Misdemeanor - General Information

The Misdemeanor Department's objective is to serve the Judiciary, the Bar,and the public. The Department processes all cases where an individual is charged with a misdemeanor offense, whether violation of the State of Florida Statutes or Municipal Ordinances. The Department processes all non-arrested misdemeanor charges, violations of civil municipal, municipal, civil, or criminal ordinances, and civil juvenile tobacco violations. In additions, all fines and fees assessed by the court for the above violations are collected and tracked by the Misdemeanor Department.

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) 630-2070 from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday - Friday, and are located in Room M106 at the Duval County Courthouse, 330 East Bay Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

Frequently Asked Questions -

• When is my next court date?

  If you were bonded out of jail or been 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 Misdemeanor Department for all subsequent court appearance dates (630-2070). In order that we may expedite your request, please have one or all of the following: Misdemeanor 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, the State Attorney Office, or the Judge to whom your case is assigned.

• 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.

• Where are the judges' 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 Misdemeanor Record Search Request form, which may be found in the Forms section at the bottom of this page. Please send your request to:

  Clerk of the Circuit Court
  ATTN: Misdemeanor Department Rm. M-106
  Duval County Courthouse
  330 East Bay Street
  Jacksonville, Fl. 32202.
  
• How can I press charges against someone?

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

• What is the balance due on my court costs/fines for my case?

  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: Misdemeanor Department
  Duval County Courthouse - Room M-106
  330 East Bay Street
  Jacksonville, FL. 32202
  

  Please make the cashier check or money order payable to the "Clerk of Court". Please include the following information: your complete misdemeanor case number and name, and that 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, located at the bottom of this page in the Forms section, 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, you were given a date to pay your court imposed fines and/or costs, failure to pay these fines/costs by that date may result in a capias being issued for your arrest. Extensions to pay are granted in certain types of cases. Please contact the Misdemeanor Department (904-630-2070) for information, or your attorney to 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: Misdemeanor Department
  Duval County Courthouse - Room M-106
  330 East Bay Street
  Jacksonville, FL, 32202
  

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

• 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.

• 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 charged with a misdemeanor 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. There is a $40.00 investigation of eligibility fee for a Public Defender. Please contact the Office of the Public Defender 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 misdemeanor 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 within 30 working days after final disposition of the case. If you are due a refund, and you do not received it after 30 working days, please contact the Misdemeanor Department, (904) 630-2070 so that the matter may be addressed promptly. Please have available the Misdemeanor case number, defendant’s name, and date of final disposition (if available).

• 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.

Glossary -

Documents & Publications

•  - Judgment and Restitution Order Information Form
•  - County Misdemeanor Record Search Instruction Form