Martin County Court Docket records show every step in a court case filed in Martin County, Florida. The Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps these records at the courthouse in Stuart.
Anyone can search the docket online, by phone, or in person at no cost for basic lookups. The docket lists the case number, party names, attorneys, hearing dates, motions, and final orders for each case. These records stay open to the public under Florida law.
What the Martin County Court Docket Contains
The Martin County Court Docket is a running list of events for one court case. It starts when someone files a new lawsuit or the state files criminal charges. Each time a paper gets filed or a judge makes a ruling, the clerk adds a new line to the docket. The docket includes the case number, case type, division, assigned judge, filing dates, hearing dates, motions, orders, and the final outcome. The clerk updates the docket every business day. New entries appear in the system within 24 hours of filing. Lawyers, parties, judges, and the public all rely on the docket to track what happens in a case from start to finish.
Martin County Court System Structure
The Martin County court system runs through the 19th Judicial Circuit. The circuit covers four counties on Florida’s Treasure Coast: Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie. Two main court levels handle cases at the local level. The circuit court handles serious cases. The county court handles less serious cases. Both levels produce docket records the public can search through the clerk’s portal.
19th Judicial Circuit Court
The circuit court in Martin County has general jurisdiction over serious matters. The circuit court hears felony criminal cases, family law matters such as divorce and custody, probate and estate cases, juvenile delinquency, and civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute exceeds $50,000. The circuit court hears appeals from the county court and from local administrative agencies. Circuit court judges serve six-year terms. The chief judge of the 19th Circuit rotates among the four counties every two years. Each case in circuit court gets a case number that starts with a two-digit year and a case type code. For example, “DR” means domestic relations, “CF” means criminal felony, and “CP” means probate.
Martin County County Court
County court in Martin County handles less serious matters. The county court hears misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims up to $8,000, civil disputes up to $50,000, county ordinance violations, and landlord-tenant cases. County court judges handle some domestic violence injunctions at the initial stage. Each county court judge covers a specific division. The division shows up on every docket entry. County court case numbers start with a two-digit year and a code like “TR” for traffic, “MM” for misdemeanor, “CC” for civil county, or “SC” for small claims. The clerk’s portal lists all county court cases under the same search system as circuit court cases.
How to Search Martin County Court Docket Records Online
The fastest way to find a Martin County Court Docket entry is through the clerk’s online portal. The portal runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Users do not need an account for basic searches. The search returns case details, party names, attorney names, filing dates, hearing dates, and the full docket sheet. The portal works on phones, tablets, and desktop computers. Users can save PDFs of docket sheets to their own devices at no cost.
Search by Party Name
To search by name, type the last name of the plaintiff or defendant in the search box. Add the first name to narrow the results. The portal returns a list of cases that match the name. Click a case number to see the full docket sheet. The docket sheet shows all entries from the first filing to the most recent action. The search works for people, businesses, and other entities. The system handles partial name matches and returns cases with similar spellings.
Search by Case Number
Every case in Martin County has a unique case number. The format includes a two-digit year, a case type code, and a sequence number. For example, a 2024 felony case might show as CF24001234. Enter the full case number to pull up that case directly. This is the fastest way to track one specific case. The search returns the full docket sheet and all filed documents. Attorneys and parties use case number search most often to follow active cases.
Search by Filing Date
The portal lets users search by filing date. Pick a start date and an end date, then choose a case type. The system returns every case filed in that window. This helps attorneys, journalists, and researchers who need a batch of recent filings. The portal stores cases from 1987 to the present day. Older cases sit on microfilm at the courthouse. The clerk staff can pull microfilm records by request for cases filed before 1987.
Martin County Court Docket by Case Type
Martin County dockets cover many case types. Each type has a separate division and a separate set of records. The clerk’s portal sorts cases by type, so users can filter for the records they need. Here are the most common docket types and what they show in the daily record.
Martin County Criminal Docket
The criminal docket lists every felony and misdemeanor case filed in Martin County. Felonies go to circuit court. Misdemeanors go to county court. Each entry shows the charges, the arresting agency, the arraignment date, plea status, and sentencing. Public defenders and private defense attorneys file their appearances through the e-filing portal, and the docket records each entry. The criminal docket shows bond amounts, bond conditions, and pretrial hearing dates. The clerk adds new entries to the criminal docket every business day. The public can view criminal docket entries at no cost.
Martin County Civil Docket
The civil docket covers lawsuits between private parties. This includes contract disputes, personal injury claims, property damage, and debt collection. Civil cases in circuit court exceed $50,000 in dispute. Civil cases in county court fall between $5,001 and $50,000. The docket shows the cause of action, motions filed, hearings scheduled, and judgments entered. The civil docket shows jury trials, bench trials, and settlement conferences. The clerk updates civil docket entries within 24 hours of filing.
Martin County Traffic Docket
The traffic docket lists citations issued in Martin County. This includes speeding tickets, careless driving, DUI, and other infractions. Most traffic cases end in a fine or traffic school. Some traffic cases turn into criminal charges. The docket shows the citation number, the court date, and the final outcome. The traffic docket updates daily. Drivers can look up their traffic case by name or citation number through the clerk’s online portal.
Martin County Family Court Docket
The family court docket covers divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and domestic violence injunctions. These cases stay in circuit court. Family court dockets often include sensitive personal data. The clerk redacts Social Security numbers, bank account data, and the names of minor children before showing the public copy. The family court docket shows mediation dates, parenting class deadlines, and final judgment entries.
Martin County Probate Docket
The probate docket tracks wills, estates, guardianships, and trusts. Each entry shows the date the case opened, the personal representative, the inventory of assets, and the final distribution. Probate cases stay sealed for a short period after filing. They become public once the judge admits the will to probate. The probate docket shows creditor claims, accounting reports, and final discharge orders. Attorneys and family members use the probate docket to follow estate cases.
Martin County Daily Docket and Court Calendar
The Martin County daily docket shows every hearing scheduled for one business day. The clerk posts the daily docket the evening before each court day. The calendar lists the time, courtroom, case number, parties, and type of hearing. This helps attorneys, parties, and witnesses plan their day. The public can view the daily docket online or pick up a printed copy at the courthouse. The weekly docket covers the entire week. It groups cases by judge and division. The clerk updates the weekly docket every Friday afternoon for the next week. The monthly docket covers all hearings for the calendar month. Attorneys use the monthly docket to plan trial preparation and client meetings.
Martin County Court Docket Lookup Methods
People have three main ways to look up a Martin County Court Docket. Each method has its own steps and costs. The method you pick depends on what you need, how fast you need it, and whether you want paper copies. All three methods pull data from the same clerk’s database, so the results match.
Online Portal Lookup
Online lookup is free and runs all day. The clerk’s website is the main portal. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal covers Martin County. The statewide portal helps users who need to search multiple counties at once. Both portals work on phones, tablets, and desktop computers. Online access lets you view docket entries, save PDFs, and print copies at home. The portal does not require a user account for public searches.
Phone Lookup
Call the clerk’s office at (772) 288-5576 during business hours. The clerk staff can confirm a case number, look up a hearing date, and tell you the assigned judge. Phone lookups cost nothing for basic questions. The office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk staff cannot give legal advice by phone. They can only point you to public docket records and the next hearing date.
In-Person Lookup
Visit the Martin County Courthouse at 100 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994. Public terminals on the second floor let visitors search the docket at no cost. The clerk staff helps visitors use the terminals. You can request printed copies of docket entries. Printed copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies with the clerk’s seal cost $2 per page plus a $1 certification fee. The clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, and most major credit cards.
Florida Public Records Laws and Court Docket Access
Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, makes court docket records open to the public. The law says every person has the right to see and copy public records. No reason is needed. The clerk’s office must respond to records requests within a reasonable time. The law covers all state and local agencies, including the Martin County Clerk of Court. Some records stay sealed under Florida law. Sealed cases include juvenile records, adoption records, and cases under a court-ordered seal. Expunged cases stay off-limits. The clerk’s office redacts sensitive data from public docket entries. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the names of minor children in family court cases. Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC24-65 sets 15 user roles for electronic access. Members of the public fall under the basic access role. This role lets users see case numbers, party names, attorneys, docket entries, and hearing dates. The role does not give access to sealed records or confidential documents.
Martin County Court Docket System Features
The Martin County docket system runs on a statewide platform. The platform updates entries in real time as filings come in. The system lets users sign up for case alerts by email. Users get a free email any time a new docket entry gets added to a specific case. The system lets attorneys e-file documents directly from their case management software. The system includes a document viewer. Users can open PDFs of filed documents right in the browser. Some documents carry a digital signature. The system checks the signature to confirm the document came from the court. The system stores docket entries from 1987 to the present day. Older records sit on microfilm at the courthouse. The system offers bulk data exports. Researchers and journalists can download case data in CSV format for analysis. The bulk export covers the case number, party name, filing date, case type, division, and current status.
Common Terms on a Martin County Court Docket
People who search the docket see legal terms they may not know. Here are the most common terms and their plain-language meanings. These words show up on nearly every docket entry in the Martin County system.
- Case Number: A unique code the clerk assigns to each case. The format includes the year, case type, and sequence number.
- Plaintiff: The person or group that files a lawsuit.
- Defendant: The person or group named in a lawsuit or criminal charge.
- Petitioner: The person who files a family court case, such as a divorce or custody case.
- Respondent: The person who responds to a family court filing.
- Arraignment: The first court appearance in a criminal case. The defendant hears the charges and enters a plea.
- Hearing: A court session where a judge considers a motion or evidence.
- Trial: A court session where a judge or jury decides the outcome of a case.
- Disposition: The final outcome of a case, such as a guilty plea, dismissal, or judgment.
- Sentencing: The court session where a judge decides the punishment in a criminal case.
Martin County Courthouse Contact and Location
The Martin County Courthouse sits in downtown Stuart at 100 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994. The clerk’s office is on the second floor. Parking is available in the public lot next to the building. Visitors must pass through a security checkpoint at the entrance. Cell phones must be turned off inside the courthouse. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on federal holidays and state holidays.
| Office | Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994 |
| Phone | (772) 288-5576 |
| Fax | (772) 288-5580 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | martinclerk.com |
| Statewide E-Filing Portal | myflcourtaccess.com |
| Appellate Court Records | acis.flcourts.gov |
Map location of the Martin County Courthouse:
Frequently Asked Questions About Martin County Court Docket
People who search the Martin County Court Docket often have the same questions. The answers below cover the most common questions about the docket system, court records, search methods, and access rules. Each answer gives clear, simple facts based on the rules of the Martin County Clerk of Court and Florida public records law. These answers apply to current operations of the clerk’s office and may change over time as the court system updates its technology and policies.
How do I find a court case in Martin County?
Go to the Martin County Clerk of Court website at martinclerk.com. Click on the case search link on the home page. The search box accepts party names, case numbers, and date ranges. Type the last name of the plaintiff or defendant to search by name. Add the first name to narrow the results. The portal returns a list of cases that match the search. Click a case number to see the full docket sheet. The docket sheet shows every filing, hearing, motion, and order in the case. You can see the assigned judge, the division, and the current status. The search runs 24 hours a day at no cost. You do not need an account. The portal lets you save a PDF of the docket sheet or print it at home. For older cases filed before 1987, contact the clerk’s office by phone. The clerk staff can pull microfilm records by request. The search works on mobile phones and tablets. The site runs on a secure connection to protect user data and search history.
What is the difference between circuit court and county court in Martin County?
Circuit court and county court are the two main court levels in Martin County. Each level handles different kinds of cases. Circuit court has general jurisdiction. It hears felony criminal cases, family law matters, probate cases, juvenile cases, and civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute exceeds $50,000. Circuit court handles appeals from county court and from local agencies. County court handles less serious matters. It hears misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims up to $8,000, civil disputes between $5,001 and $50,000, and county ordinance violations. County court judges hear landlord-tenant cases and some domestic violence injunctions at the start. Both courts sit in the same courthouse in Stuart. The docket records for each court stay separate in the clerk’s portal. The case number shows which court handles the case. Circuit court cases use codes like “CF” for felony, “DR” for domestic relations, and “CP” for probate. County court cases use codes like “MM” for misdemeanor, “TR” for traffic, and “SC” for small claims. Each judge covers a specific division in their court.
Can I see sealed court records in Martin County?
No. Sealed court records stay off the public docket. The clerk’s office cannot release sealed records without a court order. Florida law lists the types of records that can be sealed. These include juvenile delinquency records, adoption records, and cases sealed by a judge. Expunged criminal records stay off-limits. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles expungement orders. Once a court orders a case sealed, the clerk removes the case from the public portal. The case no longer shows up in name searches or case number searches. The clerk’s office can confirm the seal status of a case by phone. Call (772) 288-5576 during business hours. Have the case number ready. The staff can tell you if the case is sealed. They cannot share the contents of a sealed record. Only the parties named in the case, their attorneys, and court staff with a need to know can see sealed entries. Some sealed records may become public after a set period. The clerk’s office can tell you if a sealed record has been unsealed under court order.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a docket entry in Martin County?
The cost depends on the type of copy you want. Regular printed copies cost $1 per page. You can get printed copies at the clerk’s office. Certified copies with the clerk’s seal cost $2 per page plus a $1 certification fee per document. Certified copies work for legal purposes. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies often ask for certified copies. Online viewing of docket entries and filed documents costs nothing. You can view the docket on the clerk’s portal at no cost. You can save the PDF on your own device at no cost. The portal does not charge for downloads. The portal does not charge for email alerts. The only fee is for printed or certified copies. The clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. The office does not accept American Express. For mail requests, add a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the copy fees. The clerk’s office offers expedited copies for an extra fee. The extra fee is $5 per document and cuts the wait time in half.
How do I find out my court date in Martin County?
Look up your case on the clerk’s website. The docket sheet shows the next hearing date, the time, the courtroom, and the assigned judge. The docket sheet shows all past hearing dates and outcomes. You can call the clerk’s office at (772) 288-5576. Have your case number ready. The clerk staff can tell you the date, time, and assigned judge. Phone lookups cost nothing. The office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk staff can tell you the type of hearing scheduled. Common hearing types include arraignment, pretrial conference, motion hearing, status conference, and trial. If you do not know your case number, the clerk staff can look it up by name. Have your full legal name and date of birth ready. The clerk staff cannot give legal advice. They cannot tell you whether to show up for a hearing. They can only tell you what the docket shows. If you miss a court date, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest. Always confirm your court date the day before the hearing.
Are Martin County court docket records free to search?
Yes. The clerk’s online portal lets you search all public docket records at no cost. The portal runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no registration and no subscription fee. The free search covers case numbers, party names, attorneys, docket entries, and hearing dates. The free search covers filed documents like motions, orders, and judgments. You can view these documents in your browser at no cost. You can save the documents to your device at no cost. The only fees are for printed copies and certified copies. Printed copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $2 per page plus a $1 fee. The clerk’s office offers free case alerts by email. You can sign up for alerts on the clerk’s portal. The portal sends a free email any time a new docket entry gets added to a specific case. The portal offers a free mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The mobile app lets you search and save cases from your phone.
What types of cases appear in the Martin County court docket?
The Martin County docket covers criminal cases, civil lawsuits, traffic offenses, family law matters, probate cases, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and juvenile cases. The clerk sorts each case by division. The division shows up on the docket sheet. The portal lets users filter by case type to narrow the search results. Criminal cases include felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies go to circuit court. Misdemeanors go to county court. Civil lawsuits include contract disputes, personal injury claims, and debt collection. Traffic offenses include speeding tickets, careless driving, and DUI. Family law matters include divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and domestic violence injunctions. Probate cases include wills, estates, guardianships, and trusts. Small claims cover disputes up to $8,000. Landlord-tenant disputes cover evictions and security deposit claims. Juvenile cases include delinquency and dependency. The portal lists appellate cases from the 19th Judicial Circuit. Appellate case dockets show the lower court ruling, the issues on appeal, and the appellate court’s decision.