.
Sealing or Expunging Fort Myers Felony Records
You can ask the court to seal or expunge a felony record. The court will only grant the request in certain cases. You must meet specific rules. You must fill out court forms. You must get a certificate from FDLE first. The process takes several months. The Clerk staff can give you the forms.
Eligibility for Record Sealing
You can ask to seal a felony record if you were not convicted. You can ask if you got a withhold of adjudication. You cannot ask if you were found guilty of a serious felony. Florida law lists crimes that cannot be sealed. These include murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping. You must wait 10 years after the case ends before you can ask. You can only seal one felony record in a lifetime.
The Expungement Process in Lee County
The expungement process starts with the FDLE. You get a certificate of eligibility from FDLE. Then you file a petition with the Lee County Clerk. You also file the certificate with the petition. The State Attorney reviews the petition. The judge holds a hearing on the request. The judge decides whether to grant the order. The order goes to all agencies that hold the record.
FDLE Certificate of Eligibility
FDLE charges $75 for the certificate of eligibility. You fill out the FDLE application. You send it with fingerprint cards. The fingerprint cards cost extra. FDLE checks your criminal history. FDLE sends you the certificate if you qualify. The certificate is valid for one year. You must file your petition within that year.
Common Reasons People Search Fort Myers Felony Records
Many people search Fort Myers felony records each year. They search for different reasons. Some reasons relate to work. Some reasons relate to personal matters. Some reasons relate to legal cases. The Clerk does not ask why you want records. They provide them to anyone who asks.
Background Checks for Employment
Many employers run background checks on job applicants. Florida law lets employers check felony records. The employer must follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. The employer must tell you they ran a check. You have the right to see the report. You can challenge wrong details on the report.
Personal Knowledge of Court Outcomes
Family members and friends often search for case outcomes. They want to know what happened in court. They want to see the sentence. They want to see the next hearing date. The online portal lets them check from home. They can set up alerts for case updates in some cases.
Legal Research and Case Preparation
Lawyers and legal aids search felony records for case prep. They look up past rulings. They look at how other cases played out. They check court schedules to avoid conflicts. They collect felony records for appeals. The Clerk portal is a key tool for legal research in Fort Myers.
Related Courts Serving the Fort Myers Area
Fort Myers sits at the center of the Lee County court system. Several other cities feed felony cases into the same court. The Clerk handles felony cases from all of them. The records are filed under the same criminal case numbers. The rules apply across the county.
Cape Coral Court Cases
Cape Coral is the largest city in Lee County. Its felony cases go to the Lee County Justice Center. The Cape Coral Police Department files the arrest reports. Cape Coral cases follow the same search process as Fort Myers cases. The Clerk online portal covers them all.
Bonita Springs Court Cases
Bonita Springs felony cases also go to the Lee County Clerk. The Bonita Springs Police Department handles arrests in the city. The cases get filed in Fort Myers. You can search Bonita Springs cases the same way. The record format matches Fort Myers records.
Lehigh Acres Court Cases
Lehigh Acres is part of unincorporated Lee County. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office handles arrests there. Felony cases get filed at the same Fort Myers courthouse. The Clerk records cover Lehigh Acres cases. The search tools work the same way for these cases.
Official Contact Details for Fort Myers Felony Records
Use these official contact details to reach the agencies that hold Fort Myers felony records. You can call, visit, or go online. The office hours are listed for each. The cost of services is listed for each. The contact details are current as of July 2026.
Lee County Clerk of Court
The Lee County Clerk of Court main office is at 2115 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The phone number is 239-533-5000. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The official website is leeclerk.org.
Fort Myers Police Department
The Fort Myers Police Department station is at 2210 Widman Way, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The phone number is 239-321-7700. The records unit is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The official website is fmpolice.com.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The FDLE headquarters is at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. The public access line is 850-410-7000. The official website is fdle.state.fl.us. The criminal history search portal is at web.fdle.state.fl.us/search.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Myers City Felony Records
Below are common questions about Fort Myers city felony records. These answers cover the topics most people ask about. The answers are based on Florida law and Lee County Clerk rules. The answers are current as of July 2026. They cover searches, fees, sealing, and legal use.
Is Fort Myers Felony Case Information Free to View?
Yes, basic case information is free to view on the Lee County Clerk online portal. You can search by name or case number. You can see the charges, court dates, and case status. You only pay when you want copies. The first copy of each page costs $0.15. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus the regular copy fee. You can also view records for free in person at the Clerk office. The fee schedule is set by Florida Statute 28.24. The fees are the same across all Florida counties.
How Long Does a Felony Case Stay on Record in Fort Myers?
Most felony cases stay on record forever unless they get sealed or expunged. The Clerk does not delete felony records after a set time. The records stay in the system for the life of the court filing system. The FDLE keeps arrest records for life. Sealed records stay in the system but no one can see them. Expunged records get removed from public view. The Clerk can pull up old felony records from decades ago. The online portal covers cases back to the 1990s. Older paper files are in storage at the Clerk office.
Can I Get Fort Myers Felony Records From Another State?
Yes, you can search Florida felony records from any state. The Lee County Clerk portal works from any device with internet access. The FDLE portal also works from any state. You do not need to be a Florida resident. You can also mail a request to the Clerk office. Mail requests must include a stamped return envelope. You can also hire a Florida attorney to pull records for you. The attorney can stand in for you at the Clerk office.
What Shows Up on a Florida Background Check for Felonies in Fort Myers?
A Florida background check shows all felony convictions. It shows the charge, the date, and the sentence. It shows pending felony cases. It shows warrants for arrest. It shows any felony probation. It does not show sealed or expunged records. It does not show dropped charges. It does not show cases where you were found not guilty. The FDLE search covers all 67 Florida counties, including Lee County. The search costs $24 per person. Results print as a PDF.
How Do I Find a Fort Myers Felony Case Number?
You can find a Fort Myers felony case number on the Lee County Clerk portal. Search by the defendant’s full name. The case number appears next to the case in the results. You can also find the case number on court papers you already have. The case number starts with CF for felony cases. The CF stands for criminal felony. The next two numbers are the year. The last numbers are the case sequence. You can call the Clerk at 239-533-5000 if you cannot find the case number online.
Can Employers in Fort Myers Use Felony Records Against Job Applicants?
Florida law limits how employers can use felony records in hiring. The law is called the Florida Fair Credit Reporting Act. Employers must tell you they ran a background check. They must give you a copy of the report. They must give you a chance to challenge wrong details. Some cities have ban the box laws that stop employers from asking about felony records on the first application. Fort Myers does not have a ban the box law at the city level. Lee County has no ban the box rule either. State law still applies to all employers.
Can I Remove a Felony From My Fort Myers Record?
You can ask to seal or expunge some felony records. You must meet the rules in Florida Statute 943.0585 for sealing. You must meet the rules in Florida Statute 943.058 for expungement. You must wait the right number of years. You must get a certificate of eligibility from FDLE. The cost is $75 for the FDLE certificate. You then file a petition with the Lee County Clerk. The court holds a hearing on the petition. The judge makes the final decision. Not all felonies qualify for sealing or expungement. Murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping are exempt.