Felony - General Information

The Felony Division handles criminal offenses punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. We provide a wide range of information and record keeping. Our objective is to assist the public, attorneys and courts with constitutional and statutory functions that are of our responsibility.

If you have a question or would like more information, please consult our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

We can be reached at (904) 630-2065 from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday - Friday, and are located in Room M101 at the Duval County Courthouse, 330 East Bay Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

Frequently Asked Questions -

• What is a felony?

  According to Black's Law Dictionary, Fifth Edition, "A crime of a graver or more serious nature than those designated as misdemeanors; e.g. aggravated assault (felony) as contrasted with simple assault (misdemeanor). Under federal law and many state statutes, any offense punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year..."

• When is my next court date?

  If you were bonded out of jail or released by a Judge, you were notified of your next court date at the time of your release. All inquiries should be made no sooner than 2:00PM the day before your originally scheduled court appearance for arraignment. You may contact the Office of the State Attorney (630-2400) for arraignment and the Felony Department (630-2065) for all subsequent court appearance dates. In order that we may expedite your request, please have one or all of the following: Felony case file number, jail offender number, state attorney number, date of offense, complete name of defendant (as arrested by JSO).

• How can I change my court date?

  The Clerk's Office does not establish an individual’s court date, or have the authority to change that court date. If you have a problem or a question concerning your court date, you should contact your attorney for assistance.

• Where are the judge's offices located?

  For information concerning the 4th Judicial Circuit, please visit their website.

• How can I obtain information concerning a case?

  If you require information as to the charge(s) and disposition concerning a case, please place your request in writing by using the Felony Search Form found in the Documents and Publications section below. Please send your request to:

  Clerk of the Circuit Court
  ATTN: Felony Department, Rm. M-101
  Duval County Courthouse
  330 E. Bay St.
  Jacksonville, Fl. 32202
  
• How can I press charges against someone?

  Please contact the Office of the State Attorney (630-2400) for information.

• How do I pay my restitution?

  If you are on Probation or Community Control Please contact your Probation or Community Control Officer for information concerning your restitution payments. DO NOT make any restitution payments to the Clerk of Courts. A payment to the Clerk of Courts may result in a violation of your probation.

  If you are NOT on Probation or Community control If you were ordered to make restitution payments to the Clerk of Courts, you may mail a Cashier Check or Money Order to:

  Clerk of the Circuit Court
  ATTN: Felony Department Rm. M-101
  Duval County Courthouse
  330 E. Bay St.
  Jacksonville, FL 32202
  

  Please make the cashier check or money order payable to the "Clerk of Court". Please include the following information: your complete felony case number and name the payment is for "Restitution". Please include a $3.00 Clerk’s processing fee for each restitution payment you are making. Again, the Clerk of Court can only accept a Cashier Check or Money Order. NO PERSONAL CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED. DO NOT SEND CASH.

• When will I get my restitution money?

  The Clerk of Courts may only issue restitution payments to a victim upon receipt of payments by the defendant for that specific victim and as ordered by the court. If a defendant does not make payments as ordered by the court, the victim may seek relief through a Civil Judgment. Please click on Judgment and Restitution Order Instruction Sheet in the Documents and Publications section below for additional information.

• What if I can't pay my fine?

  If you are on Probation or Community Control, please contact your Probation or Community Control Officer. Failure to contact these officers concerning a late payment may result in a Violation of Probation and an issuance by the court for a Warrant for your arrest. If you are not on Probation or Community Control, your court-imposed fine will remain outstanding with the Clerk of Court until the fine is paid in full. Please contact your attorney to request information concerning action to pardon, defer, or alter fines imposed by the court.

• What if my payment for my fine or restitution is late?

  If you are on probation or community control, please contact your Probation or Community Control Officer. Failure to contact these officers concerning a late payment may result in a Violation of Probation and an issuance by the court for a Warrant for your arrest. If you are not on Probation or Community Control, your fine will remain outstanding until paid in full. Please contact your attorney to request information concerning action to pardon, defer, or alter fines imposed by the court.

• I have moved. What information should I provide the Clerk of Courts?

  It is the defendant’s responsibility to keep the Clerk of Court informed as to their correct address. For your convenience, you may provide your change of address information by mailing it to:

  Clerk of the Circuit Court
  ATTN: Felony Department, Rm. M-101
  Duval County Courthouse
  330 E. Bay St.
  Jacksonville, FL, 32202
  

  Please include the Felony case number, defendant’s name, date of arrest (if available) and charge(s) (if available) with the new address.

  If you are the victim in a Felony case and are awaiting/receiving restitution payments, the Clerk of Courts recommends you also provide your new address. You may provide your change of address information by mailing it to:

  Clerk of the Circuit Court
  ATTN: Felony Department, Rm. M-101
  Duval County Courthouse
  330 E. Bay St.
  Jacksonville, FL, 32202
  

  Please include the Felony case number, defendant’s name, date of arrest (if available) and charge(s) (if available) with the new address.

• How do I seal/expunge my record?

  There are very strict criteria for sealing or expunging court records. Some of the requirements are:

  1. You have been charged but not convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense because adjudication was withheld.
  2. The State Attorney declined to prosecute.
  3. You have not had any other court record sealed or expunged in the State of Florida.

  You may be eligible to have court records pertaining to your case sealed or expunged. By Florida law, there are certain charges that cannot be sealed or expunged regardless of whether or not adjudication was withheld.

  There are significant differences between a sealed record and a record that has been expunged.

  A sealed record could be opened for inspection by a Judge, you, your attorney, a criminal justice agency and in special situations, a prospective employer. The Clerk must receive a motion and order (signed by the Judge) to unseal the record for this to occur.

  An expunged record would no longer exist, since the file and any references to that file are destroyed. However, as per Florida Rule 3.692, the record of arrest must have been sealed for at least 10 years; or an indictment or information was not filed against the defendant for the criminal transaction; or an indictment or information filed against the defendant was dismissed by the prosecutor of the court.

  A packet with instructions on how to seal/expunge your case may be obtained from the Clerk by appearing in person to the Felony Department, Rm M-101, Duval County Courthouse, 330 E. Bay St., Jacksonville, Florida 32202, or by visiting FDLE's Seal and Expunge Process page. These packets are not mailed to the defendant.

• May I attend a criminal trial?

  All sessions of court are open to the public unless a judge has ordered a court proceeding to be closed. Spectators are expected to dress and conduct themselves properly when attending any court session.

• What is an arraignment?

  A court procedure whereby the accused is brought before the court to plead to a charge in a charging document. ("Information", "Indictment", "Citation", etc.). The charge and rights are read to the defendant. The defendant is then asked if he/she opts to plead "guilty", "not guilty" or "nolo contendere" (no contest).

  In most instances, a case is continued from the arraignment court event to a separate court event type, for a later date. If the case is continued, the defendant is notified at the arraignment of his/her next court event including date, time and courtroom.

• What will happen if I fail to appear for an established court date?

  Failure to appear for an established court date can have serious consequences. The Court may issue a "Capias" for your arrest. In addition, if you have posted a Bond for your release, the court can order a forfeit of that bond and you will forfeit the money and/or collateral you posted. The Court could impose additional penalties, as it deems appropriate.

• How can I get a "criminal records search/background check & letter" and how much does it cost?

  The Clerk of Courts is not the responsible agency to perform Criminal Record or Background Searches. Please contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to request information concerning these searches.

• I would like an attorney but can't afford one. What can I do?

  Florida Statute 27.51(1) states, "The public defender shall represent, without additional compensation, any person determined by the court to be indigent as provided in s.27.52". If you have been arrested and charged with a FELONY offense and cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for the service of a public defender. Your request for a public defender may be made by you during your first court appearance. Please contact the Office of the Public Defender ((904)-630-1440) for additional information.

• I am a witness in a case. How can I obtain information concerning the case?

  As a witness in a case, all questions concerning that respective case should be directed to the Counsel who subpoenaed you as a witness.

• How can I get my cash bond refunded?

  Upon disposition of a felony case file, the cash bond may be released to the depositor. However, the court may direct all or a portion of the cash bond be used as payment of fines, court costs or restitution. The Court will so direct the use of these funds for payment during disposition proceedings. If the depositor is due a refund, he/she will receive the refund with 10 to 14 working days after final adjudication/disposition of the case.

  If you are due a refund, and you have not received it after 14 working days, please contact the Felony Department, (904) 630-2065 so that the matter may be addressed promptly. Please have available the Felony case number, defendant's name, and date of final adjudication/disposition (if available).

• What is the balance on my court costs/fines in a criminal case file?

  Please contact the Felony Department at (904) 630-2065. Please have available the Felony case number and the defendant’s name.

• Who is the Judge or Assistant State Attorney Assigned to a case?

  If you have an assigned Felony case number (the defendant has been to an arraignment hearing), or you do not know the case number, contact the Felony Department at (904) 630-2065.

  If the defendant has not been assigned a Felony case number (the defendant has not been to an arraignment hearing), contact the Office of the State Attorney at (904) 630-2400.

• How do I file an appeal?

  Please contact your Counsel concerning the proper procedures for filing an appeal. If you wish to research the information yourself, you may consult the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, which are found in the Florida Rules of Court. There is a law library located in the Duval County Courthouse, 330 E. Bay St., Jacksonville, Florida to assist you in your research.

• How do I apply for Clemency?

  You may call or write:

  Office of Executive Clemency
  2601 Blairstone Rd.
  Bldg. C, Room 229
  Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2450
  Phone: (850) 488-2952
  

Documents & Publications

•  - Judgment and Restitution Order Information Form
•  - FDLE Application for Certificate of Eligibility to Seal or Expunge
•  - FDLE Seal or Expunge FAQ