Lafayette County Court Docket

Lafayette County court docket records are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Mayo. This is one of Florida's least populated counties, and the 3rd Judicial Circuit handles court matters here alongside Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties. You can search court docket filings online or go to the Mayo courthouse in person. Every case filed in Lafayette County gets a docket that tracks each motion, hearing, and order. Even in a small county, the public has full right to view court docket records under Florida law. No reason or special permission is needed to request access to case files.

Lafayette County Clerk of Court

The Lafayette County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs court docket operations from the courthouse in Mayo. This office handles all case filings, maintains docket entries, and provides copies of documents to the public. The clerk is an elected constitutional officer who also manages official records and county finances. Being one of Florida's smallest counties, the Lafayette County clerk office serves a close-knit community.

The Lafayette County Clerk website provides contact information and details on available services. Walk-in visits to the Mayo courthouse let you search court docket records and get copies on the spot. The small size of the office means you often get direct help from the clerk or staff. Call ahead if you need records from an old case, as some files may be in storage.

How to Search Lafayette County Court Docket

Online and in-person searches are both available for Lafayette County court docket records. The clerk website is your first stop for local case data. Statewide portals give you more options.

Start at the Lafayette County Clerk website for direct access to court docket records. You can search by party name or case number. Results show docket entries, filing dates, and case status. The clerk handles both circuit and county court records, so all case types are covered.

The statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal tracks filed documents across all 67 counties, including Lafayette. The ACIS portal lets you search appellate court docket records. No registration is needed for basic public searches. The MyFloridaCounty portal covers official records like deeds and liens in Lafayette County.

Note: Lafayette County is one of the least populated counties in Florida, so court docket searches often return a small number of results.

Public Access to Lafayette County Court Dockets

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes court docket records open for public inspection and copying. This applies to all records at the Lafayette County clerk office. No reason is needed to view them. The law treats access as a duty of each agency in the state.

Certain records stay confidential under Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420. Sealed and expunged records are not public. Social Security numbers, bank account data, and medical info are redacted. Juvenile and adoption records remain confidential. The Florida Supreme Court's Administrative Order AOSC24-65 sets 15 user roles for electronic access. The general public can see case numbers, party names, and basic docket entries in Lafayette County without registering. Attorneys and court staff get broader access based on their role in the case.

Court Docket Cases in Lafayette County

Lafayette County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles felonies, family law, probate, guardianship, and civil cases over $50,000. County court covers traffic offenses, misdemeanors, small claims up to $8,000, and civil disputes up to $50,000. Both produce court docket records that the clerk maintains.

Each case gets a number and a running docket log. Every filing, hearing, motion, and order is recorded. This gives a complete picture of the case from start to finish. The Florida Courts website explains how the 20 judicial circuits divide the state. Attorneys and parties can file documents through the E-Filing Portal, and each filing updates the Lafayette County court docket. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site lists contact info for all 67 county clerks.

Lafayette County Court Docket Resources

The clerk office in Mayo provides forms for common filings. Self-help resources from the Florida Courts website include family law forms and instructions that apply to Lafayette County cases. E-filing support is available at (850) 577-4609 during business hours.

For questions about specific court docket records, call the Lafayette County clerk at (386) 294-1600. Legal aid services in the 3rd Circuit may provide free help to qualifying residents. The clerk can refer you to these resources if you need legal assistance but cannot afford private counsel.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lafayette County in north-central Florida. Each keeps its own court docket records through its clerk of court.