Search Lake County Traffic Court Records
Lake County traffic court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Tavares. With a population near 400,000, this central Florida county handles a high volume of traffic citations each year. The Lake County Clerk provides online tools and in-person services for searching cases, paying fines, and checking court dates. Whether your ticket was issued on Highway 27, the Florida Turnpike, or a local road in Clermont or Leesburg, all traffic court records in Lake County go through the same clerk office. You can access these records from home through the clerk's website or the statewide court portal.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk of Court Office
The Lake County Clerk of Court handles all traffic citation processing in the county. The main office is in Tavares. With about 400,000 residents, Lake County is one of the mid-size counties in central Florida that sees steady growth. The clerk office processes new citations, manages court schedules, collects fines, and fulfills record requests. If you got a ticket anywhere in Lake County, this is the office that holds your case file.
The Lake County Clerk website is a helpful starting point. It has information about traffic services, online payments, and court records access. You can also call the office to ask about a specific case. Staff at the Tavares location handle walk-in visitors too. For people who live in the southern or eastern parts of Lake County, the phone and online options save a long drive to the county seat.
The clerk processes traffic court records for cities and towns across all of Lake County, including Clermont, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, and Lady Lake. Every citation from any law enforcement agency in the county ends up in this office.
| Office | Lake County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | PO Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778 |
| Phone | 352-742-4133 |
| Website | www.lakecountyclerk.org |
Searching Traffic Records in Lake County
Lake County provides several ways to search for traffic court records. The Lake County Clerk's website has a records search tool that lets you look up cases online. You can search by name or case number. The system shows civil traffic infractions, criminal traffic cases, and related filings. This is the fastest way to check the status of a Lake County traffic case from your home or office.
The screenshot below shows the Lake County Clerk of Court homepage, where you can find links to court records search tools and traffic services.
The homepage gives you access to the main features of the Lake County Clerk's online system, including case search, payment options, and court information.
You can also search Lake County traffic court records through MyFloridaCourtAccess, the statewide court portal. This covers all 67 Florida counties. Results include case type, dates, charges, and status. For phone inquiries, call 352-742-4133. Staff can pull up your case by name or citation number and give you details on fines, court dates, and what you need to do next. Copies of Lake County traffic court documents are available in person or by mail request.
Lake County Traffic Citation Options
Getting a traffic ticket in Lake County means you have 30 days to respond. This is standard across Florida under Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes. The Lake County Clerk tracks every deadline. Missing yours brings a late fee and could trigger a license suspension through the state.
Your first option is to pay the fine. This is a guilty plea. Points go on your record through FLHSMV. You can pay online at PayFLClerk or through the Lake County Clerk's website. Your second option is to elect traffic school. You pay the fine and agree to take an approved driving course. The court withholds adjudication, which means no points on your license. This is a popular choice in Lake County since it keeps your driving record clean. Limits apply, though. You can only use traffic school five times in your life and once per year.
The third option is to plead not guilty. You file this within 30 days. The Lake County court schedules a hearing. You appear before a judge and make your case. If you win, the charges are dropped. If you lose, fines and court costs apply. Certain serious violations in Lake County, like reckless driving or DUI under Section 316.193, always require a court hearing. You cannot pay those off without seeing a judge.
Note: Under Florida Statute 318.18, penalty amounts for Lake County traffic citations are set at the state level and vary by violation type.
Lake County Traffic Fines and Collections
Fine amounts for Lake County traffic cases depend on the violation. Moving violations like speeding and running a red light carry higher fines and points. Non-moving violations like expired registration are cheaper. The Lake County Clerk collects all fines. Online payment through PayFLClerk is the most convenient method for many people. You can also pay by mail or in person at the Tavares courthouse.
Unpaid Lake County traffic fines go to collections after 90 days. Florida Statute 28.246 permits the clerk to hand off overdue fines to a collection agency. The agency then adds up to 40% to the balance. That is a big jump. A $200 ticket becomes $280 in collections. On top of the extra charge, FLHSMV suspends your license for the unpaid fine. Reinstatement requires paying everything you owe plus a separate fee to the state. The best strategy is to handle your Lake County traffic fine before the 90-day deadline hits.
Public Records Access in Lake County
Traffic court records in Lake County are open to the public. Florida Statute Chapter 119 makes all government records available for inspection and copying by any person. This includes traffic cases filed in Lake County. You do not need to be a party to the case. Anyone can search for and view these records.
The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation oversees standards for all 67 county clerks. Lake County follows these standards for record keeping and public access. The Florida Supreme Court has directed that adult traffic cases should be visible online. Lake County complies through its website and the statewide court access portal. Some personal details like social security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted, but the core facts of every traffic case, charges, dates, outcomes, and fines, are all open to the public.
Lake County Traffic Court Process
A traffic case in Lake County starts the moment an officer writes a citation. The ticket goes to the clerk's office in Tavares within a few days. Staff enter it into the system. You have 30 days from the citation date to pick your option. If you pay or elect school, the case closes once all requirements are met. If you do nothing, the clerk adds a late fee and sends a notice to FLHSMV about the unpaid ticket.
Contested cases go before a judge at the Lake County courthouse. The hearing follows a standard process. The state presents the citation and any officer testimony. You present your defense. The judge makes a ruling on the spot for most traffic cases. Guilty verdicts mean you pay the fine plus court costs. Not guilty verdicts dismiss the charges. The complete record of the hearing, including all filings and the judge's ruling, stays in the Lake County traffic court records as a permanent public document. You can look up your case at any time through the clerk's online tools or by visiting the office in Tavares.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County includes Clermont, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, Lady Lake, and Tavares among its cities. No cities in Lake County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All traffic citations issued anywhere in the county are processed through the Lake County Clerk of Court in Tavares.
Nearby Counties
Lake County shares borders with several other central Florida counties. If your traffic stop happened near a county line, double-check which county's clerk has your case before you try to pay or contest.