Alachua County traffic court records are public files kept by the Alachua County Clerk of Courts in Gainesville, Florida. These records show every traffic ticket, citation, hearing date, and case result filed in the county.
Anyone can look up a case using a citation number, name, or case number. The online portal covers civil traffic cases filed since September 2001 and criminal cases going back to December 2005. This makes it easy to check a ticket, pay a fine, or prepare for a court date without visiting the courthouse.
Alachua County Clerk of Courts Traffic Office
The Alachua County Clerk of Courts runs the traffic bureau that handles every traffic citation in the county. Clerk J.K. “Jess” Irby oversees this office. The traffic bureau manages new citations, court dates, fine payments, and record requests. Staff can answer questions about case status, hearing schedules, and payment plans by phone, email, or in person at the Gainesville courthouse. All traffic tickets written by Gainesville Police, the Alachua County Sheriff, or any city officer in the county go through this office.
Office Contact Details
The traffic bureau sits in the Alachua County Courthouse in downtown Gainesville. You can call during office hours, send an email for case questions, or visit in person. Court filings must go through the clerk window or the e-filing portal. Email is for questions only.
| Office | Alachua County Clerk of Courts – Traffic Bureau |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601 |
| Phone | 352-374-3636 |
| Traffic Email | traffic@alachuaclerk.org |
| Website | https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Traffic%20Citations/pages/onlinetrafficcitationsearch.aspx |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
How to Search Traffic Records Online
The Alachua County Clerk offers a free online search tool for traffic citations. The portal gives the public direct access to case data filed in Alachua County. It works as a reference tool for looking up court records. The online index is not the official record, but it matches the clerk’s internal files for most cases. You can search from any computer or phone with internet access.
Search by Citation Number
A citation number is the fastest way to find a ticket. The number is printed on the top of every traffic ticket. Type the number into the search box on the Alachua County citation search page. The system shows the charge, the officer, the court date, and the fine amount. If the citation is less than 24 hours old, it may not show up yet because the clerk needs time to enter it.
Search by Name
You can also search by name if you do not have the citation number. Type the last name first, then the first name. The portal shows every traffic case filed under that name. Results include past and current tickets. Name searches help when you want to check your own driving record or look up someone else’s public court history.
Search by Case Number
Each traffic case gets a unique case number once it enters the court system. The case number starts with a year code followed by a letter for the case type. Use the case number on the broader court records portal to see full document images, motions, and hearing notes. The citation-only search does not show case numbers for older tickets.
What Records Are Available
The Alachua County online traffic citation search covers currently managed citations. The broader court records portal covers civil traffic cases from September 2001 and criminal cases from December 2005. The oldest case in the system dates back to July 23, 1928. Document retrieval is capped at 60 documents per hour, and sessions time out after 30 minutes of no activity.
Types of Traffic Cases in Alachua County
Traffic cases in Alachua County fall into three main groups. The type of ticket affects the fine, the points on your license, and whether you can elect traffic school. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right option after getting a ticket.
Civil Traffic Infractions
Civil traffic infractions are non-criminal violations like speeding, running a stop sign, or failing to signal. They do not lead to jail time. The penalty is a fine and possible points on your license. Most tickets written in Alachua County are civil infractions. You can usually pay online or elect traffic school for these cases.
Criminal Traffic Offenses
Criminal traffic offenses include reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, DUI, and leaving the scene of a crash. These cases carry higher fines and possible jail time. They appear in the Alachua County criminal records system. A judge must decide the outcome, and you cannot pay the fine online without a plea.
Uniform Traffic Citation
Florida uses a standard form called a Uniform Traffic Citation for all traffic stops. The form looks the same in every county. It includes the officer’s name, the violation, the court date, and the fine. The citation number on this form works in any Florida county clerk’s online search portal.
Options After Getting a Traffic Ticket
Florida law gives every driver 30 days from the date of a citation to respond. You have four choices. Missing the deadline adds a $23.00 late fee and can lead to a license suspension through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Pick an option early to avoid extra costs.
Pay the Fine
Paying the citation in full counts as a guilty plea. Points go on your driving record under the state point system. You can pay online through the Alachua County pay ticket page or through the statewide PayFLClerk portal that covers all 67 Florida counties. A $2.00 or 3.5% credit card fee may apply depending on the amount.
Elect Traffic School
You can plead no contest and elect traffic school to keep points off your license. File the Traffic School Election Form and pay the citation amount within 30 days. The clerk then gives you 60 extra days to finish a state-approved driver improvement course. The court withholds adjudication, so no points appear on your record.
Request a Court Hearing
A plea of not guilty opens a court hearing. File this within 30 days of the citation. The clerk sets a hearing date and mails you a notice. At the hearing, you can bring witnesses, question the officer, and present evidence. The judge decides whether to dismiss the case or find you guilty.
Plea Options and Adjudication
You can also enter a guilty or no contest plea and ask for a court appearance. The judge can withhold adjudication, order a driver improvement course, or impose fines plus court costs. Withholding adjudication means no conviction shows on your record for that case, but the clerk still keeps a public file of the hearing.
Traffic Fines, Late Fees, and Collections
Fine amounts in Alachua County depend on the violation. Moving violations cost more than non-moving ones. Speeding tickets, red light camera tickets, and reckless driving all have different fine amounts set by Florida Statute 318.18. The Alachua County Clerk collects the fines and tracks every payment.
Fine Amounts by Violation
Most non-moving violations in Alachua County carry a base fine of around $116. Moving violations like speeding start around $166. Reckless driving fines run much higher, often over $500. Court costs add to every fine. The clerk can give you an exact total before you pay.
Late Fees and Deadlines
Florida law sets a 30-day deadline to respond to any citation. Miss the deadline and a $23.00 late fee gets added. The clerk sends a second notice. If you still do not respond, the case moves toward collections and your license can be suspended.
Collections and License Suspension
Unpaid fines over 90 days old go to a collection agency under Florida Statute 28.246. The agency can add up to 40% of the original amount as a fee. A $200 fine could grow to $280. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department then suspends your license. You must pay the fine plus a reinstatement fee to drive again.
Public Access and Florida Records Law
Traffic court records in Alachua County are public. Florida has strong open records laws. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all state, county, and city records are open for viewing and copying. You do not need to be the person named in the case. Anyone can request a copy.
What Is Public and What Is Sealed
The basic facts of any traffic case are public. These include the charge, court dates, fines, dispositions, and sentences. Social Security numbers, bank account details, and similar personal data are redacted. Search warrants and arrest warrants stay sealed until they are served. Juvenile records follow different rules.
Florida Public Records Act Chapter 119
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. The Alachua County Clerk follows this law for every case type. The Florida Supreme Court, through Administrative Order AOSC 15-18, requires adult traffic cases to appear online with full court documents.
Florida County Traffic Court Comparison
Florida has 67 counties, and each one runs its own traffic court system. The clerks use similar online tools, but the search portals, fine amounts, and traffic school rules can vary. Knowing the differences helps when you need to check a ticket in another county.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County traffic court records are managed by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. The portal covers criminal, civil, and traffic cases. Fines and court costs run higher than the state average because of local surcharges.
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County traffic court records go through the Hillsborough Clerk of Court in Tampa. The county uses the same statewide PayFLClerk portal for online payments. Hillsborough processes a high volume of citations each year.
Orange County
Orange County Florida traffic case searches run through the Orange County Clerk of Courts in Orlando. The online portal covers civil and criminal traffic cases. The system links to the Florida e-portal for statewide docket checks.
Duval County
Duval County traffic court records come from the Duval County Clerk in Jacksonville. The portal covers cases filed since the late 1990s. Duval uses the Odyssey online system for document access.
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County traffic court records are managed by the Palm Beach County Clerk. The online portal allows searches by name, citation number, and case number. Fines follow the state schedule set under Florida Statute 318.18.
Broward County
Broward County traffic court records go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale. The portal supports name searches and citation lookups. Broward also uses the statewide PayFLClerk system.
Pinellas County
Pinellas County traffic court records come from the Pinellas County Clerk in Clearwater. The online portal covers civil and criminal traffic cases. Pinellas follows the same state point system for moving violations.
Alachua County Cities and Nearby Counties
Alachua County covers Gainesville and several smaller towns. All traffic citations written anywhere in the county go through the Alachua County Clerk of Courts. The officer who wrote the ticket does not matter. The clerk processes every case the same way.
Cities Covered
The Alachua County traffic court handles tickets from Gainesville, Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, High Springs, Micanopy, Newberry, and Waldo. Cities in the county do not run their own traffic courts. They forward all citations to the county clerk.
Bordering Counties
Alachua County borders Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Putnam, and Union counties. If your citation was issued near a county line, double-check the county name on the ticket. Each county runs its own traffic records system.
Contact the Alachua County Clerk
The Alachua County Clerk of Courts traffic bureau sits at 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 352-374-3636 for general help or email traffic@alachuaclerk.org for case questions. The website is https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Traffic%20Citations/pages/onlinetrafficcitationsearch.aspx.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Alachua County traffic court records. These cover online searches, payment options, traffic school elections, and public records requests. The answers reflect Florida law and current clerk office procedures as of 2026.
How long does it take for a new ticket to show up online?
A new citation appears in the Alachua County online system within 24 hours after the clerk enters it. Most tickets show up the next business day. Weekends and holidays can delay the entry. If your ticket does not show up after two business days, call the traffic bureau at 352-374-3636.
Can I pay my Alachua County ticket with a credit card?
Yes. The Alachua County pay ticket page accepts credit and debit cards. The statewide PayFLClerk portal also takes card payments. A service fee of about 2.0% or $2.00 (whichever is higher) applies. Non-USA billing addresses cannot use the online payment service.
What happens if I ignore a traffic ticket in Alachua County?
An ignored ticket gets a $23.00 late fee after 30 days. After 90 days, the unpaid fine goes to a collection agency. The collection fee can reach 40% of the original amount. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department then suspends your license until you pay the full balance.
Does Alachua County traffic school keep points off my license?
Yes. Electing traffic school in Alachua County lets you plead no contest, pay the citation amount, and finish a state-approved driver improvement course within 60 extra days. The court withholds adjudication, so no points appear on your driving record. You can use this option once every 12 months.
How far back do Alachua County traffic records go?
The Alachua County court records portal shows civil traffic cases from September 2001 and criminal cases from December 2005. The oldest case in the system dates back to 1928. Name searches return results across the full record range.
Can someone else look up my Alachua County traffic record?
Yes. Traffic court records in Florida are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can search the online portal by name or citation number. Personal data like Social Security numbers and bank details are redacted before the record goes online.
Is the online traffic record the official court record?
No. The online search portal serves as a reference tool. The official record sits in the Alachua County Clerk’s internal system. For certified copies of court documents, you must visit the clerk’s office or request them through the public records portal. Certified copies carry a $1.00 per page fee plus a $2.00 certification fee.