West Palm Beach City Felony Records are court files for serious criminal cases filed in the seat of Palm Beach County, Florida. Anyone can look up these records through the county clerk, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, or the local police department.
Felony charges in this city are handled by the 15th Judicial Circuit Court. This page explains exactly how to find case numbers, hearing dates, conviction outcomes, and filed documents for any felony case tied to West Palm Beach.
Where Felony Cases From West Palm Beach Are Filed
Felony cases from West Palm Beach move to the Palm Beach County Courthouse. This courthouse is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. All felony filings, court dates, and final rulings stay in the clerk’s office. Anyone can view most of these files for free. Some files have restricted access based on Florida law.
The 15th Judicial Circuit Court System
The 15th Judicial Circuit Court covers Palm Beach County only. It hears all felony criminal cases from cities inside the county, including West Palm Beach. The court has a criminal division that handles felony trials, plea deals, sentencings, and appeals. Each case receives a unique case number, also called a uniform case number, that stays with the file for life.
Role of the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court keeps the official record of every felony case. This office stores paper files, electronic dockets, and audio recordings of hearings. The Clerk also issues certified copies of court orders and judgments. People who need proof of a conviction, dismissal, or acquittal request these certified copies from the Clerk.
How to Search West Palm Beach Felony Records Online
Online searches give the fastest answer. Three systems cover nearly every felony case tied to West Palm Beach. Each system works a little differently. The table below shows what each one offers.
| System | Website | Search Method | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County Clerk | www.mypalmbeachclerk.com | Name or case number | Free to view, fees for copies |
| FDLE Criminal History | web.fdle.state.fl.us/search | Name and date of birth | $24 per search (2026 fee) |
| West Palm Beach Police | www.wpb.org/police | Police report number | Free to request, small copy fee |
Searching by Name on the Clerk Website
The Clerk website lets users search by full legal name. Results show open and closed felony cases. Each result lists the case number, the charges, the filing date, and the next hearing date. Users can click on a case to see the full docket, which is a list of every event in the case. The docket shows motions filed, pleas entered, and final judgments.
Searching by Case Number
A case number search gives the most exact results. Anyone who already has a uniform case number from a prior court visit can type it into the Clerk search box. The system opens the case file directly. This method works well for attorneys, employers running background checks, and people checking their own records.
What Users See in the Online Docket
The online docket shows the names of the people involved, the charges, and the current status. Status terms include “open,” “closed,” “pending,” “adjudication withheld,” and “convicted.” Each docket entry shows the date and a short description of what happened that day. Many cases also link to filed documents, which users can view as PDF files.
Using the Palm Beach County Clerk Records System
The Clerk’s office runs the most complete felony court database for West Palm Beach. It has records going back many decades. Older paper records are scanned into the online system. Newer records are filed electronically from the start. The system updates daily as clerks enter new filings and orders.
What Information the Clerk Database Holds
The database stores party names, the judge assigned, the prosecuting attorney, the defense attorney, the arrest agency, the booking facility, and the final sentence. It also shows restitution orders, probation terms, and any appeals. Users can print or save most screen pages as PDFs at no cost.
Limits of the Clerk Online System
Some records stay sealed by court order. These do not appear in public searches. Juvenile felony cases follow different rules and are not in the adult felony database. Mental health court records and drug court records may also have restricted access. The Clerk website explains these limits on its help page.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide search that covers every county. It includes felony arrests, charges, and convictions from West Palm Beach and every other city in Florida. This is the same database most employers use for background checks.
Required Information for an FDLE Search
To run an FDLE search, a person needs the full legal name of the subject. A date of birth helps the system find the right match. A Social Security Number is optional but makes the search more exact. A credit or debit card pays the $24 fee. Results come back right away on the screen and also by email.
What the FDLE Report Shows
The report shows every arrest in Florida, the charge, and the outcome. Outcomes include guilty, not guilty, dismissed, no contest, and dropped. The report lists the court that handled the case, usually Palm Beach County Courthouse for West Palm Beach felonies. It also shows any felony convictions and the sentence given.
When to Use FDLE Instead of the Clerk
FDLE works best for people who need to check records across many Florida counties at once. It also helps when the county clerk site is offline. For people who only need a single West Palm Beach case, the Clerk site is faster and free.
In-Person Requests at the Main Courthouse
Some records are easier to get in person. The main Palm Beach County Courthouse sits at 205 North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. The Clerk’s office inside the courthouse has public terminals that link to the full database. Staff at the help desk can guide first-time users through the search process.
What to Bring for an In-Person Visit
Visitors should bring a valid photo ID. They should also bring the full legal name and date of birth of the person they are searching. A printed case number speeds up the search. Cash or a card covers the cost of any copies.
Public Terminals at the Clerk’s Office
The courthouse has free public computers. Each one links to the same database found online. The screens show the same dockets and PDFs. Court staff do not search for visitors, but they show how to use the system. Most visitors find what they need in under 30 minutes.
Requesting Certified Copies of Felony Records
Certified copies carry the Clerk’s seal and serve as proof in court or for government agencies. The fee for a certified copy is $1 per document plus 15 cents per page. Requests can be made at the counter or by mail. Mail requests need a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order.
Costs, Copies, and Certified Records for West Palm Beach Felony Files
Fees for felony records in West Palm Beach follow Florida state law. The Clerk sets the prices. The table below lists the most common fees in 2026.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online docket view | Free |
| Printed page from public terminal | 15 cents per page |
| Standard copy of a court document | 15 cents per page |
| Certified copy of a court document | $1.00 per document plus page fee |
| FDLE criminal history search | $24.00 per search |
| Police report copy (West Palm Beach PD) | Varies, usually under $10 |
Payment Methods Accepted
The Clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit and debit cards. Online payments go through a secure portal. In-person card payments use a card reader at the counter. Checks for mail requests must be made out to “Clerk of Courts.”
Sealed and Expunged Felony Records in West Palm Beach
Some felony records do not show up in public searches. Florida law allows certain records to be sealed or expunged. A sealed record still exists but is hidden from public view. An expunged record is destroyed. Only certain people can see a sealed record, such as the person named in the file, their attorney, and law enforcement agencies for specific jobs.
Who Qualifies for Sealing or Expungement
People who were acquitted, had charges dropped, or completed a diversion program often qualify. People who received a withhold of adjudication on a felony may also qualify in some cases. People with certain convictions on their record do not qualify. Florida law lists the exact crimes that cannot be sealed or expunged.
How to Check if a West Palm Beach Record Is Sealed
The Clerk’s office can confirm if a record is sealed. A person named in the file can request a check by showing photo ID. The FDLE will not show sealed records in its public search results. Court order documents that seal a record are themselves public and can be viewed at the courthouse.
West Palm Beach Police Department Records for Felony Cases
The West Palm Beach Police Department creates the first reports for felony cases. Officers file an incident report and an arrest report. These reports go to the State Attorney’s Office, which decides whether to file formal felony charges. Police reports are public records unless they relate to an active investigation or a sealed case.
How to Request a West Palm Beach Police Report
People can request police reports by mail, email, or in person. The request must include the report number if known. The Records Unit at 600 Banyan Boulevard handles these requests. Reports are usually ready within 5 to 10 business days. A small fee covers the cost of copies.
Phone Number and Office Hours for the Records Unit
The West Palm Beach Police Records Unit can be reached at (561) 822-1900. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and federal holidays. Voicemail requests are accepted after hours and answered the next business day.
Searching for Felony Records by Defendant Name
Name-based searches are the most common type of felony record search. The Clerk site and the FDLE site both use name searches. Exact matches depend on spelling. Users should try different name formats, including middle names and known aliases.
Tips for Better Name Search Results
Using the full legal name gives the best results. Adding a date of birth narrows the list. People with common names should include a middle initial at least. Some users search by last name first to see the full list, then filter by first name and date of birth.
What Name Searches Do Not Show
Name searches do not show sealed records, expunged records, or juvenile cases. They do not show federal felony cases, which are filed in U.S. District Court. They do not show cases that were transferred to another county. For full coverage, users may need to search more than one database.
Felony Case Status and Hearing Dates in West Palm Beach
Knowing the status of a felony case helps people plan court visits. The Clerk website shows the current status and the next hearing date for every open case. Status terms update as the case moves through the system.
Common Felony Case Status Terms
Open means the case is still in court. Pending means a future date is set. Closed means a final judgment has been entered. Adjudication withheld means the person was found guilty but no formal conviction was entered. Convicted means a guilty verdict or plea was entered. Dismissed means charges were dropped.
How Often the Online Status Updates
The Clerk system updates each business day. New filings from the day before usually appear by 8:00 a.m. the next morning. Hearing results take up to 48 hours to post. Some updates take longer if the court has a back log of paperwork.
Federal Felony Records vs. State Felony Records in West Palm Beach
Federal felony cases are different from Florida state felony cases. They are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which has a courthouse in West Palm Beach at 701 Clematis Street. Federal cases involve violations of U.S. law, such as drug trafficking across state lines, federal firearms charges, and wire fraud.
How to Search Federal Felony Records
The federal court system uses PACER, a public access system at pacer.uscourts.gov. PACER charges a small fee per page viewed. The fee is capped at $3 per document. Users can search by name or case number. Federal felony records follow different rules from state records.
Palm Beach County Courthouse Contact and Location Details
The main Palm Beach County Courthouse is located at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The Clerk of Courts main phone number is (561) 355-2991. Public terminal hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The courthouse is closed on weekends and federal holidays. Parking is available in nearby garages for a fee.
Nearby Palm Beach County Courthouses for Felony Records
West Palm Beach is the main courthouse, but the county has satellite locations. These courthouses handle specific case types and may hold felony records too.
- South County Courthouse — 200 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444
- North County Courthouse — 3188 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
- West County Courthouse — 38844 State Road 80, Belle Glade, FL 33430
Frequently Asked Questions About West Palm Beach Felony Records
These questions cover the most common points people ask about felony records in West Palm Beach. Each answer gives clear, direct steps based on current Florida law and Clerk of Court rules.
How do I find out if someone has a felony in West Palm Beach?
Run a name search on the Palm Beach County Clerk site at mypalmbeachclerk.com. Type the full legal name and date of birth. The system shows all felony cases for that person. You can also order an FDLE statewide criminal history search for $24. Both methods work 24 hours a day from any device with internet.
Are West Palm Beach felony records free to view?
Yes. The Palm Beach County Clerk site lets anyone view felony dockets, hearings, and case outcomes at no cost. Viewing public records is a right under Florida law. The only fees apply to printed pages, certified copies, and statewide FDLE background checks.
Can I check felony records by case number in West Palm Beach?
Yes. The Clerk site has a search box that accepts uniform case numbers. Type the full number, including the year and court code. The system opens the case file directly, showing every event from arrest to final sentence. This method gives faster results than name searches.
How long does the Clerk take to process felony record requests?
Online searches are instant. Mail requests for certified copies take 5 to 10 business days. In-person requests at the courthouse counter are usually handled the same day. Complex requests that need a clerk to pull paper files from storage can take up to 2 weeks.
What felony records are not public in West Palm Beach?
Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not public. Juvenile felony records follow different rules and are not in the adult database. Records tied to active criminal investigations may also be restricted. The State Attorney’s Office can seal some arrest records before formal charges are filed.
Can I get a felony record removed from the West Palm Beach database?
Only a court can order a record sealed or expunged. A person must file a petition with the court and meet the legal rules under Florida Statutes Section 943.0585. People who were not convicted or who completed a diversion program usually qualify. A lawyer can help file the petition.
Do West Palm Beach felony records show on background checks?
Yes. Felony convictions in West Palm Beach show up on most background checks. Sealed and expunged records do not show. Dismissed cases and acquittals may or may not show, depending on the type of check. Most employers use the FDLE search for Florida background checks.