Criminal records in Citrus County, Florida, can be accessed through several channels. CitrusCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in Citrus County courts. Additional access points include the Citrus County Clerk of Courts' online case search system, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Records that are not sealed or expunged are generally available to the public under Florida's broad public records laws.
How to Search Criminal Records in Citrus County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Citrus County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose, but having at least one of the following will help:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number
- Charge type or statute number
Online Search Options
- CitrusCourt.us — Search for publicly available Citrus County criminal court case information by name or case number.
- Citrus County Clerk of Courts Case Search (SCORSS) — The Clerk of Courts provides an online records search tool. You can look up criminal, traffic, and civil cases filed in Citrus County. The system returns case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for public records.
- Citrus County Sheriff's Office – Recent Arrests — The Sheriff's Office posts arrest records from the last 10 days on its website. For older arrest records, the site directs users to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
- FDLE Criminal History Record Check — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the state's central criminal history repository. You can request a Florida-only criminal history check or a state and national check through FDLE's online system.
In Person
Visit the Citrus County Clerk of Courts office at the Citrus County Courthouse in Inverness. Public access terminals may be available for searching court records on-site. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written public records request to the Citrus County Clerk of Courts. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the specific records you need. For statewide criminal history reports, submit a request directly to FDLE.
For police reports and arrest records specifically, the Clerk's office directs requestors to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office public records division. Note that the Sheriff's Office does not operate the county detention facility — jail records must be obtained through the contracted facility operator.
Search Citrus County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Florida uses a standardized case number format across its courts:
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- Case type code — A two-letter abbreviation indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Circuit criminal felony
- MM — County criminal misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal traffic
- MO — County ordinance violation
- Sequential number — A number assigned in the order the case was filed
A typical Citrus County criminal case number might look like 2024-CF-000123, indicating a felony case filed in 2024. Enter this number into the Clerk's online case search or provide it in a written request to pull up the full case docket, charges, and disposition.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Citrus County
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Florida Statute code | The specific law allegedly violated (e.g., § 893.13 for drug possession) |
| Severity level | Felony (first, second, or third degree), misdemeanor (first or second degree), or noncriminal infraction |
| Amended charges | The original charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
| Multiple counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately |
Case Status
- Pending / Active — The case is still being processed; hearings or trial have not concluded
- Disposed — The case has reached a resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and any post-judgment motions, are complete
- Reopened — A previously closed case has been reopened, often for a violation of probation or a post-conviction motion
Hearings
- First appearance — Typically within 24 hours of arrest; bond is addressed
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case issues, possible resolution, or trial preparation
- Motion hearings — Arguments on specific legal issues (e.g., suppression of evidence)
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review / Status hearing — Check-ins on probation compliance or other post-disposition matters
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted of the charge, either by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Nolle prosequi / Dismissed — The State dropped the charge
- No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charge; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Adjudication withheld — Found guilty but the court withholds a formal conviction, often paired with probation. Under Florida law, this may allow the record to be sealed later
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Citrus County
Certified copies carry an official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, employment verification, or licensing applications. The office that handles your request depends on the type of record:
- Court records (case files, judgments, dispositions) — Request from the Citrus County Clerk of Courts
- Arrest reports and police reports — Request from the Citrus County Sheriff's Office
- Statewide criminal history reports — Request from FDLE
How to Submit a Request to the Clerk
- Online or by email — Submit a public records request through the Clerk's website. Specify that you need certified copies.
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office at the Citrus County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the address below. Include the case number or defendant's full name and date of birth, and specify the documents you need certified.
FDLE Criminal History Requests
For a formal criminal history record from the state repository, submit a request through FDLE's criminal history services. Fingerprint-based checks are required for certain employment and licensing purposes. FDLE also handles applications to seal or expunge criminal records under Florida Statutes §§ 943.0585 and 943.059.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Citrus County
Fees for criminal record copies in Citrus County are set by Florida statute (§ 28.24) and the Clerk's fee schedule. The following are standard rates:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| FDLE Florida-only criminal history check | $24.00 |
| FDLE state and national (fingerprint-based) check | $24.00 state + FBI fee |
| Seal/expunge application processing (FDLE) | $75.00 |
Processing Times
- Clerk of Courts — Simple requests for existing records are often processed within a few business days. Complex or voluminous requests may take longer, and the Clerk's office will notify you of any extended timeframe.
- Sheriff's Office — Recent arrest records are available online within days of booking. Written public records requests are typically fulfilled within a reasonable time under Florida's public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).
- FDLE — Electronic criminal history checks are usually returned within a few business days. Fingerprint-based national checks may take several weeks.
Payment methods vary by office. Contact the specific agency before submitting your request to confirm accepted forms of payment and current fees.