Criminal records in Levy County, Florida, are generally public according to Section 119.01 of the Florida Statutes. LevyCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through official state court systems, the office of the county court clerk, and law enforcement agencies. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in Levy County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Levy
There are several ways to find criminal records in the county. Each is suitable for different situations—from a quick online check to an official written request.
Online Search
- LevyCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information about county court criminal cases. You will need the person's full name or case number for the search.
- Clerk's Electronic Access Portal — Electronic Court & Records Access on the Levy County Clerk of the Circuit Court website provides access to the court records library. You must read and accept the terms of use before starting your search.
- Official Clerk Records — documents registered in the county are available through the Official Records section.
- Florida State Courts — the Florida Courts portal allows searching for appellate and Supreme Court decisions. For appellate cases, use the Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS).
- Federal Court — Levy County is part of the Northern District of Florida (Gainesville Division). Search for federal criminal cases through the PACER system.
What You Need for the Search
- Full first and last name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number — the most accurate way to search
In-Person Visit
The county court clerk accepts visitors at the courthouse in Bronson. There are public terminals for searching court records. Address:
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be sent by mail to the court clerk's office at the address above. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and case number (if any). For a state-level criminal history check, the request is submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Search Levy Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most reliable way to find a specific record. In Florida, case numbers have a standardized format that provides information about the case even before it is opened.
The typical structure of a case number in Florida:
- Year — two digits of the filing year (e.g., 24 for the year 2024)
- Case Type — an alphabetical code indicating the category. The most common for criminal cases:
- CF — felony (Circuit Criminal Felony)
- MM — misdemeanor (County Criminal Misdemeanor)
- CT — traffic violations (County Traffic)
- CJ — juvenile cases
- Sequential Number — a consecutive registration number
For example, the number 2024-CF-000123 means: a felony registered in 2024 with the sequential number 123. Enter this number into the search field of the court clerk's portal to get full information about the case.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Levy
Each criminal case record contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Florida Statutes (e.g., §893.13 — drugs) |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the charges during the proceedings — the new charge replaces the previous one |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is under consideration
- Active — open, hearings scheduled
- Disposed — a decision has been made (verdict, closure, etc.)
- Closed — the case is fully completed, all obligations fulfilled
Types of Hearings
In Levy County criminal cases, the following hearings typically occur:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough basis to proceed with the case
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussion between the parties before the trial
- Sentencing — announcement of the sentence after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted — guilt not proven |
| Dismissed | The case is closed by the prosecutor or court without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Withheld Adjudication | The judge refrained from a formal finding of guilt — this is not a conviction in the classical sense |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Levy
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, immigration, licensing. A regular printout from the internet does not have legal force.
Where to Apply
The main body issuing certified copies of court records is the Levy County Clerk of the Circuit Court. For a complete state-level criminal history, contact the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement).
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the court clerk's office at the address below. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and purpose of the request. Include a copy of the ID and a check or money order for the appropriate fees.
- Online — check the Public Records section on the clerk's website to learn about available electronic requests.
For FDLE requests, you need to fill out the appropriate form and provide fingerprints if it involves a complete background check.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Levy
Fees for copies and certification of records in Florida are regulated by Section 28.24 of the Florida Statutes. Specific amounts may vary depending on the type of document.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 for the first pages; $0.15 for each subsequent (according to §28.24, F.S.) |
| Certification | $2.00 per document (in addition to the cost of copies) |
| Search fee | $2.00 per name per year of search |
| Background check through FDLE | Depends on the type of check; electronic checks usually cost from $24.00 |
Processing Times
- In Person — simple copies are usually issued the same day or the next business day
- By Mail — processing may take from 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of the request
- Check through FDLE — electronic results are received within a few business days; fingerprint requests may take longer
Check the current fees directly with the clerk's office, as amounts may change.