Criminal records in Sarasota County, Florida, are generally public according to the state's public records law. SarasotaCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, records are accessible through official court systems, the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office, and law enforcement agencies — including ClerkNet and the Sheriff's arrest database.
How to Search Criminal Records in Sarasota
Start your search at SarasotaCourt.us — enter the individual's first and last name to view publicly available information about criminal cases in the county.
Online Tools
- ClerkNet 3.0 — the system of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Sarasota County. Through ClerkNet, you can search court cases by name or case number, view charge details, and case status.
- Arrest and Inmate Search — the Sheriff's tool shows recent arrests, booking information, and current detention in the county jail.
- Who's in Jail? — a separate section on the Sheriff's website: Who's in Jail? displays a current list of inmates.
- Florida Courts Portal — Florida Courts allows you to find the nearest court and access resources of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which includes Sarasota.
- FDLE — the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a registry of sexual offenders and a wanted persons database with arrest warrants statewide.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of the Court's office in the Sarasota courthouse. Public access terminals allow you to search cases for free. You can also speak directly to a staff member at the counter.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Sarasota Clerk of the Circuit Court, including the individual's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to FDLE with fingerprints.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full first and last name of the individual (name in Latin script)
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Sarasota Criminal Cases by Case Number
Florida courts use a standardized case number format. Each part of the number carries specific information.
Typical format: 2024-CF-012345
| Element | Value | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Year | The year the case was opened | 2024 |
| Case Type | Case category code | CF — Circuit Felony |
| Sequential Number | Unique case number within the year | 012345 |
Common criminal case type codes:
- CF — felony, handled by the circuit court
- MM — misdemeanor, handled by the county court
- CT — criminal traffic violations
- MO — municipal ordinance violations
If you know the case number, enter it in the appropriate field in ClerkNet — the system will return an exact result without the need to filter by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Sarasota
Charges
Each charge in a case includes a reference to the Florida Statutes, the degree of severity, and a description. The State Attorney may change the charges after the initial arrest — this is reflected as an amended charge.
| Severity | Description |
|---|---|
| Felony (1st–3rd degree) | Serious crimes: from third degree (up to 5 years) to first degree (up to 30 years or life) |
| Misdemeanor (1st–2nd degree) | Less serious offenses: up to 1 year in county jail |
| Infraction / Ordinance Violation | Minor offenses, usually a fine without imprisonment |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all obligations fulfilled, the case is fully closed
Types of Court Hearings
Hearings are displayed in the case calendar with date, time, and courtroom:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the charges are read to the defendant
- Pre-trial conference — a meeting of the parties before the trial to discuss agreements or procedural issues
- Sentencing — the issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — a control hearing to check compliance with conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or guilty plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted by jury or judge's decision |
| Nolle Prosequi / Dismissed | The prosecutor dropped the charges or the court dismissed the case |
| Withheld Adjudication | The judge does not issue a formal conviction, even if the person pleaded guilty — a common practice in Florida that allows avoiding the status of "convicted felon" |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Sarasota
Certified copies of court documents are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Sarasota County. The Sheriff provides arrest reports, and FDLE offers an official statewide criminal history check.
How to Submit a Request
- Online — through ClerkNet 3.0, you can order certification and exemplification of documents.
- In Person — visit the Clerk's office in the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport).
- By Mail — send a written request including the case number, type of document needed, and payment in the form of a money order or cashier's check.
What You Need
- Case number or full name and date of birth
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of the certification fee
Contact Information
Sarasota Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
For a statewide criminal history check with fingerprints, contact FDLE or an authorized Livescan agency in your area.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Sarasota
Fees are set according to Florida Statutes, including §28.24.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document |
| Clerk's database search | Free through ClerkNet (viewing); copies — at additional cost |
| Criminal history check through FDLE (statewide) | Depends on the type of request; usually from $24.00 |
Processing Times
- Online search — results appear instantly.
- Certified copies (in person) — usually within the same day or the next business day.
- Mail requests — from 5 to 10 business days after receiving the request and payment.
- Criminal history check through FDLE — from several days to several weeks, depending on the type of check (electronic or fingerprint-based).
Check current fees directly with the Clerk's office or on the ClerkNet website, as amounts may change.