Manatee County was created in 1855 in Florida. It has a total land area of 742.8 square miles. As of 2020, the county is home to more than 399,000 residents. Bradenton, the county’s largest city, is also the county seat.

Courts in Manatee County

Florida’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court serves as the highest court in Manatee. The court typically presides over all civil and criminal cases beyond other smaller courts. Criminal cases heard by the Circuit Court judge in Manatee County include felony trials and certain misdemeanor offenses. The court also hears civil matters involving financial disputes greater than $15,000. Residents resolve probate matters, family law cases, and mental health cases at the Manatee County Circuit Court.

The County Court in Manatee County has limited jurisdiction over certain criminal and civil cases. Criminal cases heard at the County Court include misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and other ordinance violations. The Manatee County Court also presides over landlord-tenant disputes and simple marriage dissolution cases. Civil cases brought before the court are typically monetary disputes of below $15,000.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Manatee County

The Clerk of Court in Manatee County is in charge of creating, storing, and disseminating all public court records. Examples of public court records include:

• Record of Proceedings
• Case Summaries
• Legal Briefs
• Writs
• Agendas
• Hearing Schedules
• Expert Witness Reports
• Case Dockets
• Transcripts
• Plea Bargains
• Indictments
• Verdicts
• Warrants
• Sentencing Information

Interested persons can search court records online using case numbers, citation numbers, names of parties involved, case types, and hearing dates. The court clerk also allows record seekers to make public record requests by mail, email, phone, or in person.

Types of Public Court Records in Manatee County

Manatee County residents can access the following case files maintained by the court clerk.

• Small claims records
• Civil court records showing financial disputes between entities and individuals
• Criminal records showing court proceedings and verdicts in cases involving prosecutors and defendants.
• Certain divorce court records
• Some Juvenile records
• Probate records
• Traffic court records

Confidential Court Records in Manatee County

According to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, confidential court records are documents not open for public inspection. Record-holders who have their names on the confidential records can obtain copies by visiting the courts in person. Examples of these confidential court records in Manatee County include the following:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Medical records
• Baker Act records
• Substance abuse records
• Victim identity information
• Social Security numbers
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card numbers
• Grand jury records
• Trade secrets
• Attorney-client privileged information

Juvenile Delinquency in Manatee, FL

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Manatee 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 1081 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Manatee County. Of that total, 100% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 1081 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Manatee County, FL

https://www.myflorida.com/

County Seat:	Bradenton
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1855
Total Square Miles:	893
2019 Population:	385,571
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00

Manatee County, FL Courts