Lafayette County Traffic Court Records

Lafayette County traffic court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Mayo. This is one of the least populated counties in all of Florida, with about 9,000 residents. Despite its small size, the clerk handles every traffic citation issued here, from speeding on Highway 27 to stop sign violations in Mayo. Searching for a Lafayette County traffic case means going through the clerk office or using statewide online tools. The Mayo courthouse is your main contact for anything related to traffic court records in this county, and staff are available by phone or in person to help you find what you need.

Lafayette County Clerk of Court

The Lafayette County Clerk of Court is based in Mayo and manages all traffic court records for the county. This is a small operation that serves one of the most rural parts of Florida. The clerk handles citation processing, fine collection, court scheduling, and record keeping. Because of the county's small population, the clerk office tends to offer a more personal level of service than what you find in bigger counties.

You can reach the Lafayette County Clerk by phone at 904-294-1600. Mail goes to PO Box 88, Mayo, FL 32066. There is no dedicated county clerk website for online traffic services, but the PayFLClerk statewide portal handles online payments for all 67 Florida counties. That includes Lafayette County. Walk-in service at the Mayo courthouse is another option if you prefer to deal with your traffic case in person.

Note: Lafayette County is among the smallest counties in Florida, so expect a more direct and personal experience when you contact the clerk about your traffic case.

How to Search Lafayette County Traffic Records

Finding traffic court records in Lafayette County starts with the clerk office. Call 904-294-1600 and give them your name or citation number. Staff can look up your case and provide the fine amount, due date, and status. This phone-based search is the quickest way to get info on a Lafayette County traffic case. You can also stop by the courthouse in Mayo.

For an online search, use MyFloridaCourtAccess. This is the statewide court records portal that covers all 67 counties, including Lafayette. You can search by name or case number to find traffic court records in Lafayette County. The system shows case type, filing date, and current status. It covers civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses filed in the county.

The Florida FLHSMV traffic citations page is another resource. It explains how citations work, what your options are, and how the points system affects your license. The screenshot below shows the statewide payment portal where you can pay Lafayette County traffic fines online.

The PayFLClerk system lets you search for and pay your Lafayette County traffic citation from any computer or phone. Just select Lafayette County on the site and enter your citation details. This saves a trip to Mayo if you just need to pay a fine.

Lafayette County Traffic Citation Options

When you get a traffic ticket in Lafayette County, state law gives you 30 days to respond. Florida Statute Chapter 316 applies uniformly across all counties. The Lafayette County Clerk tracks these deadlines. Missing the 30-day window means a late fee and a possible license suspension through FLHSMV.

Your first option is to pay the fine in full. Paying counts as a guilty plea, and points go on your driving record. Option two is to pay and elect traffic school. This avoids points because the court withholds adjudication. You plead no contest and take a state-approved driving course. The clerk gives you extra time to finish the school once you elect this option. Under Florida Statute 318.18, penalty amounts are set at the state level, so Lafayette County follows the same fee schedule as everywhere else in Florida.

Option three is to contest the ticket. You plead not guilty within 30 days and the Lafayette County court schedules a hearing. At the hearing, you can argue your case. The judge will decide the outcome. Some serious violations require a mandatory court hearing no matter what, including reckless driving under Chapter 316 and DUI offenses. Those cannot be resolved by simply paying a fine in Lafayette County.

Fines and Collections in Lafayette County

Traffic fine amounts in Lafayette County follow state guidelines. The type of violation sets the base fine. Speeding, running a stop sign, and failing to signal all have different costs. The Lafayette County Clerk collects these fines. You can pay at the courthouse, by mail, or online through PayFLClerk.

Fines that go unpaid past 90 days face collections. Florida Statute 28.246 gives the clerk authority to send overdue fines to a collection agency. That agency can add up to 40% on top of what you already owe. A $120 fine could jump to $168 once collections adds their cut. FLHSMV also suspends your license for the unpaid ticket. Getting it back requires paying the original fine, the collection fee, and a separate reinstatement fee to FLHSMV. Stay ahead of deadlines on any Lafayette County traffic citation.

Note: Payment of a Lafayette County traffic fine is treated as a conviction, and the FLHSMV will assess points to your driving record.

Public Records and Lafayette County Traffic Cases

All traffic court records in Lafayette County are public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes this the law. Any person can inspect and copy government records in the state. This covers traffic cases in Lafayette County. You do not need to be named in the case to request access.

Certain personal data does get kept private. Social security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from public copies. Information about victims of specific crimes stays sealed too. But the basic facts of a Lafayette County traffic case are always available. Charges, court dates, fines, and dispositions are part of the public record. The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation sets the standards that Lafayette County follows for managing and sharing court records with the public.

The Florida Supreme Court has stated that adult traffic court cases should be accessible online, including the actual documents. Lafayette County participates in the statewide system that makes this possible. Anyone can search for traffic court records from this county using the online court access portal at no cost for basic case info.

Traffic Court Steps in Lafayette County

A traffic case in Lafayette County begins when an officer writes a citation. The ticket gets sent to the clerk in Mayo within days. The clerk logs it into the system. You then have 30 days to choose one of the three options. Doing nothing triggers late fees and a license suspension notice to FLHSMV. The case stays in the Lafayette County traffic court records regardless of what you choose.

Contested cases go before a judge at the Lafayette County courthouse. The hearing gives both sides a chance to speak. The officer may testify about the traffic stop. You can present your own defense. The judge rules on the spot in most cases. If you win, the case is dismissed. If you lose, you pay fines and any added court costs. Every step gets recorded and becomes part of the permanent Lafayette County traffic court records file. These files are public and can be searched later through the clerk or the statewide online portal.

Cities in Lafayette County

Lafayette County contains the town of Mayo and a few very small communities. No cities in this county have a population over the threshold for a dedicated page. All traffic citations issued anywhere in Lafayette County are processed by the Clerk of Court in Mayo.

Nearby Counties

Lafayette County is surrounded by these counties. If you received a citation near a county border, check which county's clerk handles your case before making a payment or filing a response.