Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Court cases in Polk County, Bartow, FL
Polk County Circuit Court in Bartow is a Florida state circuit court (trial court of general jurisdiction) within the Tenth Judicial Circuit serving Polk County. It hears felony criminal cases; civil actions exceeding $50,000 and other equitable matters; family law cases (dissolution of marriage, paternity, custody, and support); probate, guardianship, and trusts; juvenile delinquency and dependency; domestic violence and other protective injunctions; real property disputes; and appeals from Polk County Court. Most misdemeanors and traffic infractions are handled by County Court, with the Circuit Court handling related appeals.
Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Polk |
| Street Address: | 255 N. Broadway Ave. |
| City: | Bartow |
| Zip Code: | 33830 |
| Phone: | 863-534-4000 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.jud10.flcourts.org/ |
| Parking: | Juror parking is located in the BLUE parking lot, directly west of the courthouse on West Davidson Street. All parking lots near the courthouse provide free parking. A paid parking garage is also available in the area. However, parking garage fees will not be reimbursed. |
| Forms & Filing: | http://www.jud10.flcourts.org/forms-checklists |
| Divisions / Services: | http://www.jud10.flcourts.org/about-10th-circuit?q=court-divisions |
| Jury Service: | https://thirdcircuitfl.org/jurors/ |
| Languages: | English |
| Email: | webmaster@jud10.flcourts.org |
| Twitter: | https://twitter.com/Fl10th |
| ADA: | the Office of the Court Administrator |
| ADA Phone: | 863-534-4686 |
| Special Access: | Personal devices such as a wheelchair or hearing aid, personal services such as medical or attendant care, (However, wheelchairs are available in the Polk County Courthouse.) |
| About / Additional Info: | Centered in the heart of Florida's 20 judicial circuits, the Courts of the Tenth Judicial Circuit serve Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties. The tri-county area has diverse localities ranging from urbanized population centers to profoundly rural areas. Twenty-eight circuit judges and twelve county court judges serve a population of approximately 728, 612 people in a 3,676 square mile area. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Polk County Circuit Court serves the public as the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Criminal matters (felonies, misdemeanors), traffic/ordinance violations.
- Civil disputes (torts, contracts, landlord-tenant, small claims).
- Family cases (divorce, custody/placement, child support, paternity).
- Juvenile matters (delinquency and child protection).
- Probate, guardianship, and mental health commitments.
Key services include case filings and records (eFiling, case lookup, certified copies, fees and payments); protective orders (domestic abuse, harassment, stalking injunctions and temporary restraining orders); jury services (summons, qualification, deferrals, reporting instructions, compensation); and court hearings (calendars, scheduling, remote appearance options, interpreters, ADA accommodations).
Additional public-facing functions may include specialty/problem-solving courts, mediation referrals, compliance monitoring, and fines/restitution collection. The Clerk's Office provides forms and procedural assistance while not offering legal advice.