Criminal records in Hendry County, Florida, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HendryCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Hendry County Clerk of Courts maintains local case records, while the Hendry County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provide additional access points for arrest records, inmate data, and statewide criminal history information.
How to Search Criminal Records in Hendry
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Hendry County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- HendryCourt.us — Search publicly available court record information for Hendry County criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.
- Hendry County Clerk of Courts — The clerk's criminal records page provides information about county and circuit court criminal cases filed in Hendry County.
- Hendry County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — The sheriff's inmate search tool lets you look up individuals currently held in the Hendry County Jail, including booking details and charges.
- FDLE Wanted Persons Database — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Public Access System includes statewide warrant information reported by law enforcement agencies across Florida.
- Federal Cases — Hendry County falls within the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Federal criminal cases are searchable through the PACER system.
In Person
Visit the Hendry County Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse in LaBelle. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups. You can also visit the Clewiston Police Department Records Services office for records related to incidents handled by that agency.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written public records request to the Hendry County Clerk of Courts. For statewide criminal history records, you can request a background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Criminal Justice Information Services. FDLE processes fingerprint-based criminal history checks for a fee.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the offense or filing
Search Hendry Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can pull up the exact record without sorting through name-based results. Florida uses a standardized case number format across all counties.
A typical Florida case number looks like this: 2024-CF-000123
- 2024 — The year the case was filed
- CF — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Circuit Felony
- MM — County Misdemeanor
- CT — Circuit Criminal Traffic
- MO — County Criminal Traffic/Municipal Ordinance
- CFA — Circuit Felony Appeal
- 000123 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk's office
Enter the full case number into the clerk's online case search or provide it when making an in-person or written request. Circuit-level cases (felonies) and county-level cases (misdemeanors) are both filed through the Hendry County Clerk of Courts.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Hendry
Criminal case records in Hendry County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Florida Statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 893.13 for drug offenses) |
| Severity | Felony (circuit court), misdemeanor (county court), or criminal traffic violation |
| Degree | First, second, or third degree for felonies; first or second degree for misdemeanors |
| Amended Charges | The original charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending / Open — The case is active and awaiting resolution
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and any post-disposition matters, are complete
- Reopened — A previously closed case has been reopened due to a violation of probation, new evidence, or other legal action
Hearing Types
- First Appearance / Advisory — Initial hearing where bond is typically set
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case issues; plea offers may be presented
- Motion Hearing — The court hears specific legal motions filed by either side
- Trial — Jury or bench trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Judge imposes punishment after a conviction or plea
- Violation of Probation Hearing — Hearing to determine whether probation terms were violated
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or trial verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charge; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Nolle Prosequi — The State Attorney declines to prosecute
- Dismissed — The case is dropped by the court or prosecution
- Adjudication Withheld — The judge does not formally convict the defendant, though a finding of guilt may exist; this can affect eligibility for record sealing
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Hendry
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background verifications, and other formal purposes. The Hendry County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller is the custodian of all circuit and county court criminal records.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — Visit the clerk's office at the Hendry County Courthouse in LaBelle. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By Mail — Send a written request to the clerk's office specifying the case number, defendant name, and the documents you need. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Hendry County Clerk of Courts.
- Through FDLE — For a statewide criminal history record (not limited to Hendry County cases), submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE offers both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks.
Hendry County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller
Hendry County Sheriff's Office
For arrest records, incident reports, or records checks handled by the sheriff's office:
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Notarized authorization if requesting records on behalf of another person (for certain record types)
- Fingerprint submission for FDLE criminal history checks
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Hendry
Fees for criminal record copies in Florida are governed by Florida Statute § 28.24 and the clerk's fee schedule. The following table reflects standard fees applicable in Hendry County:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| Copy of court record (certified, per page) | $1.00 per page + $2.00 certification fee |
| FDLE name-based state criminal history check | $24.00 |
| FDLE fingerprint-based criminal history check | $24.00 (state) or additional for FBI check |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Typically processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the volume and complexity of the request
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
- FDLE background checks — Electronic results are generally available within a few business days; fingerprint-based checks may take longer
Contact the Hendry County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm current fees and processing times, as schedules may change. Payment methods accepted in person typically include cash, check, or money order; verify whether credit cards are accepted before visiting.