Court records in Lee County, Florida, are available through several channels. LeeCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official resources of the 20th Judicial Circuit, the Clerk of Court's office, and public terminals installed in the Lee County Justice Center courthouse.
Lee Court System & Jurisdictions
Lee County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties. The court system here is divided into two main levels — the Circuit Court and the County Court — each handling different categories of cases.
Circuit Court
This court handles the most serious cases:
- Felony criminal cases — crimes punishable by more than one year of imprisonment
- Civil lawsuits over $50,000
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony, adoption
- Probate cases — the process of settling an estate after a person's death
- Juvenile cases — both criminal and dependency cases
County Court
This court handles most everyday cases. Misdemeanors, which are crimes punishable by up to one year, are handled by this court. It also deals with civil lawsuits up to $50,000, eviction cases, and small claims up to $8,000. Traffic violations — from speeding tickets to driving without a license — also go through the County Court.
Federal cases related to Lee County are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Fort Myers Division). Federal case searches are available through the PACER system.
Information about the location and contacts of Lee County courts can be found on the Florida Courts page.
Lee Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week is published on the official Twentieth Judicial Circuit website. There are judges' calendars indicating the type of case, case number, time, and courtroom.
To find a specific hearing:
- Go to the 20th Judicial Circuit website
- Select the Court Calendars section
- Choose "Lee County" and the desired judge or type of case
- Specify the date or date range
Calendars are updated daily, but schedule changes may occur at the last minute. If you need confirmation of a specific hearing, call the clerk's office of the respective court department.
For legal research, the Lee County Law Library, located in the Justice Center, is also available.
How to Get a Copy of a Lee Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Lee County Clerk of Court. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for review and personal use
- Certified copy — has the official seal of the clerk and is legally significant; required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures
Ways to Obtain
- In person — visit the Clerk of Court office in the Lee County Justice Center. Bring the case number or the full name of the party to expedite the search.
- By mail — send a written request specifying the case number, type of document, number of copies, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online — some documents can be viewed through the clerk's electronic system. Some documents are available for download, others require a separate request.
Mailing address for requests:
Divorce records can also be obtained through the Lee County Health Department (divorce certificates) or directly from the court case through the clerk.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed and expunged records are not public. According to the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), most court records are public, but the law provides specific exceptions.
Lee Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and searches of court documents are established by Florida state law (Florida Statutes § 28.24). Below are the main rates applied by the Lee County Clerk of Court:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (per name, per name) | $2.00 |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document |
| Copy of court judgment or order (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of court judgment | $2.00 (plus copying cost) |
Payment is accepted in cash, money order, or check payable to "Lee County Clerk of Court." In-person requests usually also accept credit and debit cards. Confirm acceptable payment methods for mail requests.
If you need an arrest report or other law enforcement document, contact the Lee County Sheriff's Records Department — their fees may differ from those of the Clerk of Court. For arrest and booking record searches, use the arrest search portal on the sheriff's website.