Bay County Court Records

Bay County Florida Court Records Search

Bay County, Florida is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather. However, like any other county, it also has a court system that handles various legal matters. If you are looking for information on court records in Bay County, Florida, you have come to the right place. Find how to obtain copies of court records, and the types of criminal and civil records that can be found.

To begin your Bay county court records search you will need to gather some basic information. You will need either the full name of the person of interest or their specific case number. If you do not know the case number that is fine, you can use a public records website to search county wide with a first and last name. This is a popular option for many as public record sites offer anonymous searching, from the convenience of your home.

Bay County Florida Clerk of Court Public Records

The Bay County Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining and providing access to public records for the county. These records include court records, marriage licenses, property records, and more. You can visit their website to run a Bay county Clerk of Court case search. You can also visit the Clerk’s office in person to obtain copies of records.

To search for records online, you will need to visit the Clerk’s website and click on the “Online Services” tab. From there, you can choose to search for court records by case number, party name, or date range. You can also search for marriage licenses, property records, and other public records on the website.

If you prefer to visit the Clerk’s office in person, you can find them at 300 E 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can request copies of court records in person and pay any applicable fees at the office.

How to Get Copies of Court Records in Bay County

There are a few different ways to obtain copies of court documents in Bay County. As mentioned above, you can search for and request copies of case records online through the Bay County Clerk of Court’s website. You can also visit the Clerk’s office in person to request copies of case documents for a fee.

Another option is to use a third-party public record website that specializes in providing access to public records. These websites often charge a fee for their services, but they can save you time and effort in searching for and obtaining Bay county public court case records

What You Can Obtain From a Public Record Site

Using a public record site, as mentioned above, offers a lot of benefits. You can quickly search county or even statewide with just a first and last name. Many people use this resource for running background checks on others, or researching a specific Bay county court case. Here are some of the records you can find using a resource like this:

• Criminal Record History
• Civil Cases
• Search if Someone was Arrested
• Traffic Citations and Driving Infractions
• Drunk Driving Violations
• Convictions
• Sentencings
• Liens and Judgments
• Arrest Warrants and Bench Warrants
• Prison and Jail Incarcerations
• Probation Status
• Marriages and Divorces
• Births and Deaths
• Bankruptcies
• License Plate and Vehicle Records

Types of Courts in Bay County Florida

There are several different types of courthouses in this county, each with its own jurisdiction and purpose. These judicial branches include:

Circuit Court

This is the highest trial court in the county and has jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and family law cases. This Circuit also handles appeals from the county level and administrative agencies.

County Court

This courthouse has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and civil cases with damages of $15,000 or less. It also handles small claims cases with damages of $8,000 or less.

Juvenile Court

This courthouse has jurisdiction over cases involving minors, including delinquency, dependency, and child support cases.

Probate Court

The Probate division handles matters related to wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health cases. They also handle cases where a deceased person has left no will or trust.

Family Court

The Family Court handles cases related to divorce, child custody, and child support. Records from these types of cases are typically sealed and not publicly available to protect minors and juveniles.

Types of Criminal and Civil Records

The types of criminal and civil records that can be found that are publicly available for anyone to research:

Criminal Records

Criminal records are records of a person’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, and convictions. These records can be found in the Circuit and county level. They may include information such as mugshots, convictions, and sentencing information. They often are a part of person’s background record that include infractions, misdemeanors and felonies.

Civil Records

Civil records are records of non-criminal legal matters, such as lawsuits, divorces, and property disputes. These records may include information such as court documents, judgments, and settlements. Civil cases and outcomes do not typically deal with criminal matters or jail or prison time for those involved.

Conclusion

Obtaining copies of court case records in Bay County, Florida is a relatively straightforward process. You can search for and request copies of records online through the Bay County Clerk of Court’s website or visit the Clerk’s office in person. There are also third-party websites that can assist you in obtaining this publicly available information. This is all made possible by the Florida State Sunshine Statutes.