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Walton County Court Records

What Is Walton County Court Records

Walton County court records are official documents created and maintained by the courts in Walton County. These records document various legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil disputes, traffic violations, and family law matters. The Clerk of Courts for Walton County is responsible for maintaining these records, which serve as the official history of court actions and decisions within the county.

Court records typically include case filings, motions, orders, judgments, and other documents submitted during legal proceedings. These records are essential for maintaining transparency in the judicial system and providing access to information about court activities.

Are Court Records Public In Walton County

Yes, most court records in Walton County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This means that citizens have the right to access and review these documents, with certain exceptions.

While the majority of court records are publicly accessible, some records may be sealed or confidential due to statutory exemptions. These exceptions typically include:

  • Juvenile records (in most cases)
  • Records involving child abuse or domestic violence
  • Certain adoption proceedings
  • Mental health proceedings
  • Records sealed by court order

The Walton County Clerk of Courts maintains these public records at the Walton County Courthouse, 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433.

How To Find Court Records in Walton County in 2025

To find court records in Walton County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the Walton County Clerk of Courts office in person at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 or the South Walton Annex at 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Staff can assist you with locating and accessing the records you need.

  2. Use the online records search portal provided by the Walton County Clerk of Courts. The county continues to expand its digital records system, making more documents available online.

  3. Submit a written request to the Clerk's office, specifying the records you're seeking. Include as much information as possible, such as case numbers, names of parties involved, and approximate dates.

  4. Contact the Clerk's office by phone at (850) 892-8115 to inquire about specific records and the best way to access them.

  5. For criminal records, you may also contact the Walton County Sheriff's Office at 752 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435 or call (850) 892-8186.

How To Look Up Court Records in Walton County Online?

Looking up court records online in Walton County has become increasingly convenient. Here's how to access these records digitally:

  1. Visit the Walton County Clerk of Courts official website.

  2. Navigate to the "Court Records Search" or similar section.

  3. You may need to create an account or agree to terms of use before accessing the records.

  4. Use the search function to find records by:

    • Case number
    • Party name
    • Filing date
    • Case type

  5. For criminal cases, you can also check the Walton County Sheriff's Office website or the Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search for information about current inmates and their cases.

  6. The Florida Court Records Search portal may also provide access to Walton County records as part of the statewide system.

Remember that while many records are available online, some documents may only be accessible in person due to technical limitations or confidentiality restrictions.

Can You Search Walton County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search many Walton County court records for free, though there may be fees for obtaining copies of documents. Here's what you should know:

  1. Basic online searches through the Walton County Clerk of Courts website are typically free of charge.

  2. In-person searches at the Clerk's office (571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433) are also free, though you may need to pay for copies.

  3. Copy fees generally apply when you need physical or certified copies of documents:

    • Standard copies: $1.00 per page
    • Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page

  4. Some specialized searches or requests for extensive records may incur additional fees.

  5. If you need records sent to you by mail, you'll need to cover postage costs.

  6. For certain specialized records or expedited services, additional fees may apply.

The Clerk's office can provide current fee information for specific services.

What's Included in a Walton County Court Record?

A typical Walton County court record contains comprehensive documentation of a case from filing to resolution. These records generally include:

  1. Case information sheet with basic details about the parties involved and the nature of the case

  2. Pleadings and motions filed by attorneys or parties

  3. Court orders and judgments issued by judges

  4. Transcripts of hearings and trials (when prepared)

  5. Evidence admitted during proceedings (though physical evidence may be stored separately)

  6. Financial information, including filing fees, fines, and payment records

  7. Docket or register of actions showing a chronological list of all events in the case

  8. Service documents showing when and how parties were notified of the case

  9. Settlement agreements, when applicable

  10. Appeals documentation, if the case was appealed

The specific contents vary depending on the type of case and its complexity.

How Long Does Walton County Keep Court Records?

Walton County follows Florida's records retention schedules, which vary by case type. Generally:

  1. Felony case records: Retained permanently for capital crimes and for 75 years for other felonies

  2. Misdemeanor case records: Typically kept for 5-10 years after case closure

  3. Civil case records: Usually retained for 5-10 years, though some may be kept longer

  4. Probate records: Often kept permanently or for extended periods (50+ years)

  5. Family law cases: Retention periods vary widely, with divorce records typically kept for 10 years and adoption records maintained permanently

  6. Traffic cases: Generally kept for 3-5 years for minor infractions

The Walton County Clerk of Courts office at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 follows these schedules while also working to digitize older records for better preservation and access.

Types of Courts In Walton County

Walton County's court system includes several levels of courts, each with specific jurisdictions:

  1. Circuit Court - 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida Located at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Handles major civil cases, felony criminal cases, family law matters, probate, and appeals from county courts

  2. County Court Located at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Handles misdemeanors, small claims (up to $8,000), civil cases under $30,000, and traffic violations

  3. Small Claims Court Operates within the County Court system Handles civil disputes with values up to $8,000 through simplified procedures

  4. Traffic Court Operates as a division of County Court Handles traffic infractions and related matters

  5. South Walton Courthouse Annex Located at 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Provides services for residents in the southern part of the county

Each court maintains its own records, though the Clerk of Courts serves as the custodian for all official court documents.

What Types of Cases Do Walton County Courts Hear?

Walton County courts hear a wide variety of cases across different jurisdictions:

Circuit Court cases include:

  • Felony criminal prosecutions
  • Civil disputes involving more than $30,000
  • Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
  • Probate and guardianship matters
  • Juvenile dependency and delinquency
  • Appeals from County Court decisions

County Court cases include:

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Civil disputes up to $30,000
  • Small claims up to $8,000
  • Traffic infractions and violations
  • Landlord/tenant disputes
  • Ordinance violations

Special proceedings in both courts may include:

  • Domestic violence injunctions
  • Baker Act proceedings (involuntary mental health examinations)
  • Marchman Act cases (substance abuse assessment and treatment)
  • Name changes
  • Evictions

The complexity and volume of cases vary throughout the year, with tourist season often bringing increased caseloads in certain categories.

How To Find a Court Docket In Walton County

Finding a court docket in Walton County can be accomplished through several methods:

  1. Online Access:

    • Visit the Walton County Clerk of Courts website
    • Navigate to the court records or docket search section
    • Enter case information or party names to locate the docket

  2. In-Person:

    • Visit the Clerk's office at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 or the South Walton Annex at 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
    • Request assistance from staff to access docket information
    • Use public terminals that may be available for searching

  3. By Phone:

    • Call the Clerk's office at (850) 892-8115
    • Provide case information to staff who can check docket status

  4. For Upcoming Court Dates:

    • Check the court calendar, which may be posted online or at the courthouse
    • Contact the judicial assistant for the judge assigned to the case

Court dockets provide a chronological listing of all actions taken in a case, including filings, hearings, and decisions.

Which Courts in Walton County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Walton County, as in the rest of Florida, most courts are courts of record, meaning they maintain official transcripts and records of proceedings. However, there are some proceedings that may not be courts of record in the traditional sense:

  1. Small Claims proceedings, while documented, often have simplified record-keeping and may not include verbatim transcripts unless specifically requested.

  2. Certain administrative hearings held by county agencies rather than courts may not maintain the same level of records as judicial courts.

  3. Mediation sessions, even when court-ordered, are typically confidential and not recorded as part of the official court record, though agreements reached may be filed with the court.

  4. Traffic court proceedings for minor infractions may have simplified record-keeping compared to other criminal proceedings.

It's important to note that even in these instances, basic case information and outcomes are still documented and maintained by the Walton County Clerk of Courts at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433.

Lookup Court Records in Walton County

To access Walton County court records, you can use the following resources:

These resources provide various ways to search for and access court records in Walton County, from case lookups to criminal history information and more.

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