Orlando City criminal records are public court documents that show every criminal case filed in Orange County, Florida. These records cover felony cases, misdemeanor cases, traffic criminal offenses, and court dispositions handled by the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court.
Anyone can look up Orlando criminal case information through the Orange County Clerk of Courts online portal, the Sheriff’s Office inmate search, or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement statewide database. This page explains exactly how to find these records, what each search tool shows, how much it costs, and which records stay private under Florida law.
What Are Orlando City Criminal Records?
Orlando City criminal records are official court files that document every criminal charge, hearing, plea, and sentence issued in Orange County. The records include cases filed in both the Circuit Court and County Court. Circuit Court handles felony charges and more serious offenses. County Court handles misdemeanor charges and lesser criminal violations. These records show the defendant name, the charges filed, the case number, attorney details, hearing dates, and final outcomes.
Types of Criminal Records Held in Orange County
The Orange County court system keeps several types of criminal records that the public can request. Each type of record serves a different legal or personal purpose.
- Felony case records for serious crimes like burglary, drug trafficking, and aggravated assault
- Misdemeanor case records for lesser offenses like simple battery, petit theft, and DUI
- Criminal traffic records for offenses like reckless driving and driving with a suspended license
- Warrant records showing active arrest warrants issued by Orange County judges
- Bond records showing how defendants posted release after arrest
- Disposition records showing final case outcomes like convictions, dismissals, or acquittals
Agencies That Maintain Orlando Criminal Court Files
Three main agencies keep Orlando criminal court files. Each agency handles a different part of the criminal justice process. Knowing which agency holds which record helps you search in the right place.
- The Orange County Clerk of Courts holds all court case files and dockets
- The Orange County Sheriff’s Office holds arrest records, inmate records, and incident reports
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement holds statewide criminal history records through the CCH database
How to Search Orlando City Criminal Records Online
You can search Orlando criminal records online without visiting any government office. Florida law gives the public free or low-cost access to most court records through official websites. The three main online search tools are the Orange County Clerk portal, the FDLE CCHInet system, and the Sheriff’s Office inmate lookup.
Orange County Clerk of Courts Online Search Portal
The Orange County Clerk of Courts runs the official online records portal at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com. This portal lets you search Orlando criminal case information by name, case number, citation number, or date range. The portal works twenty-four hours a day from any computer or smartphone. Basic case information is free to view. You can see charges filed, hearing dates, court actions, and case dispositions for both felony and misdemeanor cases.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Statewide Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs the CCHInet system at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. This system searches criminal history records for all Florida counties, including Orange County. FDLE charges a fee for each name search. The search returns arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences reported by Florida law enforcement agencies.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office runs a free inmate search at ocso.com. This search shows people currently held in the Orange County jail. You can see booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and release dates. The inmate search updates regularly throughout the day as new bookings and releases occur.
Using the Orange County Clerk of Courts Portal
The myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com portal is the most complete source for Orlando criminal case records. It pulls live data from the official court case management system. The portal covers all criminal divisions of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court and Orange County Court.
Search Options Available on the Clerk Portal
The Clerk portal gives you several search options depending on the information you already have. Each search method works best for a different situation. Pick the method that matches the details you know about the person or case.
- Name search when you know the full legal name of the defendant
- Case number search when you have the official court case number
- Citation number search for traffic criminal and county ordinance cases
- Date range search to find all cases filed during a specific time period
- Attorney search to find all cases where a specific lawyer appeared
Information Returned by the Clerk Portal Search
A successful search on the Clerk portal returns a detailed case record. The record includes the defendant’s full name, date of birth, charges filed, attorney information, court division, scheduled hearings, and the final case status. You can also view the case docket which lists every filing and court action in chronological order.
Viewing Case Documents and Court Filings
Once you find a case on the Clerk portal, you can open individual documents filed in that case. Documents include arrest affidavits, charging documents, motions, court orders, and sentencing paperwork. Some documents are free to view online. Printed certified copies cost extra based on Florida statutory fee schedules.
Step-by-Step Guide to Run an Orlando Criminal Case Search
Running an Orlando criminal case search takes only a few minutes when you follow the right steps. The Clerk portal is designed for public users with no legal training. Below is the exact process to find criminal records online.
- Open a web browser and go to myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com
- Click on “Court Records Search” or the public search link
- Choose whether you want to search by name, case number, or citation
- Type the full legal name with first, middle, and last spelling
- Enter the date of birth if you know it to narrow the results
- Press the search button and review the list of matching cases
- Click on a specific case to open the full case detail page
- Review charges, hearing dates, and disposition information
Orange County Florida Felony and Misdemeanor Case Records
Orange County handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases through two separate court divisions. Each division keeps its own set of records that the public can search. Understanding the difference between felony and misdemeanor courts helps you know which search filter to use on the Clerk portal.
Felony Case Records in Orange County
Felony case records cover serious criminal charges that carry a potential state prison sentence. These cases are heard in the Circuit Court division of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Felony records include charges like murder, robbery, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, and white-collar crimes. The Clerk portal shows felony case numbers in a specific format that starts with the year and a sequence number.
Misdemeanor Case Records in Orange County
Misdemeanor case records cover lesser criminal charges heard in County Court. These charges include simple battery, petit theft, DUI first offense, criminal mischief, and minor drug possession. Misdemeanor records also include criminal traffic offenses like reckless driving. The Clerk portal lists misdemeanor cases separately from felony cases so you can filter the results by case type.
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Coverage Area
The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court covers Orange and Osceola counties. In Orange County, the court operates through the main courthouse in downtown Orlando and satellite courthouse locations. All Ninth Judicial Circuit criminal records for Orange County appear in the same Clerk portal database. The portal does not separate cases by courthouse location, only by case type and division.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Records
When you need a complete Florida criminal history for someone, you need to search the statewide database. The local Clerk portal only shows Orange County cases. Statewide searches pull records from every Florida county and state law enforcement agency.
FDLE Computerized Criminal History (CCH) Database
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database through the CCHInet portal. This database collects arrest and disposition records from every Florida county. A CCH search returns arrests, charges, court outcomes, and state prison sentences from all Florida jurisdictions.
| Search Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Search Cost | $24 per name search plus $1 processing fee |
| Required Information | Full legal name and date of birth |
| Optional Information | Social Security Number, race, sex for accuracy |
| Result Delivery | Instant online results after payment |
| Search Coverage | All Florida counties and state agencies |
| Record Exclusions | Federal arrests, out-of-state arrests, sealed records |
Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) runs a free offender search at fdc.myflorida.com. This search shows people currently in state prison or under community supervision after release. You can see the offender’s current location, sentence length, release date, and offense details. This search only covers people sentenced to state prison, not people serving time in county jail.
How to Seal or Expunge an Orlando Criminal Record
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge their criminal records under specific conditions. Sealing hides the record from most public searches. Expungement physically destroys the record held by some agencies. The Orange County Clerk portal will not show sealed or expunged records in public search results.
Eligibility Rules for Record Sealing in Florida
Not every criminal record qualifies for sealing or expungement. Florida law blocks certain charges from eligibility. Violent crimes, sex offenses, and crimes against children cannot be sealed. You also cannot have any prior sealing or expungement on your record to qualify.
- You completed all sentence terms including probation
- You have no pending criminal charges anywhere in Florida
- You were not adjudicated guilty for certain disqualifying offenses
- The charge was dismissed, dropped, or resulted in a withhold of adjudication
- You have not already received a sealing or expungement in the past
Steps to Seal or Expunge an Orange County Record
The sealing or expungement process starts with FDLE and ends with an Orange County court order. You must follow each step in order. Missing a step or filing in the wrong court will delay your petition.
- Apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility using form provided on the FDLE website
- Pay the $75 non-refundable application fee to FDLE
- Wait approximately twelve weeks for FDLE to process your application
- Receive the Certificate of Eligibility valid for twelve months from issue date
- File a petition with the Orange County Clerk of Courts in the original case division
- Pay the Orange County filing fee set by Florida statute
- Attend the court hearing if the judge schedules one
- Receive the signed court order sealing or expunging your record
Certificate of Eligibility Requirements from FDLE
FDLE issues the Certificate of Eligibility only after reviewing your criminal history. The certificate confirms you meet the statutory requirements for sealing or expungement. You must complete the FDLE application fully with certified court documents showing the case outcome. The application must include a certified copy of the disposition for the charge you want to seal.
Public Access Laws for Florida Criminal Records
Florida has strong public records laws that give citizens broad access to government documents. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes creates this right. Orange County criminal records fall under this law unless a specific statute exempts them.
Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119)
The Florida Public Records Act gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records. You do not need to explain why you want the records. You do not need to show identification. The government agency must provide access promptly during business hours. Orange County criminal court records are public records under Chapter 119 unless a specific exemption applies.
Records Exempt from Public Disclosure
Some criminal records are exempt from public view under Florida law. The Clerk portal hides these records from public searches automatically. The Sheriff’s Office also redacts exempt information from public records requests.
- Sealed records removed from public view by court order
- Expunged records destroyed by court order
- Active criminal investigation records
- Juvenile criminal records with specific statutory protections
- Victim personal information redacted for safety
- Informant identities protected by law enforcement
Costs and Fees for Orlando Criminal Records
Most Orlando criminal records are free to view online. You only pay when you need certified copies, printed documents, or statewide background checks. The fee amounts are set by Florida statute and apply statewide.
Online Search Costs
The Orange County Clerk portal charges nothing for basic case searches. The Sheriff’s Office inmate search is also free. FDLE charges for statewide criminal history searches through the CCHInet system. Florida Department of Corrections offender search is free for all users.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies of court documents cost a fee set by Florida law. The fee covers the cost of producing a sealed certified copy with an official stamp and signature. The Clerk’s office charges the standard statutory rate per page plus a certification fee. Certified copies are accepted by courts, government agencies, and employers as official documents.
FDLE Search Fees
FDLE charges $24 for each name search through CCHInet. Credit card processing adds a $1 fee for each transaction. The total cost per search is $25. FDLE also charges for fingerprint-based background checks that require an appointment at an approved livescan location.
How to Request Orlando Criminal Records in Person
Some records require an in-person visit to the Clerk’s office or Sheriff’s Office. Certified copies, sealed records access, and certain document types are only available through in-person requests. In-person visits also work when you need help from staff to locate a specific record.
Orange County Clerk of Courts Office Location and Hours
The Orange County Clerk of Courts main criminal division office is located at 425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on weekends and federal holidays. The office phone number is 407-836-2000. You can call ahead to confirm fees, document availability, and wait times before your visit.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Location and Hours
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office headquarters is at 2500 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32804. The records office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Sheriff’s Office main phone number is 407-254-7000. The records desk handles arrest reports, incident reports, and criminal background check requests.
What to Bring for In-Person Records Requests
When you visit in person, bring proper identification and any case details you already have. Case numbers or full legal names speed up the search process. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card. Some offices do not accept cash for certain fees so call ahead to confirm accepted payment types.
- Valid government-issued photo identification
- Full legal name and date of birth of the person you are searching
- Case number if available
- Payment for any copy or certification fees
- Written request form if the agency requires one
Common Mistakes When Searching Orlando Criminal Records
People make common mistakes that lead to incomplete or wrong search results. Knowing these mistakes ahead of time saves time and frustration when searching the Clerk portal or FDLE database.
Name Spelling Errors and Database Mismatches
Spelling errors are the most common reason searches return no results. The Clerk portal matches names exactly as they appear in court filings. Middle names, suffixes, and hyphenated names must match the official court record. Try different spelling variations if your first search returns nothing.
Confusing Court Records with Arrest Records
Court records and arrest records are different documents stored in different places. Court records show charges filed and case outcomes. Arrest records show the arrest event itself. A person can have an arrest record without a court case if the State Attorney dropped the charges.
Missing Sealed or Expunged Records in Searches
Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public search results. A clean search result does not prove the person has no criminal history. They may have sealed records from past cases. Only a fingerprint-based FDLE check can show sealed records through authorized channels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orlando City Criminal Records
The questions below cover the most common concerns people have when searching Orlando criminal court records. Each answer gives specific details about the search process, the law, and the records available. Review these questions before running your own search to save time.
How Do I Find Out If Someone Has a Warrant in Orange County?
You can check for active Orange County warrants through the Orange County Sheriff’s Office online warrant search. The Sheriff’s Office maintains a public list of active warrants at ocso.com. You can search by name to see if the Sheriff’s Office has an active warrant for someone’s arrest. The Clerk portal also shows pending cases that may indicate an active warrant. Court clerks can confirm warrant status by phone if you provide a case number. Active warrants remain in the system until the person is arrested or the court recalls the warrant.
Are Orlando Criminal Records Free to View?
Yes. Basic Orlando criminal case records are free to view on the Orange County Clerk of Courts online portal. The Clerk portal does not charge a fee to search by name or view case details. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office inmate search is also free. You only pay fees when you need certified copies, printed documents, or statewide FDLE background checks. The fees charged by FDLE and certified copy fees are set by Florida statute and apply statewide.
Can I Remove My Criminal Record from the Orange County Clerk Portal?
You can remove your record from public view only through the legal sealing or expungement process. You must first apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. After receiving the certificate, you file a petition with the Orange County court. A judge must approve the petition before the Clerk removes the record from public search results. The process takes several months and requires filing fees. You cannot edit or remove records yourself through the online portal.
What Is the Difference Between an Arrest Record and a Court Record?
An arrest record documents the arrest event itself, including the arrest date, location, arresting officer, and initial charges. The Sheriff’s Office creates arrest records at the time of booking. A court record documents the legal case after charges are filed by the State Attorney. The Clerk of Courts creates court records. A person can have an arrest record without a court record if charges were never filed. A court record always follows a filed charge.
How Long Do Orange County Keep Criminal Records?
Orange County keeps criminal records permanently unless the court orders sealing or expungement. Felony records stay in the system for the lifetime of the defendant. Misdemeanor records also remain permanently unless sealed. Even dismissed cases stay on the public record unless removed through expungement. Archived paper records get digitized and remain searchable in the Clerk portal for decades.
Do Out-of-State Arrests Show Up in Orange County Records?
No. The Orange County Clerk portal only shows cases filed in Orange County courts. Out-of-state arrests do not appear in the local portal. To find out-of-state criminal history, you need to run a search through the FBI National Crime Information Center or the state where the arrest occurred. FDLE’s CCHInet only shows Florida arrests, not out-of-state records. For a true nationwide background check, you need an FBI fingerprint-based search.
Can Employers Use These Records for Background Checks?
Yes. Florida employers commonly use these records for pre-employment background checks. The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs how employers use background check results. Employers must follow federal and state rules when using criminal records for hiring decisions. Some employers run FDLE statewide searches. Others pull records directly from the Clerk portal. The records are public, but employers must apply them consistently and follow all anti-discrimination laws.