St Johns County felony records are official court files that track serious criminal cases filed in St. Johns County, Florida.
These records show charges, court dates, pleas, verdicts, and sentences for crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison. Anyone can look up these records for free online through the Clerk of Court website, or by visiting the courthouse in St. Augustine. This page explains exactly how to search, what documents you will find, what fees apply, and how to get certified copies.
What St Johns County Felony Records Contain
A felony case file is a complete set of court papers for one criminal case. The file starts when police make an arrest or a state attorney files charges. It ends when a judge issues a final sentence or dismisses the case. Each file follows the person from first court appearance all the way through prison, probation, or release.
Core Document Types in a Felony File
Every felony file in St Johns County holds the same basic set of papers. These papers tell the full story of the case from start to finish.
- Arrest report or probable cause affidavit
- Formal charges filed by the state attorney
- Bond and first appearance records
- Arraignment paperwork and plea entries
- Motion filings from both sides
- Court orders from the judge
- Final judgment and sentence
- Restitution and probation documents
Who Files Felony Charges in St Johns County
The State Attorney’s Office for the 7th Judicial Circuit files felony charges in St Johns County. This office covers Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. The Circuit Court for St. Johns County hears all felony cases. Misdemeanor cases go to the County Court instead.
Why Felony Records Stay Public
Florida law makes most court records open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to see and copy government records. The Clerk of Court must follow this law. Sealed and expunged records are the only felony files kept private.
Official Sources for St Johns County Felony Records
Three main government sources hold felony records for St. Johns County. Each source covers a different part of the criminal justice system. You can use all three to build a full background picture.
St Johns County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court office keeps the master file for every felony case. Brandon J. Patty serves as the current Clerk of Court and Comptroller. His office maintains both paper and digital records. The clerk is the best place to start any felony records search in the county.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
FDLE runs the statewide criminal history database. This database pulls records from all 67 Florida counties, including St. Johns. A paid name-based search through FDLE costs $25 per person. Results show every arrest and disposition the state knows about.
Florida Department of Corrections
The Department of Corrections tracks every person in state prison. The free Offender Search tool shows current inmates, their location, and their release date. This tool only covers people sent to prison, not people on probation or who served county jail time.
How to Search St Johns County Felony Records Online
The fastest way to look up felony records in St. Johns County is the online research portal. The portal runs on the clerk’s official website. You can search from any phone or computer with internet access. Most searches return results in less than one minute.
Using the Clerk’s Online Research Portal
Go to stjohnsclerk.com/online-research to start a search. The portal lets you search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show case summaries, charges, and a list of filed documents. You can view most images for free. Some documents cost a small fee to print or download.
Searching by Party Name
Type the full legal name of the person you want to look up. Add a date of birth if you know it. A date of birth helps the system show the right person when two people share the same name. Results will list every case, both open and closed, where that person appears as a party.
Searching by Case Number
A case number looks like this: CA-2024-001234. The first two letters show the case type. CA means Circuit Criminal, which covers felonies. The year shows when the case was filed. The last numbers are the sequence. If you have the case number, you can pull up the file in seconds.
Searching by Filing Date Range
Use this option when you need to find all cases filed in a certain time period. Pick a start date and an end date. The portal will show every felony case opened in that window. This works well for legal research and journalism projects.
How to Request Records in Person at the Courthouse
Some records are only available at the courthouse. Older files, sealed exhibits, and original certified documents sit in the clerk’s physical archive. A visit to the office gives you same-day access to almost any file you need.
Courthouse Location and Hours
The St Johns County Clerk of Court main office sits at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Free parking is available on site.
What to Bring for an In-Person Request
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Provide as much detail as you can about the case. Full name, date of birth, and case number all help staff find the file faster. You will fill out a records request form at the front counter.
Payment Methods Accepted at the Counter
The clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards. Certified copies cost $1 each. Regular photocopies run 15 cents per page. Payment is due before records are released to you.
How to Request Records by Mail
Mail requests work for people who live far from St. Augustine. You can send a written request along with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days to process. This method works best for certified copies you need for legal or personal use.
Information to Include in a Mail Request
Write the full name of the person whose records you want. Add the date of birth and the case number if you have it. List each specific document you need. Sign the request and include your contact phone number. Mail the request to the clerk’s office address listed above.
Fees for Mail Requests
Enclose a check or money order for the correct amount. Add $1 for each certified copy. Add 15 cents per page for regular copies. Add postage for return mail. The clerk will return your records along with any change owed.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Search Through FDLE
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s main criminal history database. This database covers arrests, charges, and dispositions from every Florida county. A search costs $25 per person and shows results the same day.
How to Run an FDLE Search
Visit web.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/default to start a search. Type the full legal name of the person. Add a date of birth. Gender is required. A Social Security Number is optional but helps with accuracy. Pay the $25 fee with a credit or debit card. Results show up right after payment clears.
What FDLE Results Show
Results list every arrest the state has on file. Each entry shows the charge, the date, the county, and the final outcome. Outcomes include convictions, dismissals, nolle prosequi, and pending cases. The report also flags any out-of-state records shared with Florida.
Records That Do Not Show in FDLE Results
Sealed and expunged records stay out of FDLE results. Juvenile records have limited access under Florida law. Federal charges and out-of-state-only arrests also do not appear. The database only covers Florida state and county records.
Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search
The free Offender Search tool tracks every person in Florida state prison. This tool is run by the Florida Department of Corrections. It is a good way to check if someone is currently incarcerated.
How to Use the Offender Search
Go to dc.state.fl.us/OffenderSearch/Search.aspx. Type the last name, first name, or Department of Corrections number. Results show inmate photos, current facility location, and tentative release date. The tool also lists prior convictions and supervision history.
What the Offender Search Does Not Cover
The tool only shows people in state prison. It does not show people in county jail, federal prison, or out-of-state facilities. It does not show people who finished their sentence and left the system. For those cases, you need to search county records or FDLE.
Felony Case Status and Court Dates
You can check the current status of a felony case using the clerk’s online portal. The system updates within 24 hours of any new court filing. This makes it easy to track hearings, pleas, and final outcomes.
How Case Status Updates Work
Court clerks enter new information into the system the same day the judge signs an order. This includes bond changes, plea agreements, trial dates, and sentencing. Members of the public can see the same data that lawyers and judges see.
Checking Future Court Dates
Search by case number to see the next scheduled hearing. The portal shows the date, time, courtroom, and the judge assigned to the case. Some hearings may move or cancel at the last minute. Call the clerk’s office to confirm same-day schedules.
Costs and Fees for St Johns County Felony Records
Most felony records in St Johns County are free to view. Fees only apply when you need a copy or a certified version. The fee structure follows Florida state law.
| Service | Fee | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online case search | Free | Instant |
| View document image online | Free for most files | Instant |
| Print or download document | $0.15 per page | Instant |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per document | Same day in person / 5-10 days by mail |
| FDLE statewide criminal history | $25.00 per search | Same day |
| Offender Search (DOC) | Free | Instant |
Record Retention and Archive Rules
Florida law sets how long felony records must be kept. Most felony cases stay on file forever. Closed cases move to the clerk’s archive after a set period but remain open to the public.
How Long Felony Records Stay Available
Felony cases typically remain in the clerk’s active system for several years. After that, they move to a long-term archive. The archive covers both digital scans and original paper files. You can still request archived files through the clerk’s office.
Digital Records and Older Paper Files
Most felony cases filed after 2000 have full digital records. Older cases exist on paper or microfilm. Some historic files from before 1970 may be stored off-site. The clerk can pull these files with a few days’ notice.
Sealed and Expunged Felony Records
Some felony records are no longer public. A judge can order a record sealed or expunged under Florida law. Once sealed, only certain agencies can see the file. Once expunged, the record is destroyed in most cases.
Who Can Get a Record Sealed
A person can apply to seal a felony record if they completed a diversion program, received a withhold of adjudication, or had charges dropped. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and certain other crimes cannot be sealed. The person must file a petition with the court.
How Sealing Affects Public Searches
Sealed records do not show in the clerk’s online portal. They do not show in FDLE searches. They do not show in the Offender Search tool. Only law enforcement and certain government agencies can see sealed files.
Common Reasons People Search St Johns County Felony Records
People search felony records for many different reasons. Each use case has its own best source and search method.
Background Checks for Employment or Housing
Florida law gives employers the right to run criminal background checks. Landlords often do the same. A search through FDLE covers the whole state. The clerk’s office search covers only St. Johns County. Most employers accept both methods.
Legal Research and Case Preparation
Lawyers and legal aid groups search felony files to build cases. They look at prior convictions, plea deals, and sentencing patterns. The clerk’s portal lets them pull documents without making a trip to the courthouse.
Personal Records and Family Research
People often want to check their own record for accuracy. Others search for family members or old associates. The clerk’s office treats all searchers the same under Florida public records law.
Contact Information and Office Location
You can reach the St Johns County Clerk of Court in person, by phone, or by mail. The office handles all felony records requests for the county. Staff can answer questions about searches, fees, and document types.
Office Address: St Johns County Clerk of Court, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone Number: (904) 819-3600
Official Website: https://www.stjohnsclerk.com/
Online Records Portal: https://stjohnsclerk.com/online-research/
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on weekends and state holidays)
Frequently Asked Questions About St Johns County Felony Records
This section answers the most common questions people ask about felony records in St Johns County. These answers cover searches, fees, access rules, and what each record contains. Use this section to solve specific problems before contacting the clerk’s office.
How do I find out if someone has a felony record in St Johns County?
You can search for a felony record in St Johns County by using the Clerk of Court’s online portal at stjohnsclerk.com/online-research. Type the person’s full legal name and date of birth into the search box. The system will show every case where that person appears as a defendant. You can also run a statewide search through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for $25 per search. The FDLE search covers St Johns County along with all other Florida counties. Both methods work for free basic searches, but you pay for certified copies.
Are St Johns County felony records free to view online?
Yes, basic case searches and most document images are free to view on the Clerk of Court’s online portal. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date without paying anything. Fees only apply when you want to print, download, or order a certified copy of a document. Regular copies cost 15 cents per page. Certified copies cost $1 per document. The FDLE statewide criminal history search costs $25 per name.
Can I access sealed or expunged felony records in St Johns County?
No, sealed and expunged felony records are not available to the public in St Johns County. These records are removed from the online portal and from the FDLE database. Only law enforcement agencies, the courts, and certain government offices can see sealed files. Expunged records are destroyed in most cases. A person who wants their own sealed record back must file a court order to open it for a specific legal purpose.
How long does it take to get felony records by mail?
Mail requests for felony records in St Johns County usually take 5 to 10 business days to process. The clerk’s office needs time to pull the file, make copies, and mail them back to you. Add extra time for postal delivery. In-person visits are faster because staff can print copies the same day. Online searches through the portal are the fastest option and return results in less than one minute.
What is the difference between the clerk’s search and the FDLE search?
The Clerk of Court search only covers cases filed in St Johns County. It shows every document filed in each case. The FDLE search covers all 67 Florida counties. It only shows arrests, charges, and final outcomes, not the full case file. The clerk’s search is free for basic use. The FDLE search costs $25 per person. Use the clerk’s search for detailed case files. Use the FDLE search for statewide background checks.
Do felony records show up on background check websites?
Some third-party background check websites pull data from public records, but these sites are often out of date. The most accurate source for St Johns County felony records is the Clerk of Court’s official portal. For a statewide picture, use the FDLE search. Government sources update within 24 hours. Private sites can take weeks to catch up and may charge higher fees for less reliable data.
Can I remove a felony record from public view in Florida?
Florida law allows some people to seal or expunge a felony record, but not everyone qualifies. You can apply to seal a record if you completed a diversion program, received a withhold of adjudication, or had your case dropped. You cannot seal convictions for violent felonies, sex offenses, or crimes against children. The process starts with a petition filed in the court that handled your case. The clerk’s office can give you the forms you need to start the process.