Access Holmes County Traffic Court Records
Holmes County traffic court records are managed by the Clerk of Courts in Bonifay, a small city in the Florida panhandle. With a population of about 20,000, Holmes County is one of the smaller counties in the state, but the clerk's office still handles a steady flow of traffic cases from local roads and state highways. If you got a traffic ticket somewhere in Holmes County, the clerk in Bonifay has your case on file. This page covers how to search for traffic court records, understand your options after a citation, and take care of fines before they become bigger problems.
Holmes County Quick Facts
Holmes County Clerk of Courts Office
Every traffic citation in Holmes County ends up at the Clerk of Courts office in Bonifay. This is where cases get entered into the system, fine amounts are calculated, court dates are set, and payments are collected. The office handles both civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses for the entire county. Whether a sheriff's deputy, a Bonifay police officer, or a state trooper wrote your ticket, the Holmes County Clerk is the place to go.
As a smaller office, Holmes County has some advantages. You are more likely to speak with someone directly and get your questions answered without long hold times. Staff can look up your traffic court record, explain what you owe, and walk you through your options. Visit in person at the courthouse or call the main number during business hours.
| Office | Holmes County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Box 397, Bonifay, FL 32425 |
| Phone | 850-547-1100 |
| Website | Holmes County Clerk of Courts |
Note: Holmes County does not have a separate phone line for traffic cases, so call the main clerk number and ask to be connected to the traffic division.
Searching for Holmes County Traffic Records
To find a traffic court record in Holmes County, start with the Holmes County Clerk website. Check for any online search tools or links to the county's records system. For paying a citation online, the statewide PayFLClerk portal covers all 67 Florida counties. Type in your citation number and the system will show your Holmes County case with the fine amount and payment options.
The Holmes County Clerk of Courts website serves as the online hub for court services, including traffic citation lookups and general information.
You can also search Holmes County traffic court records in person. Visit the clerk's office in Bonifay and ask staff to pull up your case by name or citation number. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all government records in Florida are public. Anyone can look up a traffic court record in Holmes County. You do not have to be the person named on the ticket. Small copy fees apply for printed records.
Holmes County Traffic Citation Options
Florida law gives you 30 days to respond to a traffic citation in Holmes County. The FLHSMV traffic citations page describes the three standard options: pay the ticket, elect driving school, or contest it in court. Each path leads to a different result on your Holmes County traffic court record and your driving record.
Paying the citation is quick. It closes the case. But under Florida law, payment counts as a guilty plea. Points go on your driving record per Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes. Moving violations like speeding or running a stop sign carry different point values. Those points affect your insurance costs and can lead to a license suspension if they pile up. Think about this before you pay a Holmes County traffic ticket.
Driving school avoids points. You plead no contest, pay the fine, and take a state-approved course. The court withholds adjudication in Holmes County, meaning no conviction goes on your record. But you can only use this once every 12 months. There is a lifetime cap too. Commercial driver's license holders cannot elect this option. If you qualify, it is usually the smartest move to keep your Holmes County traffic court record clean.
Contesting the citation means asking for a hearing at the Holmes County courthouse in Bonifay. A judge hears both sides. If you win, the case is dismissed and no fine is owed. If you lose, the fine plus court costs apply. This option takes more time but may be the right call when you believe the ticket was wrong.
Fines and Collections in Holmes County
Fine amounts for Holmes County traffic citations follow the statewide schedule in Florida Statute 318.18. Simple pedestrian violations are $15. Moving violations typically range from $100 to $300 when court costs and fees are included. Speeding fines go up with speed. School zone violations carry extra penalties.
Ignoring a Holmes County traffic ticket makes things worse. A late fee gets added after the deadline. FLHSMV gets notified and may suspend your license. After 90 days, the clerk can send unpaid fines to a collection agency under Florida Statute 28.246. The collector adds up to 40% to the balance. That turns a $150 ticket into $210 before you even count the late fee or the FLHSMV reinstatement charge to get your license back. It is always cheaper to handle a Holmes County traffic citation within the first 30 days.
Note: If you are not sure whether a Holmes County traffic fine has gone to collections, call the clerk's office at 850-547-1100 to check the status of your case.
Public Records and Holmes County Court Cases
Traffic court records in Holmes County are public under Florida law. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection. The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation oversees how all 67 clerks manage and share these records. Holmes County follows the same rules as every other Florida county.
Some personal data gets removed before records are shared. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and some identifying details of crime victims are always redacted. The basic facts of a Holmes County traffic case, including the charge, the dates, the fine, and the outcome, stay in the public file. The Florida Supreme Court's Administrative Order AOSC 15-18 says that adult traffic court cases should be visible online. Holmes County works to make these records accessible through its clerk's website and in-person requests.
Holmes County Traffic Court Hearings
If you plead not guilty to a traffic citation in Holmes County, the court sets a hearing date. You appear at the courthouse in Bonifay. The judge listens to the evidence from both sides. The officer who wrote the citation may testify. You can bring witnesses or documentation to support your case.
After hearing everything, the judge rules. A dismissal means no fine and no points. A conviction means you pay the fine plus any court costs the judge imposes. Some cases end with a reduced fine or other conditions. Whatever the outcome, it becomes part of the permanent Holmes County traffic court record. That record is subject to Florida's public records laws and stays on file at the clerk's office indefinitely. You can access it anytime through the clerk's office or available online tools.
Nearby Counties
Holmes County shares borders with four other Florida counties. If you are unsure which county issued your ticket, check the citation itself for the county name or call the Holmes County Clerk to confirm.