The Tallahassee city court docket is the official list of court cases filed and heard in Tallahassee, Florida. It tracks every hearing, motion, ruling, and order for civil, criminal, traffic, and misdemeanor cases.
The Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps this docket and makes it open to the public. Anyone can look up case details by name, case number, or court date.
What Is the Tallahassee City Court Docket
A court docket is a running record of every step in a court case. It shows the case number, the people involved, the charges or claims, the judge assigned, and the dates of each hearing. The Tallahassee city court docket covers all cases filed in Leon County. This includes civil suits, criminal charges, traffic tickets, and small claims.
Each time someone files a paper, attends a hearing, or receives a court order, the clerk adds a new entry. These entries form the docket. The docket tells the full story of a case from the day it opens until it ends.
Who Runs the Tallahassee Court Docket System
The Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages all court docket records for Tallahassee. The clerk is an elected official who serves a four-year term. The clerk’s office files, stores, and shares court records for the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida.
The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers six counties: Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla. Tallahassee sits in Leon County and makes up most of the circuit’s caseload. Circuit courts hear felonies, family law, probate, and civil cases over $50,000. County courts handle misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, and civil cases up to $50,000.
| Court Level | Case Types | Docket Location |
|---|---|---|
| Leon County Circuit Court | Felonies, Family Law, Probate, Civil over $50,000 | Leon County Clerk |
| Leon County Court | Misdemeanors, Traffic, Small Claims, Civil under $50,000 | Leon County Clerk |
Types of Cases on the Tallahassee Court Docket
The Tallahassee court docket includes many kinds of cases. Each type has its own section and follows its own rules.
Civil Court Docket
Civil cases involve disputes between people, businesses, or groups. These cases cover contracts, property damage, personal injury, and landlord-tenant matters. Civil cases under $50,000 go to county court. Cases over $50,000 go to circuit court. The civil docket shows the claims, counterclaims, and settlement offers.
Criminal Court Docket
Criminal cases involve the state charging someone with a crime. Felonies appear on the circuit court docket. Misdemeanors appear on the county court docket. The criminal docket lists charges, pleas, motions, sentencing dates, and outcomes.
Traffic Court Docket
Traffic cases include speeding tickets, red light violations, DUIs, and driving with a suspended license. Most traffic cases in Tallahassee are heard in county court. The traffic docket shows the citation, the plea entered, fine amounts, and any traffic school requirements.
Misdemeanor Docket
Misdemeanors are crimes with a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Examples include petty theft, simple battery, and minor drug possession. Misdemeanor cases in Tallahassee follow the county court process. The docket shows each court date, the attorney’s name, and the final ruling.
How to Search the Tallahassee Court Docket Online
The Leon County Clerk website offers free online docket search tools. You can look up cases from any computer or phone. The search works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To start a search, visit the clerk’s official site at leonclerk.com. Click on the court records or public search link. The system lets you search by:
- Party name (full or partial)
- Case number
- Attorney bar number
- Date range
- Case type
- Court division
The search returns a list of matching cases with basic details. Click on a case to see the full docket. Each entry shows the date, the type of filing, and a short description.
Public users can see case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and docket entries. Attorneys with a Florida Bar number can see more detail in their active cases. Sealed and expunged records stay hidden from public view.
Searching the Tallahassee Court Docket by Case Number
Each case filed in Leon County gets a unique case number. The format follows Florida court rules. A typical case number looks like 2026-CF-000123 or 2026-CC-001234. The year comes first, then the case type code, then a sequence number.
To search by case number, type the full number into the search bar on the clerk’s site. Make sure to include all dashes and zeros. A direct search brings up only one case. This method works well when you already know the case number from a ticket, summons, or prior court visit.
If you do not know the case number, search by name instead. You can also call the clerk’s office and ask for help over the phone.
Tallahassee Daily Court Docket and Court Calendar
The Tallahassee daily court docket shows the cases set for hearing on a specific day. Courts post the daily docket the evening before each court date. The daily docket lists the case name, case number, time, courtroom, and judge for each hearing.
You can find the daily docket in three ways:
- Online through the clerk’s website under the calendar section
- On public screens at the courthouse
- By calling the clerk’s office on the morning of the hearing
The Tallahassee court calendar docket covers all scheduled hearings, trials, and motions for the week. Lawyers use this calendar to plan their cases. The public uses it to know when a case will be in court.
Tallahassee Arraignment and Pretrial Dockets
An arraignment is the first court date in a criminal case. The judge reads the charges and the defendant enters a plea. The arraignment docket shows the time and courtroom for each first appearance.
A pretrial hearing happens after the arraignment and before the trial. The defense and prosecution discuss evidence, motions, and plea offers. The pretrial docket tracks these hearings and the issues raised.
Both dockets are part of the main court docket. They appear in the case history once the dates are set.
Tallahassee Jury Docket
The Tallahassee jury docket lists people called for jury duty. It shows the reporting date, time, and location. Jurors receive a summons by mail with their jury number and group code.
Jurors can check their status online through the clerk’s website. They can confirm their report date, postpone service, or check in for service. The jury system uses the same docket platform as other court records.
How to Get Copies of Tallahassee Court Docket Records
The Leon County Clerk offers certified and plain copies of court records. Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and work for legal filings, immigration cases, and other official uses. Plain copies cost less and work for personal reference.
You can request copies in four ways:
- In person at the clerk’s office
- By mail with a written request and payment
- Online through the clerk’s records request portal
- By phone for simple verifications
Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. Some records are free to view online but cost a fee to print or certify.
Tallahassee Municipal Court and Code Enforcement
Tallahassee does not have a separate municipal court. Code enforcement cases, city ordinance violations, and local rule violations go through the Leon County court system. These cases appear on the county court docket like any other case.
The City of Tallahassee handles code enforcement through its own department. When the city files a case, it goes to the county clerk. The docket shows the city as the plaintiff and the property owner or violator as the defendant.
Florida Court E-Filing Portal
Lawyers and self-represented filers can submit court papers through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. This statewide system works 24 hours a day. It connects to the Leon County clerk and processes more than 30 million documents each year.
The portal accepts civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims filings. Users create an account, pick the Leon County clerk as the filing location, and upload their documents. The clerk reviews the filing and adds it to the docket.
You can access the portal at myflcourtaccess.com.
Appellate Cases from Tallahassee
Cases appealed from Leon County go to the First District Court of Appeal, which sits in Tallahassee. The appellate docket is separate from the trial court docket. You can search appellate dockets at acis.flcourts.gov.
Appellate cases use a different case number format. They show the lower court case number, the party names, and the briefs filed by each side. Most appeals focus on legal errors from the trial court.
Records That Stay Sealed
Florida law seals some court records from public view. These include:
- Juvenile dependency cases
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment records
- Sealed criminal cases
- Expunged criminal records
- Cases under a court protective order
Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration lists all exemptions. Even with public access to most docket entries, these records stay private. Only the people named in the case and their lawyers can see them.
Contact Information for the Leon County Clerk
Official website: leonclerk.com
Phone: (850) 606-4000
Main Office Address: 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Recording Division Phone: (850) 606-4001
Customer Service Email: Available through the contact form on the clerk’s website
Tips for Using the Tallahassee Court Docket Search
Start with the exact full name of the party. Middle names help narrow results. If the name is common, add a birth year or address to filter the list.
Check the case type code if you know it. Common codes include CF (felony criminal), MM (misdemeanor), CC (civil county), TR (traffic), and DR (domestic relations).
Look at the docket entries in date order. The oldest entry shows when the case started. The newest entry shows the next step or final outcome.
Save or print important docket pages. Some hearings move quickly, and having a copy helps you stay ready.
Common Reasons People Search the Tallahassee Court Docket
People search the docket for many reasons. Lawyers check hearing dates and judge assignments. Defendants confirm their next court date. Employers run background checks. Journalists research public cases. Family members track a relative’s case. Landlords verify eviction filings. Plaintiffs check if a defendant filed an answer.
No matter the reason, the docket gives the same clear record of what happened and what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Tallahassee city court docket. These cover search methods, case types, and access rules based on Florida law and Leon County clerk policies as of 2026.
How do I find my court date in Tallahassee?
You can find your court date by searching the Leon County clerk’s online docket system. Enter your full name or case number on the clerk’s website. The search result shows your next hearing date, time, and courtroom. You can also call the clerk’s office at (850) 606-4000 during business hours. The clerk’s staff can look up your case and tell you when to appear. Always confirm your court date at least 24 hours before your scheduled appearance, since judges sometimes reschedule hearings.
Can I search Tallahassee court records for free?
Yes. The Leon County Clerk provides free online access to court docket records through its public search portal. You can view case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and docket entries at no cost. You only pay if you request certified copies or printed documents. The free search runs all day, every day. Some third-party sites charge fees for the same data, but the clerk’s site gives you the same records for free.
What does CF mean on a Tallahassee case number?
CF stands for Circuit Felony. It marks a criminal case where the charge is a felony under Florida law. Felonies go to circuit court and carry penalties over one year in prison. Other common case type codes include CC (County Civil), MM (Misdemeanor), TR (Traffic), DR (Domestic Relations), and PR (Probate). The year of filing comes before the case type code in the case number.
Are Tallahassee court dockets public record?
Yes. Florida law makes court docket records public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Any person can view docket entries for any case filed in Leon County. You do not need to give a reason or show ID. The state policy supports open access to court records. A small set of records stays sealed, including juvenile cases, adoption records, mental health commitments, and cases with a court-ordered seal.
How long does the Leon County Clerk keep court docket records?
The clerk keeps court docket records permanently for most case types. Felony and capital case records stay on file without a retention deadline. Civil case records stay for at least 20 years after final judgment. Misdemeanor records stay for at least 5 years. Older records are available through the clerk’s archive department. Digital records date back to the early 1990s for most case types. Paper records from earlier years are stored at the clerk’s archive facility.
Can I attend a court hearing in Tallahassee?
Yes. Most court hearings in Tallahassee are open to the public. You can sit in the gallery of any courtroom and watch the proceeding. Some hearings, like those involving juveniles or sealed cases, are closed. Family court hearings in divorce and custody matters are also generally open. Check in with the bailiff before entering a courtroom. Bring a photo ID to pass courthouse security.
What if I cannot find a case on the Tallahassee court docket search?
If a case does not show up in the search, try different spellings of the name. Remove middle names and dates of birth. Search only by last name to see all possible matches. If the case was filed recently, wait 24 to 48 hours for the system to update. If you still cannot find it, call the clerk’s office for help. The staff can run a search with extra details like a date of birth, address, or citation number. Some older cases are stored in archive and need a special request to view.