Putnam County traffic court records show every traffic ticket, citation, and criminal driving charge filed inside Putnam County, Florida. The Putnam County Clerk of Court in Palatka keeps these files.
Any person can look up a case, read the charges, check the fine amount, and see the final outcome. This page covers where to look, how to search, what each option means, and what to do after a citation lands in your mailbox.
Putnam County Clerk of Court and Records Office
The Clerk of Court for Putnam County sits in downtown Palatka. This single office handles every traffic case in the county. There are no branch locations. Every civil infraction, criminal traffic charge, and traffic school election moves through this office. Knowing this one fact saves time for anyone searching for a record.
What the Clerk Keeps on File
The Clerk stores the full docket for each traffic case. This includes the uniform traffic citation, the court date, the plea entered, fines paid, and the final disposition. Court minutes, motions filed, and any orders signed by the judge are part of the file. Records stay on file even after the case ends. Paid tickets still appear in searches for years.
| Record Type | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Uniform Traffic Citation | Date, time, location, violation, officer |
| Court Docket | Plea, hearings, motions filed, judge orders |
| Disposition Record | Final outcome, fines paid, points, school completion |
| Payment History | Date paid, amount paid, collection status |
Contact Details for the Clerk
The mailing address is P.O. Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178. The physical courthouse stands at 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177. The phone line rings at 386-326-7600 during business hours. Staff answer questions about case status, fine balances, traffic school elections, and how to schedule a court hearing.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Putnam County Clerk of Court |
| Physical Address | 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178 |
| Phone | 386-326-7600 |
| Website | putnamclerk.org |
| Judicial Circuit | 7th Circuit |
Putnam County belongs to the 7th Judicial Circuit. The 7th Circuit covers Putnam, Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Each county runs its own clerk’s office, its own records, and its own online portal. A ticket issued in Putnam County stays in Putnam County. The Putnam clerk will not pull a case from a neighboring county.
Office Hours and Location
The clerk’s office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office stays closed on weekends and state holidays. Parking is free in the lot behind the courthouse. Visitors needing records in person should arrive before 4:00 p.m. so staff can pull files before closing.
The screenshot below shows the Putnam County Clerk homepage, the starting point for traffic citation services, online search tools, and contact details.
How to Search Putnam County Traffic Court Records
Three search paths work for Putnam County. Search by citation number for the fastest lookup. Search by name to pull every case linked to a driver. Search by case number for active court cases with a set hearing date. Each method leads back to the same clerk database, but the input differs.
Search by Citation Number
The uniform citation number printed on the ticket pulls the exact record. The number sits near the top of the citation, marked “UTC” or “Citation #”. Enter it into the clerk’s online portal or the statewide portal at payflclerk.com. The result shows the charge, the fine, the due date, and the current status.
Search by Name
A name search works when the citation number is missing. Use the last name first, then the first name. Searches pull every case filed under that name, including closed cases. Filter by year or case type to narrow results. Names matching multiple drivers show up too. Date of birth helps sort out people with common names.
Search by Case Number
Each case in Putnam County carries a unique case number once filed with the court. The format is a four-digit year, a court code, and a sequence number, such as 2024-CT-001234. This number shows up on every court notice after the initial citation. Searches using a case number return the full court docket, hearing dates, and orders.
Use the Statewide Court Access Portal
MyFloridaCourtAccess.com lists every Florida court record. Putnam County feeds new filings into this system. Search by name, citation, or case number from any device. Records appear within a few days of filing. Older closed cases take longer to load into the system, sometimes up to a few weeks after the case ends.
The clerk’s website at putnamclerk.org offers a separate search portal linked to the same database. Both portals reach the same files. The statewide portal works across county lines, which helps people who moved after receiving a ticket.
Civil Traffic Citations in Putnam County
Most traffic tickets in Putnam County are civil infractions. These are non-criminal violations under Florida Chapter 316. They carry fines and points but no jail time. The clerk processes these without a judge present in most cases.
Common Violations Filed
Speeding tops the list. Running red lights, stop sign violations, and improper lane changes follow close behind. No proof of insurance, expired registration, and careless driving also appear often. Each violation carries its own fine and point value under state law.
Fines and Point Values
Florida sets base fines by statute, but counties add local court costs. Putnam County adds a $50 court cost to every ticket. Speeding tickets start at $124 plus costs. Stop sign tickets start at $116. Points range from three to six depending on the violation. CDL drivers face double points.
| Violation | Base Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (under 30 mph over) | $124 | 3 |
| Speeding (30+ mph over) | $253 | 4 |
| Running a Red Light | $158 | 3 |
| Stop Sign Violation | $116 | 3 |
| Careless Driving | $116 | 4 |
| No Insurance | $150 | 0 |
The 30-Day Decision Window
Florida law gives drivers 30 calendar days from the citation date to respond. This 30-day rule applies to every Putnam County ticket. Three choices sit inside that window: pay the fine, elect traffic school, or plead not guilty. Missing the window triggers late fees, additional points, and a possible license suspension through the FLHSMV.
Options After Receiving a Putnam County Citation
The 30-day window offers three real paths. Each path carries different long-term effects on driving records, insurance rates, and point totals. Picking the right path depends on the violation, the driving history, and the budget.
Pay the Fine Online
PayFLClerk.com accepts payments for every Florida county. Pick Putnam County from the drop-down menu. Type in the citation number. Pay with a card or bank account. The system charges a small convenience fee. The ticket closes the moment payment clears. Points land on the record within a few weeks.
Pay by Mail or In Person
Checks and money orders work for mailed payments. Write the citation number on the memo line. Mail to the clerk’s P.O. box. In-person payments happen at the cashier window on the first floor of the courthouse. Cash, card, check, and money order all work at the window.
Elect Traffic School
Traffic school keeps points off the record. The driver pays the fine, files the election within 30 days, then completes a state-approved course. The clerk withholds adjudication once the course completion certificate arrives. The record shows “adjudication withheld” instead of a conviction.
Florida limits traffic school use to five elections in a lifetime and one election per 12-month period. CDL holders cannot elect traffic school. Drivers cited for speeding in a school zone, reckless driving, or DUI cannot elect traffic school under Florida Statute 318.18.
Plead Not Guilty
Filing a not guilty plea forces the clerk to set a hearing date. The driver appears before a Putnam County judge at the courthouse. Evidence gets presented. Witnesses testify. The judge decides guilt or innocence. Winning means no fine and no points. Losing means paying the fine plus court costs.
Criminal Traffic Cases in Putnam County
Criminal traffic charges go beyond civil infractions. These charges involve possible jail time, probation, and felony penalties in serious cases. The clerk’s office keeps the files, but the court process runs through formal hearings and arraignments.
Common Criminal Charges
DUI under Florida Statute 316.193 leads the criminal list. Reckless driving under 316.192 follows. Driving on a suspended license with knowledge of the suspension is a criminal offense. Fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, and racing on a public road all fall under criminal traffic statutes.
Court Process for Criminal Traffic
Criminal traffic cases start with an arraignment. The defendant enters a plea. The court sets a pretrial date. Many cases resolve through plea agreements before trial. Trials happen before a judge, since Florida criminal traffic cases do not get jury trials for most misdemeanors. Sentences range from fines and probation to jail time and license revocation.
Records of criminal traffic cases stay open to the public. They appear in background checks for years after the sentence ends. Anyone facing a criminal traffic charge in Putnam County should contact a defense attorney. The stakes go far beyond a few points on a driving record.
Overdue Tickets and Collections
Missing the 30-day window on a Putnam County ticket starts a chain of penalties. The consequences stack up the longer the ticket sits unpaid.
Late Fees and Suspension
The clerk adds late fees starting at $50 after 30 days. The FLHSMV suspends the driver’s license after a formal notice. Driving on a suspended license leads to criminal charges. The clerk refers unpaid tickets to collections after 90 days under Florida Statute 28.246. Collection agencies can add up to 40 percent to the original amount.
A $125 speeding ticket can grow past $200 once late fees, collection surcharges, and license reinstatement fees all hit. The longer the wait, the larger the bill.
Clearing a Suspended License
Pay the original fine, the late fees, and the collection surcharge to the clerk. Then pay the license reinstatement fee to the FLHSMV. The office at 2809 Crill Avenue in Palatka handles in-person reinstatements. Online reinstatement works for some drivers through the FLHSMV website. Court-ordered suspensions need extra steps, including proof of completion for any required courses.
Public Access and Privacy Rules
Florida’s public records law under Chapter 119 keeps traffic court files open. Any person can request a record, see a file, or pull a docket entry. The clerk cannot refuse a request based on the reason for the search.
What Records Show
The public portion of a traffic record shows the defendant name, the citation number, the violation, the court dates, the plea, the fine amount, and the final disposition. Officer names appear on records too. Witness names show up in some criminal traffic cases.
What Gets Redacted
Social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s names get redacted before public release. Addresses of victims in certain cases also stay sealed. Driver license numbers appear only on certified copies given to the named driver or that driver’s attorney.
Copy and Certification Fees
Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $2 per page. Real-time pull fees for staff lookups run $2 per year searched. Mail requests need a self-addressed stamped envelope plus payment by check.
Hearing Schedules and Court Dates
Drivers who plead not guilty need to know when to show up. The clerk sets court dates after the plea is filed. Knowing the date is the only way to avoid a failure-to-appear charge.
Finding Your Court Date
The court date shows up on the case docket within a few days of filing the not guilty plea. Drivers can search the docket online through the clerk’s portal. The clerk also mails a hearing notice to the address on the citation. Calling the clerk’s office works for those who lost the notice.
Rescheduling a Hearing
Requests to reschedule go through the clerk or the judge’s office. Most courts allow one continuance for good cause. Additional continuances need a written motion and a judge’s order. Missing a court date without rescheduling triggers a failure-to-appear charge, which carries its own fines and a license suspension.
Nearby Counties and Cross-Border Tickets
Putnam County shares borders with seven other counties. Tickets issued near a border sometimes confuse drivers about where to respond. The county named on the citation controls the case file.
Border Counties
Putnam County borders Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Flagler, Marion, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. A ticket written on a state highway that crosses county lines stays with the county where the officer issued it. Check the citation header for the county name. Match the name to the correct clerk’s office.
- Alachua County tickets go through the Alachua Clerk
- Bradford County tickets go through the Bradford Clerk
- Clay County tickets go through the Clay Clerk
- Flagler County tickets go through the Flagler Clerk
- Marion County tickets go through the Marion Clerk
- St. Johns County tickets go through the St. Johns Clerk
- Volusia County tickets go through the Volusia Clerk
Office Contact for Putnam County Traffic Records
The main office for Putnam County traffic court records sits in Palatka. Use the details below to reach the clerk by phone, online, or in person.
Office: Putnam County Clerk of Court
Physical Address: 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 758, Palatka, FL 32178
Phone: 386-326-7600
Website: putnamclerk.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Weekends and Florida state holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common points drivers raise about Putnam County traffic court records. Each answer cites the rule, statute, or process that applies to Putnam County filings. The answers reflect current Florida law as of 2026.
How Long Do Putnam County Traffic Records Stay Online?
Putnam County traffic records stay online through the clerk’s portal and the statewide portal for at least five years after the case closes. Paid tickets show on driving record searches for at least that long. Criminal traffic cases remain searchable for ten years or more. Older closed cases get archived in the clerk’s storage system. Archived cases need a staff request to pull, which carries a fee. Records never get deleted for major criminal traffic convictions, so the file stays searchable for life in some cases.
Can I Remove a Putnam County Traffic Ticket From My Record?
Three paths exist for keeping a Putnam County ticket off the driving record. Elect traffic school before the 30-day deadline. Win a not guilty plea at trial. Wait ten years for the points to drop off under Florida’s point reduction rule. A ticket that goes to adjudication withheld through traffic school still counts as a prior offense for future school elections. Sealing or expunging a Putnam County civil ticket is not possible under Florida law.
What Happens If I Never Received a Putnam County Citation in the Mail?
Florida officers can issue citations in two ways. Hand the ticket to the driver at the stop. Or file it electronically, which puts the ticket into the court system without a paper copy in hand. Drivers who never receive a paper copy still need to check the clerk’s portal. Failing to respond to an electronic citation triggers the same late fees and license suspension as a paper citation. Search the Putnam clerk’s online portal by name to spot any pending ticket.
Are Juvenile Traffic Records Public in Putnam County?
Juvenile traffic records in Putnam County follow different rules than adult records. Most juvenile citations stay sealed under Florida Statute 985.24. Serious criminal traffic charges can transfer to adult court. Sealed juvenile records do not show up in standard public searches. Adult criminal traffic convictions from a minor’s case can appear on a public docket. Parents or guardians of a juvenile can request sealed records from the clerk’s office with proper identification.
Can Out-of-State Drivers Resolve a Putnam County Ticket Without Returning?
Out-of-state drivers can pay a Putnam County ticket online through PayFLClerk.com. Pleading not guilty forces a court appearance, which can happen by written declaration in some cases. Traffic school elections work for out-of-state drivers using Florida-approved online courses. Missing the 30-day window triggers a Florida license suspension and a possible arrest on a Florida vacation. Most states honor Florida suspensions through the interstate compact, so the suspension follows the driver home.
Does the Clerk Charge for a Free Lookup?
Basic online searches through the clerk’s portal stay free. The clerk charges for certified copies, real-time staff lookups, and mail searches. Free searches show the docket, the plea, and the disposition. Certified copies cost $2 per page. Staff lookups cost $2 per name per year searched. Self-service online searches remain free for every user. Phone inquiries stay free, though the clerk cannot give legal advice over the phone.
The Putnam County Clerk of Court in Palatka keeps every traffic court record filed in the county. Searches work online, by phone, or in person. Drivers who respond within 30 days keep their options open. Drivers who miss the deadline face late fees, collection surcharges, and license suspension through the FLHSMV. Knowing the record system and the deadline protects the driving record and keeps insurance rates from rising over a single citation.