Bradford County traffic court records hold every traffic ticket, hearing result, and fine payment made inside this small north-central Florida county. The county sits between Gainesville and Jacksonville, with about 28,000 residents.
The main roads, US-301 and State Road 100, run through Starke and the surrounding towns. Most of the traffic stops that lead to court records happen on these two roads. The Bradford County Clerk of Court in Starke keeps all of these records. Anyone can look them up online, by phone, or by visiting the courthouse in person.
About the Bradford County Court System
The Bradford County court system handles every traffic case from Starke, Lawtey, Hampton, and Brooker. One clerk office runs all traffic court records for the whole county. There are no separate city courts for traffic tickets in Bradford County. This makes the system easy to work with for residents and out-of-state drivers alike.
Where Bradford County Is Located
Bradford County covers about 294 square miles in north-central Florida. Starke is the county seat and the only city of notable size. The county borders Alachua, Baker, Clay, Putnam, and Union counties. State Road 100 cuts east to west through the middle of the county. US-301 runs north to south and carries heavy truck traffic toward Jacksonville. These two roads are where most traffic stops happen.
Role of the Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court enters every ticket into the system. The clerk sets court dates, collects fine payments, and stores the final outcome of each case. The clerk also handles public records requests. Every traffic case in Bradford County starts and ends at this office. The clerk works under Florida law and reports to the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation.
Office Location and Hours
The Bradford County Clerk of Court sits in the Bradford County Courthouse at 925 North Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida 32091. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Visitors should bring a photo ID and any ticket or case number they have.
How to Search Bradford County Traffic Court Records
Drivers have three main ways to search traffic court records in Bradford County. They can search online, call the clerk office, or walk into the courthouse. Each method gives the same case details. The choice depends on what is faster for the person searching.
Online Search Methods
The clerk office website posts basic case info and links to statewide portals. The main statewide tool is the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and final dispositions. PayFLClerk is another statewide portal that shows case details during the payment process.
Searching by Phone
Call the clerk office at 904-964-6280 during business hours. Staff can look up case details over the phone if the caller gives a name and date of birth or a citation number. The clerk office is small, so wait times are short. Phone searches work well for quick questions about fines or court dates.
Searching in Person
Walk into the clerk office window at the courthouse in Starke. Staff pull up the case on the spot. Bring a photo ID and any paperwork related to the citation. In-person visits help when the caller needs certified copies of court records for a legal matter. The clerk charges a small fee for certified copies.
Search by Name or Case Number
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal accepts both name and case number searches. A name search works when the person knows the full legal name on the citation. A case number search gives faster results when the citation number is on hand. Citation numbers appear on the ticket the officer hands out at the traffic stop. Case numbers get assigned once the clerk enters the citation into the system.
Florida Statewide Court Records Tools
Florida runs several statewide tools that include Bradford County traffic court records. These tools connect to every county clerk in Florida. They let users search cases, pay fines, and check court calendars across the state.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com is the main statewide search tool. It covers all 67 Florida counties. Users create a free account and search by party name, case number, or citation number. The portal shows case type, filing date, hearing dates, and the final ruling. Most adult traffic cases appear in this portal.
PayFLClerk Portal
PayFLClerk at payflclerk.com is a statewide payment portal run by the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. Users enter their citation or case number to find the case. The portal shows the fine amount before asking for payment. Many people use this tool as a quick lookup even when they plan to pay by mail or in person.
Access Levels and Security
Florida courts follow an Access Security Matrix set by the state Supreme Court. Most adult traffic cases show full case details to the public. Cases involving minors, sealed records, or expunged cases have limited access. The matrix guides what each user can see based on their login level.
Traffic Citation Options in Bradford County
Drivers who get a traffic ticket in Bradford County have 30 days to respond. The 30-day clock starts on the date the officer writes the citation. Missing the deadline adds a late fee and risks a license suspension. Florida law gives drivers three standard options for civil traffic citations.
Pay the Fine Option
Paying the fine is the fastest way to close a Bradford County traffic case. The driver admits the violation, pays the fine amount, and accepts the points that go on the driving record. The case closes once the clerk logs the payment. Most people pick this option when they know they broke the law and want to move on.
Traffic School Option
Traffic school lets drivers keep points off their license. The driver pays the fine plus the cost of an approved traffic school course. After finishing the course, the clerk seals the points from the driving record. Florida law limits traffic school to five times in a lifetime and once every 12 months. Drivers with a commercial license cannot use this option.
Pleading Not Guilty Option
Fighting a ticket means pleading not guilty in writing or online. The clerk then schedules a court hearing in Bradford County. A county judge hears the case. The citing officer must show up to testify. The driver can bring evidence or witnesses. The judge decides guilty or not guilty at the hearing. A not guilty ruling dismisses the case and refunds any fine already paid.
Violations That Require a Court Hearing
Some traffic violations in Bradford County force a court appearance. These include crashes with serious injury, crashes with death, and leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. Drivers charged with these violations cannot pay a fine online. They must appear before a judge. Florida Statute Chapter 316 sets the rules for these mandatory hearings.
Fines, Points, and Penalties
Traffic fines in Bradford County follow the state fine schedule set by Florida Statute 318.18. Speeding tickets, reckless driving, and DUI charges cost more than basic moving violations. Each citation also carries a set number of points that go on the Florida driving record.
Fine Amounts by Violation Type
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) sets base fine amounts for each violation type. Minor non-moving violations cost less. Moving violations such as speeding, running a red light, or improper lane change carry higher fines. Court costs and other fees get added on top of the base fine. The clerk office can give the exact amount for a specific citation.
| Violation Type | Base Fine Range | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (under 30 mph over) | $144 to $366 | 3 to 4 |
| Reckless driving | $500 and up | 4 |
| Running a red light | $262 | 3 |
| No valid driver license | $116 | 0 |
| DUI traffic violation | $500 to $2,000 | 6 |
Late Fees and Collections
Missing the 30-day payment deadline adds late fees to the fine. After 90 days of no payment, the clerk can send the debt to a collection agency. Florida law allows the agency to charge up to 40 percent on top of the original fine. The collection agency can place liens on bank accounts and tax refunds. The FLHSMV also suspends the driving license for unpaid tickets.
License Suspension Risks
An unpaid Bradford County traffic citation leads to a driver license suspension in Florida. The FLHSMV adds a suspension record to the driver’s file. Getting the license back means paying the original fine, late fees, collection fees, and a license reinstatement fee. The suspension stays on the driving record for years. Insurance rates go up for drivers with suspensions on their record.
Public Records Access Rules
Bradford County traffic court records are open to the public. Florida law gives every person the right to view and copy government records. The state makes these rules to keep the court system open and fair.
Florida Public Records Act
Florida Statute Chapter 119 is the state’s public records law. It says every government record is open unless a specific law says otherwise. Traffic court records fall under this rule. Any person can request them. The request does not require a reason.
Confidential Information Redacted
The clerk removes certain details before letting the public view records. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar private data stay hidden. The rest of the case, including charges, fines, court dates, and the judge’s ruling, stays open to anyone who asks.
Certified Copies and Fees
Certified copies of Bradford County traffic court records carry a small fee. Standard copies cost less than certified ones. People who need records for legal use, such as an appeal or another court case, should request certified copies. The clerk office handles these requests at the courthouse window.
Cities in Bradford County
Bradford County has four main communities inside its borders. All four towns send traffic tickets to the same clerk office in Starke. No town runs its own traffic court.
Starke, Lawtey, Hampton, and Brooker
Starke is the largest city and the county seat. Lawtey sits along US-301 in the southern part of the county. Hampton lies to the east. Brooker is a small town on the western edge near the Alachua County line. Each town has its own police force or relies on the Bradford County Sheriff for traffic enforcement. Citations from any of these towns go to the same clerk office.
Nearby Counties and Court Cross-Reference
Drivers should check the issuing agency on their citation to make sure they are looking up the right county. A ticket from Alachua County, for example, belongs to the Alachua County Clerk of Court, not Bradford County. Citations from neighboring counties that pass through Bradford County roads still go to the county where the stop happened. The clerk office can help point someone in the right direction if there is confusion.
Contact the Bradford County Clerk of Court
Bradford County traffic court records are easy to reach for anyone who needs them. The clerk office accepts phone calls, mail, in-person visits, and online searches. Below is the contact info for the office that handles every traffic case in Bradford County.
Bradford County Clerk of Court
925 North Temple Avenue
Starke, FL 32091
Phone: 904-964-6280
Website: www.bradfordclerk.org
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bradford County Traffic Court Records
Below are answers to the most common questions drivers ask about Bradford County traffic court records. Each answer gives clear, direct info based on current Florida law and clerk office rules. These questions cover the most searched topics related to traffic citations in this county.
How Long Does a Bradford County Traffic Citation Stay on Record?
A Bradford County traffic citation stays on the court record permanently once the clerk enters it. The case file itself never goes away. Points on the Florida driving record, however, follow a different timeline. Points stay on the driving record for three years from the date of the citation. After three years, the points drop off, but the court record of the case stays. Insurance companies and other agencies can still see the court record when they run a background check.
Can Someone Search Bradford County Traffic Court Records Without a Case Number?
Yes. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal lets users search by name and date of birth. The search returns matching cases from all 67 Florida counties, including Bradford County. Results show case number, charge, and status. Phone and in-person searches at the Bradford County Clerk of Court also work without a case number as long as the caller gives enough detail to identify the case.
What Happens if Someone Ignores a Bradford County Traffic Ticket?
Ignoring a Bradford County traffic ticket leads to a Florida license suspension. The clerk adds late fees after 30 days. After 90 days, the debt can go to a collection agency. The FLHSMV places a suspension on the driver’s license. The driver must pay the original fine, late fees, collection charges, and a reinstatement fee to get the license back. A bench warrant can also issue in criminal traffic cases.
Can Drivers Attend Traffic School for Any Bradford County Citation?
No. Traffic school is only for certain civil traffic infractions in Florida. Drivers cannot use it for criminal traffic offenses such as DUI, reckless driving that causes injury, or leaving the scene of a crash. Florida law also limits traffic school to five uses in a lifetime and once every 12 months. The clerk office can confirm eligibility before the driver pays the fine and registers for a course.
How Do Drivers Pay a Bradford County Traffic Ticket Online?
Drivers can pay online through PayFLClerk at payflclerk.com or through the Bradford County Clerk of Court website. Users enter the citation or case number, verify the fine amount, and submit payment by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. A small convenience fee applies. Payment posts to the case right away, and the clerk marks the case as paid.
Are Juvenile Traffic Records in Bradford County Public?
No. Juvenile traffic cases in Bradford County stay confidential under Florida law. The clerk office seals these records from public view. Only the juvenile, the parents or guardians, the defense lawyer, and the judge can see the full case details. Adult traffic records from the same period stay open to the public through the standard search portals.
Can Drivers Get a Bradford County Case Expunged or Sealed?
Florida law allows expungement or sealing for some criminal cases, but most civil traffic infractions do not qualify. Expungement applies only to certain criminal charges that ended in a not guilty ruling or a dropped case. A driver who wants to seal a record should ask a lawyer about eligibility. The clerk office can give the forms but does not give legal advice on whether a case qualifies.