Access Leon County Traffic Court Records

Leon County traffic court records are filed with the Clerk of Court in Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida. This county has about 295,000 residents and processes a high volume of traffic citations from state workers, university students, and local drivers. The Leon County Clerk provides online tools for looking up traffic cases, paying fines, and checking court dates. Whether you got your ticket on Apalachee Parkway, Monroe Street, or Interstate 10, all traffic court records in Leon County go through the same office. Searching is available online, by phone, or in person at the Thomasville Road location.

Leon County Clerk of Court Office

The Leon County Clerk of Court runs the traffic court records system from Thomasville Road in Tallahassee. This office processes every traffic citation filed in Leon County. Staff manage case entry, court scheduling, fine collection, and record requests. Because Tallahassee is the state capital, Leon County sees traffic from state government employees, Florida State University and FAMU students, and the regular flow of commuters and visitors. That mix creates a steady stream of traffic cases through the clerk's system.

The Leon County Clerk website is the starting point for online services. You can look up traffic court records, find payment options, and get contact information from the site. The office also takes phone calls for case inquiries. Staff can pull up your case by name or citation number. Walk-in service is available at the Thomasville Road location during regular business hours.

Searching Leon County Traffic Records

Leon County offers multiple ways to find traffic court records. The Leon County Clerk's website has a records search function. You enter a name or case number and get results showing the case type, filing date, charges, and status. This covers civil traffic infractions, criminal traffic cases, and other court filings. The search is free for basic case info.

You can also use the statewide MyFloridaCourtAccess portal. It covers all 67 Florida counties. Leon County cases show up here with the same details available through the county site. For people who need to search records in multiple counties, the statewide portal is more efficient. The FLHSMV traffic citations page provides general info about how citations work across Florida, including Leon County.

The screenshot below shows the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation page, which provides links and information about all 67 county clerk offices, including Leon County.

This page is useful if you need to find clerk contact information or learn about how the statewide system connects all county clerks, including Leon County's office in Tallahassee.

For phone inquiries, call 850-577-4100. Staff will look up your Leon County traffic case and provide fine amounts, due dates, and court schedules. If you need document copies, request them in person or by mail. The clerk charges standard per-page fees.

Leon County Traffic Citation Options

You have 30 days to respond to a traffic ticket in Leon County. This deadline is set by Florida Statute Chapter 316, the state's uniform traffic control law. The Leon County Clerk tracks every deadline for every citation. Missing yours means a late fee and a possible license suspension from FLHSMV. Act within the 30 days to avoid problems.

Option one is to pay the fine. This is a guilty plea. Points get added to your driving record. You can pay online at PayFLClerk or through the Leon County Clerk's website. Option two is to elect traffic school. You pay the fine and complete an approved driving course. The court withholds adjudication and no points go on your license. This option is limited to five times in your life and once per year. It is not available for all violation types either. Certain violations in Leon County require a mandatory court hearing.

Option three is to plead not guilty and request a hearing. You file this within 30 days at the Leon County Clerk's office. The court assigns a hearing date. You appear before a judge in Tallahassee and argue your case. Under Florida Statute 318.18, penalties are set at the state level. Serious offenses like reckless driving and DUI always require a court appearance in Leon County. These cannot be resolved by paying a fine alone.

Fines and Collections in Leon County

Traffic fines in Leon County depend on the violation. Moving violations carry higher fines and points. Non-moving violations are typically cheaper. The Leon County Clerk collects all fines and fees associated with traffic cases. Payment can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Thomasville Road office. The online route through PayFLClerk or the clerk's own website is the most common method people use.

Unpaid Leon County traffic fines face collections after 90 days. Florida Statute 28.246 gives the clerk authority to send overdue accounts to a collection agency. The agency adds up to 40% to the balance. A $175 fine becomes $245 once that surcharge gets added. FLHSMV also suspends your license for the unpaid ticket. Reinstatement requires paying the fine, the collection fee, and a state reinstatement fee. Handle your Leon County traffic fine before the 90-day mark to avoid all of this.

Note: Leon County processes a high volume of citations due to Tallahassee's role as the state capital, so allow extra time during busy periods.

Public Records Access in Leon County

All traffic court records in Leon County are public. Florida Statute Chapter 119 guarantees public access to government records. Any person can inspect and copy these records. You do not need to be named in the case. Traffic court records in Leon County, like in every other Florida county, are open for anyone to view.

The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation sets statewide standards that Leon County follows. The Florida Supreme Court has directed that adult traffic cases should be available online. Leon County complies through its clerk website and the statewide court access system. Social security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from public copies. Everything else about a Leon County traffic case, including charges, court dates, dispositions, and fine amounts, is available to the public.

Leon County Traffic Court Process

A traffic case in Leon County begins with a citation written by law enforcement. The ticket goes to the clerk's office and gets entered into the system within a few days. You have 30 days to pick your option. If you pay or elect school, the case moves toward closing once you meet all the requirements. If you do nothing, the clerk adds late fees and tells FLHSMV to suspend your license.

Contested cases go before a judge at the Tallahassee courthouse. The hearing follows a set format. The state presents the citation and any officer testimony. You present your side. You can bring witnesses and documents. The judge makes a ruling. Guilty verdicts come with fines and court costs. Not guilty verdicts dismiss the case. All of this becomes part of the permanent Leon County traffic court records. The full case file, from the original citation to the final ruling, is stored by the clerk and accessible to the public through online searches or in-person visits.

Cities in Leon County

Leon County is home to Tallahassee, the state capital. This is the only city in the county with a population over the threshold for a dedicated page. All traffic citations issued in Tallahassee and throughout Leon County are processed by the Leon County Clerk of Court.

Other communities in Leon County include Woodville, Bradfordville, and Killearn. Traffic citations from these areas all go through the Leon County Clerk in Tallahassee.

Nearby Counties

Leon County borders these counties in the Florida panhandle. If your citation was issued near a county line, check which county's clerk has your case before you respond.