What Is a Court Docket in Pinellas County
A docket is a chronological log of every official action taken in a court case. Each time a document is filed, a hearing is scheduled, an order is entered, or a party takes a step, the Clerk adds an entry to the docket. The docket does not contain the full text of documents. It is a list of events: dates, entry types, and parties. Think of it as the table of contents for a case file. If you need the actual motion or order, you look up the full document through the court records portal; the docket just tells you it exists and when it was filed.
In Pinellas County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains dockets for all Circuit Court and County Court cases. The Pinellas court records portal at courtrecords.mypinellasclerk.gov gives public access to docket entries for many criminal, civil, and traffic cases without any login. Family and probate dockets require a registered user account to view online. Juvenile dockets are not available online at all, per Clerk policy. Dockets update as the Clerk processes filings, so a case filed yesterday may appear within a day or two, but real-time entry is not guaranteed.
The docket is different from the case number. The case number identifies the case; the docket is everything that happened in it. A criminal case numbered 25-01828-CF-1 will have a docket entry for the information or indictment filed, entries for each motion, entries for hearing dates set and heard, and an entry for the final disposition. The same case also has a statewide Uniform Case Number in the longer format, such as 522020CF000088000APC, which may appear in state databases.
How to Find Pinellas County Court Dockets Online
The starting point for any Pinellas County docket search is the Clerk's View Records page. From there, Court Records Public View handles most criminal, civil, and traffic case searches without a login. If you need a court date specifically, the Clerk's criminal page notes that users should look for the Court Calendar option within the portal rather than reading through every docket entry. The calendar view focuses on scheduled hearings, which is often what people actually need.
- Go to the Clerk View Records page at mypinellasclerk.gov/Home/View-Records and select Court Records Public View for no-login access. Do not use a search engine result that may land on a third-party data site.
- Choose your search method. If you have the case number, enter it directly. Pinellas criminal case numbers commonly appear in the short format, such as 25-01828-CF-1. If you only know the person's name, search by party name and try spelling variations because name searches are broad.
- Select the Court Calendar option when your main goal is finding an upcoming hearing date. This filters the case information to show scheduled court events rather than requiring you to scan every docket entry. The Clerk criminal page specifically directs users here for appearance date information.
- Review the docket entries list once the case opens. Each entry shows a date, an entry type, and often the filing party. Look at entry types to understand where the case stands: a motion filed suggests pending action; an order entered means the judge has ruled; a hearing set means a date is scheduled; a disposition entry means the case outcome is recorded.
- Click into document links where available. Some entries have viewable document images. Others are listed on the docket but the image is restricted, under redaction, or only available at a courthouse public terminal. If a document is not visible online, that does not mean it was never filed.
- For family or probate dockets, complete the registered user signup on the Clerk portal. Family and probate case documents require a registered account for online access, per Clerk FAQ. Anonymous access is not enough.
- For copies or certified records, use the Pinellas public records request center. The Clerk will quote the copy cost by email. Copying court or official records costs $1.00 per page, and certification adds $2.00.
Note: Save the exact case number after your first successful search. You will need it for E-Notify court reminders, copy requests, and follow-up phone calls to the Clerk at (727) 464-7000.
Pinellas County Docket Entry Types Explained
Every line on a Pinellas court docket has an entry type. Some types are straightforward. Others use legal shorthand that can be confusing. The list below covers the most common entries across criminal, civil, and traffic cases in both Circuit Court and County Court. Knowing what each entry means lets you track a case without needing to read every document.
| Docket Entry Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Complaint Filed | The civil case starts. The plaintiff files a complaint stating claims against the defendant. This is the first docket entry in most civil cases. |
| Information / Indictment Filed | The State Attorney formally charges the defendant in a criminal case. An information is signed by the prosecutor; an indictment comes from a grand jury. |
| Summons Issued | The court directs the defendant or a party to respond. In civil cases a summons starts the service process. In criminal cases a notice of hearing serves a similar function. |
| Return of Service | Proof that the summons or process was served on the defendant or other party. The server files a return showing when, where, and how service was completed. |
| Motion Filed | A party asks the judge to take a specific action. Motions can be filed at any stage. Common examples include motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, and motions to suppress evidence. |
| Order Entered | The judge has issued a written ruling. An order may grant or deny a motion, schedule a hearing, or direct a party to take action. Orders are binding on the parties. |
| Hearing Set | A date, time, and courtroom are scheduled for a hearing. This entry is what most people look for when searching for a court date. Use the Court Calendar option for this purpose. |
| Arraignment | The criminal defendant appears before the judge to hear the charges and enter a plea. Arraignment is usually the first major hearing in a criminal case after filing. |
| Plea | The defendant enters a formal response: guilty, not guilty, or no contest (nolo contendere). A plea entered at arraignment sets the track for trial or plea agreement. |
| Nolle Prosequi | The State Attorney decides not to pursue the charge. The case is dropped, though it may be refiled in some situations. Abbreviated "Nolle Pros" on dockets. |
| Disposition | The final or current outcome of a charge or case. Dispositions include guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi, withheld adjudication, judgment entered, and others. A disposition entry does not always mean the case is fully closed. |
| Judgment | The court's final enforceable decision. In civil cases a judgment may award money damages. In criminal cases a judgment of conviction follows a guilty plea or verdict. |
| Sentence | The judge imposes punishment after a criminal conviction or plea. Sentences may include fines, probation, jail, prison, community service, or a combination. |
| Capias Issued | A court order directing law enforcement to arrest a person, often after a failure to appear. Capiases show on the docket and remain active until executed or recalled. |
| Continuance | A hearing or trial date is postponed and rescheduled. Continuances can be requested by either party or granted by the judge for cause. |
| Appeal Notice Filed | A party files notice of appeal after a judgment or order. The case then moves to an appellate court, which for Pinellas is generally the District Court of Appeal. |
| Satisfaction of Judgment | The judgment creditor files this document when the judgment has been paid in full. It closes out the financial obligation and is often recorded in Official Records as well. |
| Dismissal | The case or a count is dismissed. Dismissal with prejudice means it cannot be refiled. Dismissal without prejudice means it may be refiled within applicable time limits. |
Which Pinellas County Courts Publish Dockets
Pinellas County has two tiers of trial courts: Circuit Court and County Court. Both are served by the same Clerk and use the same court records portal. The Sixth Judicial Circuit, which includes both Pinellas and Pasco counties, is Florida's third-largest trial court and operates across five court facilities in Pinellas. Dockets for all case divisions flow through the Clerk's unified system, but what you can see depends on the case type and your access level.
Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases, large civil disputes over $50,000, family law (divorce, custody, paternity, injunctions, adoption), probate and guardianship, juvenile matters, and mental health cases. Circuit Court has divisions by subject matter: Circuit Criminal, Circuit Civil, Family, Probate and Guardianship, and Unified Family Court. Criminal cases in Circuit Court are typically heard at the Pinellas County Justice Center at 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, while civil, family, and probate cases center at the Clearwater Courthouse at 315 Court Street. Dockets for many Circuit Court criminal and civil cases are publicly visible without login through Court Records Public View. Family, probate, guardianship, and juvenile dockets have access restrictions described in the next section.
County Court sits below Circuit Court and has limited jurisdiction. It handles misdemeanor criminal cases without a concurrent felony, county civil matters up to $50,000, small claims (disputes of $8,000 or less), landlord-tenant, traffic infractions, and criminal traffic cases not routed to Circuit Court. County Court dockets for criminal and civil matters appear in the same Clerk portal as Circuit Court cases. Traffic matters appear in the traffic section of the portal and on the Clerk's Traffic and Parking page.
- Circuit Criminal - felony criminal cases; dockets publicly accessible for most cases; Justice Center location.
- Circuit Civil - civil disputes over $50,000; publicly accessible dockets; Clearwater Courthouse location.
- Family Division - divorce, custody, injunctions, paternity; registered access required for online document viewing.
- Probate and Guardianship - estates, wills, guardianship, Baker Act, Marchman Act; registered access required; Clearwater Courthouse Room 106.
- County Criminal - misdemeanors; publicly accessible dockets in most cases.
- County Civil / Small Claims - landlord-tenant and lower-value disputes; publicly accessible dockets.
- Traffic Division - civil and criminal traffic; accessible through the court records portal and Clerk traffic page.
Family and Probate Docket Access in Pinellas County
Family law and probate dockets are accessible through the Clerk portal but require a registered user account. Anonymous public view, which works for many criminal and civil cases, does not show family and probate documents online. The Clerk FAQ states directly that family and probate type cases require registered access for online viewing. Attorney accounts allow even broader document access, but only for cases where that attorney is the attorney of record.
Juvenile court dockets are not available online at all. The Clerk states that juvenile court records are not currently available online and that requests may require the defendant to appear in person with valid identification at the Pinellas County Justice Center on 49th Street. This restriction flows from Florida Statutes ยง985.04, which sets narrower access rules for juvenile justice records compared with adult criminal records.
Adoption records are separately confidential under Florida law. Guardianship, incapacity, Baker Act, Marchman Act, mental health, and settlement of minors' cases in the Probate division also carry restricted access to clinical records and sensitive personal data. The Clerk's View Records page explains the access tiers and links registration options. For older probate records from 1973 to 1987, the Clerk maintains a separate Probate Inquiry historical index accessible from the View Records page.
Public terminals at Clerk offices provide a path when online access is restricted. Terminals at the Clearwater Courthouse, Pinellas County Justice Center, North County Customer Information and Service Center, and St. Petersburg Judicial Building can give access to records that are unavailable remotely, subject to the same confidentiality rules. If a record is confidential, a terminal will not override the restriction.
Docket vs. Full Case Record in Pinellas County
A court docket and a full case record are not the same thing. The docket is the list of events: dates, entry types, and filing parties. The full case record includes the actual documents filed, such as the complaint, motions, orders, and judgments. Many people search dockets to track a case but need the full record documents when researching a legal matter, preparing a court filing, or ordering certified copies. The Pinellas Clerk portal gives access to both, but access differs by case type and document security level.
| Docket | Full Case Record | |
|---|---|---|
| What It Is | Chronological list of case events and actions | Complete documents: pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, exhibits |
| Format | Entry list with dates and types | Document images, paper files, or microfilm for older records |
| Public Access | Often free and available online for criminal, civil, traffic | Available online for many cases; restricted for family, probate, juvenile |
| Best For | Tracking progress, finding hearing dates, case status | Legal review, evidence, certified copy requests, appeals |
| Fee | No fee to view online docket entries | $1.00 per page for copies; $2.00 for certification; $7.00 for exemplified certificate |
| Where to Access | courtrecords.mypinellasclerk.gov | Same portal; or Clerk copy request center; or in person at courthouse |
Court Date Reminders and E-Notify for Pinellas Cases
Florida offers a free reminder service called E-Notify that sends text or email alerts when court events are added to a case. The Clerk notes that users should have the case number ready before signing up for E-Notify. Case numbers are found through the court records portal after searching by name or direct case number. E-Notify sends reminders; it does not constitute legal service of documents. If you are a self-represented party required to designate an email address for court service under Florida court rules, that is a separate step from signing up for E-Notify reminders.
Missing a court date has serious consequences. A missed appearance in a criminal case can lead to a bench warrant called a capias, bond forfeiture, and additional criminal exposure. In traffic matters, failure to appear can trigger driver license suspension and extra penalties. In civil cases a defendant who misses a deadline or hearing risks a default judgment against them. If a court date is missed for any reason, the right move is to check the docket immediately, contact the Clerk at (727) 464-7000, and speak with a lawyer before the next court action occurs.
How to Read a Pinellas County Docket
Docket entries often use abbreviations and codes that are not always defined on screen. Case type codes appear in case numbers: CF means felony, MM means misdemeanor, CA means civil circuit, SC means small claims, DR means domestic relations (family), and PR means probate. The letter codes at the end of a uniform case number identify the court and circuit. A case number ending in -1 or similar suffix often identifies the judge or division section, not the charge count.
The glossary below defines terms that appear frequently in Pinellas County dockets. These terms apply across criminal, civil, traffic, and family cases. They are not definitions of guilt or legal advice; they explain what a docket entry means procedurally.
- Plaintiff
- The party who starts a civil lawsuit by filing a complaint. In criminal cases, the filing party is the State of Florida, not a private plaintiff.
- Defendant
- The party sued in a civil case or charged in a criminal case. A defendant has the right to respond to any claims or charges filed against them.
- Petitioner / Respondent
- Terms used in family, probate, and injunction cases instead of plaintiff and defendant. The petitioner files the petition; the respondent files an answer or response.
- Motion
- A written request asking the judge to take a specific action. A motion filed entry on the docket means a party has asked for something; an order entered entry usually follows when the judge rules on it.
- Order
- The judge's written ruling. An order may grant or deny a motion, schedule hearings, or require a party to act. Orders are binding and appear on the docket immediately after entry.
- Disposition
- The final or current outcome of a charge or case. Guilty, not guilty, nolle prosequi, dismissed with prejudice, dismissed without prejudice, and judgment entered are all disposition values. A disposition does not always mean the case is fully closed if appeals or post-judgment matters remain.
- Capias
- A court-issued warrant ordering arrest, usually after a failure to appear or contempt. A capias entry on a docket means law enforcement is authorized to arrest the named person. It stays active until executed or the court recalls it.
- Nolle Prosequi
- The State Attorney's decision to drop a criminal charge. Abbreviated as Nolle Pros on dockets. The case ends for that charge, though other charges may remain or the case could be refiled in limited situations.
- Bond
- A financial condition for release from custody. Bond amounts and status appear in criminal dockets and on PCSO booking records. Bond Assessed and Bond Amount Due are separate fields that may differ if partial payment was made.
- Continuance
- A rescheduling of a court date. When a hearing is continued, a new date is set and both the old and new dates appear on the docket. Multiple continuances are common in complex cases.
- Injunction
- A court order requiring or prohibiting conduct. In Pinellas, injunctions for domestic, repeat, dating, and sexual violence are handled in the Family and Community Violence Court sections. Injunction dockets are civil but have criminal consequences for violation.
- Probation
- Court-ordered supervision instead of or after jail time. A probation order appears as a docket entry after sentencing. Probation violations result in a new docket entry, often a 948.06-VOP capias or hearing.
Criminal vs. Civil Dockets in Pinellas County
Criminal and civil dockets in Pinellas County use the same portal but follow different patterns. In criminal cases, the State Attorney files charges and the docket begins with the information or indictment. Entries track arraignment, plea, hearings, motions, trial date settings, and eventually disposition and sentencing. Criminal dockets are generally more public than family or probate dockets, and most Circuit and County criminal cases are accessible through Court Records Public View without a login.
Civil dockets run differently. The case starts with a complaint filed by the plaintiff, followed by service on the defendant, and then the defendant's answer or motion to dismiss. Civil dockets can span years in complex cases like foreclosures, business disputes, or personal injury suits. The Clerk civil page at mypinellasclerk.gov/Home/Civil-Court covers circuit civil, county civil, small claims, landlord-tenant, appeals, judgments, and case-management orders. Circuit Civil handles cases over $50,000; County Civil handles cases up to $50,000; Small Claims handles disputes of $8,000 or less.
Traffic dockets sit between criminal and civil in complexity. Civil traffic infractions are handled administratively through the traffic division and do not result in criminal records. Criminal traffic, including DUI and driving while license suspended, routes to County or Circuit Criminal and produces a criminal docket entry. If you are searching for traffic court docket information, the Clerk's Traffic and Parking page is the correct starting point. For DUI and criminal traffic matters, see Pinellas County criminal records for more detail on how criminal cases are tracked.
Federal Court Dockets for Pinellas County Cases
Federal cases involving Pinellas County parties are not in the Pinellas Clerk system. Federal court dockets are maintained by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, which covers Pinellas along with Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota, and Hardee counties. The federal courthouse is the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse at 801 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602. The federal clerk's office phone is (813) 301-5400, and hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
Federal dockets are searched through PACER, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. PACER requires a free account for access. Document retrieval fees apply under federal PACER policy, though fee waivers exist for low-volume access. CM/ECF is the filing system used by attorneys in federal cases; PACER is the public access layer. Federal dockets include civil rights cases, federal criminal prosecutions, diversity civil cases, habeas petitions, and federal agency matters. The Middle District of Florida Tampa Division page has filing instructions, local rules, and courthouse information for Pinellas County users appearing in federal court.
Federal cases handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuted separately from Pinellas County State Attorney cases. The U.S. Attorney's office handles federal crimes including wire fraud, drug trafficking across district lines, federal civil rights violations, and other federal statutory offenses. The U.S. Attorney's Office page for the Middle District of Florida has public information about federal prosecutions. Federal bankruptcy cases for Pinellas residents are handled through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, which is also accessed through PACER and is separate from the Pinellas Clerk entirely.
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals reviews appeals from the Middle District of Florida. Appeals from Pinellas County Circuit and County Court decisions route through Florida's District Courts of Appeal, not the federal circuit. These are two separate appellate systems. A case that started in Florida state court stays in the Florida appellate system unless there is a federal constitutional issue that opens a separate federal court path.