Criminal records in DeSoto County, Florida, are generally accessible to the public under the state's broad public records law. DeSotoFLCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for DeSoto County. Beyond that resource, you can also search through official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the DeSoto County Clerk of Court. The county seat is Arcadia, where most in-person record requests are handled.
How to Search Criminal Records in DeSoto
Several methods are available to look up criminal records in DeSoto County. What you need to get started depends on the method, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or a case number will make any search more effective.
Online Search Options
- DeSotoFLCourt.us — Search for publicly available criminal court record information by name or case number.
- DeSoto County Clerk Records Search — The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains an online records search tool for court cases filed in DeSoto County, including criminal cases.
- DeSoto County Sheriff Jail Roster — View individuals currently in custody at the DeSoto County Jail. This is useful for confirming recent arrests but does not serve as a full criminal history search.
- Florida Courts website — The Florida Courts DeSoto County page provides court structure information and links to resources.
- FDLE Criminal History — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) offers statewide criminal history record checks through its online portal at fdle.state.fl.us.
In Person
- Visit the DeSoto County Clerk of Court office in Arcadia.
- Ask to use public access terminals or request assistance from clerk staff.
- Bring a valid photo ID. You may search by name, case number, or date range.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written public records request to the DeSoto County Clerk of Court. Include the individual's full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you are requesting. For statewide criminal history checks, submit a request directly to FDLE, which may require fingerprint submission.
Search DeSoto Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Florida uses a standardized case number format across all counties:
- 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 felony
- MM — County misdemeanor
- CT — Circuit criminal traffic (DUI felony)
- MO — County criminal traffic/ordinance
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned by the clerk's office.
A typical DeSoto County case number might look like 2024-CF-000123. Enter the full case number into the clerk's records search tool for the most direct results. Case number searches return exact matches, avoiding the ambiguity that can come with common names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in DeSoto
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Florida Statute section the defendant is accused of violating (e.g., §893.13 for drug possession) |
| Severity | Felony (circuit court), misdemeanor (county court), or infraction |
| Degree | Felonies range from capital/life to third degree; misdemeanors are first or second degree |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced, added, or modified by the State Attorney before or during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending / Active — The case is still being processed by the court.
- Disposed — The court has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, etc.).
- Closed — All court actions, including sentencing and post-judgment motions, are complete.
- Reopened — A previously closed case has been brought back for further proceedings, such as a violation of probation.
Hearing Types
- First appearance — Bond determination, usually within 24 hours of arrest.
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest).
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible plea offers, and discovery issues.
- Motion hearings — Arguments on specific legal issues (suppression of evidence, etc.).
- Trial — Jury or bench trial.
- Sentencing — Judge imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review / status hearing — Probation compliance or other post-disposition matters.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict.
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial.
- No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant accepts punishment without admitting guilt.
- Nolle prosequi / Dismissed — The State Attorney dropped the charges.
- Adjudication withheld — Found guilty but the court withholds a formal conviction, which can affect how the record appears on background checks.
- Pretrial diversion completed — Charges dismissed after the defendant successfully completed a diversion program.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in DeSoto
Certified copies of criminal court records carry the official seal of the Clerk of Court and are accepted as legal proof of the record's contents. Here is how to obtain them:
From the DeSoto County Clerk of Court
- Online — Submit a public records request through the clerk's website specifying the case number or party name and the documents you need certified.
- In person — Visit the clerk's office in Arcadia. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can pull the case file and certify copies while you wait, depending on volume.
- By mail — Send a written request with the case details, your return address, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
From FDLE (Statewide Criminal History)
For a certified statewide criminal history report, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. These requests typically require fingerprint submission and are processed through approved livescan vendors or by submitting a fingerprint card by mail to FDLE.
Federal Cases
DeSoto County falls within the Fort Myers Division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Federal criminal case records are available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in DeSoto
Fees for court record copies in Florida are set by statute (Florida Statute §28.24). The table below reflects standard charges at the DeSoto County Clerk of Court:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| Copy of a recorded instrument (first page) | $1.00 |
| Copy of a recorded instrument (each additional page) | $1.00 |
| FDLE state criminal history check (non-fingerprint) | $24.00 |
| FDLE fingerprint-based background check | Varies (typically $24.00–$75.00 depending on level) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often fulfilled the same day for simple copy or certification requests.
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing, plus mail transit time.
- Online public records requests — Response times vary based on the complexity and volume of records requested. Florida law requires a response within a reasonable time.
- FDLE criminal history checks — Electronic results are typically available within 1–3 business days; fingerprint-based checks may take longer.
Payment methods accepted at the clerk's office generally include cash, check, and money order. Contact the office directly at (863) 993-4876 to confirm current accepted payment forms before visiting.