Felony
Felony handles all types of criminal cases, primarily felony but also misdemeanor and traffic charges. A felony is any criminal offense that is punishable under Florida laws, or that would be punishable if committed in Florida, by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary. Felony charges include Murder, Manslaughter, Burglary, Grand Theft, Kidnapping, Forgery and Uttering, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Child Abuse, Sexual Battery and Worthless Checks. Felonies are classified for purposes of sentencing into the following categories: a) Capital felony; b) Life felony; c) Felony of the first degree; d) Felony of the second degree; and e) Felony of the third degree.
Misdemeanor & Criminal Traffic
Misdemeanors are violations of the law that are less serious than felony offenses. They are punishable by a fine, probation, and/or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, as opposed to a state prison sentence on a felony charge.
Misdemeanor offenses include petit theft, worthless checks, prostitution-related charges, possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, resisting arrest without violence, battery (domestic violence), and assault.
Criminal Traffic can fall under Misdemeanor and Felony; offenses include driving under the influence, driving while license suspended, leaving the scene of an accident, and invalid registration. Ordinance violation cases are punishable by a fine or civil penalty.
Forms & Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information about felony cases, please call (850) 606-4070.
For more information about misdemeanor cases, please call (850) 606-4130.
Our office cannot change your court date. Please contact your attorney to help you with this problem.
You may access your case information on our website under court case search.
You may call the Criminal Customer Assistance Division at (850) 606-4070 or (850) 606-4130, Monday through Friday; click here for our current hours of operation.
Most files are public record and may be viewed in the Help Center of our office. Requests to access these records must be in writing as required by Rule 2.420(m) Procedure for Public Access to Judicial Branch Records.
We have a self-service eCertify option for all images that are available on the website. Locate the document you want, click on the file icon to verify the information, then click the check box. Scroll up and click “Submit ECertify Request”.
At the conclusion of your case, we will withhold from the return of a cash bond, posted on behalf of a defendant by a person other than a bail bond agent, funds to pay any unpaid court fees, court costs, and penalties. If the amount posted is greater than the fees, costs, and penalties due, the balance will be refunded to the depositor by mail, generally within 10 days of the close of each case. You may contact staff in our Special Processes Division at (850) 606-4001, for more information about your bond.
At your arraignment, you will have an opportunity to complete the Criminal Indigence Application and request the appointment of a public defender. Prior to arraignment, you may file the Criminal Indigence Application. A determination will be made by the Clerk based on the information in the Affidavit. If you are determined indigent by the Clerk, the public defender will be appointed.
The Florida Department of Corrections informs and educates inmates and offenders on community supervision about the restoration of civil rights and assists eligible inmates and offenders on community supervision with the completion of the application for the restoration of civil rights. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Corrections website, dc.state.fl.us.
No case will be continued without Judge approval, unless you are scheduled for Arraignment.
Requests to continue any court proceedings must be done by filing a motion. You can file the motion yourself, or if you have an attorney, he/she will file the motion for you. This form is on our website; click Forms & Assistance in the 1st box; go to General, and select General Motion.
Arraignments can be continued ONLY 1 time without Judge approval AND must be done in person 7 days prior to court date.
You may want to seek the advice of counsel.
You may file a pro se motion with the sentencing judge.
You will be notified by mail or at the issuance of your notice to appear by law enforcement.
Arraignment and/or case management dates are usually 30-45 days after the formal charges have been filed with the Clerk.
All notices will be sent to the address that was given at the time of arrest.
If you bonded out of jail, your bondsman will be notified as well.
Your case number, charges, type of court event, date/time, and location of hearing will be displayed on all court notices.
For a complete listing of our fees and service charges, click here.
You may access your records directly via our VOR (viewable upon request) program on our website and then search for your case. After the full case view returns, you may request documents. If they already exist in electronic form, there is no fee.
Yes, by registering to file electronically.
- Visit the statewide portal to register here,
- and go to the Help tab here for helpful videos and training manuals.
If you move, it is your responsibility to notify the Clerk’s Office, in writing, at the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, ATTN: Criminal Customer Assistance Division, 301 S. Monroe Street, #100, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
An arrest means that the defendant is usually booked into the county detention facility. Most offenses are bondable according to the approved bond schedule. The current bond schedule can be found here and it’s admendment can be found here
Except when previously released in a lawful manner, every arrested person is taken before a judge, by electronic audiovisual device within 24 hours of arrest, for “first appearance”.
Our office receives the initial paperwork from the Leon County Sheriff’s Department after an arrest and prepares the official court file, including arrest documents as well as any release form. These documents are added to the case’s progress docket and imaged for public viewing.
A judge may issue a capias for your arrest. If you are arrested for failure to appear, you may be held in the Leon County Detention Center without bond.
You may forfeit any bond that you have posted, thus losing money or collateral.
Any defendant can appeal any decision of the judge or the jury. Appeals from county court can go to the circuit court or First District Court of Appeal; appeals from circuit court can go to the First District Court of Appeal or the Florida Supreme Court. A Notice of Appeal should be filed in your original case.
Please visit the Appeals section of our website for the Frequently Asked Questions.