Palm Beach County Traffic Court Records
Palm Beach County traffic court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in West Palm Beach. This is one of the most populated counties in Florida with about 1.5 million residents. The county stretches from the coast inland toward Lake Okeechobee, covering a large area with heavy traffic on I-95, the Turnpike, and dozens of busy local roads. Searching for Palm Beach County traffic records can be done through the clerk's website, by phone, or by visiting the courthouse. All traffic citations issued anywhere in the county are processed through this single clerk's office.
Palm Beach County Quick Facts
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Traffic Division
The Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller runs the traffic division from the courthouse at 205 N. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. The mailing address is P.O. Box 3544, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. This office handles every traffic court record in the county, from simple parking violations to serious criminal traffic offenses. You can reach them by phone at 561-355-2523.
The Palm Beach County Clerk traffic tickets page has tools for searching court records and paying citations online. The website lets you look up cases by name or citation number, check balances owed, and make payments with a credit or debit card. It is one of the more well-organized clerk websites in South Florida, which helps given how many traffic cases move through Palm Beach County each year.
The statewide system at flhsmv.gov/traffic-citations also provides general information about traffic citation options that apply to Palm Beach County and every other county in Florida. The 30-day deadline, the point system, and the driver improvement course rules are all covered there.
| Address | 205 N. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | P.O. Box 3544, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | 561-355-2523 |
| Website | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
Note: The Palm Beach County courthouse in West Palm Beach can get busy during morning hours, so plan your visit accordingly.
Search Palm Beach County Traffic Records Online
Searching for traffic court records in Palm Beach County is possible through several channels. The clerk's website has a court records search tool. The statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com also provides access to Palm Beach County data. Both let you search by name, case number, or citation number without charge.
Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Palm Beach County traffic court records fall under this rule. You can look up anyone's traffic case. There is no requirement to explain why you want the information. Personal data like social security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted, but the case details, charges, and disposition are all part of the public record.
The screenshot below shows the statewide FLHSMV traffic citations page, which provides information about citation options that apply to Palm Beach County residents.
This page outlines the 30-day window, payment options, and what happens if you fail to act on a Palm Beach County traffic citation.
Paying Palm Beach County Traffic Citations
You have 30 days from the date a traffic citation is issued in Palm Beach County to decide what to do. Pay it. Elect traffic school. Or plead not guilty and request a hearing. Those are your three main options. Missing the deadline results in late fees and a possible license suspension by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Online payment is available through payflclerk.com. Select Palm Beach County and enter your citation number. The Palm Beach County Clerk's own website also has a payment portal. In-person payments can be made at the courthouse in West Palm Beach. You can also mail a check or money order to P.O. Box 3544, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Include your citation number on the payment so it gets applied to the right case.
Here is what to keep in mind. Paying a Palm Beach County traffic fine is a guilty plea. Points go on your driving record. The number of points depends on the violation type. Under Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes, the state's uniform traffic control law defines the violations and their penalties. Common things like speeding, running a red light, and improper lane changes all carry point values that show up on your record once you pay.
Traffic School in Palm Beach County
Electing traffic school is the main way to keep points off your license after a Palm Beach County traffic ticket. You pay the citation amount and then complete a state-approved driver improvement course within the allowed time. Once the certificate is on file with the clerk, adjudication is withheld. No conviction. No points.
Florida limits traffic school use. Five times per lifetime. Once per 12 months. CDL holders are not eligible. Certain violations are excluded under Florida Statute 318.18. If you fail to complete the course by the deadline, the clerk reverses the election and points get added to your record. Take the deadline seriously. The Palm Beach County Clerk will not make exceptions for late completions.
Criminal Traffic Cases in Palm Beach County
Criminal traffic offenses in Palm Beach County carry heavier penalties than civil infractions. Reckless driving, DUI, and driving on a suspended license are among the criminal charges that come through the traffic court system. These require a court appearance. Penalties can include jail time, probation, and fines on top of points on your driving record. Criminal traffic records in Palm Beach County are public, just like civil infractions.
The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation provides support and oversight for all 67 county clerks, including Palm Beach County. The clerk follows statewide standards for processing and maintaining criminal traffic court records. If you face criminal traffic charges, it is worth getting legal advice before your first court date.
Collections and Overdue Palm Beach County Fines
An unpaid Palm Beach County traffic fine becomes a bigger problem over time. After 90 days, the clerk can send it to a collection agency under Florida Statute 28.246. The collection agency can add up to 40% to the balance. A $200 fine suddenly becomes $280. Your license is likely already suspended at that stage from the original failure to pay within 30 days. Reinstatement means paying the fine, late charges, the collection surcharge, and a state reinstatement fee.
The FLHSMV locations page can help you find the nearest office for license reinstatement if it gets to that point. But avoiding collections in the first place is far cheaper. Call the Palm Beach County Clerk at 561-355-2523 if you need help or have questions about your case before it goes overdue.
Note: Payment plans may be available for Palm Beach County traffic fines depending on the amount owed and the case status.
Cities in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County has many cities and towns. Every traffic citation issued in the county goes through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court in West Palm Beach. It does not matter which city wrote the ticket. Your case is a Palm Beach County traffic court record.
Other cities in Palm Beach County include Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach. All traffic court records for these cities are handled by the Palm Beach County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
Palm Beach County borders several counties to the north, west, and south. If your citation was issued near a county line, look at the ticket to see which county it falls under. Your traffic court record stays with that county.