Indian River County Public Records /Indian River County Court Records

Indian River County Court Records

What Is Indian River County Court Records

Court records in Indian River County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.011(3)(c)(1), court records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records maintained by the clerk of court. These records document the activities and decisions of the judicial system and serve as the official account of court proceedings.

Court records are distinct from other public records such as:

Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
Tax records
Voting records

In Indian River County, court records are maintained by several courts within the Florida Courts system, including:

Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit)
County Court
Family Court Division
Probate Court Division
Small Claims Court

These courts handle various matters including civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law cases, probate proceedings, and traffic violations. The comprehensive nature of court records provides a detailed account of legal proceedings from initiation through resolution, including all filings, hearings, and judicial determinations.

Are Court Records Public In Indian River County

Court records in Indian River County are generally accessible to the public under Florida's strong public access laws. The Florida Constitution Article I, § 24 establishes the public's right to access government records, including court records. Additionally, the Florida Public Records Law § 119.01 affirms that all records made or received in connection with official business are public records available for inspection by any person.

The following court records are typically available to the public:

Civil case files
Criminal case files (post-charging)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets
Hearing schedules
Final dispositions

However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure or subject to confidentiality restrictions, including:

Records involving juveniles
Adoption proceedings
Mental health proceedings
Certain family court matters
Records sealed by court order
Information deemed confidential by statute

The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration establish specific guidelines for public access to court records. Rule 2.420 outlines procedures for determining confidentiality of court records and the process for requesting access to sealed or confidential records.

It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida are governed by federal access rules, which differ from state regulations.

How To Find Court Records in Indian River County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Indian River County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:

In-Person Requests:

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

Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court
2000 16th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 770-5185
Indian River County Clerk of Court

Online Access:

Navigate to the Indian River County Clerk's Records Search.
Create a user account if required.
Enter search criteria such as case number, party name, filing date, or case type.
Review search results and select desired records for viewing.
Pay any applicable access fees for certain document types.

Mail or Email Requests:

Submit a written request to the Clerk's Office including:
- Specific case information
- Requestor's contact information
- Description of records sought
Include payment for estimated copy fees.
Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

Remote Electronic Access: Access to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal allows registered users to search and retrieve certain court documents electronically.

For specialized records such as probate files or sealed cases, requestors may need to file a formal motion with the court demonstrating legal entitlement to access.

How To Look Up Court Records in Indian River County Online?

Indian River County offers several online portals for accessing court records digitally. Each system contains different types of records and requires specific search procedures:

Indian River County Clerk's Online Records Search:

Visit the Indian River County Clerk's website.
Select "Court Records" from the main navigation menu.
Choose the appropriate case type (civil, criminal, traffic, probate).
Enter search parameters such as:
- Case number
- Party name (last name, first name)
- Date range
- Case type
Review search results showing basic case information.
Select specific cases to view available documents.
Create an account if prompted to access document images.

Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal provides registered users access to:

Case dockets
Filed documents
Court orders
Judgments
Notices of hearings

Registration requires creating an account with valid identification and may involve verification steps.

Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS): This statewide system integrates court records from all Florida counties:

Access the Florida Appellate Case Information System.
Register for an account (attorneys and authorized agencies have expanded access).
Search by case number, party name, or attorney.
View case status, docket entries, and some document images.

19th Judicial Circuit Court Website: The 19th Judicial Circuit Court website provides:

Court calendars
Hearing schedules
Judge assignments
Administrative orders

For criminal records specifically, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a searchable database of criminal history information, though fees apply for comprehensive searches.

How To Search Indian River County Court Records for Free?

Florida law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records at no cost. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), while agencies may charge for copies of records, they must permit inspection and examination of records at no charge during regular business hours.

Free options for accessing Indian River County court records include:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may visit the Indian River County Courthouse to view records without charge:

Indian River County Courthouse
2000 16th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 770-5185
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for searching and viewing electronic records at no cost. Staff assistance is available for locating physical records.

Free Online Resources:

Indian River County Clerk's Public Records Search - Basic case information is available without charge, though document images may require fees.
19th Judicial Circuit Court Calendar - Court schedules and hearing information are freely accessible.
Florida Supreme Court Case Information - Provides free access to Supreme Court case dockets and opinions.

Public Law Libraries: The Indian River County Law Library provides free public access to legal research materials and assistance with court record searches:

Indian River County Law Library
2000 16th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 226-3230
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for:

Printed copies ($0.15 per page)
Certified copies ($1.00 per page plus certification fee)
Research assistance beyond 15 minutes ($20 per hour)
Electronic delivery of large document sets

What's Included in a Indian River County Court Record?

Court records in Indian River County contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but typically include:

Case Initiation Documents:

Complaints/Petitions
Summonses
Indictments (criminal cases)
Information filings (criminal cases)
Case information sheets

Procedural Documents:

Motions and responses
Briefs and memoranda
Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
Subpoenas
Notices of hearing
Certificates of service

Evidence and Testimony:

Affidavits
Depositions (when filed)
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Witness lists
Expert reports
Transcripts of hearings and trials

Judicial Documents:

Court orders
Judgments
Opinions
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Sentencing documents (criminal cases)
Jury instructions
Verdicts

Case Management Records:

Docket sheets/case histories
Scheduling orders
Appearance records
Attorney notices of appearance
Proof of service documents

Financial Records:

Fee waivers/applications for indigent status
Payment records
Cost bills
Restitution orders (criminal cases)
Child support worksheets (family cases)

Post-Judgment Documents:

Satisfaction of judgments
Appeals notices
Writs of execution
Garnishment papers
Probation reports (when filed)

In accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public court records, including:

Social Security numbers
Bank account numbers
Credit card numbers
Juvenile information
Information subject to confidentiality by statute or court rule

How Long Does Indian River County Keep Court Records?

Indian River County retains court records according to schedules established by the Florida Supreme Court and the Division of Library and Information Services. Retention periods vary based on case type and document significance as outlined in Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.430.

Permanent Retention:

Final judgments and orders
Court minutes
Official dockets and indexes
Probate records
Guardianship records
Mental health proceedings
Juvenile dependency records
Adoption records
Felony case files

Long-Term Retention (10+ years):

Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after final judgment
Domestic relations cases: 10 years after final judgment
Civil litigation files: 10 years after final judgment
Small claims records: 10 years after final judgment

Medium-Term Retention (5-10 years):

Traffic cases: 5 years after final disposition
Ordinance violations: 5 years after final judgment
Administrative orders: 5 years

Short-Term Retention (less than 5 years):

Notices and subpoenas: 1 year after final judgment
Depositions and transcripts: 1 year after final judgment (unless filed as evidence)
Exhibits: 90 days after final judgment if not claimed

The Florida Records Management Program oversees compliance with retention schedules. Records scheduled for destruction undergo review to ensure all retention requirements have been met.

Digital preservation initiatives are increasingly important for court records. The Indian River County Clerk's Office maintains electronic backups of digitized records and implements disaster recovery protocols to protect against data loss.

Historical records of significant value may be transferred to the Florida State Archives for permanent preservation after their active use period ends.

Types of Courts In Indian River County

Indian River County's court system operates within Florida's unified court structure, with several levels of courts serving different jurisdictional functions:

Indian River County Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit)
2000 16th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 770-5185
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
19th Judicial Circuit Court

The Circuit Court is the highest trial court in the county with jurisdiction over:

Felony criminal cases
Civil disputes exceeding $30,000
Probate and guardianship matters
Family law cases (divorce, custody, support)
Juvenile proceedings
Appeals from County Court decisions

Indian River County Court
2000 16th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 770-5185
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Indian River County Court

County Court handles:

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

Fourth District Court of Appeal
110 South Tamarind Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 242-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Fourth District Court of Appeal

This appellate court reviews cases from Indian River County and other counties within the Fourth District, including:

Appeals from Circuit Court decisions
Review of administrative agency actions
Extraordinary writs (mandamus, prohibition, etc.)

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

The state's highest court has:

Mandatory jurisdiction over specific case types
Discretionary review of District Court decisions
Regulation of the practice of law
Adoption of rules for court procedures

What Types of Cases Do Indian River County Courts Hear?

Indian River County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:

Circuit Court Case Types:

Criminal Division:

Felony prosecutions (punishable by more than one year imprisonment)
Drug trafficking cases
Violent crimes (murder, sexual assault, robbery)
White-collar crimes
Post-conviction relief proceedings

Civil Division:

Lawsuits exceeding $30,000 in damages
Real property disputes
Complex commercial litigation
Medical malpractice claims
Product liability cases
Eminent domain proceedings

Family Division:

Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
Child custody and visitation
Child support establishment and enforcement
Paternity determinations
Domestic violence injunctions
Name changes
Adoptions

Probate Division:

Wills and estate administration
Trust administration
Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
Baker Act proceedings (involuntary mental health examination)
Marchman Act cases (substance abuse assessment and treatment)

Juvenile Division:

Delinquency proceedings
Dependency cases (child abuse/neglect)
Termination of parental rights
Children in need of services

County Court Case Types:

Criminal Division:

Misdemeanor offenses (punishable by less than one year imprisonment)
DUI/DWI cases
Petty theft
Simple assault and battery
Disorderly conduct
Fish and wildlife violations

Civil Division:

Lawsuits with damages up to $30,000
Landlord-tenant disputes
Consumer credit cases
Contract disputes
Personal injury claims (minor)

Small Claims Division:

Simplified proceedings for disputes up to $8,000
Pro se litigants (self-represented parties)
Expedited hearing procedures

Traffic Division:

Moving violations
Parking infractions
Driver's license issues
Red light camera violations

How To Find a Court Docket In Indian River County

Court dockets in Indian River County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case. Members of the public can access these important records through several methods:

Online Docket Access:

Visit the Indian River County Clerk's Court Records Search.
Select the appropriate case type category.
Enter search criteria (case number, party name, date range).
Review the docket sheet showing all filings, hearings, and court actions.
Note that while basic docket information is freely available, document images may require fees.

For appellate cases, the Florida Appellate Case Information System provides docket information for cases in the Fourth District Court of Appeal and Florida Supreme Court.

In-Person Docket Review:

Visit the Clerk's Office at the Indian River County Courthouse.
Request assistance from clerk staff to locate the specific case docket.
Provide case number or party names to facilitate the search.
Review docket information on public access terminals or in physical case files.

Telephone Requests: Limited docket information may be obtained by calling the Clerk's Office at (772) 770-5185. Staff can provide basic case status and upcoming hearing dates but cannot read entire dockets over the phone.

Daily Court Calendars: Current hearing schedules are posted:

On bulletin boards at the courthouse
On the 19th Judicial Circuit website
Through the Clerk's Office public information desk

Attorney Access: Attorneys registered with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal have enhanced access to dockets for cases in which they are involved.

For specialized dockets such as foreclosure cases or domestic violence matters, contact the specific division of the clerk's office handling those case types.

Which Courts in Indian River County Are Not Courts of Record?

In the Florida judicial system, a "court of record" is defined by Florida Statutes § 34.01(5) as a court whose proceedings are recorded and preserved. These courts maintain comprehensive documentation of all hearings and trials, with official transcripts available for appeal purposes.

In Indian River County, all formal courts are courts of record, including:

Circuit Court (19th Judicial Circuit)
County Court
All divisions of these courts (criminal, civil, family, probate, etc.)

However, certain judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings in Indian River County are not considered courts of record:

Traffic Hearing Officer Proceedings:

Handle certain contested traffic infractions
Proceedings are summarized rather than transcribed verbatim
Appeals go to County Court for a new hearing (trial de novo)

Code Enforcement Hearings:

Conducted by appointed special magistrates
Address county and municipal code violations
Not subject to formal rules of evidence
Appeals require a new hearing in Circuit Court

Value Adjustment Board:

Reviews property tax assessment disputes
Informal proceedings without court reporters
Decisions appealed to Circuit Court

Small Claims Pretrial Conferences:

Informal mediation sessions for small claims cases
Not recorded by court reporters
If unsuccessful, case proceeds to a formal hearing that is recorded

Local Administrative Hearings:

Various permit and licensing matters
Zoning variances and special exceptions
Not part of the formal court system

The distinction between courts of record and those not of record is significant for appeal purposes. Appeals from courts not of record typically involve a completely new trial in a higher court (trial de novo) rather than a review of the existing record for legal errors.

According to Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.140, appeals from courts of record require the appellant to identify specific legal errors based on the official record, while appeals from proceedings not of record allow for a fresh presentation of evidence and arguments.