Charlotte County Traffic Records Search
Charlotte County traffic ticket records are handled by the Clerk of Court in Punta Gorda. This southwest Florida county has a population of roughly 195,000 and sits along the Peace River where it flows into Charlotte Harbor. I-75 cuts through the county, generating a steady volume of traffic citations alongside local roads like US-41 and SR-776. The Clerk of Court processes all civil and criminal traffic tickets issued within Charlotte County. Snowbird season brings extra traffic, and the clerk's office stays busy from late fall through spring. If you got a citation anywhere in Charlotte County, the clerk's office on East Marion Avenue is where everything gets handled.
Charlotte County Quick Facts
Charlotte County Clerk of Court
The Charlotte County Clerk of Court sits at 350 East Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda. This is the main office for all traffic ticket records in the county. Staff can look up your citation by number, explain your payment options, and help with traffic school paperwork. The office also handles court hearing requests and provides copies of traffic records.
Charlotte County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties. The circuit court judges serve the entire area, but each county clerk runs its own traffic division. Your Charlotte County traffic ticket stays with the Charlotte County Clerk from start to finish. The clerk's website at charlotteclerk.com has information about services and office hours.
| Address | 350 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 941-505-4716 |
| Website | Charlotte County Clerk |
Paying Charlotte County Traffic Tickets
Charlotte County provides multiple ways to pay a traffic ticket. Online payment is available through the clerk's website and through the statewide PayFLClerk.com portal. Pick Charlotte County from the list and follow the prompts. You need your citation number to look up the ticket. Credit and debit cards are accepted online with a convenience fee.
In-person payments are taken at the clerk's office at 350 East Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda. You can pay with cash, check, or money order. Card payments in person also carry a fee. Mail payments should be sent to the Charlotte County Clerk of Court with a check or money order. Write your citation number on the payment so the staff can match it to your case. Do not send cash by mail.
The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers website provides a direct link to Charlotte County's payment options as well. No matter which method you choose, make sure the payment is completed within 30 days of the citation date. That is the state deadline under Florida Statute 318.14.
Note: Allow 5-10 days after getting a Charlotte County traffic ticket for it to appear in the clerk's system before trying to pay online.
Charlotte County Traffic Ticket Options
Three options are available for every civil traffic ticket issued in Charlotte County. The 30-day clock starts on the date printed on the citation. Missing the deadline is costly: a $16 late fee, possible license suspension, and added stress. The Charlotte County Clerk's office can explain each choice in detail.
Paying the fine is the first option. It counts as a guilty plea. Points go on your Florida driving record depending on the violation type. This is the quickest way to close a Charlotte County traffic case. The second option is to pay the fine with an 18% reduction and elect a Basic Driver Improvement course. You complete the course within 90 days, file the certificate with the Charlotte County Clerk, and no points go on your record. The third option is to request a court hearing and contest the ticket. A judge in the 20th Judicial Circuit hears the case at the Charlotte County courthouse. If you lose, the fine can go as high as $500 for most violations or $1,000 for school zone and construction zone speeding under Florida Statute 318.18.
Charlotte County Traffic School Election
Traffic school is a good deal for Charlotte County drivers who want clean records. The 18% fine reduction saves money, and zero points means your insurance rates stay the same. To elect, contact the Charlotte County Clerk within 30 days and pay the reduced fine. Then pick an approved school from the FLHSMV approved list.
Most people take the course online from home. It covers defensive driving basics and takes a few hours. After you pass, the school issues a certificate. Get that certificate to the Charlotte County Clerk before the 90-day deadline. Some schools file it for you, some do not. Call 941-505-4716 to check if the clerk received your certificate. Failing to turn it in on time triggers license suspension, extra fees, and points on your record.
Standard limits apply in Charlotte County. Five lifetime elections. One per 12-month period. CDL holders are excluded. Speeding 30+ mph over the limit disqualifies you. These rules come from Florida Statute 318.14 and apply statewide.
Charlotte County Traffic Fines
Charlotte County traffic ticket fines use the state schedule from Florida Statute 318.18. Speeding fines range from $25 for going 6-9 mph over to $250 for 30+ mph over. Moving violations carry a $60 base fine. Nonmoving violations are $30. Court costs add $35 for moving violations and $18 for nonmoving. School zone and construction zone tickets in Charlotte County double the base fine.
The $16 late penalty kicks in after 30 days. After the late fee, the Charlotte County Clerk must report the unpaid ticket to FLHSMV, starting the license suspension process. Reinstatement costs another $60 on top of everything else. Dealing with a Charlotte County traffic ticket on time is always the cheaper path.
License Suspension for Charlotte County Tickets
Failing to act on a Charlotte County traffic ticket within 30 days sets off a chain of events. The clerk adds a late fee and reports you to FLHSMV. The state mails a suspension order. Your license is suspended 20 days after that letter goes out. The suspension stays on your FLHSMV record for seven years. Getting caught driving on a suspended license in Charlotte County is a criminal charge.
Fixing the suspension means paying off the Charlotte County ticket balance, clearing all late fees, and paying FLHSMV's $60 reinstatement fee. Check your status at the MyDMV Portal. The Charlotte County Clerk can tell you exactly what you owe on the ticket side. Once the clerk confirms payment and issues compliance paperwork, FLHSMV lifts the suspension.
Note: Your driving record history will still show the suspension even after reinstatement, which may affect insurance rates.
Statewide Traffic Ticket Resources
The FLHSMV traffic citations page covers everything about traffic ticket rules in Florida, including Charlotte County. You can use the MyDMV Portal to check your license status and points. Driving record requests are available through FLHSMV's driving record page for $14.25 (3-year) or $16.25 (7-year). These tools are helpful when deciding how to handle a Charlotte County traffic ticket.
Nearby Counties
Charlotte County sits between Sarasota County to the north and Lee County to the south. If your traffic ticket was issued near a county line, check the citation to see which county is listed.