Hernando County Public Records /Hernando County Court Records

Hernando County Court Records

What Is Hernando County Court Records

Court records in Hernando County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute a comprehensive repository of judicial activities as defined under Florida Statutes § 119.011(3)(c)(1), which classifies court records as public records maintained by judicial branches of government.

Hernando County court records typically include:

Case files containing pleadings, motions, and responses
Docket sheets chronicling case events and filings
Court orders and judicial decisions
Judgments and decrees
Hearing and trial transcripts
Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
Sentencing information in criminal matters
Marriage and divorce records
Probate and estate documentation

These records are distinct from other public records such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax documents, which are maintained by different county departments. Court records specifically document judicial proceedings and decisions.

In Hernando County, court records are maintained by several courts within the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida, including:

Circuit Court (handling felonies, civil cases over $30,000, probate, family law)
County Court (handling misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, small claims)
Fifth District Court of Appeal (handling appeals from lower courts)

The comprehensive nature of these records serves the dual purpose of documenting legal proceedings and ensuring transparency in the judicial system as mandated by Florida's public records laws.

Are Court Records Public In Hernando County

Court records in Hernando County are generally accessible to the public pursuant to Florida's robust public records laws, specifically the Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119, F.S.) and Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, which guarantees access to public records and meetings.

The Florida Supreme Court has established that court records are presumptively open to public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute or court rule. This presumption of openness applies to:

Civil case files and dockets
Criminal case records (post-charging)
Judgments, orders, and final dispositions
Court calendars and hearing schedules
Probate and estate proceedings
Divorce and family law cases (with certain privacy protections)

However, certain categories of information are exempt from public disclosure, including:

Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers
Information regarding victims of sexual offenses or child abuse
Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings (with exceptions)
Records sealed by court order
Grand jury proceedings
Certain family court matters involving minors

The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration (specifically Rule 2.420) governs access to court records and outlines procedures for requesting confidentiality of certain information. Additionally, the Florida Supreme Court Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records establishes guidelines for electronic access to court records.

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (which has jurisdiction over Hernando County) are governed by federal rules and accessed through the federal PACER system, not through county resources.

How To Find Court Records in Hernando County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Hernando County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining court records:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller's office during regular business hours.
Complete a records request form, specifying the case number, party names, and documents needed.
Present valid photo identification.
Pay applicable copy fees ($1.00 per page for certified copies, $0.15 per page for standard copies).

Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
20 N. Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4201
Hernando County Clerk of Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Written Requests:

Submit a detailed written request via mail, including:
- Case information (number, parties involved, date of filing)
- Specific documents requested
- Contact information
- Payment for applicable fees (check or money order)
Address the request to the Records Department at the Clerk's office address.

Email Requests:

Email records requests to the designated address provided on the Clerk's website.
Include all relevant case information and document specifications.
Arrange for payment of fees prior to document delivery.

For criminal records specifically, requestors may also contact:

Hernando County Sheriff's Office
18900 Cortez Boulevard
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-6830
Hernando County Sheriff
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain confidential information may be redacted from records before release. Requestors should be prepared to verify their identity and provide specific case information to facilitate efficient record retrieval.

How To Look Up Court Records in Hernando County Online?

Hernando County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records electronically. These online resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person visits for many record types.

Hernando County Clerk's Online Records Search:

Navigate to the Hernando County Clerk of Court's official website.
Select "Court Records" or "Records Search" from the main menu.
Create a user account if required (free registration).
Search by case number, party name, filing date, or case type.
View non-confidential documents and case information.
Pay applicable fees for document downloads or certified copies.

Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal provides registered users with access to electronically filed court documents. While primarily designed for attorneys, public access is available for non-confidential records.

Florida Appellate Case Information System: For appellate cases, the Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS) provides access to appellate dockets and available case documents from the Fifth District Court of Appeal, which has jurisdiction over Hernando County cases.

Florida Virtual Courtroom Directory: The Florida Virtual Courtroom Directory allows users to access information about court proceedings, including schedules and virtual hearing access for Hernando County courts.

Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS): This statewide system provides authorized users with access to court records from multiple counties. Access requires registration and may involve subscription fees for certain user categories.

When using online systems, users should note:

Not all documents are available electronically, particularly for older cases.
Confidential information is redacted or restricted per Florida Statutes.
Technical assistance is available through the Clerk's office for system navigation issues.
Electronic access may require payment of statutory fees for certain document types.

These online resources operate under the authority of the Florida Supreme Court Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records.

How To Search Hernando County Court Records for Free?

Florida law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which states that agencies must permit inspection and examination of records at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions. While copying fees may apply, viewing records is free of charge.

Free In-Person Inspection:

Visit the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court during regular business hours.
Request to inspect specific case files at the public access terminals.
Present identification and complete any required forms.
View records on-site without charge (copying fees apply if printed copies are needed).

Free Online Resources:

Hernando County Clerk's Public Records Search: Basic case information and docket listings are available at no cost through the Clerk's website.
Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal: Provides free access to appellate case dockets and opinions.
Florida Supreme Court Case Search: Offers free access to Supreme Court cases that may involve Hernando County matters.

Public Access Terminals: The Clerk's office maintains public access terminals that provide free on-site access to electronic court records. These terminals are available during regular business hours at:

Hernando County Law Library
20 N. Main Street, Room 401
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4970
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Additional Free Resources:

Florida Courts Public Information: Provides general information about court operations and procedures.
Florida Public Records Guide: Offers guidance on accessing public records throughout Florida.

While inspection is free, requestors should note that fees may apply for:

Copies of records ($0.15 per page for standard copies)
Certified copies ($1.00 per page plus certification fee)
Research assistance beyond standard record retrieval
Electronic downloads from certain premium services

What's Included in a Hernando County Court Record?

Hernando County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type. These records typically include the following components:

Civil Case Records:

Complaint or petition initiating the case
Summons and proof of service
Defendant's answer or response
Motions filed by either party
Court orders and rulings
Exhibits and evidence admitted
Transcripts of hearings and trials
Final judgment or disposition
Post-judgment motions and orders
Appeal documentation (if applicable)

Criminal Case Records:

Charging documents (information or indictment)
Arrest warrant or probable cause affidavit
Defendant's plea
Bond information
Discovery materials (with appropriate redactions)
Motions to suppress or dismiss
Pre-trial conference records
Trial transcripts and evidence
Sentencing documents
Probation reports (with confidential information redacted)
Appeal documentation (if applicable)

Family Law Records:

Petition for dissolution of marriage or other relief
Financial affidavits (with certain information redacted)
Parenting plans
Child support worksheets
Mediation agreements
Court orders regarding custody, support, and property division
Final judgment of dissolution
Post-judgment modification requests

Probate Records:

Petition for administration
Death certificate (with certain information redacted)
Will (if applicable)
Letters of administration
Inventory of assets
Claims against the estate
Notices to creditors
Orders of distribution
Final discharge

Small Claims Records:

Statement of claim
Defendant's response
Notices of hearing
Final judgment
Satisfaction of judgment (when applicable)

Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420(d), certain confidential information is either excluded from court records or redacted, including social security numbers, bank account numbers, and information about minors in many contexts.

How Long Does Hernando County Keep Court Records?

Hernando County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Florida Statutes § 257.36. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various court documents.

Criminal Case Records:

Felony cases: Permanently maintained
Capital felony cases: Permanently maintained
Misdemeanor cases: Retained for 5 years after final judgment
Traffic infractions: Retained for 3 years after final disposition

Civil Case Records:

Circuit civil cases: Retained for 10 years after final judgment
County civil cases: Retained for 5 years after final judgment
Small claims cases: Retained for 5 years after final judgment
Eviction proceedings: Retained for 5 years after final judgment

Family Law Records:

Dissolution of marriage: Permanently maintained
Domestic violence cases: Retained for 5 years after final judgment
Child support enforcement: Retained until the child reaches majority plus 5 years
Paternity cases: Permanently maintained

Probate Records:

Estate administration: Permanently maintained
Guardianship: Retained for 10 years after termination of guardianship
Mental health proceedings: Retained for 5 years after final judgment

Court Administration Records:

Docket books: Permanently maintained
Indexes: Permanently maintained
Judgment liens: Retained for duration of lien plus 5 years

The Florida Records Management Program oversees these retention requirements, which are detailed in the General Records Schedule GS11 for Clerk of Court records and GS12 for Court Administration records.

Records designated for permanent retention are eventually transferred to the Florida State Archives for historical preservation after a specified period. Digital preservation initiatives are currently underway to ensure long-term access to electronic court records, as evidenced by the electronic filing approval for Hernando County.

Types of Courts In Hernando County

Hernando County's judicial system operates within Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit and includes several court types with distinct jurisdictions and functions.

Hernando County Circuit Court
20 N. Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4201
Fifth Judicial Circuit - Hernando County
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Circuit Court is Hernando County's court of general jurisdiction, handling:

Felony criminal cases
Civil disputes involving amounts exceeding $30,000
Probate and estate matters
Juvenile dependency and delinquency
Family law cases (divorce, custody, support)
Appeals from County Court decisions

Hernando County Court
20 N. Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4201
Hernando County Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The County Court handles:

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Civil disputes involving amounts up to $30,000
Small claims (up to $8,000)
Traffic infractions
Landlord/tenant disputes
Ordinance violations

Fifth District Court of Appeal
300 South Beach Street
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 255-8600
Fifth District Court of Appeal
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

This appellate court reviews cases from Hernando County and other counties within the Fifth Judicial Circuit, handling:

Appeals from Circuit Court decisions
Extraordinary writs (mandamus, prohibition, etc.)
Certified questions from lower courts

Florida Supreme Court
500 South Duval Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 488-0125
Florida Supreme Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

As the state's highest court, it reviews:

District Court of Appeal decisions that declare state statutes or constitutional provisions invalid
Decisions affecting constitutional or state officers
Questions certified by the District Courts of Appeal
Capital cases with death sentences

The court hierarchy follows a structured path for appeals: County Court cases are appealed to Circuit Court, Circuit Court cases are appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and certain District Court of Appeal cases may be further appealed to the Florida Supreme Court under specific circumstances.

What Types of Cases Do Hernando County Courts Hear?

Hernando County's court system adjudicates a diverse range of legal matters, with each court type handling specific categories of cases according to jurisdictional parameters established by Florida law.

Circuit Court Case Types:

Criminal Division:

Felony prosecutions (crimes punishable by more than one year imprisonment)
Drug trafficking cases
Violent crimes (murder, sexual battery, robbery)
White-collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement)
Post-conviction relief proceedings
Violation of probation hearings for felony cases

Civil Division:

Lawsuits involving damages exceeding $30,000
Real property and land disputes
Complex commercial litigation
Professional malpractice claims
Construction defect cases
Mortgage foreclosures
Lien enforcement actions

Family Division:

Dissolution of marriage proceedings
Child custody and timesharing determinations
Child support establishment and enforcement
Paternity actions
Domestic violence injunctions
Name changes
Adoptions
Termination of parental rights

Probate Division:

Estate administration
Will contests
Trust litigation
Guardianship proceedings
Baker Act (involuntary mental health examination) cases
Marchman Act (substance abuse assessment and treatment) cases

Juvenile Division:

Delinquency proceedings
Dependency cases (child abuse, neglect)
Truancy matters
Children in need of services

County Court Case Types:

Criminal Division:

Misdemeanor prosecutions (crimes punishable by less than one year imprisonment)
DUI/DWI cases
Petit theft
Simple battery
Criminal traffic offenses
County ordinance violations
Violation of probation hearings for misdemeanors

Civil Division:

Lawsuits involving damages up to $30,000
Small claims (up to $8,000)
Landlord/tenant disputes and evictions
Consumer credit cases
Contract disputes
Recovery of personal property

Traffic Division:

Traffic infractions
Speeding citations
Red light camera violations
Driving with suspended license (non-criminal)
Parking violations

The jurisdictional boundaries between these courts are established by Florida Statutes § 26.012 (Circuit Court) and Florida Statutes § 34.01 (County Court).

How To Find a Court Docket In Hernando County

Court dockets in Hernando County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public can access these dockets through several methods:

Online Docket Access:

Visit the Hernando County Clerk of Court's official website.
Navigate to the "Court Records" or "Case Search" section.
Select the appropriate court division (Circuit, County, Traffic).
Search by case number, party name, filing date, or case type.
Review the docket listing showing all case events and documents.

Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: Registered users can access docket information through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which provides a comprehensive view of case activity and filed documents.

In-Person Docket Review:

Visit the Hernando County Clerk's office during business hours.
Request docket information at the public service counter.
Provide case number or party names to the clerk.
Review docket information on public access terminals.

Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
20 N. Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4201
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Court Calendar Access: For upcoming hearings and trial schedules:

Visit the Fifth Judicial Circuit website.
Select "Hernando County" from the location menu.
Navigate to "Court Calendars" or "Hearing Schedules."
Search by judge, courtroom, or date.

Appellate Dockets: For cases on appeal, docket information is available through the Florida Appellate Case Information System, which provides comprehensive appellate case information.

Virtual Courtroom Directory: The Florida Virtual Courtroom Directory provides information about scheduled proceedings, including virtual hearing access details for Hernando County courts.

When searching for docket information, users should note:

Case numbers follow a specific format (year-division code-sequential number).
Some cases may be confidential or have restricted access.
Docket entries typically include document titles, filing dates, and party information.
Document images may require payment of statutory fees to view or download.

Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain confidential information may be redacted or restricted in publicly accessible dockets.

Which Courts in Hernando County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Florida's judicial system, a "court of record" is defined as a court whose proceedings are permanently recorded, with the authority to fine or imprison for contempt, and from which appeals are taken to a higher court rather than retried de novo. This distinction is established in Florida Statutes § 34.01(5).

Currently, all courts operating within Hernando County are courts of record. This includes:

Circuit Court (5th Judicial Circuit)
County Court

Historically, Florida maintained certain courts that were not courts of record, such as:

Justice of the Peace Courts
Municipal Courts (prior to reform)
Small Claims Courts (as separate entities)

However, following judicial reforms implemented through Article V of the Florida Constitution, these non-record courts were abolished and their functions absorbed into the unified court system. The constitutional revision, fully implemented by 1977, established that all courts in Florida would be courts of record.

In the current judicial structure, even small claims proceedings (which in some states operate as non-record courts) are conducted within the County Court system in Hernando County and are courts of record. This means that:

All proceedings are recorded (either by digital audio recording or court reporter)
Formal rules of evidence and procedure apply
Appeals are based on the record established in the original proceeding
Judges have contempt powers

The only quasi-judicial bodies in Hernando County that might be considered "not courts of record" are:

Code Enforcement Boards
Value Adjustment Boards
Administrative hearings conducted by county agencies

However, these are administrative tribunals rather than courts in the judicial branch, and therefore do not fall under the traditional "court of record" classification.

Appeals from Hernando County Court decisions are taken to the Circuit Court, while appeals from Circuit Court decisions are taken to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, as established in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.