Clay County is located in northeastern Florida. Its population is over 218,000, and its housing units are 85,049. The county seat is Green Cove Springs City.

Courts in Clay County

The Fourth District of the Florida Circuit Court is the highest trial court in Clay County. It handles all matters that are beyond the jurisdiction of the Clay County Court. Its criminal jurisdiction covers all felony cases. The court also hears civil cases in which the plaintiff’s claims exceed $50,000. Furthermore, the court hears cases on divorce, custody, support, and other family matters. The court also handles probate matters like wills, guardianships, and mental health cases. Juvenile matters, including delinquency and dependency cases, all fall within the authority of the court. In addition to its original jurisdiction, the Circuit Court hears appeals of certain administrative proceedings and civil infractions.

The Clay County Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic cases, and municipal ordinance violations. Its civil jurisdiction covers cases involving $50,000 or less and small claims of $8,000 or less. The court hears small claims under informal procedures that do not require attorney representation.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Clay County

The Clay County Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining court records in the county. The Clerk grants online access to the records through the Clay County case search portal. However, researchers can only get uncertified record copies from the portal. Record copies, including certified documents, are available at the Clerk’s office. Interested persons can request them in person or by sending in record requests by mail or email.

Types of Public Court Records in Clay County

Court records include documents and other materials that are submitted or generated in the adjudication of a case. Some examples are:

• Case dockets
• Pleadings
• Filings
• Exhibits
• Judgments and orders

Clay County court records are open to the public unless declared confidential by law.

Confidential Court Records in Clay County

Clay County court records can be made confidential by statute or court order. In such instances, the records are considered confidential. Some examples of such records include:

• Mental health records
• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Records containing sensitive information

Juvenile Delinquency in Clay, FL

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

In 2017, a total of 503 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Clay County. Of that total, 100% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 503 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Clay County, FL

https://www.myflorida.com/

County Seat:	Green Cove Springs
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1858
Total Square Miles:	644
2019 Population:	212,230
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	477 Houston St County Administration Center Green Cove Springs , FL 32043-2438 http://www.claycountygov.com/

Clay County, FL Courts