Find Bay County Traffic Court Records

Bay County traffic court records are handled by the Clerk of Court and Comptroller office in Panama City. About 175,000 people live in Bay County, which sits along the Gulf Coast in the Florida panhandle. Clerk Bill Kinsaul and his team process all traffic citations for the county. The Bay County traffic department manages both civil and criminal traffic cases. You can search these records, check court dates, and pay fines online or at the courthouse on East 4th Street. Bay County also has an arraignment schedule for criminal traffic cases that runs three days a week.

Bay County Clerk of Court Traffic Department

The Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller runs a dedicated traffic department that handles all traffic court records for the county. The office sits on East 4th Street in Panama City, inside the Bay County Courthouse. This is where all traffic citations get processed, fines are collected, and court dates are managed. The traffic division has its own phone number separate from the main clerk line, so you can reach the right staff quickly.

Bay County splits traffic cases into two groups: civil and criminal. That matters because the process differs. Civil traffic infractions are non-criminal. You usually just pay a fine or elect school. No jail time is involved. Criminal traffic offenses are more serious. They can lead to fines, probation, or even jail. If you have a criminal traffic case in Bay County, you must appear in court. The distinction shapes how your Bay County traffic court records look and what options you have.

Note: Bay County does not accept personal checks for traffic payments as of February 2007.

Searching Bay County Traffic Court Records

Bay County gives you a few ways to look up traffic court records. The clerk website has an official records search tool that covers court filings and other public documents. You can search by name, case number, or document type. This tool lets you find Bay County traffic cases without leaving home. The results show basic case info including charges, dates, and dispositions.

The Bay County Clerk's traffic department page provides details on how to handle your specific citation type.

For a broader search that covers all Florida counties, the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal connects to court records statewide. You can also use the PayFLClerk portal to look up Bay County citations when making a payment. In-person searches are always available too. Visit the courthouse in Panama City and ask the traffic division staff to pull up your Bay County traffic court records. Bring your citation number or a valid ID with your full name.

Bay County Civil Traffic Citation Options

A civil traffic infraction in Bay County is a violation that does not carry jail time. Most tickets fall into this group. If you got a payable infraction citation in Bay County, you must either pay the fine in full within 30 days, plead not guilty, or get an extension. The 30-day clock starts on the day the officer handed you the citation. Under Florida Statute Chapter 316, these rules apply across the state, but Bay County enforces them at the local level.

Paying the fine is the fastest option. You admit guilt and accept points on your license. Bay County collects the payment and closes the case. You can also elect traffic school to avoid points. The school option keeps the conviction off your record in most situations. A third choice is to plead not guilty and request a hearing at the Bay County courthouse. This lets you fight the ticket in front of a judge.

Some Bay County civil traffic cases require a mandatory court appearance. Under Section 318.18, violations that involve a crash with serious bodily injury or a fatality require a hearing. Cases where a child was left in an unattended vehicle also need a court appearance in Bay County. These cannot be handled by simply paying a fine.

Criminal Traffic Cases in Bay County

Criminal traffic offenses are more serious than civil infractions. In Bay County, these cases can lead to jail time, probation, and bigger fines. A court appearance is required. Criminal traffic laws fall under Florida Statutes Chapters 316, 320, and 322. Common criminal traffic charges in Bay County include driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, and reckless driving that causes harm.

Bay County holds first arraignment court on three days each week. Monday at 1:00 PM. Wednesday at 8:30 AM. Friday at 8:30 AM. These hearings take place in the County Courtroom on the first floor of the Bay County Courthouse. At arraignment, the judge reads the charges and asks for your plea. You can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead not guilty, the court sets a trial date. Every step creates records in the Bay County traffic court system.

The Bay County Clerk provides an online payment page for traffic fines that accepts several forms of payment.

Note: If you face a criminal traffic charge in Bay County, consider hiring an attorney before your arraignment date.

Bay County Traffic Fines and Penalties

Fine amounts for Bay County traffic cases vary by violation type. Under Florida Statute 318.18, pedestrian infractions start at $15. Speeding fines go up based on how fast you were going over the limit. Running a red light, reckless driving, and other serious violations carry higher penalties. Bay County adds a $23 late fee if you miss the 30-day payment window. The Florida FLHSMV also tracks points on your license for each moving violation.

Unpaid Bay County traffic fines face collection after 90 days. Florida Statute 28.246 lets the clerk send overdue amounts to a collection agency. The agency can add up to 40% to the balance. A $200 fine becomes $280 in collections. Your license gets suspended too. To get it back, you must pay everything owed plus a reinstatement fee through FLHSMV. The Bay County online payment page lets you pay before things reach that point.

Public Records and Bay County Court Access

All Bay County traffic court records are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. Anyone can request to see them. You do not need to be a party to the case. The Bay County Clerk must provide access during business hours. Copy fees apply if you want paper copies.

The Bay County Clerk's official records search lets you find traffic cases and other public filings from the county.

When you request Bay County traffic court records, keep in mind that some personal info gets removed. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers cannot appear in documents recorded after October 1, 2002. The core case details, like charges, fines, court dates, and outcomes, are all public. The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation sets the standards that Bay County follows for public record access and document handling.

Cities in Bay County

Bay County includes Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Springfield, and other communities. None of these cities meet the population threshold for an individual page on this site. All traffic citations issued in Bay County, no matter which city or agency writes the ticket, are processed by the Bay County Clerk of Court in Panama City. The Bay County traffic court system handles records for every jurisdiction within its borders.

Nearby Counties

Bay County sits in the Florida panhandle and borders five other counties. If your citation was issued near a county line, double check which county it falls under. The issuing agency on your ticket will tell you.