Hendry County court records are public files kept by the Hendry County Clerk of Court in LaBelle, Florida. These files hold case papers from civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims court.
The 20th Judicial Circuit Court hears most cases in Hendry County. Florida state law makes most court files open for public review. You can search Hendry County court records online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse.
What Hendry County Court Records Include
Hendry County court records cover many case types. They hold the full file for each case filed in the county. Each file has the first complaint or charge, motions, orders, judgments, and the final ruling. Many files hold evidence lists, witness names, and hearing transcripts. People use these records to check on a case, run a background check, or research a legal matter.
Types of Court Records in Hendry County
You can search for civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. Civil cases cover disputes between people or businesses. Criminal cases cover felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. Family cases cover divorce, custody, and support. Probate cases cover wills and estates. Small claims cover disputes under $8,000. Traffic cases cover moving violations and driving offenses.
Who Maintains Hendry County Court Records
The Hendry County Clerk of Court keeps all court records for the county. Barbara Butler serves as the current Clerk of Court. The Clerk’s office files new cases, stores old case files, and gives copies to the public. The Clerk runs the online records search system. The Clerk’s office works under Florida state law and court rules.
The Hendry County Court System
Hendry County sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The 20th Circuit also covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Lee counties. Two court levels operate in Hendry County: the Circuit Court and the County Court.
20th Judicial Circuit Court
The Circuit Court handles major cases. These include felonies, civil cases over $50,000, family law, probate, and juvenile cases. The Circuit Court hears appeals from the County Court. Circuit Court cases use case numbers that start with a year and case type code.
Hendry County Court
The County Court handles less serious cases. These include misdemeanors, traffic offenses, civil cases under $50,000, and small claims. County Court cases use case numbers that start with a year and case type code, but the format is shorter than Circuit Court numbers.
Hendry County Courthouse Locations
Hendry County has two courthouse locations. The main courthouse sits in LaBelle. A second annex operates in Clewiston. Both locations serve the public. The LaBelle courthouse handles most court business. The Clewiston annex handles some record requests for the eastern part of the county.
Search Hendry County Court Records Online
You can search most Hendry County court records online through the CiviTek Florida portal. The portal gives free search access to case data. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows case type, filing date, and current status. Some documents can be viewed online. Other documents require a visit to the clerk’s office.
CiviTek Online Records Portal
The CiviTek Florida portal works as the main online search system. Go to civitekflorida.com and pick Hendry County. The search page asks for a name, case number, or date range. Results show basic case data. You can click on a case to see the full file. Some files link to viewable documents. Other files list documents that you must get from the clerk’s office.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal lets you file new cases and submit documents. Attorneys must use the portal for most new filings. Self-represented parties can use the portal. The portal keeps a record of all documents filed in your case. You can view the documents filed by other parties in your case through the portal.
Appellate Court Information System
The Appellate Court Information System (ACIS) holds records for appeals. If a Hendry County case was appealed to a Florida District Court of Appeal, you can locate it in ACIS. ACIS is free to use. ACIS covers appellate cases from all Florida counties.
Visit the Clerk’s Office in Person
You can visit the Hendry County Clerk of Court office to search records. Staff can help you search for a case. You can use public computer terminals at the office. You can ask for copies of documents. The main office sits in LaBelle. A second office operates in Clewiston.
LaBelle Courthouse
The main Hendry County Courthouse sits at 25 East Hickpochee Avenue in LaBelle. The Clerk’s office is on the first floor. Public terminals let you search the CiviTek system. Staff at the counter can help you order copies. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Clewiston Courthouse Annex
The Clewiston annex serves the eastern part of Hendry County. The annex sits at 100 East El Paso Street in Clewiston. The annex handles some record requests. Call the LaBelle office first to check if the annex can help with your specific need.
Request Hendry County Court Records by Mail
You can request copies of court records by mail. Send a written request to the Hendry County Clerk of Court. List the case number, the names of the parties, and the documents you need. Include payment by check or money order. Mail requests take 7 to 10 business days to handle.
What to Send in Your Mail Request
Your mail request should list the case number, the full name of at least one party, the type of documents you need, and your contact data. Add a phone number where the clerk can reach you. Sign and date the request. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mail.
Payment for Mail Requests
The Clerk’s office accepts checks and money orders for mail requests. Make checks payable to “Hendry County Clerk of Court.” Do not send cash by mail. Call the Clerk’s office at (863) 675-5217 for a fee estimate before you send your request.
Fees for Hendry County Court Records
Florida law sets the fees for court records. The Hendry County Clerk charges standard fees. The fees are the same across all Florida counties. You pay for copies, certifications, and searches. Some online services charge a small fee per document.
Copy Fees
Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Double-sided pages count as two pages. Color copies cost more per page. The first two pages of some documents are free.
Certification Fees
Certified copies cost $2.00 per document on top of the copy fee. A certified copy has a raised seal or stamp. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies. Each certification covers one document.
Search Fees
The clerk charges a $2.00 search fee per name per year. The fee covers the time the clerk takes to look through records. You pay this fee even if the search turns up no records.
Civil Court Records in Hendry County
Civil court records cover disputes between people or businesses. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property disputes. Civil cases can be filed in County Court or Circuit Court. The dollar amount of the claim decides which court hears the case. County Court handles civil cases up to $50,000. Circuit Court handles civil cases over $50,000.
Criminal Court Records in Hendry County
Criminal court records cover felony and misdemeanor cases. Felony cases are heard in Circuit Court. Misdemeanor cases are heard in County Court. The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office makes most arrests. The State Attorney’s Office files most criminal charges. You can search criminal records by defendant name or case number.
Felony Case Records
Felony case records include the arrest report, charging document, plea, and sentence. Felony cases can result in prison time over one year. Serious felonies include drug trafficking, burglary, and violent crimes. Felony case files are public after the case ends.
Misdemeanor Case Records
Misdemeanor case records include the citation, plea, and sentence. Misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail. Common misdemeanors include petty theft, simple assault, and minor drug possession. Misdemeanor case files are public records.
Family Court Records in Hendry County
Family court records cover divorce, custody, support, and adoption cases. Family cases are heard in Circuit Court. Adoption records are sealed after the case ends. Other family records are public, but some personal data is redacted. The Clerk redacts Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names.
Probate Court Records in Hendry County
Probate court records cover wills, estates, and guardianships. Probate cases are heard in Circuit Court. Most probate records are public. The Clerk redacts the same personal data as in other case types. You can search probate records by the deceased’s name or the estate case number.
Traffic Court Records in Hendry County
Traffic court records cover moving violations and driving offenses. Traffic cases are heard in County Court. Traffic cases include speeding, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. Traffic case records are public. You can search by defendant name or citation number.
Small Claims Court Records in Hendry County
Small claims court records cover disputes over small amounts of money. Small claims cases are heard in County Court. The maximum claim amount is $8,000. Small claims cases include unpaid debts, security deposit disputes, and small contract disputes. Small claims records are public.
Florida Public Records Laws
Florida has strong public records laws. The main law is Florida Statute Chapter 119. This law says all government records, including court records, are open to the public. A few exceptions apply. Some records are sealed by court order. Other records are made confidential by law.
Florida Statute Chapter 119
Florida Statute Chapter 119 requires government agencies to open their records to the public. The Clerk of Court must follow this law. The law lists a few types of records that are not public. These include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and medical records.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 sets the rules for sealing court records. The rule lists which records can be sealed. A judge must order the record sealed. Most court records cannot be sealed without a good reason. You can challenge a sealed record under this rule.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some court records are sealed by court order. Sealed records include juvenile cases, some family cases, and cases involving mental health. Adoption records are automatically sealed. You cannot view a sealed record without a court order.
Expunged Records
Some criminal records can be expunged. Expungement removes the record from public view. To expunge a record, you must file a petition with the court. The court holds a hearing. A judge decides if your record can be expunged. Expunged records are not available to the public.
How to Seal or Expunge Hendry County Court Records
You can ask the court to seal or expunge your Hendry County court record. The steps start with a petition to the court. You must meet certain requirements. The court holds a hearing to decide your case.
Eligibility for Expungement
You can expunge a record if you were not convicted, or if you completed a diversion program. You can expunge a record if the charges were dropped. You cannot expunge a record for certain serious crimes. These include murder, sexual assault, and crimes against children.
Steps for Sealing Records
To seal a record, file a petition with the Hendry County Clerk of Court. Pay the filing fee. The court schedules a hearing. The State Attorney’s Office may object. A judge decides your case at the hearing.
Costs of Sealing or Expungement
Sealing or expunging a record costs a filing fee plus other costs. The filing fee is set by Florida law. You may also need to pay for a background check. The total cost can be several hundred dollars.
How to Read Hendry County Court Records
Hendry County court records follow a standard format. Each case has a unique case number. The case number includes the year, the case type, and a sequence number. The case file lists the parties, the charges or claims, and the court’s orders.
Case Number Format
Hendry County case numbers look like this: 26-2024-XX-000123. The “26” is Hendry County’s code. The year is 2024. “XX” is the case type code. The last six digits are the sequence number. Each case has a unique number.
Common Abbreviations in Case Files
Court files use many abbreviations. “PLA” means plaintiff. “DEF” means defendant. “MOT” means motion. “ORD” means order. “JDG” means judgment. “HRG” means hearing. “TR” means transcript. Learning these abbreviations helps you read case files.
Party Name Searches
You can search for a case by party name. Type the last name first. The search will show cases where the person was a party. The person can be a plaintiff, a defendant, or another party. The search shows the person’s role in the case.
E-Filing New Cases in Hendry County
Most new court filings in Hendry County must be submitted electronically. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal handles electronic filings. Attorneys must register with the portal. Self-represented parties can use the portal. The portal charges a small fee per filing.
Hendry County Courthouse Contact Details
You can contact the Hendry County Clerk of Court for help with court records. The main office is in LaBelle. A second office is in Clewiston. You can call, email, or visit in person.
| Office | Hendry County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 25 East Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, FL 33935 |
| Phone | (863) 675-5217 |
| Website | hendryclerk.com |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Clewiston Courthouse Annex: 100 East El Paso Street, Clewiston, FL 33440. Phone: (863) 983-7500. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
State and Federal Systems
You can search court records through state and federal systems. These systems cover Hendry County and other Florida counties.
Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website links to every county clerk in Florida. The site shows which counties offer online records. The site lists contact data for each clerk.
MyFloridaCounty
MyFloridaCounty handles online court fee payments for Hendry County. You can pay traffic tickets, criminal fines, and other court fees. The site is free to use. You can pay by credit card or debit card.
Federal Court Records in Hendry County
Federal cases in Hendry County are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. You can search federal court records through PACER. PACER charges a small fee per page. Some federal records are free through the court’s public terminals.
Common Questions About Hendry County Court Records
People often ask questions about searching Hendry County court records. The answers below cover the most common questions. They explain the rules and steps for getting court records in Hendry County. Each answer gives you the full details you need to get your records fast.
How do I search for a criminal case in Hendry County?
You can search for a criminal case in Hendry County through the CiviTek Florida online portal. Start by going to the CiviTek website at civitekflorida.com. Select Hendry County from the drop-down county list. Type the defendant’s full legal name into the search box. The system will search for matches in the criminal case database. You can also search by case number, citation number, or date range. The portal will list all matching cases with the defendant’s name, case number, filing date, and current status. Click on a specific case to see the full case file.
The full case file shows the charges, court dates, motions, and final orders. Some documents are viewable directly in the portal. Other documents require a visit to the Clerk’s office. You can also visit the Hendry County Clerk of Court office in LaBelle to search criminal records in person. The office has public computer terminals for your use. Staff at the counter can help you locate specific case files. You can call the Clerk’s office at (863) 675-5217 with questions. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. For older criminal cases, the records may only exist in paper form. You may need to ask staff to pull paper files for review.
Are Hendry County court records free to view?
Yes, most Hendry County court records are free to view. You can search the online portal at no cost. The CiviTek Florida system does not charge a fee for searching or viewing basic case data. You can view records at the Clerk’s office at no cost. The public computer terminals at the LaBelle courthouse are free to use. You only pay when you need a copy of a document. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $2.00 per document on top of the copy fee. Search fees of $2.00 per name per year may apply if you ask the Clerk to run a search for you.
Some online services may charge a small fee for premium search features or for downloading documents in bulk. Federal court records through PACER charge a per-page fee, but you can view most Hendry County state court records for free. If you need a large number of copies, you may save money by visiting the Clerk’s office in person. Bring a USB drive to save digital copies of viewable documents. Always bring cash, check, or credit card to pay for any copies you order at the office.
Can I view sealed Hendry County court records?
No, you cannot view sealed court records without a court order. Sealed records are not shown in the online search results. They are not available at the Clerk’s office. Even parties to the case cannot view a sealed record without permission from the court. You must ask the court to unseal the record. A judge decides your request. You file a written motion explaining why you need the record to be unsealed. The court schedules a hearing. A judge will rule on your motion at the hearing.
Some records are sealed by Florida law. Adoption records are automatically sealed. Juvenile criminal records are sealed. Records involving mental health evaluations are sealed. Records in certain family law cases are sealed to protect children. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 sets the rules for sealed records. You can read the full text of the rule on the Florida Courts website. If a record is sealed, you cannot view it, copy it, or use it for any purpose. Violating a sealing order can result in contempt of court charges.
How long does it take to get court records by mail?
Mail requests for court records often take 7 to 10 business days to handle. The Clerk’s office handles requests in the order they are received. Mail requests can take longer during busy times of the year. End of year and tax season are the busiest times. You can speed up the steps by visiting the office in person. In-person requests are often handled the same day. You can also pay a small fee for expedited service if the Clerk offers that option.
To make a mail request, send a written letter to the Hendry County Clerk of Court. List the case number, party names, and documents you need. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mail. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. Make checks payable to “Hendry County Clerk of Court.” Do not send cash by mail. Call the Clerk’s office at (863) 675-5217 to confirm the fee before you send your payment. You can also email the Clerk’s office to check the status of your mail request after a week has passed.
What if I cannot locate a court record online?
Some older records are not available online. These records may only exist in paper form at the Clerk’s office. The CiviTek system may not go back as far as records that exist on paper. Older cases from the 1990s and earlier may need to be pulled from the Clerk’s archive. Call the Clerk at (863) 675-5217 to check if a record exists. The Clerk can search paper records for you. There may be a small search fee for this service. Search fees are $2.00 per name per year.
You can also visit the Clerk’s office in person to look through older records. Staff can help you locate the right filing cabinet or archive box. Bring a photo ID with you. Some old case files are stored off-site and may take a few days to retrieve. You can ask the Clerk to pull the records for you in advance. The Clerk will call you when the records are ready for pickup. You can also pay for copies of the records once they are pulled.
Can I get court records from another county through the Hendry County Clerk?
No, the Hendry County Clerk only handles Hendry County records. For records in other counties, contact the clerk in that county. Each Florida county has its own Clerk of Court. Each Clerk keeps the records for that county. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website lists contact data for every county clerk in Florida. You can also search other Florida counties through their own online portals. Most Florida counties use the CiviTek Florida system for online records.
If you need records from multiple counties, you will need to contact each county’s Clerk separately. You can do this by phone, mail, email, or in person. Some counties allow you to search records from other counties through a single search page. Check the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website for the latest search tools. You can also hire a private records service to search for you across multiple counties. These services charge a fee for their work.
How do I get a certified copy of a Hendry County court record?
To get a certified copy, visit the Clerk’s office in person or send a mail request. Pay the copy fee of $1.00 per page plus the certification fee of $2.00 per document. The certified copy has a raised seal or stamp. The seal proves the copy is a true copy of the original court record. Banks, courts, and government agencies require certified copies for legal proceedings. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card at the Clerk’s office. For mail requests, pay by check or money order.
Bring a photo ID when you visit the Clerk’s office. Tell the staff the case number and the documents you need. Staff will pull the file, make the copies, and certify the copies. The whole visit takes about 15 to 30 minutes for most requests. You can also order certified copies by phone and pick them up in person. Call (863) 675-5217 to place your order. The Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can also order certified copies through the mail by following the same steps as a regular mail request.