Located between the Orlando and Tampa metro regions, Polk County is named after the 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk. The county covers an area of approximately 2,011 square miles, making it one of the largest counties in Florida. Established in 1861, Polk County’s predominant industry is agriculture. Polk County has its county seat in Bartow City.

Courts in Polk County

The trial court system in Polk County comprises Circuit Courts and County Courts. The Polk County Circuit Courts has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases but only handles court cases beyond the authority of the county courts. Civil cases tried in the Circuit Court include general civil claims for more than $15,000 and landlord/tenant disputes. Criminal cases include felonies and lesser offenses. The Circuit Court presides over probate, family law, traffic, and juvenile matters.

The County Courts have limited jurisdiction over some criminal and civil cases. It presides over less grievous criminal cases, such as petty theft, disorderly conduct, and civil disputes involving amounts below $15,000.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Polk County

Public court records are the court documents submitted to or maintained by the courts that are open to the public. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the record custodian for public court records in Polk County. The Clerk’s Office makes public court records available through Polk Records Online. Record seekers may also visit the courthouse to view and obtain copies of the record. The Clerk of Courts also welcomes requests for public court records by mail.

Types of Public Court Records in Polk County

The following court records are open to residents in Polk County to inspect and obtain copies:

• Civil Court Records: Such as employment disputes, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and landlord/tenant disputes
• Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanor cases such as aggravated assault, drug trafficking, theft, disorderly conduct, and driving under the influence
• Probate Court Records: Guardianships, wills, and trusts
• Traffic Court Records: Traffic infractions such as speeding tickets
• Family Law Court Records: Including divorce, child support, spousal support, and child custody cases

Confidential Court Records in Polk County

Confidential court records in Polk County refer to court documents and papers maintained by the courts but unavailable to the public. Usually, confidential court records are sealed by a court order or a federal or state statute. Confidential court records contain sensitive information, sealed to protect the individuals named on the court document. Confidential Court records include juvenile court records, mental health records, domestic violence records, trade secrets, grand jury information, and adoption records.

In addition, certain information contained in public court records may be restricted from the public to protect privacy and comply with state laws. Information redacted from public court records includes financial account numbers, driver’s license numbers, home and personal addresses, Social Security numbers, passport numbers, and tax identification numbers.

Juvenile Delinquency in Polk, FL

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Polk County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Florida often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 3 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Polk County. Of that total, 100% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 3 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Polk County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Polk County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Polk County, FL

https://www.myflorida.com/

County Seat:	Bartow
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1861
Total Square Miles:	2,011
2019 Population:	686,483
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	PO BOX 9005 County Courthouse Bartow , FL 33831-9005 https://www.polk-county.net/

Polk County, FL Courts