Putnam County Traffic Records Lookup
Putnam County traffic court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Palatka. This rural county in northeast Florida has about 74,000 residents. It covers a large area along the St. Johns River with state highways and county roads that generate a steady flow of traffic citations. Searching for Putnam County traffic records can be done through the clerk's website or by visiting the courthouse in Palatka. All civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic cases filed within Putnam County are processed by this single clerk's office, which makes it the starting point for any traffic record lookup in the county.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Clerk of Court
The Putnam County Clerk of Court processes all traffic court records from the Palatka courthouse. This is the only location in the county for handling traffic citations. There are no branch offices. Everything from paying a fine to filing a not guilty plea goes through this single office. The mailing address is P.O. Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178.
Call 386-326-7600 to reach the clerk's office. The Putnam County Clerk website provides information about court services and may have online tools for looking up cases. Staff at the courthouse can help you check on the status of a Putnam County traffic case, look up fine amounts, and explain your options for dealing with a citation.
Below is a screenshot of the Putnam County Clerk homepage, where you can find information about traffic court services and other clerk functions.
The Putnam County Clerk website is the starting point for finding traffic citation services, court records, and contact details.
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 386-326-7600 |
| Website | putnamclerk.org |
Note: Putnam County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit along with Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties, but each county keeps its own traffic court records.
Paying Traffic Citations in Putnam County
Florida law gives you 30 days from the date of a traffic citation to make a choice. Pay the fine. Elect traffic school. Or plead not guilty. That 30-day window applies to every Putnam County traffic ticket. Missing it means late fees and a potential license suspension from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Online payment is available through payflclerk.com, the statewide traffic citation payment portal. Select Putnam County and enter your citation number. This site covers all 67 Florida counties. You can also pay in person at the Palatka courthouse or by mail. Send a check or money order to the clerk's office with your citation number on it.
Here are your main options for a Putnam County traffic citation:
- Pay the fine within 30 days (this is a guilty plea and points will be assessed)
- Elect traffic school within 30 days (pay the fine and complete a course to avoid points)
- Plead not guilty within 30 days (the court sets a hearing date)
Paying the fine counts as a guilty plea. Under Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes, the state's uniform traffic control law, points are assigned based on the violation type. Speeding, running stop signs, and improper lane changes all have set point values that go on your record once you pay.
Traffic School in Putnam County
Electing traffic school keeps points off your driving record. It is a solid option for Putnam County traffic citations when you qualify. You file the election and pay the fine within 30 days. Then you get extra time to complete a state-approved driver improvement course. Once the course certificate reaches the Putnam County Clerk, adjudication is withheld. No points. No conviction on your record.
The state limits traffic school use. Five times total in your lifetime. Once per 12 months. CDL holders cannot elect it. Certain violations are excluded under Florida Statute 318.18. If you elect traffic school in Putnam County and miss the completion deadline, the clerk removes the election and points get added to your record. There is no grace period for late course completions.
Searching Putnam County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Putnam County are public. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection by any person. You can look up any traffic case in Putnam County. There is no requirement to explain why. The clerk's office in Palatka can pull records for you in person, or you can try searching online through the statewide court access portal.
The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation supports the system that connects all 67 county clerks. Putnam County traffic records in this system include citation details, charges, dispositions, and fines. Certain personal data is redacted. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar sensitive information do not appear in public records. But the case details are accessible. Copy fees are typically $1.00 per page for plain copies.
Criminal Traffic Cases in Putnam County
Criminal traffic offenses in Putnam County carry more weight than civil infractions. DUI under Florida Statute 316.193, reckless driving under 316.192, and driving on a suspended license are all criminal charges that require a court appearance. The penalties include possible jail time, probation, and fines well beyond what a standard traffic ticket costs. Criminal traffic records in Putnam County are public, same as civil cases.
The Putnam County Clerk processes criminal traffic cases through the same Palatka office. But these cases involve arraignments, potential plea negotiations, and more formal proceedings. If you face criminal traffic charges in Putnam County, getting a lawyer is advisable. The consequences go far beyond points on your driving record.
Overdue Putnam County Traffic Fines
Ignoring a Putnam County traffic fine makes it worse. After 30 days, late fees get tacked on. After 90 days without payment, the clerk can send the case to a collection agency under Florida Statute 28.246. That agency can add up to 40% to the amount you owe. A $125 fine can become $175 or more once collections get involved. Your license is likely already suspended at that point.
To clear everything up, you pay the original fine, late fees, the collection surcharge, and a reinstatement fee to FLHSMV. The FLHSMV locations page can help you find the nearest office for license reinstatement. The smarter move is to call the Putnam County Clerk at 386-326-7600 before the deadline passes and sort it out early.
Note: Once a Putnam County traffic fine goes to a collection agency, the total amount owed may be significantly higher than the original citation.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County shares borders with several counties in northeast Florida. If you got a ticket near a county line, look at the citation to see which county filed it. Traffic court records stay in the county where the citation was issued.