Marion County, established in 1844, is named after General Francis Marion, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. The County, located in north-central Florida, covers an approximate area of 1,663 square miles and is home to over 375,000 Floridians. The County seat in Ocala City is home to the Ocala National Forest, one of the oldest and largest national forests in the United States.

Courts in Marion County

The courts in Marion County consist of Circuit and County Courts. The Marion County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. The Civil Division handles civil disputes, such as foreclosures and boundary disputes, for damages exceeding $50,000. The Criminal Division presides over felony cases. The court also presides over probate, juvenile, and family law matters. The Probate Court deals with deceased estates, including wills, estates, and trusts. The Juvenile Court handles juvenile delinquency and child protection matters. The Family Law Court handles divorce, legal separation, and child custody cases.

The County Courts adjudicate misdemeanor criminal cases and civil disputes below $50,000. The court also presides over municipal and county ordinance violations and traffic infractions.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Marion County

Public court records are documents from court proceedings in Marion County that residents can view and copy. The Clerk of Court is the custodian of public court records. Interested persons may access the records electronically using the Online Court Records Search. Additionally, record seekers may visit the courthouse during business hours to view and obtain copies of the record or mail requests for public court records.

Types of Public Court Records in Marion County

Public court records provide insights into Marion County’s judicial process. The following court records are open to the public in Marion County:

• Civil Court Records: Foreclosures, business litigations, contract disputes, boundary disputes, and insurance coverage disputes
• Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanor
• Probate Records: Estate, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships
• Family Court Records: Child custody, child support, legal separation, alimony, and divorce records
• Traffic Records: Illegal parking, reckless driving, speeding tickets, driving without a valid license, and seatbelt violations

Confidential Court Records in Marion County

Confidential court records in Marion County are documents from legal proceedings inaccessible to the public. Confidential court records contain private or sensitive information that may result in an unwarranted invasion of privacy if disclosed. Confidential court records are sealed by the courts or through state or federal law. Confidential court records in Marion County include:

• Substance abuse treatment program
• Medical and mental health records
• Adoption records
• Juvenile court records
• Confidential informant or crime victim information

Likewise, personal data within court records are confidential and restricted from the public. Personal identifiers hold information that uniquely identifies a person. Therefore, the court redacts this information to prevent identity theft and fraud. Confidential personal data on court records include:

• Birthdates
• Home and personal email address
• Financial account information
• Social Security numbers
• Drivers license numbers

Juvenile Delinquency in Marion, FL

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Marion 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 1070 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Marion County. Of that total, 100% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 1070 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Marion County, FL

https://www.myflorida.com/

County Seat:	Ocala
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1844
Total Square Miles:	1,663
2019 Population:	354,353
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	601 Se 25Th Ave County Courthouse Ocala , FL 34471-2690 http://www.marioncountyfl.org

Marion County, FL Courts