Franklin County Traffic Record Search
Traffic ticket records in Franklin County are kept by the Clerk of Courts office in Apalachicola. Franklin County is a small, coastal county in the Florida panhandle, known for its oyster industry and St. George Island. US-98 is the main route through the county, and citations are commonly issued along that corridor. Despite its small population, the Clerk's office handles traffic infractions with the same procedures as larger Florida counties. The office processes fine payments, manages court schedules, and stores all citation records. If you got a ticket in Franklin County, the Clerk in Apalachicola is where your record lives.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Clerk of Courts
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts manages all traffic citation records for the county. The office is in Apalachicola, the county seat. Franklin County falls in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which also includes Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties. The county court handles civil traffic infractions, while criminal traffic offenses go to the circuit court.
The Clerk's staff can pull up your citation, explain your options, and take your payment. In a small county like Franklin, wait times are generally short. You can call ahead or walk in during business hours. All traffic ticket records in Franklin County are public under Florida law. Anyone can request a copy of a citation or case file. The Clerk also handles elections for traffic school and schedules hearings for people who want to contest their tickets in Franklin County.
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 340, Apalachicola, FL 32329 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 850-653-8861 |
| Website | franklinclerk.com |
Paying Franklin County Traffic Tickets
You have 30 days from the date on your citation to pay or respond. That rule comes from Florida Statute 318.14. Online payment is the fastest option. Visit PayFLClerk.com, pick Franklin County, and pay with a credit or debit card. A convenience fee applies on top of your citation amount.
In-person payments are taken at the Clerk's office in Apalachicola during regular business hours. Cash, check, and money order work. You can also mail your payment to P.O. Box 340, Apalachicola, FL 32329. Write your citation number on the check or money order so the Clerk can match it to your case. If you miss the 30-day window, a $16 late fee is added. The Clerk will also notify the FLHSMV about the delinquent citation, starting the process toward a possible license suspension for your Franklin County ticket.
Traffic Citation Options in Franklin County
After getting a traffic ticket in Franklin County, you have three choices. The first is to pay the fine. Simple but it counts as a conviction. Points go on your license. The second option is electing the basic driver improvement course. You pay an 18% reduced fine to the Franklin County Clerk and then take a four-hour approved course. No points are assessed if you complete it on time. The third option is to contest the ticket. Plead not guilty and go before a judge.
Most people who get tickets on US-98 in Franklin County are visitors headed to or from St. George Island. If that is you, the online payment option or traffic school election may be the most practical since you might not be nearby for an in-person visit. Call the Clerk at 850-653-8861 to handle your options by phone if needed. You must still act within 30 days regardless of where you live.
Note: CDL holders and drivers cited for going 30 mph or more over the limit cannot elect traffic school in Franklin County or any other Florida county.
Franklin County Traffic Ticket Fines
All fines in Franklin County follow Florida Statute 318.18. Base fines are the starting point, with court costs and surcharges added on top. A standard moving violation is $60 before extras. Nonmoving violations start at $30. Speeding fines depend on how far over the limit you were going.
- Speeding 6-9 mph over: $25
- Speeding 10-14 mph over: $100
- Speeding 15-19 mph over: $150
- Speeding 20-29 mph over: $175
- Speeding 30+ mph over: $250
Court costs add $35 to most moving violations in Franklin County. The late fee is $16 after 30 days. School zone fines are double the listed amounts. With court costs, surcharges, and possible late fees added in, the total for a Franklin County traffic ticket is always higher than the base fine alone.
Franklin County Traffic Records Online
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts website provides information about court services and traffic citations. Visit franklinclerk.com to get started.
For state-level resources, the FLHSMV traffic citations page covers rules that apply to all citations issued in Franklin County and across Florida.
License Impact from Franklin County Tickets
An unpaid Franklin County traffic ticket leads to license suspension. The process is the same as every other Florida county. The Clerk reports the delinquent citation to the FLHSMV. A suspension notice goes out. Your license goes inactive 20 days later. That suspension stays on your FLHSMV record for seven full years. Out-of-state drivers are not immune either. Through interstate compact agreements, a Florida suspension can affect your driving privileges back home.
To lift the suspension, pay all fines plus a $60 reinstatement fee to the FLHSMV. The Franklin County Clerk issues a compliance certificate once your account is clear. Check your current license status at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov. A quick payment to the Franklin County Clerk within 30 days avoids this entire problem.
Traffic School for Franklin County Tickets
The basic driver improvement course is a smart option for most Franklin County traffic tickets. It is a four-hour class. Online courses let you do it from anywhere, which is helpful if you were just passing through the area. The FLHSMV approved provider list at flhsmv.gov has all the options. Course fees vary by school and are paid separately from the fine.
Notify the Franklin County Clerk within 30 days that you want to elect traffic school. Pay the reduced fine at that time. Then complete the course within 90 days and submit your certificate to the Clerk at P.O. Box 340, Apalachicola, FL 32329. Five lifetime elections are allowed. One per year at most. View your driving record at flhsmv.gov to make sure the election was recorded after you finish the course.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County is in the panhandle region of Florida along the Gulf Coast. These counties share borders with Franklin. Verify the county on your citation before you pay.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County includes Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and the St. George Island area. All traffic tickets from these communities are handled by the Franklin County Clerk of Courts in Apalachicola. There are no separate city traffic courts. Every citation in the county goes through the same Clerk office.