Criminal records in Lee County, Florida, are public documents accessible through online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk of court's office. LeeCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, you can use the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida portal, the Lee County Sheriff's database, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) resources.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lee
Start your search by determining what specific information you are looking for — a court case, an arrest record, or a complete criminal history. Each type of record has its own access channel.
Through LeeCourt.us
Go to LeeCourt.us and enter the full name of the person or the case number. The system will display public information about criminal cases that have been considered in Lee County courts.
Online through Official Portals
- Twentieth Judicial Circuit Portal — on the Twentieth Judicial Circuit website, you can find hearing calendars, case information, and self-help resources.
- Arrest Search — the Lee County Sheriff's Booking Search allows you to filter records by detention status, booking date, and release date.
- Statewide Search — FDLE provides statewide criminal history checks. For federal cases, use PACER.
- State Inmate Search — the Florida Department of Corrections contains data on individuals under the supervision of correctional facilities.
In Person
Visit the Lee County Justice Center, where the clerk of court's office is located. Public terminals allow you to search cases directly. The law library in the same building (Lee County Law Library) can assist with legal research.
By Mail or Written Request
To obtain arrest and incident reports, send a request to the Lee County Sheriff's Records Department. You can also order a report online. For a complete statewide criminal history, submit a request to FDLE with fingerprints.
What you need to start the search:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Lee Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each case in Florida has a unique number. Understanding its structure speeds up the search.
The Florida case number format typically looks like this:
YY-CF-NNNNNN
- YY — year the case was filed (e.g., 24 = 2024)
- CF — case type code. The most common for criminal records:
- CF — Circuit Felony (serious crime, handled by the circuit court)
- MM — Misdemeanor (minor offense)
- CT — Criminal Traffic (criminal traffic violation)
- MO — Municipal Ordinance (violation of municipal ordinance)
- NNNNNN — sequential case number
For example, the number 24-CF-001234 indicates a serious crime registered in 2024 under the sequential number 001234. Enter this number into the clerk of court's search system or on LeeCourt.us to find the corresponding case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lee
Each criminal case record contains several key elements. Below is their explanation.
Charges
| Element | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific article of the Florida Statutes allegedly violated |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (minor offense), or Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — reduce or increase the severity level |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is awaiting consideration
- Active — the case is in court proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a decision on the case
- Closed — the case is closed, all procedures are completed
Hearings
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the charges are read to the accused, and they plead guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial — pre-trial hearing to resolve procedural issues
- Sentencing — sentencing hearing
- Review — review of compliance with the sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Withheld Adjudication | The judge refrained from a formal conviction — the person is not formally considered convicted |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lee
Certified copies are officially certified documents with a court or agency seal. They are accepted by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
Through the Clerk of Court's Office
The Lee County Clerk of Court issues certified copies of court documents, including verdicts, decisions, and case materials.
Ways to submit a request:
- In Person — visit the clerk's office at the Lee County Justice Center
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case number, party name, and document type
- Online — check the availability of electronic copies through the Twentieth Judicial Circuit portal
Through the Lee County Sheriff
Arrest, booking, and incident reports can be requested through the Sheriff's request portal or by visiting the Central Records department.
Through FDLE (State Level)
To obtain a complete statewide criminal history, submit a request to FDLE. Fingerprints and a completed request form are required. This process is used for licensing, employment, and volunteer activities.
Required documents:
- Valid photo ID
- Case number (for court copies)
- Completed request form (depends on the agency)
- Payment of the applicable fee
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lee
Fees for criminal records in Florida are regulated by Florida Statutes Chapter 119 (Public Records Act) and local clerk of court ordinances.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Document Copy (Non-Certified) | $1.00 per page | According to Florida Statutes §119.07 |
| Document Certification | $2.00 per document | Added to the copying cost |
| Criminal History Check via FDLE (Name-Based) | $24.00 | Electronic request |
| Criminal History Check via FDLE (Fingerprint-Based) | $24.00–$36.00 | Depends on the level of check (state or state+FBI) |
| Arrest Report (Sheriff) | Varies | Contact the Sheriff's Records Department |
Processing Time
- Online Search — results are usually available immediately
- Copies through Clerk of Court (In Person) — typically the same day
- Mail Requests — 5 to 15 business days
- FDLE Check — electronic results within 1–3 business days; fingerprint requests may take longer
Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or check at the clerk's office. For online requests through FDLE, a credit or debit card is usually required. Confirm acceptable payment methods directly with each agency before submitting a request.