St Johns County traffic ticket records are public files kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in St. Augustine, Florida.
These records hold every traffic citation written in the county, the court result, fines paid, and the driver’s final case status. Anyone can search these records online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the clerk’s office. This page covers how the records are made, what each one shows, and how to use the official search tools to look up a ticket.
How St Johns County Traffic Ticket Records Are Made and Kept
Every traffic ticket in St Johns County starts when a law enforcement officer writes a citation. The officer enters the driver details, vehicle details, and violation into a state system at the time of the stop. The paper ticket goes to the driver, and a digital copy goes to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for filing. The clerk makes the record part of the public court file system. After that, anyone can look up the case online or request a printed copy of the full record from the clerk’s office.
The Role of the Clerk of the Circuit Court
The St Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the records system for all civil traffic tickets in the county. The clerk’s office sits in the county seat of St. Augustine at 4010 Lewis Speedway. This office files the citation, tracks the case, collects payments, and records the final outcome in the court file. The clerk also reports final outcomes to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, called FLHSMV. FLHSMV uses these reports to track points, suspensions, and license status for every Florida driver.
How Long Records Take to Show Up in the System
A new traffic ticket takes about 5 to 10 days to show up in the clerk’s online search tool. Some records appear in as few as 3 days. Others can take up to 14 days, especially around court holidays or busy weekends. If a citation does not show up right away, the driver should wait at least one week before calling the clerk’s office at 904-819-3600. The 30-day payment clock starts on the date printed on the citation, not the date the record appears online. Waiting for the record to show up online does not extend the deadline.
Agencies That Write Tickets in St Johns County
Three main agencies write traffic tickets in St Johns County. Each ticket goes to the same clerk’s office for filing. Drivers do not need to contact the agency that wrote the ticket. The clerk’s office handles all records for tickets written by any agency in the county. The agencies include local police, the county sheriff, and the state highway patrol.
- St Johns County Sheriff’s Office
- Florida Highway Patrol
- Local city police in St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, and Hastings
How to Search St Johns County Traffic Ticket Records Online
St Johns County offers free online search tools for traffic ticket records. These tools let drivers check case status, fines owed, court dates, and final outcomes. Most searches take less than one minute. Drivers need either a full name, a date of birth, a citation number, or a case number to start a search. The tools work on phones, tablets, and computers at any time of day or night.
Using the St Johns County Clerk’s Official Portal
The official St Johns County Clerk website at stjohnsclerk.com hosts the case search tool. Drivers can click on the “Public Records” link from the main page. The search tool asks for a last name, first name, and date of birth. Results show open cases, closed cases, fines owed, and court dates. The portal works on phones, tablets, and computers. The site also has a separate link for traffic ticket payments and traffic school elections.
Searching by Name
Name search works for people who know the full legal name on the citation. The search tool returns a list of cases tied to that name. Each case shows the citation number, the violation, the court date, and the amount owed. Drivers can click on a case to see the full record. The full record includes the issuing officer, the location of the stop, the speed recorded, and the final court order. Name search is the most common way to look up a ticket when the paper copy is lost.
Searching by Citation or Case Number
Citation number search gives faster results than name search. The citation number is printed at the top of the paper ticket in bold letters. The case number is assigned by the clerk’s office and may be different from the citation number. Drivers can type either number into the search box to pull up one case only. This works well for people with common names who might have multiple results in the system. Drivers can find the case number on any past court paper or payment receipt from the clerk.
Using the Statewide PayFLClerk Portal
The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers run a statewide payment and search portal at payflclerk.com. Drivers pick St Johns County from the drop-down list of all 67 Florida counties. The portal lets users search for tickets, pay fines, and elect traffic school in one place. The portal accepts credit cards and debit cards. A small service fee of about 3.5% applies to each card payment. The portal works for most Florida counties, not just St Johns. Drivers moving to another Florida county can use the same portal for the new county’s tickets.
What St Johns County Traffic Ticket Records Show
Each traffic ticket record in St Johns County shows a set of fixed fields. These fields include the driver’s name, address, license number, citation details, court actions, fines, and the final case status. Records do not show the driver’s Social Security number or full banking data. Records do show the points added to the license after a guilty finding. Records also show court costs, surcharges, and any traffic school elections tied to the case.
Personal and Vehicle Information
The personal section of the record shows the driver’s full name, date of birth, license number, home address, and vehicle tag number. The officer enters this data on the scene at the time of the stop. Drivers who see wrong data on the record should contact the clerk’s office to fix it. Errors in the personal data can slow down the case or lead to missed court dates. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong license numbers, and old addresses on file.
Violation Details and Florida Statute Citations
Each record lists the law the driver is accused of breaking. The law comes from the Florida Statutes or local county code. Speeding records show the posted speed limit and the driver’s speed at the time of the stop. The record shows the date, time, and place of the stop. The officer’s name and badge number appear on the record. The record also lists any witnesses named in the officer’s report. Drivers can read the full Florida statute on the official Florida Legislature website.
Court Disposition and Final Status
The disposition section shows the final outcome of the case. Dispositions can be “paid,” “guilty,” “not guilty,” “dismissed,” “traffic school elected,” or “warrant issued.” The record shows the date of the final court action. This date matters for insurance checks and driving record checks. A “warrant issued” disposition means the driver failed to appear in court or pay. A “dismissed” disposition means the case ended with no fine and no points.
Points and Fines on Record
The record shows the number of points added to the license. The number of points depends on the violation. Speeding carries 3 to 6 points in Florida. Running a red light carries 4 points. Careless driving carries 4 points. The record shows the total fine amount. This amount includes the base fine, court costs, surcharges, and any late fees. Drivers can see the full breakdown of charges on the court summary attached to the record.
Paying a St Johns County Traffic Ticket
St Johns County accepts traffic ticket payments online, by mail, by phone, and in person. Payment must reach the clerk within 30 days of the citation date. Drivers who pay on time avoid late fees and license problems. Payment acts as a guilty plea under Florida law. Paying the fine closes the case but adds points to the driving record in most cases.
Accepted Payment Methods
The clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Online payments take Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. A convenience fee of about 3.5% applies to card payments. Phone payments also take cards through the official clerk’s payment line. Mail payments must be checks or money orders. Drivers should never mail cash through the postal service. Cash payments must be made in person at the clerk’s office.
The 30-Day Deadline and Late Fees
Florida Statute 318.14 sets the 30-day payment deadline for all civil traffic tickets. Missing the deadline adds a $16 late fee to the total. The clerk reports late tickets to FLHSMV after the deadline passes. The state mails a suspension notice 20 days after the report. Drivers with unpaid tickets can lose their license until the full amount gets paid. Drivers who think they will miss the deadline should call the clerk right away to ask about options.
Paying by Mail or In Person
Mail payments go to P.O. Box 300, St. Augustine, FL 32085. Checks or money orders must list the citation number on the memo line. The driver’s name and address should also appear on the check. In person payments go to the clerk’s office at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.
Options After Receiving a St Johns County Traffic Ticket
Florida law gives drivers three options after a traffic ticket. The 30-day clock applies to all three. Drivers should pick the option that fits their case the best. Acting before the deadline protects the driver’s license and driving record. Drivers who do nothing by the deadline face a license suspension and extra fees.
Paying the Fine and Accepting Points
Paying the fine is the simplest option. The case closes when the clerk gets the payment. Paying the fine means a guilty plea under Florida law. Points get added to the driver’s record. Insurance rates may go up after the points hit the record. Drivers with clean records often pick this option for low-cost tickets. The points stay on the record for 3 to 5 years depending on the violation.
Electing a Basic Driver Improvement Course
Florida lets drivers take a 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course to keep points off the record. Drivers get an 18% discount on the fine for picking this option. The course must finish within 90 days of the citation date. The school must be on the FLHSMV approved list. The certificate of completion must reach the clerk. This option is open once per year and up to 5 times in a lifetime. Drivers with a commercial driver license cannot use this option.
Contesting the Ticket in Court
Drivers who want to fight the ticket can ask for a court hearing. The request must reach the clerk within 30 days. A judge hears the case. Drivers can bring a lawyer to the hearing. The officer must show up to prove the case. Drivers who lose pay fines plus court costs. Court costs run $35 for moving violations and $18 for non-moving violations. Drivers who win pay no fines and get no points on the record.
License Suspension and St Johns County Traffic Tickets
Unpaid traffic tickets lead to license suspension in Florida. The process starts with the clerk and ends with the state. Drivers who act fast can stop the process before the suspension hits. Once the suspension hits, getting the license back takes time and money. Drivers should never ignore a traffic ticket in St Johns County because the costs add up fast.
How Suspension Happens After Non-Payment
Florida Statute 318.15 covers this process. The clerk reports unpaid tickets to FLHSMV after 30 days. FLHSMV mails a suspension notice to the driver’s address on file. The license suspends 20 days after the letter goes out. The suspension stays on the FLHSMV record for 7 years. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal charge that can lead to arrest.
How to Reinstate a Suspended License
To get the license back, the driver must pay all unpaid tickets and fees. The clerk then issues a certificate of compliance. The driver takes the certificate to FLHSMV. FLHSMV also charges a $60 reinstatement fee. Drivers can check their license status at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov. The full process takes about 7 to 14 business days. Drivers who drive on a suspended license face new criminal charges and higher reinstatement fees.
St Johns County Traffic Ticket Fines and Court Costs
St Johns County follows the Florida state fine schedule set by Florida Statute 318.18. Court costs and surcharges get added to the base fine. The total amount owed is higher than the base fine in most cases. The table below shows the base fine for common violations before court costs and surcharges.
| Violation Type | Base Fine |
|---|---|
| Speeding 6-9 mph over the limit | $25 |
| Speeding 10-14 mph over | $100 |
| Speeding 15-19 mph over | $150 |
| Speeding 20-29 mph over | $175 |
| Speeding 30+ mph over | $250 |
| Moving violation (general) | $60 |
| Non-moving violation (general) | $30 |
| School zone speeding | Doubles the base fine |
| Construction zone speeding | Doubles the base fine |
Court costs add $35 to moving violation fines. Court costs add $18 to non-moving violation fines. A $3 court improvement fee applies to all moving violations. Late fees add $16 if the 30-day deadline passes. Drivers with multiple violations on the same stop see all fines added together before court costs.
Getting Older or Archived St Johns County Traffic Ticket Records
St Johns County keeps traffic ticket records for many years. Older records follow different rules than new ones. The clerk’s office handles all requests for old records. Some records take more time to pull than others. Drivers needing very old records should call ahead to confirm the file still exists in the system.
Records Available Through the Clerk
The clerk’s online search tool shows most records from the past 5 to 7 years. Records older than that may need a manual request through the records department. Drivers can call 904-819-3600 to ask for records over 7 years old. The clerk charges a small fee for copies of old records. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. The clerk’s office can also fax or email a record summary on request.
Restrictions on Older Record Access
Records that lead to a criminal charge move to a different system. Criminal traffic cases are not on the civil traffic search tool. Drivers with older criminal cases need to search the criminal court records system through the same clerk’s office. Sealed or expunged records are not public. Only the person named on the record can see them with a court order. Juvenile records follow strict privacy rules and need a court order to view.
Contact and Office Details for St Johns County Clerk of Court
St Johns County drivers can visit, call, or write the clerk’s office for help with traffic ticket records. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. The clerk’s office is closed on state and federal holidays. Drivers should bring a photo ID and the citation number for in-person visits.
Office Address: 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 300, St. Augustine, FL 32085
Phone: 904-819-3600
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Official Website: stjohnsclerk.com
Frequently Asked Questions About St Johns County Traffic Ticket Records
Drivers in St Johns County often have questions about traffic ticket records. The answers below cover the most common questions about searching, paying, and clearing tickets. The answers come from Florida law and the St Johns County Clerk of Court. Drivers with special cases should call the clerk’s office for help with their specific situation.
How Do I Look Up My St Johns County Traffic Ticket Online?
To look up a St Johns County traffic ticket online, go to stjohnsclerk.com and click on the public records search tool. Type your last name, first name, and date of birth into the search box. The search returns a list of open and closed cases. Each case shows the citation number, violation, fine amount, and court date. The tool works 24 hours a day. Drivers can also use the statewide portal at payflclerk.com to search by picking St Johns County from the drop-down list. New tickets can take up to 10 days to show up in the system after the officer writes them. Drivers with tickets that do not show up should call 904-819-3600 for help.
What Happens If I Do Not Pay My St Johns County Traffic Ticket on Time?
Missing the 30-day payment deadline for a St Johns County traffic ticket leads to a $16 late fee. The clerk then reports the unpaid ticket to FLHSMV. FLHSMV mails a suspension notice to the driver’s address on file. The license suspends 20 days after the letter goes out. To stop the suspension, the driver must pay the full amount, the late fee, and a $60 reinstatement fee. The driver must also pay extra fees to FLHSMV for license reinstatement. Drivers who act before the suspension hits can avoid most of these costs. After the license suspends, getting it back takes 7 to 14 business days through the FLHSMV office.
Can I Take Traffic School for a St Johns County Ticket?
Yes, drivers can elect a Basic Driver Improvement course for many St Johns County traffic tickets. The course takes 4 hours total. The driver must finish the course within 90 days of the citation date. The school must be on the FLHSMV approved list of providers. The driver gets an 18% discount on the fine for picking this option. No points hit the driving record when the course is complete. Drivers can use this option once per year and up to 5 times in a lifetime. Drivers with a commercial driver license cannot use this option. Drivers caught going 30 mph or more over the speed limit cannot use this option either.
How Long Do St Johns County Traffic Ticket Records Stay on File?
St Johns County traffic ticket records stay on the public search tool for at least 5 to 7 years. The clerk’s office keeps paper and digital records for much longer. Points from a ticket stay on a Florida driving record for 3 to 5 years. Insurance companies check the driving record for 3 to 5 years when policies renew. Tickets for DUI or driving on a suspended license stay on the record for much longer. Sealed or expunged records come off the public search tool. Criminal traffic cases follow a different record schedule than civil traffic cases.
Can I Get a Copy of My St Johns County Traffic Ticket Record?
Yes, drivers can get a copy of their St Johns County traffic ticket record from the clerk’s office. Regular copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost more per page. The driver can request a copy in person, by mail, or online. Online requests go through the clerk’s public records portal on the website. Mail requests must include the citation number, the driver’s full name, and a check for the copy fee. The clerk mails copies within 5 to 7 business days of getting the request. Lawyers and insurance companies can also request copies with a signed release from the driver.
Will a St Johns County Traffic Ticket Affect My Insurance?
Yes, a paid St Johns County traffic ticket can affect insurance rates. Insurance companies check driving records when policies renew or when new policies start. Most companies raise rates after a driver gets points on the record. The rate increase depends on the type of violation. Speeding tickets often lead to bigger increases than non-moving violations. Tickets that lead to traffic school do not add points. Tickets dismissed in court do not add points. Drivers with multiple tickets in 3 years may face non-renewal of their policy. Shopping for insurance after a ticket can help drivers find better rates.
What Is the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Traffic Ticket in St Johns County?
Civil traffic tickets cover minor moving violations like speeding, running a stop sign, and unsafe lane changes. Criminal traffic tickets cover serious offenses like DUI, driving on a suspended license, and reckless driving. Civil tickets result in fines and points on the driving record. Criminal tickets result in fines, points, and possible jail time. The search tool on stjohnsclerk.com only shows civil traffic tickets. Criminal tickets appear on the criminal court search tool through the same clerk’s office. Drivers with criminal tickets should hire a lawyer right away. The stakes are much higher in criminal cases than in civil cases.