Polk Regional Juvenile Detention Center Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Polk County Florida
Polk County Criminal Courts in Plain English
Polk lies in central Florida between Tampa and Orlando, and its cities include Lakeland, Winter Haven, and the county seat, Bartow. Two Florida trial courts split up local criminal cases. Misdemeanors, criminal traffic charges and broken county or city ordinances belong to Polk County Court. Felonies and juvenile cases belong to Polk Circuit Court. Polk is the largest of three counties in the Tenth Judicial Circuit; Hardee and Highlands counties are the other two. Criminal cases are centered at the Polk County Courthouse, 255 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. Polk's Clerk of the Circuit Court can be called at (863) 534-4000. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail, with its central jail in Bartow and a second jail in Frostproof. You can also check our bond guide and inmate search guide.
Case lookup without a fee: From its Court Records page, the Polk Clerk links to a free Court Case Search covering felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic and ordinance cases. Polk's search takes a name or case number and shows the docket, hearing dates, and many filings. Juvenile cases, sealed or expunged records and confidential information are blocked from public view.
If it’s federal: Polk cases under U.S. law are tried by the Middle District of Florida in its Tampa Division, inside the Sam M. Gibbons courthouse (801 N. Florida Ave., Tampa). A quick way to remember it: lawmakers in Tallahassee define state crimes, while lawmakers in Washington define federal crimes. Federal prosecutors handle crimes that break U.S. laws, cross state lines, or happen on federal land. In Polk, the military’s Avon Park Air Force Range, where pilots practice bombing runs, stretches across the line into the county’s southeast. Scattered tracts of Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge are U.S. land too. Other federal cases come from large drug pipelines along I-4, mail and bank fraud, or illegal gun sales. There is no tribal reservation in Polk. Pick a section below.
Immigration holds. Key Polk facts on ICE detainers:
- the Polk bond judge must be told (F.S. 908.105)
- notice goes to the Polk state attorney
- Polk bond can still be granted
- ICE may keep the person up to 48 hours past release
- in Polk, weekends and holidays count
- for Polk forcible felony cases, unlawful status blocks Polk release before first appearance (F.S. 907.041)
- at that point a Polk judge presumes detention, but the Polk defense can rebut it
Town courts. Looking for a Polk town court? There is none. Florida's 1972 Article V reform did away with Polk town courts, so Polk city ordinance cases go to Polk County Court.
- Polk misdemeanors: theft under $750, a first DUI, battery, marijuana
- Felonies in Bartow: burglary, grand theft, drug trafficking, felony fleeing
- Crimes that hurt people: murder, armed robbery, sexual battery, aggravated assault
- Does Polk County post its warrants online?
1. Polk misdemeanors: theft under $750, a first DUI, battery, marijuana
Let’s start with the smaller stuff. A misdemeanor arrest in Polk doesn’t always lead to a jail cell. Deputies can give a notice to appear, a paper that orders you to come to court later. When a person is jailed, a judge holds a first appearance hearing no more than 24 hours after the arrest. Polk often does this by video from the jail. Florida’s Supreme Court keeps a single bond schedule for all counties, renewed yearly, which sets the smallest bond the jail may take for each charge before the judge gets involved. People arrested for domestic violence and a few other crimes have to wait for the judge.
The judge then decides on pretrial release. Options include release on your own promise, a cash or surety bond, or supervised release with check-ins. A licensed bail bond agent may post the bond for a premium, usually 10% of the total and at least $100, which you don’t get back.
First-degree misdemeanors can bring as long as a year in county jail and fines up to $1,000. That includes petit theft of $100 to $750 and simple battery. Second-degree misdemeanors, like loitering or prowling, are capped at 60 days and $500. (Holding 20 grams of marijuana or less without a medical card is actually first-degree.) The jail limit for a first DUI is six months. Many first-time offenders can choose pretrial diversion: they complete assigned classes or volunteer work, and in return prosecutors drop the case.
The State Attorney of the Tenth Circuit is elected by voters in Polk, Hardee and Highlands and files charges in all three. The elected Public Defender of the circuit represents people a judge finds unable to afford a lawyer. Conflict cases are handed to lawyers from Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Lawmakers created that office in 2007 for exactly these situations. A Florida statute allows the court to charge a fee for appointed counsel, and an unpaid fee may be turned into a lien. A six-member jury hears misdemeanor trials, and prosecutors must bring the case to trial in 90 days from formal charging, a deadline the defense can give up.
Under 18: In Polk, a minor’s misdemeanor goes before a Circuit Court juvenile judge in Bartow. For many first-time offenses, police can choose a civil citation: a Lakeland or Haines City teen puts in volunteer time or sees a counselor, and no formal arrest happens. Arrested youths in Polk are usually taken first to the Juvenile Assessment Center for screening. Anyone placed in secure detention must have a hearing within 24 hours; Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice operates the state’s detention centers.
2. Felonies in Bartow: burglary, grand theft, drug trafficking, felony fleeing
Felony charges carry the possibility of time in a Florida prison. Polk handles them at the Bartow courthouse. After first appearance, assistant state attorneys review the case and either file an information listing the charges or decline to file. If a jailed Polk defendant isn’t charged within 30 days, the defense may ask the judge to act. The person then pleads at arraignment, and the case moves through pretrial hearings toward a plea or trial.
Florida felonies have three main levels, plus life and capital felonies. Grand theft starting at $750 is usually third-degree, with a 5-year cap. Home burglary is usually second-degree, capped at 15. First-degree crimes allow 30 years, and certain ones allow life. Having or selling large amounts of drugs is called trafficking, which comes with mandatory minimum prison terms based on weight. Fleeing police at high speed is a second-degree felony.
At sentencing, everyone works from a Criminal Punishment Code scoresheet. It gives points for the main crime, extra crimes, injuries and past record, and the sum fixes the lowest sentence allowed. Under Florida’s truth-in-sentencing rule, 85% of a prison sentence has to be served. A felony case has a 175-day speedy trial deadline unless it is waived. Treatment-based courts, including drug court and veterans court, are an option for some.
Under 18: Polk teens charged with felonies are mostly kept in the juvenile system, which uses probation, treatment or DJJ residential programs. Prosecutors have the power to direct file, or move a case to adult court, for almost any felony by a youth aged 16 or 17. At 14 or 15, the charge must be one of the grave felonies named in the statute.
3. Crimes that hurt people: murder, armed robbery, sexual battery, aggravated assault
Polk cases like these follow the felony steps above, but more is at stake. When prosecutors request a pretrial detention hearing, a judge who finds the community at risk may refuse bond entirely. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a third-degree felony, but armed robbery with a gun can bring life. When a gun is involved, the 10-20-Life law adds mandatory prison. Carrying one brings a 10-year floor, a fired shot brings a 20-year floor, and a wound or death brings a floor of 25 years with life possible.
Prosecutors can’t charge first-degree murder, a capital crime, on their own; a grand jury must issue an indictment. A conviction means life with no parole, or death. A capital jury has 12 members, and since 2023 Florida allows a death recommendation if at least 8 agree. Most condemned men are imprisoned at Union Correctional Institution, outside Raiford; condemned women are at Lowell Correctional Institution.
Thanks to Marsy’s Law, a victim may learn about every hearing, attend it, and be heard before a plea or sentence. Victim services workers at the Tenth Circuit prosecutor’s office offer support.
Under 18: There is no minimum age once a grand jury indicts a juvenile for a crime where life or death is a possible sentence; the case becomes an adult case. Even so, a Polk teen can’t be put to death for something done before 18. Minors jailed on adult charges are separated by sight and sound from adults.
4. Does Polk County post its warrants online?
Yes. PCSO keeps a warrant search on the Sheriff's Office site and takes questions at (863) 298-6200. Through the clerk's Court Records page, you can read a docket and spot a capias. Ask counsel to arrange your surrender at the Central Jail on Bob Phillips Road and push for a reasonable bond. North Broadway Avenue is where the clerk resets dates, and Lakeland, Winter Haven and Haines City cases are filed in that courthouse. FDLE's statewide wanted persons search catches warrants from other agencies, which helps when a person has moved around.
Our aim here is to describe Polk County criminal court in everyday language, so please don’t treat it as legal advice. Your own facts deserve a defense attorney’s review, or you can call the Polk County Clerk at (863) 534-4000.
Criminal Court Process for Polk County Florida
Polk County Florida Criminal Court System - Definitions
It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Florida Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.
If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Polk County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.
Arrest is when Florida, Polk County, or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed.
In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Polk County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.
Booking is when the Polk County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation and verification of identity.
The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Florida, Polk County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for the Polk County or the district is called the State’s Attorney. A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.
Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case. For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case. If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime. Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.
Arraignment is when a judge determines whether the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.
Bail is money paid that is held by the Polk County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment.
Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Polk County jail until their trial. Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail and of January 1, 2024, Florida moved to a statewide uniform bond schedule. When you are arrested, under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process and the defendant is eligible to bond out before going to court. Prior to January1, 2024, each county sets their own bond schedule, and the bond amount was set during booking.
During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. Jailors, law enforcement and prosecutors do not have authority to set bail, a judge or court officer in the Polk County or municipal court sets bail. Judges in Florida rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.
If someone is arrested for failure to appear or a violation of probation or a violation of pretrial release, there will be no granting of a bond even after first appearance court.
It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested. Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
(There have been phone scams to where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
All bonds in Florida are secured, meaning that the courts will not allow a personal recognizance bond as other states. A defendant can pay a cash bond however if the bond amount is less than $250, a bondsman will not handle it.
Surety Bond is the most common type of secured bond in Florida. It is when defendant pays 10 % of the bond amount to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in Florida. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Florida.
Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted). This is handled by a bail bond company. Usually, the property must be in Polk County and it must be worth 1 ½ or 2 times the bond amount. An appraisal of the property is required and everyone on the deed must sign.
Transfer Bonds are transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states. For a Florida resident arrested in another state, bond companies will do transfer bonds but the person putting up the security has to be a Florida resident.
A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases.
Everyone is appointed a public defender in Florida at first appearance court (unless you retain private counsel fast enough that they can appear). The $50 public defender fee gets tacked on to fees and costs once the case is ended. There are also several offices of conflict counsel that handle cases that the public defenders cannot represent due to a conflict of interest or special subject matter.
For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. This website provides contact information for pro bono services in Florida.
Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se. Here is a link for legal self-help centers in Florida.
A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are located in the community. A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There are three U.S. federal district courts in Florida, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.
Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered. This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.
Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings. A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment. The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty. There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of more serious criminal related to the crime.
Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial. If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial. If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released. If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.
Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.
Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court. If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.
Florida Felony vs Misdemeanor
In Florida, a misdemeanor is divided into two classes. Misdemeanor in the first degree that holds a punishment of a jail sentence up to 1 year and a fine up to $1000. Examples on a first-degree misdemeanor include DUI, simple assault, certain types of theft under $750 and possession of small amounts of controlled substances. Misdemeanor in the second degree holds a punishment of up to 60 days and a fine up to $500. Examples of second-degree misdemeanor include petty theft, disorderly conduct and certain types of trespassing.
A felony crime is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and are divided into different classes which are general guidelines and are based on the crime, prior criminal history and other factors. Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft. In Florida, the classes of felonies are capital felony, life felony, felony of the first degree, second degree and third degree.
The Polk County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.
A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement. There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime.
A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date. It does not involve an arrest. A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.
A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.
Fines are usually paid to the District Court or Polk County Clerk of Court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, have to pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest. It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket.
Florida Criminal Court System - How it Works
In Florida, the courts system is made up of county courts, circuit courts, district courts of appeal and one Supreme Court. Florida does not have municipal courts. It is important that you get the address of the court that you are to appear at because going to the wrong courthouse is not always an accepted excuse for not showing to court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.
County courts are in each county of Florida and some call them misdemeanor or traffic court. County court handles all misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases. Most counties have their own traffic citation courts.
Circuit courts only hear felony cases. Many cases are heard by a single judge. First appearance court is handled by a single judge in most circuits or it is rotated among all the circuit judges. Also, some circuits have one judge that handles just violations of probation, one judge that handles just post-conviction matters, one judge that handles only capital cases and specialty courts.
Juvenile cases are heard in circuit court. Most counties/circuits have their own juvenile court divisions. The following web page describes services and resources for Florida’s juvenile justice.
Specialty courts or problem-solving courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. Florida offers problem-solving courts solutions throughout the state that offer attention to the following areas: adult drug use, juvenile drug use, dependency, DUI, mental health and veteran court.
District courts of appeal conduct review of cases on appeal from county and circuit courts.
Tribal Court is available for the Seminole Tribe.
The Florida Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Florida State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.
The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.
FEDERAL COURT
Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws. Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.
Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime.
There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Florida state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).
Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.
There are three U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Florida.
