Fequently Asked Questions - FAQs
General
All County Court addresses can be found on the court locations page
Court Schedules are listed by County and by Judge and can be found on the Court schedules page
Searching Court Records can be done from each individual County Clerk's website.
- Lee County Case Inquiry
- Charlotte County Case Inquiry
- Collier County Case Inquiry
- Glades County Case Inquiry
- Hendry County Case Inquiry
All Florida Counties Official Records search can be performed at MyFloridaCounty.com.
- Lee County: Public Parking is located across Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. to the South of the Justice Center Complex. Lee County Justice Center Map
- Collier County: Free Parking in the parking garage on the south side of the Courthouse.
- Charlotte County: Free Parking in the front of the building on the west side.
- Hendry County: Free Parking on the side of the building.
- Glades County: Free Parking on the side of the building.
- Lee County: 7:30am – 5:00 pm
- Collier County: 8:00am – 5:00 pm
- Charlotte County: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Hendry County: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Glades County: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
There is no dress code, but certain attire isn’t suitable when appearing in front of a judge. This includes shorts, swimsuits, midriff and tank tops, and slippers. Non-prescription dark glasses must be removed once you enter the courtrooms. Do not wear a hat unless you do so for religious or medical reasons.
Court staff cannot give you legal advice. If you have a questions about what options you have or what you should do, you should talk to an attorney.
Yes, but all letters, email or other written communications sent to a judge should be filed with the clerk and provided to the attorneys or litigants, and could become public record. Always include the case number or written communications to a judge with a return address & and phone number. Case numbers are available from the Clerk of Court.
The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids judges to discuss pending cases with the public or parties to cases. Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a judge about any case. The Court is only allowed to consider evidence and arguments made in the courtroom and in documents properly filed by actual parties in the case as authorized by law and the Rules of Court. The Court cannot ethically read or consider any other evidence or arguments about the case.
Persons entering the Courthouse may be subject to a physical search of their person and handheld possessions. Handheld possessions may include purses, wallets, luggage, toolboxes, cell phones, pagers, briefcases, packages, etc. Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited because they are hazardous or could be used as potential weapons. These items may be confiscated.
List of Prohibited Items
Firearms and Ammunition
- Firearms and / or parts of firearms
- Ammunition / magazines / gun powder
- Flare guns and/or flares
- Gun lighters
- Realistic replicas of guns and toy guns
- Other items capable of firing / launching a projectile capable of causing serious bodily injury or death
Edged Weapons and Sharp Objects
- Knives / swords / any edged weapon
- Pocket knives / shanks
- Razors and Box cutters
- Bows / arrows
- Other edged weapons/sharp objects capable of causing serious bodily injury or death
Impact Weapons
- Bats / clubs / pool cues
- Fighting knuckles composed of any material
- Martial arts weapons including nun-chucks and throwing stars
- Night sticks / batons / expandable batons / whips
- Tools including but not limited to axes / hatchets
- Other items capable of causing serious bodily injury or death when used as an impact weapon
Explosives, Flammable Materials, Chemicals
- Blasting caps
- Dynamite, plastic explosives or any other explosive compound or material
- Improvised explosive devices (IED)
- Improvised explosive device components
- Fireworks, Flares
- Hand grenades
- Replicas or simulated explosive devices and materials
- Gasoline and other fuels
- Flammable liquids and/or gels
- Hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
Other Items
- All liquids
- Tear gas and self defense sprays including CN, CS, OC
- Stun guns / tasers / electronic defense devices
- Narcotics/illicit drugs/drug paraphernalia
- Handcuffs and handcuff keys
Law enforcement uniforms, insignia, badges or emblems may not be worn or displayed by a person who is not a commissioned law enforcement officer in such a manner that constitutes a violation of Florida Statutes 843.085 - Unlawful use of police badges or other indicia of authority.
Laser pointers may be allowed inside court facilities for legitimate courtroom presentations, in the possession of members of The Florida Bar (in good standing), but are subject to examination and approval by court security staff.
More information on Court Interpreters can be found here: Court Interpreters
All interpreter requests should be made 5 days in advance.
Visit our ADA page, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and fill out the request form.
Please request accommodation within two working days of receipt of a notice to appear at a court proceeding. Some accommodations, such as sign language interpreters and real-time reporting, require sufficient time to schedule.
Jury Duty Information (from each individual County Clerk's website) can be found here: Jury Information
To apply for a job at the AOC, visit our Employment Page to see our openings
Administrative orders are provided in PDF format and may be printed from our website.
Judicial Automated Calendaring System (JACS)
Only Attorneys can use the JACS system to schedule cases. Attorneys use their Florida Bar Number to schedule and view cases in the JACS system
Instructions for attorneys on how to schedule using the JACS system can be found here: Judicial Automated Scheduler (JACS) Infromation Page
Technology
Electronic Court Reporting does not prepare transcripts. A digital recording of the types of proceedings outlined in Administrative Order 2.2 can be provided to requestors upon submission of the proper form and fees.
When it is necessary to have a transcript it is the party's responsibility to have the recorded proceeding transcribed by an approved court reporter or approved transcriptionist according to the Rules of Judicial Administration (click the link below for Rule 2.535).
Certain types of cases require a court order before a recorded proceeding may be released.
Visit the Electronic Court Reporting Services page for more information
Please visit the Technology Services page and submit your request.
Self-Help
To apply for a Public Defender, fill out this application, check I am seeking the appointment of the Public Defender, and follow the attached instructions. More information can be found on the Pretrial Services Department page.
A document with Certified Process Servers can be found here: Certified Process Servers Information
Visit the Clerk of Court Website for information on records:
Hearings or trials before a judge in the criminal and juvenile courts are recorded either electronically or by court reporters. There is no charge. However, litigants in CIVIL cases (including Family Division cases) who want their proceedings recorded, are responsible for hiring their own court reporters to attend hearings or trials. Local Court Reporting and Transcription Firms can be found here: Local Court Reporting and Transcription.
The full list of proceedings can be viewed in Administrative Order 2.2 and on our Electronic Court Reporting page.
Most require non-lawyers to pay all or part of the anticipated expenses up front. It may be difficult to appeal an adverse ruling in a civil case unless you hire a private court reporter to attend the hearing or trial to prepare a certified transcript. The court is under no obligation to provide court reporters in civil cases even where the litigants are indigent.
The Pro-se litigant program provides information on representing yourself in Family Court. To see details for the pro-se litigant program.
More information on Child Support payments can be found on each individual County Clerk's website
Please visit our Domestic Violence Information Page to see information on filing restraining orders in the county where you are located.
More information on Traffic Ticket payments can be found on each individual County Clerk's website
To file for dissolution of marriage, you will need to obtain a forms packet from the Family Court Office (or print the forms from Florida State Courts Family Court Forms). You will then need to file at the County Clerk's Office.
Visit the Family Court page for instructions on how to obtain these forms and for contact information.
More information on filing fees can be found on each individual County Clerk's website
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can be reached at 1-(800) 342-8011 or 1-(800) 342-8060 extension 5844.
To file a small claim (i.e. damages under $8,000.00), you will need to obtain a form from the Small Claims Office. You will then need to file it at the County Clerk's Office.
To appeal a trial judge's order (if it is an appealable order) or judgment, a party must comply with all time limitations and procedures provided for by the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. A notice of appeal is to be filed with the Clerk of the trial court within thirty days of the date the order or judgment is rendered. Appeals from the county court will be before the circuit court. Appeals from the circuit court will be before the District Court of Appeal.
For more information, please review the following information:
