Pasco County Traffic Records Search

Pasco County traffic court records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Dade City, the county seat. With about 560,000 residents, Pasco County is one of the faster-growing counties in the Tampa Bay area. The mix of suburban communities like Wesley Chapel and New Port Richey along with rural stretches means a wide range of traffic cases end up at the clerk's office. Searching Pasco County traffic records is available online through the clerk's website or through statewide tools. You can also visit the courthouse in Dade City or call the clerk's office for help with any traffic citation filed in the county.

Pasco County Clerk of Court

The Pasco County Clerk of Court handles all traffic court records from the courthouse at 38053 Live Oak Avenue in Dade City. This office processes civil traffic infractions, criminal traffic cases, and all related court filings for the entire county. Whether your ticket was written on US-19, SR-54, or I-75, the Pasco County Clerk is where it ends up.

You can call 352-521-4474 to reach the clerk's office. The Pasco County Clerk website has online services for looking up cases and making payments. The site is fairly easy to use and lets you find your citation by number or by name. The clerk's office also handles requests for copies of Pasco County traffic court records, both in person and by mail.

Below is a screenshot of the Pasco County Clerk homepage, which provides links to court records, traffic services, and online payment tools.

From this page you can access case search, payment options, and contact information for the Pasco County Clerk's traffic division.

Paying Pasco County Traffic Citations

A traffic citation in Pasco County must be dealt with within 30 days. That is the window Florida law gives you. Pay it. Elect traffic school. Or plead not guilty and ask for a hearing. Those are the three main options for most civil infractions. Doing nothing results in late fees and a driver license suspension from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Online payment is available through payflclerk.com. Select Pasco County from the list. You can also pay through the Pasco County Clerk's own website. In-person payments are accepted at the Dade City courthouse. Mail is another option. Send a check or money order with your citation number to the clerk's office.

Paying the fine is a guilty plea. Points will be assessed to your driving record. The point values are set by the state under Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes, which is the uniform traffic control law. Common violations like speeding, running a stop sign, and improper lane changes all carry point values. Too many points within a certain period can trigger a license suspension through FLHSMV.

Note: Check your Pasco County citation for the exact fine amount before paying, as costs vary by violation type.

Traffic School for Pasco County Citations

Electing traffic school is the best way to avoid points on your license after a Pasco County traffic ticket. You file the election within 30 days. You pay the fine amount. Then you get extra time to complete a state-approved driver improvement course. When you finish and the certificate reaches the Pasco County Clerk, adjudication is withheld. No conviction goes on your record. No points.

The limits on traffic school still apply. You can use it five times total in your life. Only once per 12-month period. CDL holders cannot use this option. Some violations do not qualify. Under Florida Statute 318.18, penalties and options vary by violation. If you miss the course completion deadline, the clerk removes the election and puts points on your record. No extensions once the clock runs out.

Searching Pasco County Traffic Court Records

Traffic court records in Pasco County are public. Florida's public records law under Chapter 119 makes all state, county, and municipal records available for inspection. You do not need to be the person on the citation. Anyone can search Pasco County traffic records. The clerk's website has a case search tool. The statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com may also have Pasco County case data.

The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation oversees the statewide system connecting all 67 county clerks. Through this system, Pasco County traffic records include citation details, charges, dispositions, and any fines or fees assessed. Certain personal data is redacted, like social security numbers and bank accounts. But the substance of the traffic case is public. Copy fees typically run around $1.00 per page for plain copies.

Criminal Traffic Cases in Pasco County

Criminal traffic offenses in Pasco County go through the same clerk's office but follow a more serious process. DUI charges under Florida Statute 316.193, reckless driving under 316.192, and driving on a suspended license are criminal matters. A court appearance is mandatory. Penalties can include jail time, probation, and heavy fines.

Criminal traffic records in Pasco County are part of the public record, same as civil infractions. The difference is in the consequences. A criminal traffic conviction stays on your record and can affect more than just your driving privileges. If you face criminal traffic charges in Pasco County, talking to a lawyer before your first court date is a smart move. The courthouse in Dade City handles all criminal traffic cases for the county.

Unpaid Fines and Pasco County Collections

Letting a Pasco County traffic fine go unpaid past 90 days puts you at risk of collections. Under Florida Statute 28.246, the clerk can turn unpaid fines over to a collection agency. That agency adds up to 40% to the balance. A $175 fine could jump to $245 or more just from the collection fee. And your license is probably already suspended from missing the initial 30-day window.

Getting everything cleared up means paying the original fine, late fees, the collection surcharge, and a reinstatement fee to FLHSMV. The FLHSMV locations page can point you to the nearest office for reinstatement. But it is always cheaper to handle a Pasco County traffic ticket before it gets to that stage. Call the clerk at 352-521-4474 if you need help sorting out your options.

Nearby Counties

Pasco County borders several counties in the Tampa Bay and central Florida region. If you got a ticket near a county line, check the citation to see which county filed it. Traffic records stay with the county where the ticket was issued.