Guide To Pasco County Courts: Locations, Case Records, And Legal Procedures (2026)

Pasco County Courts operate within Florida's 6th Judicial Circuit, serving residents across both the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey and the East Pasco Judicial Center in Dade City. Governed by state administrative rules and managed in tandem with the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, this court system handles criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, family law disputes, probate matters, and traffic infractions.

Disambiguation Note: This guide covers the state-level judicial system operating within Pasco County, Florida (6th Judicial Circuit). It does not pertain to municipal code enforcement boards or federal district courts, which maintain separate filings and administrative facilities.

Navigating Pasco County Court Locations and Facilities

The court system in Pasco County is bifurcated geographically to accommodate residents on both sides of the county. Depending on where an incident occurred or where a lawsuit originates, hearings and filings are assigned to specific judicial centers.

West Pasco Judicial Center (New Port Richey)

Located at 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654, the West Pasco Judicial Center serves as the primary courthouse for western Pasco County. This facility handles major circuit civil actions, felony criminal trials, domestic relations disputes, juvenile dependency cases, and county court civil matters.

• Primary Divisions: Felony Criminal, Circuit Civil, Family Law, County Court Civil, Traffic Violations.
• Accessibility & Parking: Public parking is available in the main lot adjacent to Little Road, with dedicated accessible spaces near the primary security entrance.
• Security Checkpoint: Visitors must pass through magnetometer screeners. Weapons, sharp objects, and unauthorized electronic recording gear are strictly prohibited.

Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center (Dade City)

Situated at 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Dade City, FL 33523, the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center acts as the judicial hub for eastern Pasco County. It houses courtrooms for county and circuit judges, hearing rooms, and administrative branches of the Clerk & Comptroller.

• Primary Divisions: Probate & Guardianship, Misdemeanor Criminal, Small Claims, Real Estate & Foreclosure, Juvenile Delinquency.
• Facility Features: Integrated victim support areas, attorney conference spaces, and direct administrative access to property records and official court filings.

Historic Pasco County Courthouse

Located nearby in downtown Dade City (37918 Meridian Avenue), this historic landmark primarily houses municipal offices and administrative services, though occasional ceremonial court sessions or government functions are held here. Active judicial dockets are routinely conducted at the Sumner Judicial Center.

Core Judicial Divisions and Court Jurisdictions

Understanding the structural division between Circuit Court and County Court is essential for filing actions, scheduling hearings, or retrieving public case files in Pasco County.

PASCO COUNTY JUDICIAL STRUCTURE (6TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT) ┌──────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────┐ │ COUNTY COURT │ CIRCUIT COURT │ ├──────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────┤ │ Claims up to $50,000 │ Civil Claims Exceeding $50,000 │ │ Misdemeanors & Local Rules │ Felony Criminal Prosecutions │ │ Traffic & Ordinance Infractions │ Family Law, Adoption & Custody │ │ Evictions & Small Claims │ Probate, Trusts & Guardianship │ └──────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────┘

(Note: Structure visualized for jurisdictional clarity under Florida Judicial Standards).

1. County Court Division

The Pasco County Court is a court of limited jurisdiction handling matters specified under Florida Statute:

• Civil Disputes: Claims up to $50,000 (excluding costs and attorney fees).
• Small Claims: Disputes valued at $8,000 or less, which follow simplified summary procedures.
• Misdemeanors: Criminal offenses punishable by up to one year in the county jail.
• Traffic & Municipal Infractions: Non-criminal civil citations and municipal ordinance enforcement.
• Evictions & Landlord-Tenant: Summary claims for possession of residential and commercial property.

2. Circuit Court Division (6th Judicial Circuit)

The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction serving both Pasco and Pinellas counties:

• Circuit Civil: Major litigation involving disputes exceeding $50,000, real property titles, and complex commercial lawsuits.
• Felony Criminal: Capital offenses and felony charges carrying state prison sentences.
• Family Law: Dissolution of marriage, child support enforcement, paternity establishment, and injunctions for protection against domestic violence.
• Probate & Guardianship: Estate administration, validation of wills, and adult/minor guardianship management.

Pasco County Court Directory & Quick Reference Guide

The following verified directory details key court branches, primary addresses, operational divisions, and public access points across Pasco County.

Accessing Case Records, Dockets, and E-Filing Systems

Under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420, public access to court records is guaranteed unless explicitly confidential by law or court order. The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller provides multiple gateways for record retrieval and legal document transmission.

How to Perform an Online Court Records Search

Court dockets, case summaries, and public filings can be searched remotely using the official Clerk & Comptroller online court records system:

1. Access the Public Portal: Visit the official Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller online portal and select the Case Search application.
2. Select Search Type: Search by Party Name, Case Number, Citation Number, or Filing Date range.
3. Review Docket Entries: Click on the target case number to display the summary docket, judge assignment, scheduled court dates, and non-confidential filed documents.
4. Obtain Certified Copies: Uncertified electronic document downloads are available immediately. Certified copies for legal proceedings must be ordered online or in person at the Clerk's office for a statutory per-page and certification fee.

Electronic Case Filing (E-Filing) Requirements

In accordance with Florida Supreme Court mandates, attorneys must submit all filings electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Pro se litigants (individuals representing themselves) may also register to use the electronic portal, though physical hand-delivery or postal filing remains available to non-attorneys.

Operational Standard for E-Filing: All documents uploaded via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal must comply with PDF/A formatting, be fully text-searchable, and have confidential information redacting forms attached when submitting sensitive personal identifiers (such as Social Security Numbers or financial account details).

Jury Duty Procedures and Juror Requirements

Jury service is a legal obligation for qualified citizens residing in Pasco County. Jurors are randomly selected from Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles driver license and identification card databases.

Eligibility Criteria

To serve on a jury in Pasco County, an individual must meet all state statutory requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a legal resident of Pasco County, Florida.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Possess a valid Florida Driver License or Identification Card.
• Not currently be under prosecution for any felony crime, nor have lost civil rights due to a felony conviction without rights restoration.

Reporting and Deferral Requests

Jurors receive a official summons by mail indicating whether to report to the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey or the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City.

• Status Check: Summonsed jurors must call the automated Jury Information Line or check the online juror portal after 5:00 PM on the business day preceding their reporting date.
• Exemptions & Deferrals: Statutory exemptions apply to full-time law enforcement officers, pregnant women, primary caregivers of young children, and individuals who served as a juror within the preceding year. Requests for excusal or date deferral must be submitted to the Clerk of Court at least 10 business days prior to the reporting date.

Step-by-Step Guide: Resolving Traffic Tickets and Misdemeanor Citations

When issued a non-criminal traffic ticket or a criminal misdemeanor citation in Pasco County, actions must be taken within specific statutory timeframes to prevent driver license suspension or bench warrant issuance.

Step 1: Review the Citation Notice

Locate the 30-day compliance window printed on the ticket. Determine whether the infraction is non-criminal (civil infraction) or criminal (requiring mandatory court appearance).

Step 2: Select a Resolution Option (Civil Infractions)

Within 30 calendar days of the issue date, select one of three standard disposition methods:

• Option A: Pay the Civil Penalty: Pay online, by mail, or in person. This results in an admission of guilt and assessment of points against your Florida driving record.
• Option B: Elect Driver Improvement School: Pay the statutory fine plus a court clerk fee, then complete a state-approved 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course within 60 days. This prevents points from attaching to your license.
• Option C: Contest the Citation: Request a court hearing before a Traffic Infraction Hearing Officer or County Judge by contacting the Clerk of Court.

Step 3: Mandatory Appearance Citations

If the citation involves a criminal charge (such as Reckless Driving, Driving While License Suspended with Knowledge, or DUI) or a high-speed civil infraction requiring mandatory appearance, you must attend the scheduled arraignment at the designated courthouse. Failure to appear will result in an immediate judicial capias (arrest warrant) and license revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pasco County Courts

How do I check the scheduled court date for my case in Pasco County?

You can verify court dates online using the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller online case search system by entering your case number or full legal name. Alternatively, you may contact the Clerk’s Civil or Criminal Court Division by telephone during business hours for docket confirmation.

Where do I file for a domestic violence injunction in Pasco County?

Injunctions for protection against domestic, repeat, dating, or sexual violence must be filed with the Family Law Division of the Pasco County Clerk of Court. Emergency injunction petitions can be prepared and submitted during regular business hours at either the West Pasco Judicial Center (New Port Richey) or the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center (Dade City), with emergency hearing access provided promptly.

How are small claims disputes handled in Pasco County Court?

Small claims cases involve civil monetary disputes up to $8,000. Once a statement of claim is filed with the Clerk, both parties are summonsed to a mandatory Pre-Trial Conference, where mediation is conducted to seek an amicable settlement before a formal bench trial is scheduled.

Can I look up arrest warrants online through the court docket?

Active case files may show outstanding warrants or summonses issued by a judge; however, confidential or unexecuted arrest warrants are not displayed on public court dockets. Verified criminal history checks must be requested directly through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background system.

What should I wear and bring when attending court in Pasco County?

Courtroom decorum requires professional attire; shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, hats, and ripped clothing are strictly prohibited inside courtrooms. Visitors must bring a valid government-issued photo ID, court notices, relevant evidentiary documents, and any case-related correspondence.

Authoritative Legal Guidance and Court Resources

Navigating judicial proceedings requires precise adherence to local court rules, administrative orders, and statutory guidelines. Individuals appearing in court should review specific rules set by the 6th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge to ensure full compliance with courtroom procedures. For specialized legal advice, self-represented litigants can access form packages, procedural instructions, and legal research databases at the Pasco County Law Library located inside the West Pasco Judicial Center, or consult a licensed member of The Florida Bar.