Union County traffic court records are public files kept by the Clerk of Courts in Lake Butler, Florida. These records show every traffic citation issued in the county and the final outcome of each case.
The clerk’s office stores the paper files and the online database entries. Any person can search these records using a name, citation number, or case number. Florida state law makes these records open to the public at no cost.
Union County sits in north-central Florida with a population near 16,000. The county seat is Lake Butler. Major roads in the county include State Road 121 and State Road 100. Citations come from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and local police departments. All of these tickets end up in the same clerk system. You can review your case, pay a fine, or schedule a court hearing using the clerk’s office or online tools that cover the county.
Union County Clerk of Courts Office
The Union County Clerk of Courts handles every traffic case filed in the county. This office runs the paper records, the online system, and the payment process. The clerk works under Florida state law and reports to the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. The same office handles marriage licenses, deeds, and other county records in addition to traffic files.
Office Location and Contact Details
The Union County Clerk of Courts sits at 55 West Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida 32054. The phone number is 386-496-3711. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The office closes on state and federal holidays. You can walk in to ask about a case, pay a fine, or file paperwork in person. Staff answer questions over the phone during regular business hours.
Services Provided by the Clerk
The clerk’s office processes civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses. Staff enter every citation into the county system within days of the ticket being issued. You can ask the clerk to pull up your case file, confirm your court date, or check the amount you owe. The clerk collects payments, issues receipts, and sends case files to the judge for scheduled hearings. Records stay with the clerk from the day you receive a ticket until the case closes.
Online Tools for Union County
Florida runs two main online tools that cover Union County cases. The first tool is the PayFLClerk portal at payflclerk.com. This site lets you pay traffic fines for any of Florida’s 67 counties, Union included. The second tool is the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. This portal handles court documents and electronic filings. You can search case records through the clerk’s online search system. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site at flhsmv.gov tracks your driving record and point totals.
| Resource | Purpose | Website |
|---|---|---|
| PayFLClerk | Pay traffic fines online | payflclerk.com |
| MyFLCourtAccess | E-file court documents | myflcourtaccess.com |
| FLHSMV | Check driving record | flhsmv.gov |
| Union County Clerk | Local case records | unionclerk.com |
How to Search Union County Traffic Records
You have several ways to pull up a Union County traffic case. The clerk’s office is the main source for local records. Statewide tools give you a backup method. You can search by citation number, full name, or case number. Each method gives you access to different facts about the case.
Search by Citation Number
A citation number is the number printed at the top of your traffic ticket. Each citation has a unique number. The clerk’s system uses this number to pull up the case fast. You can enter the citation number on the PayFLClerk portal or call the clerk’s office. The system shows the charge, the fine amount, and the court date. This is the fastest way to check a ticket you just received.
Search by Name and Case Number
You can search by your full legal name. The clerk’s system matches names to cases on file. You need the exact spelling used on the ticket. A case number is assigned by the clerk after the ticket enters the system. The case number stays with the file for the life of the case. You can find the case number on any notice you receive in the mail from the court.
Public Records Law in Florida
Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes opens all state, county, and city records to the public. You do not need to be part of the case to look it up. Personal data like Social Security numbers gets redacted before any record goes online. The core facts stay public. These facts include the charge, the fine, the court date, and the final ruling. The Florida Supreme Court’s Administrative Order AOSC 15-18 requires adult traffic cases to be posted online. This rule covers all 67 counties, Union included.
The image below shows how Florida handles traffic cases statewide, with rules that apply to Union County records the same way they apply in larger counties.
Florida Uniform Traffic Citation Format
Florida uses a standard form called the Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC). Every officer in the state uses the same form. The form has spaces for your name, address, license number, the violation, and the officer’s signature. The citation number on the UTC is what links your ticket to the court record. The same citation format applies in Union County as in every other Florida county. The UTC makes statewide record checks possible through one system.
Union County Ticket Response Options
You have 30 days from the date of the ticket to respond. Florida Statute Chapter 316 sets this deadline statewide. Missing the 30-day window brings late fees and a possible license suspension. The Union County Clerk processes your choice and updates the court record based on what you decide. Pick the option that fits your situation.
Pay the Fine Without Court
Paying the fine counts as a guilty plea. The clerk records the payment as a conviction. Points from the ticket go on your driving record through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You can pay online through PayFLClerk, by phone, by mail, or in person at the clerk’s office. Once paid, the case closes and no court appearance is needed.
Elect Traffic School
You can choose traffic school to keep points off your record. This option requires you to plead no contest, pay the fine, and finish a driver improvement course. You must complete the course within the time the court allows. The clerk records your election. After you finish the course, the court keeps the points off your public driving record. Your insurance rates stay protected when no points show up on the record.
Request a Court Hearing
You can plead not guilty and ask for a hearing. The Union County court sets a hearing date and mails you a notice. You must file the request within the 30-day window. At the hearing, you bring evidence and talk to a judge. The officer who wrote the ticket may show up or may not. The judge makes a final ruling. The outcome goes into your court record at the end of the hearing.
Fine Amounts and Penalty Rules
Fine amounts in Union County follow state law. Florida Statute 318.18 sets the dollar amount for each type of traffic violation. Moving violations carry higher fines than non-moving violations. Late fees add to your total if you miss the 30-day deadline. The clerk adds these fees to your case file automatically once the deadline passes.
Moving vs Non-Moving Violations
Moving violations include speeding, running a red light, and reckless driving. These carry the highest fines in the system. Non-moving violations include parking tickets and equipment issues like a broken taillight. A basic speeding ticket in Florida carries a fine around $150 plus court costs. More serious violations like driving on a suspended license can cost $500 or more. The exact total depends on the charge and your driving history.
Late Fees and Collections
Late fees kick in after the 30-day response window passes. Florida Statute 28.246 lets the clerk send unpaid fines to a collection agency after 90 days. The collection agency can add up to 40 percent of the original fine. A $100 Union County traffic fine could grow to $140 in collections. Your license gets suspended through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles until you pay the full amount plus a reinstatement fee. Handle your ticket on time to avoid these added costs.
Driver Points and License Impact
Florida uses a points system for traffic violations. Each moving violation adds a set number of points to your driving record. Speeding adds 3 to 4 points. Running a red light adds 3 points. Reckless driving adds 4 points. Accumulate 12 points in 12 months and your license gets suspended for 30 days. Accumulate 18 points in 18 months and the suspension jumps to 3 months. Accumulate 24 points in 36 months and you lose your license for one full year. The clerk reports your conviction to FLHSMV, which tracks the points.
Court Hearing Process in Union County
Traffic hearings in Union County follow the same rules as the rest of Florida. The clerk schedules the date. The judge hears the case. The clerk records the outcome. You have the right to bring a lawyer, witnesses, and evidence. Small mistakes on the ticket can help your case at the hearing.
What Happens Before Your Hearing
After you ask for a hearing, the clerk sends you a notice with the date and time. Hearings take place at the Union County Courthouse in Lake Butler. You can ask the clerk for a copy of your case file before the hearing date. You can request a copy of the officer’s report. Bring your evidence, any photos, and your witness list to court. Dress in business casual clothing. Show up early on the day of the hearing.
Possible Outcomes at the Hearing
The judge can rule in three ways. The judge can dismiss the case if the officer does not show up or the ticket has a clear error. The judge can find you guilty and order you to pay the fine plus court costs. The judge can withhold adjudication, which means you are not formally convicted but you still pay a fine. Points may still go on your record. The clerk records every outcome in the court file. You get a copy of the ruling in writing after the hearing.
Florida Public Records and Online Access
Florida’s public records law covers traffic cases in every county. Union County falls under the same rules as Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Orange, Duval, Palm Beach, and Broward counties. The state runs a unified system that lets you search traffic court records across all 67 counties using the same data fields.
Statewide eTraffic System
The Florida eTraffic system handles online traffic court services for many counties. You can search for cases by county, name, or citation number. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and final dispositions. Union County participates in this statewide system through the clerk’s office. Some functions like online fine payment work through PayFLClerk. Other functions like e-filing work through MyFLCourtAccess.
County-by-County Search Options
Each Florida county runs its own clerk search system. Miami-Dade County traffic court records search uses the Miami-Dade Clerk portal. Hillsborough County traffic court records use the Hillsborough Clerk portal. Orange County, Duval County, Palm Beach County, and Broward County each have their own search tools. The look and feel of each site is different. The data you get is the same basic set for every county, including Union County.
Office Contact: Union County Clerk of Courts, 55 West Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054. Phone: 386-496-3711. Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Official Website: unionclerk.com. Statewide Payment Portal: payflclerk.com. Driving Record: flhsmv.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common concerns from people who get traffic tickets in Union County, Florida. Each answer gives you the direct facts you need to handle your case. The answers reflect current Florida law and clerk office practices as of August 2026.
How do I check my Union County ticket status?
Call the Union County Clerk of Courts at 386-496-3711 during business hours. Give the clerk your citation number or full legal name. The clerk pulls up the case and tells you the status. You can check online through PayFLClerk at payflclerk.com. The portal shows paid cases, pending cases, and cases set for court. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site at flhsmv.gov shows your driving record but not the court case file. Use the clerk’s office for the full case status, fine total, and next court date.
Can I search Union County traffic cases for free?
Yes. The Union County Clerk’s office lets you look up case records for free. Online access through the clerk’s search system has no fee. The PayFLClerk portal lets you check case status for free. You only pay when you want to settle the fine. The Florida public records law requires these records stay open to the public at no cost beyond standard copy fees. Paper copies cost a small fee per page.
What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline?
You get late fees added to your fine. The clerk notifies the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to suspend your license. You lose the right to elect traffic school. After 90 days of no payment, the clerk sends your case to a collection agency. The agency adds up to 40 percent to your total. Your license stays suspended until you pay the full amount plus a reinstatement fee through FLHSMV. Respond on time to avoid these added costs.
Do Union County traffic cases show up on my driving record?
Moving violations show up on your Florida driving record. The clerk reports convictions to FLHSMV. Points from the violation stay on your record for years. Non-moving violations like parking tickets may not add points but still show up on some background checks. Traffic school completions keep points off the public record but the original case still exists in the clerk’s file. Insurance companies check your record for moving violations when setting rates.
Can I get a copy of my Union County court file?
Yes. Walk into the Union County Clerk’s office at 55 West Main Street, Lake Butler. Ask the clerk for a copy of your case file. Standard copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. You can mail a written request to the clerk’s office. Include your name, date of birth, citation number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk mails the copies back to you. Certified copies work for legal and insurance purposes.
What if the officer does not show up to my hearing?
The judge can dismiss your case if the officer fails to appear. This happens often for minor traffic violations. The dismissal goes into your court record. No fine applies. No points go on your driving record. The case closes the same day. You can ask the clerk for written proof of the dismissal for your insurance company. The dismissal stays in your court file for future reference.
Are Union County traffic records public for other people?
Yes. Florida law makes all traffic court records public. You can look up someone else’s Union County traffic case. The clerk’s search tools work for any case in the system. Personal data like Social Security numbers gets redacted. Charges, fines, court dates, and final rulings stay visible. This rule applies to every Florida county, including Union, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Orange, Duval, Palm Beach, and Broward. The same open records law covers all 67 counties in the state.