Sumter County
Sumter County was established by legislative action in 1853 and named after General Thomas Sumter, a general in the American Revolutionary War. The county spans 557.1 square miles and has a population of approximately 131,832 residents. It is located in central Florida, with Bushnell serving as the county seat. Sumter County court system comprises the Circuit and County Courts.
Sumter County Circuit Court handles major civil and criminal cases beyond the jurisdiction of the County Courts. This includes civil claims exceeding $15,000, all felony cases, less-included offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, most cases requesting injunctive relief, and family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and domestic violence. It also oversees probate cases such as wills, trusts, estates, and guardianships, and juvenile cases involving delinquency or dependency. On the other hand, Sumter County Court addresses minor civil disputes of less than $15,000, most misdemeanors, violations of municipal and county ordinances, small claims, and juvenile traffic cases.
Sumter County public court records contain essential information from court proceedings, such as filing dates, litigants' names, case details, dockets, and court orders. Each of these documents functions as evidence to be used for establishing precedents and for handling appeals. These documents are vital to provide transparency in legal proceedings. Sumter County court records are maintained by the Sumter County Clerk of Circuit Court, who makes them available for public access under Florida's Sunshine Laws. However, sensitive records such as those related to juveniles or adoptions remain confidential and thereby exempt from public inspections. Common court records that can be requested by interested individuals include the following:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Traffic Records
- Probate Records
Public records can be accessed via Sumter County's Case Search System, the County Clerk Online Services, or an in-person visit to the Clerk's Office at:
215 East McCollum Avenue
Bushnell, FL 33513
Phone: (352) 569-6600
Email: clerk@sumterclerk.com
