Find Hernando County Traffic Court Records
Hernando County traffic court records are processed by the Clerk of Courts in Brooksville, Florida. With a population of around 195,000, Hernando County is a mid-sized county on Florida's Nature Coast, north of Tampa. The clerk's office handles a significant volume of traffic citations each year from Spring Hill, Brooksville, and the rest of the county. Searching for traffic court records here is straightforward, with both online tools and in-person options at the courthouse. If you got a ticket in Hernando County and need to look up your case, pay a fine, or understand your options, this page walks you through the process.
Hernando County Quick Facts
Hernando County Clerk of Courts Office
The Hernando County Clerk of Courts is the office responsible for all traffic citation processing in the county. Located at the courthouse on North Main Street in Brooksville, this office takes in every traffic ticket from local law enforcement, the sheriff's office, and state troopers. The clerk manages case files, schedules court hearings, accepts payments, and keeps the permanent records. It is the only office authorized to process traffic court cases for Hernando County.
Hernando County's population has grown in recent years, and the clerk's office handles a large number of traffic cases. If you call, expect some wait time during busy hours. The office serves residents from Spring Hill, which is the county's largest community, as well as Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and all other areas within county lines. Every traffic citation written inside Hernando County goes through this one clerk's office.
The clerk staff can look up your traffic court record, explain your options, and accept your payment. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. For mailing documents or payments, use the courthouse address below.
| Office | Hernando County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 N. Main Street #134, Brooksville, FL 34601 |
| Phone | 352-754-4201 |
| Website | Hernando County Clerk of Courts |
Searching Hernando County Traffic Records Online
The Hernando County Clerk's website is your best starting point for online traffic court record searches. The site provides access to case lookups, payment tools, and general information about how the traffic division works. For paying a traffic fine specifically, the PayFLClerk portal is the statewide payment system that covers all 67 Florida counties, including Hernando. Enter your citation number, and the system pulls up your case details and fine amount.
The Hernando County Clerk homepage gives residents and visitors access to traffic court services, including online case searches and payment processing.
Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, all court records in the state are public documents open for inspection. That means you can search Hernando County traffic court records whether or not you are the person named on the citation. The Florida Supreme Court's Administrative Order AOSC 15-18 further states that adult traffic court cases should be available online, including the actual court documents when possible.
Note: If a Hernando County traffic citation was just issued, it may take a few business days before it shows up in the online system.
Hernando County Traffic Ticket Options
When you receive a traffic citation in Hernando County, Florida law gives you 30 days to respond. The FLHSMV traffic citations page explains the standard options available statewide. These same choices apply to every Hernando County traffic case, whether the ticket came from a deputy on US 19 or a city officer in Brooksville.
Option one is paying the citation. This is the fastest route, but it means admitting guilt. Points go on your driving record. How many points depends on the violation. Under Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes, the state uniform traffic control law sets point values for each type of violation. A standard speeding ticket in Hernando County might carry 3 or 4 points. Running a red light or passing a stopped school bus carries more. Those points stay on your record and can trigger insurance rate increases.
Option two is electing traffic school. You plead no contest, pay the fine, and complete a state-approved driver improvement course. The Hernando County court withholds adjudication, so no conviction goes on your record and no points are added. This option has limits. You can only pick it once in any 12-month period. CDL holders are not eligible. There is also a lifetime cap on how many times you can use it. Despite those limits, it is the most popular choice for Hernando County residents who want to keep a clean record.
Option three is to plead not guilty and request a hearing. The Hernando County court schedules a date, and you appear before a judge at the Brooksville courthouse. If the judge rules in your favor, the case is dismissed. If the ruling goes against you, expect to pay the full fine plus court costs. This path takes more time but can be worth it if you have solid grounds to challenge the citation.
Fines and Collections for Hernando County Traffic Cases
Traffic fines in Hernando County are set by Florida Statute 318.18. The amounts depend on the type of violation. Simple infractions start low. Most moving violations land somewhere between $100 and $300 after all court costs and surcharges are factored in. Speeding tickets go higher the faster you were going over the limit. School zone and construction zone violations have their own elevated fine schedules.
Missing the 30-day deadline adds a late fee to your Hernando County traffic case. The clerk also reports the failure to respond to FLHSMV, which can suspend your driver's license. Under Florida Statute 28.246, fines unpaid after 90 days may be turned over to a collection agency. The agency can add up to 40% on top of the original amount. That means a $200 Hernando County traffic fine could become $280 in collections, not counting the late fee or the state reinstatement fee you will need to pay to get your license back through FLHSMV.
Note: Points from Hernando County traffic violations are tracked statewide by FLHSMV and may affect your insurance rates or lead to a license suspension if you accumulate too many.
Public Access to Hernando County Court Records
Traffic court records in Hernando County are public. Florida's public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, guarantees the right of any person to inspect and copy government records. Traffic cases are no exception. The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation oversees all 67 clerks and ensures they follow uniform standards for records management and public access.
Some personal information is always kept confidential. Social security numbers, bank account details, and certain victim identifiers are redacted from public records. But the substance of any Hernando County traffic case, like the charges, dates, fines, and final disposition, is available to anyone. You can access this information online through the clerk's website or in person at the courthouse in Brooksville. The clerk may charge a per-page fee for copies. Certified copies cost more but may be needed for legal or insurance purposes.
Hernando County Traffic Court Steps
The traffic court process in Hernando County follows a clear path. An officer writes the citation. It goes to the clerk's office. Staff enter it into the records system. You receive the ticket and have 30 days to choose your response. The case proceeds from there based on your decision.
If you choose to contest the ticket, the Hernando County court sets a hearing date at the courthouse in Brooksville. You show up, the officer may testify, and the judge makes a ruling. Whether the case ends in a conviction or a dismissal, the full record stays in the Hernando County traffic court system as a permanent public document. Access to that record is guaranteed under Florida law. The clerk's office keeps it on file indefinitely, and it can be retrieved through the online search tools or by visiting the office in person.
Cities in Hernando County
Hernando County includes Spring Hill, one of the larger communities in the Tampa Bay region, along with Brooksville and several smaller areas. All traffic citations issued anywhere in Hernando County are processed by the same clerk's office in Brooksville.
Other communities in Hernando County include Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Weeki Wachee. Traffic tickets from these areas all go through the Hernando County Clerk of Courts.
Nearby Counties
Hernando County borders three other Florida counties. If your citation was written near a county line, confirm with the clerk which county has your case on file.