Palm Bay City Court Docket records list every case, hearing, and order tied to court actions in Palm Bay, Florida. The city falls under Brevard County court rules.
All Palm Bay court cases go through the Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court. This clerk serves the 18th Judicial Circuit. The circuit covers Brevard and Seminole counties.
The docket tells you what case is open, who the parties are, and what step the case is on next. You can check hearing dates, motion filings, judgments, and trial schedules. Most Palm Bay docket data sits in a public computer system. Florida law opens these records to the public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
How the Palm Bay Court System Works
Palm Bay has no standalone city courthouse. The city sits in Brevard County, so all cases go to county courthouses. The closest courthouse to Palm Bay is the Melbourne Courthouse. Two more locations sit in Viera and Titusville. The Moore Justice Center in Viera handles many criminal and civil hearings. The Titusville Courthouse sits in the county seat.
Brevard County courts split into two main levels. County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, and civil disputes under $50,000. Circuit Court handles felonies, family law, probate, juvenile cases, and civil disputes over $50,000. Each level creates its own docket entries. The Brevard Clerk keeps both dockets in one system.
Who Maintains the Palm Bay City Court Docket
The Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all court records for Palm Bay. The clerk is an elected office. The clerk’s office files new cases, sets hearing dates, and issues orders. Every step creates a docket entry. The clerk’s office issues certified copies of court records too.
Florida Statute Chapter 28 sets the duties of the county clerk. These duties include keeping court files, indexing cases, and providing public access. The Brevard Clerk’s office employs staff at four branch locations. Staff help walk-in customers and answer phone calls during business hours.
BECA: The Main Online Docket Search Tool
BECA stands for Brevard Electronic Court Application. It is the main online portal for searching Palm Bay court docket data. The portal replaced the older eFACTS program. The BECA system shows case type, parties, filing dates, and docket events.
You can start a search on the Brevard County case search page at brevardclerk.us/case-search. The portal runs 24 hours a day. Basic searches cost nothing. You only pay if you want to view or print full document images. Some subscription fees apply for full case document access.
The BECA case search screen for Palm Bay court docket records shows up at the official Brevard Clerk website. The screen lets you pick a search type. Search types include name, case number, citation number, and party type. You can filter by case type and filing date.
BECA searches work by name, case number, or party type. You can filter by case type. Case types include civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate. You can filter by filing date. The system shows a list of matching cases. Click a case to see the full docket sheet.
AcclaimWeb: Advanced Docket Search
AcclaimWeb is a second portal run by the Brevard Clerk. This portal gives deeper search options for the Palm Bay court docket. AcclaimWeb links to the same BECA database. The portal adds more search fields. These include attorney bar number, judge name, and case status.
You can access AcclaimWeb at vaclmweb1.brevardclerk.us/AcclaimWeb. You do not need an account for basic searches. Attorneys and registered users get more access. Registered users can see sealed portions of public case files. The AcclaimWeb portal for Palm Bay court docket searches shows the full event history of each case.
The Brevard Clerk homepage for Palm Bay court docket access sits at brevardclerk.us. The homepage links to BECA, AcclaimWeb, E-Filing, and records requests. You can reach all online services from one page.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal handles online document filings. This statewide portal works for all Florida counties, including Brevard. You file new court papers through this portal. The portal sends the filing to the Brevard Clerk for processing.
Over 770,000 user accounts exist on the E-Filing Portal. The portal runs around the clock. You must create an account before you can file. Self-represented filers can use the portal without a lawyer. The portal shows the case number once the clerk accepts the filing.
Types of Cases in the Palm Bay City Court Docket
Many case types appear in the Palm Bay docket. The most common are civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate cases. Each case type has its own docket format. Each case type has its own court division too. The Brevard Clerk keeps all case types in one online system.
Civil Court Docket
The Palm Bay civil court docket covers contract disputes, property claims, personal injury, and foreclosure. Civil cases under $50,000 go to County Court. Civil cases over $50,000 go to Circuit Court. The docket shows complaint filings, answer dates, motion deadlines, and trial settings.
Civil docket entries include service of process, discovery deadlines, and settlement conferences. You can see the status of each filing. You can see the judge assigned to the case. Civil cases in Palm Bay often run for months. The docket tracks each step in the timeline.
Criminal and Felony Court Docket
The Palm Bay criminal court docket covers misdemeanor and felony cases. Misdemeanors go through County Court. Felonies go through Circuit Court. The docket shows arrest dates, charge filings, arraignment dates, plea entries, and sentencing.
Criminal docket entries include bond hearings, pretrial motions, and trial dates. You can see the charges, plea status, and next court event. Felony cases can take a year or more to resolve. The docket gives a clear record of each step. Sealed records stay out of public view per Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Traffic and Misdemeanor Court Docket
The Palm Bay traffic court docket covers moving violations, driving under suspension, and DUI first offenses. These cases sit in County Court. The docket shows the citation date, the charge, and the court date. Many traffic cases end with a fine or a driving school order.
Misdemeanor docket entries include petit theft, simple battery, and trespass. The docket tracks first appearances, plea dates, and trial settings. You can see probation terms and court costs. Traffic school completions show on the docket too.
Family and Probate Court Docket
The Palm Bay family court docket covers divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence. Family cases sit in Circuit Court. The docket shows petition filings, service dates, mediation, and final hearing dates. Many family filings stay sealed by Florida law.
The probate docket covers wills, estates, and guardianship. Probate cases sit in Circuit Court. The docket shows the petition for probate, the will filing, and the appointment of a personal representative. Creditor claims and final distribution show on the docket too.
Small Claims Court Docket
The Palm Bay small claims docket covers disputes up to $8,000. These cases sit in County Court. Common small claims cases include unpaid rent, security deposit issues, and small contract disputes. The docket shows the claim filing, the response date, and the trial date.
Small claims trials run without a jury. The judge hears both sides and issues a ruling on the trial date. The docket shows the judgment entry and any appeal filings. Small claims docket entries are simple and short. Most cases resolve in one or two hearings.
Court Appearances on the Palm Bay Docket
Court appearances show up on the docket at every stage of a case. The first appearance is the arraignment. The defendant enters a plea at the arraignment. The next appearance is often a pretrial conference. The judge checks the case status and sets deadlines.
Other docket events include motion hearings, status conferences, settlement conferences, and trials. Sentencing shows up after a guilty plea or trial verdict. The docket shows probation review hearings too. Each event lists the date, time, and court room number.
You can see the daily docket list online. The Brevard Clerk posts the court calendar each business day. The list shows every case with a hearing on that day. You can search by judge, by court division, or by case type. The calendar updates throughout the day.
Searching the Palm Bay Court Docket by Case Number
A case number is the fastest way to find a docket entry. Each case has a unique number. The number starts with the year, court level, and case type code. For example, a 2024 felony case might start with 05-2024-CF-012345. The Brevard Clerk assigns the number when the case is filed.
Type the full case number into the BECA search box. The portal will pull up the case record. You will see the case summary and the full docket. You can click each docket entry to see the full document image. Document images need a paid subscription for most case types.
If you do not know the case number, you can search by name. Type the last name of a party. The portal will show all matching cases. You can filter by first name and date of birth. Name searches work for plaintiffs, defendants, and attorneys on the case.
Courthouse Locations Near Palm Bay
Three Brevard County courthouses serve Palm Bay residents. The Melbourne Courthouse sits closest. The Moore Justice Center sits in Viera. The Titusville Courthouse sits in the county seat. Each location handles different case types.
The Melbourne Courthouse address is 51 South Nieman Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901. This location handles many civil, criminal, and family hearings. The Moore Justice Center sits at 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. The Titusville Courthouse sits at 506 South Palm Avenue, Titusville, FL 32796.
A Palm Bay Branch Office exists too. The Palm Bay office sits at 450 Cogan Drive SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. This office handles some clerk services. The office closes daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Branch office services include records requests and document filing.
| Courthouse | Address | Main Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Courthouse | 51 S. Nieman Ave, Melbourne, FL 32901 | (321) 637-5413 |
| Moore Justice Center | 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940 | (321) 637-5413 |
| Titusville Courthouse | 506 S. Palm Ave, Titusville, FL 32796 | (321) 637-5413 |
| Palm Bay Branch Office | 450 Cogan Drive SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909 | (321) 637-5413 |
Contact, Hours, and Records Requests
You can reach the Brevard Clerk by phone, email, mail, or in person. The main phone line for docket questions is (321) 637-5413. The email for technical help is helpdesk@brevardclerk.us. The email for general comments is webmaster@brevardclerk.us. Under Florida law, email addresses to government offices are public records.
Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Most courthouse offices close for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The clerk’s office follows Brevard County holidays. Holiday closures include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Public records requests follow Florida Statute Chapter 119. You can request records online, by mail, or in person. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Some records searches carry a per-page copy fee. The clerk’s office posts the current fee schedule on the Brevard Clerk website.
Rules That Control Public Access to the Docket
Florida law controls who can see court records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes opens most records to the public. Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration lists the records that stay sealed. Sealed records include juvenile delinquency, mental health, and certain family filings.
Administrative Order AOSC24-65 from the Florida Supreme Court sets rules for electronic access. The public can see case numbers, party names, and docket entries. Attorneys and registered users get deeper access to documents in their own cases. The order lists the document types that stay restricted from public view.
Expunged records stay out of public view too. An expungement order removes a case from public search. You can check the case status by contacting the clerk’s office. The clerk’s office confirms an expungement or seal before releasing any data.
Appellate Court Docket Records
Appeals from Palm Bay cases go to the Fifth District Court of Appeal. The 18th Circuit falls under the Fifth DCA. You can search appellate dockets through the ACIS portal at acis.flcourts.gov. The ACIS portal lets you search by case number, party name, or lower court case number.
Appellate docket entries show briefs, motions, oral argument dates, and rulings. You do not need an account to search ACIS. The portal shows the case history and current status. Appellate cases can take many months to resolve. The docket gives a full timeline of each step.
MyFloridaCounty Official Records Portal
The MyFloridaCounty portal holds official records for Brevard County. The official records index goes back to January 1, 1981. Official records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. You can search by name, recording date, or document type.
You can access the portal at myfloridacounty.com/official_records. The portal shows document images for a small fee. You can pay by credit card. The portal works for all 67 Florida counties, including Brevard. You can search the statewide records network through the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website at flclerks.com.
Official Contact Information
The Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the main office for all Palm Bay court docket records. The official website is www.brevardclerk.us. The main phone line is (321) 637-5413. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Melbourne Courthouse address is 51 South Nieman Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901. The Palm Bay Branch Office sits at 450 Cogan Drive SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. The Palm Bay office closes daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Technical support email is helpdesk@brevardclerk.us. Public records requests can be sent through the online form on the Brevard Clerk website.
Common Questions About Palm Bay City Court Docket
People search the Palm Bay court docket for many reasons. You may need to check a court date, a case status, or a judgment. You may need to look up a party on a case. The following answers cover the most common questions. Each answer gives clear steps and direct facts.
How do I search the Palm Bay City Court Docket by name?
You can search the Palm Bay City Court Docket by name using the BECA portal on the Brevard Clerk website. Open brevardclerk.us and click the case search link. Type the last name of the person on the case into the search box. Add a first name to narrow the search. You can also filter by date of birth, case type, and filing year. The portal returns a list of matching cases. Click any case to see the full docket sheet. The docket sheet shows every filing, hearing, and order. You can print or save the result as a PDF. The basic name search is free. Document images need a paid subscription. Name searches work for plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, and witnesses on the case. The BECA portal tracks businesses and government agencies named in cases too. If the search returns no results, try a different spelling or use a wildcard search. The portal covers current and closed cases going back many years. Closed cases stay in the system for public view unless a court sealed or expunged them. Juvenile cases stay hidden by default. You can call the clerk’s office at (321) 637-5413 for help with a name search.
What is the difference between civil, criminal, and traffic cases in the Palm Bay docket?
Civil cases involve disputes between private parties in the Palm Bay court system. Common civil cases include contract claims, property disputes, and personal injury lawsuits. Criminal cases involve charges brought by the state against a person. Common criminal cases include theft, assault, battery, and drug charges. Traffic cases involve moving violations and citations. Traffic cases sit in County Court and often carry fines plus points on a driving record. Civil and criminal cases follow different court rules and procedures. Civil cases need a lower proof standard called preponderance of the evidence. Criminal cases need proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The docket format is the same for all three case types. You can tell the case type by the docket code at the top of each entry. Civil codes start with “CC” for county civil or “SC” for small claims. Criminal codes start with “CF” for circuit felony or “MM” for county misdemeanor. Traffic codes start with “TR” for traffic or “CT” for criminal traffic. Each case type sits in a different court division. The Brevard Clerk handles all three types in the same online portal.
Can I see sealed or expunged records on the Palm Bay docket?
No. Sealed and expunged records stay out of public view on the Palm Bay docket. Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration lists the records that stay sealed. Sealed records include juvenile delinquency cases, mental health cases, and certain family law filings. Expunged records stay hidden from public search results too. An expungement order removes a case from the public search portal. The clerk’s office confirms any seal or expungement before releasing any data. A sealed case may still show in a name search, but the docket details stay hidden from view. You must have a court order to view a sealed record. Only the parties named in the order can see the data. The clerk’s office can tell you if a record is sealed. You must show valid photo ID and a legal reason to view sealed data. Some sealed records are available to law enforcement, attorneys of record, and the parties named in the case. You can file a motion to unseal a record in some cases. The judge reviews the motion and decides based on the facts.
How much does a certified copy of a Palm Bay court record cost?
Certified copies of Palm Bay court records cost more than plain copies. The Brevard Clerk posts the current fee schedule on the official website. As of 2026, a certified copy costs a set fee per document. Plain copies cost a lower fee per page. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Credit card payments carry a small processing fee for each transaction. You can order certified copies in person, by mail, or online. Mail requests must include payment plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. Online requests go through the BECA portal. The portal accepts credit card payments through a secure checkout. The clerk’s office mails the certified copy after the payment clears the bank. Walk-in requests get the copy the same day in most cases. Certified copies carry the clerk’s raised seal and a signature. The seal makes the copy valid for legal use in other courts and government agencies. Some record types carry higher fees, such as archived records or large document orders. You can call the clerk’s office for the exact fee before you place an order.
What should I do if I miss a court date on the Palm Bay docket?
Missing a court date on the Palm Bay docket carries serious risk. The court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest in a criminal case. The court may enter a default judgment against you in a civil case. A default judgment means you lose the case by default. You should act fast after missing a court date. Contact the clerk’s office and your lawyer, if you have one. File a written motion to set aside the order. Explain the reason for missing the date in the motion. Show proof of the reason if you can. The judge reviews the motion and sets a new hearing date. The court may or may not grant the motion to set aside. The court looks at the reason, the facts, and the impact on the other side. You can check the docket for any new entries after the missed date. The docket shows the new order, the warrant, or the judgment entered against you. You can also contact the public defender’s office if you cannot afford a lawyer. A traffic case may carry a license suspension if you miss the court date. A criminal case may add new charges for failure to appear.
How do I identify the judge on a Palm Bay case?
You can locate the judge on a Palm Bay case through the BECA portal. Open the case record and scroll to the case summary at the top. The summary shows the assigned judge name. The summary shows the court division, the filing date, and the case status too. The judge name appears at the top of the docket sheet. The name updates if the case moves to a new judge for any reason. You can call the clerk’s office to ask about the judge. The clerk’s office can give you the judge name by case number. The clerk’s office can also give you the court room number for the next hearing. The court calendar lists the judge for each hearing on the daily docket. The daily calendar posts online each business day. You can also watch the court calendar at the courthouse on a public screen. Some hearings sit before a magistrate rather than a judge. The docket shows the magistrate name when a magistrate handles the case. You can also see the judge’s history on prior cases in the same portal.
Can I attend a Palm Bay court hearing without being a party to the case?
Yes. Most Palm Bay court hearings are open to the public. You can sit in the gallery and watch the proceeding. Florida court rules grant public access to most hearings as a rule. Sealed hearings stay closed to the public. Juvenile hearings stay closed by law too. Family law hearings may close in part for privacy. You must follow courtroom rules when you attend. You cannot record audio or video without court approval. You cannot disrupt the proceeding in any way. You must turn off your phone before you enter. You must remain silent during the hearing. The judge may ask you to leave if you break the rules. Public access helps the court system stay open and fair. You can check the hearing date and time on the daily docket. The docket shows the court room and the judge for each hearing. You can also see the case type on the docket. Most hearings run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. You can attend a hearing at the Melbourne Courthouse, Moore Justice Center, or Titusville Courthouse.