Martin County Traffic Records

Martin County traffic ticket records are managed by the Clerk of Courts in Stuart. Located on Florida's Treasure Coast, Martin County has a population of about 165,000 and covers both coastal areas and inland communities along the St. Lucie River. The clerk's office processes all civil traffic infractions issued within Martin County, whether the ticket came from a local police officer, a sheriff's deputy, or a state trooper on the Turnpike. Online payment tools and phone services let you handle most traffic ticket matters without a trip to the courthouse in Stuart.

Martin County Clerk of Courts

The Martin County Clerk of Courts handles traffic ticket records from the courthouse at 100 E. Ocean Blvd in Stuart. The traffic division has its own direct phone line. Staff can look up your citation, walk you through the payment process, and help you understand your options. If you got a ticket in Martin County recently, wait about 5 to 10 days before trying to find it in the system. Citations take time to get from the officer to the clerk's database.

Every civil traffic infraction from Martin County goes through this office. It does not matter if the stop happened in Stuart, Indiantown, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, or on a bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. The Martin County Clerk of Courts at the county seat in Stuart is the only place to resolve it. You can deal with your ticket online, by mail, over the phone, or in person.

Paying Martin County Traffic Tickets

Martin County offers multiple ways to pay a traffic ticket. Online payment through PayFLClerk.com is the fastest option. Just pick Martin County from the list, and you will be directed to the clerk's online payment system. Credit and debit cards are accepted online, though a convenience fee applies. You can also pay at the Martin County Clerk's website directly.

For mail payments, send a check or money order to the Martin County Clerk of Courts at 100 E. Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994. Write your citation number on the check. Do not mail cash. In-person payments are accepted at the clerk's office in Stuart during regular business hours. The office takes cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards at the counter. Phone payments may be available through the clerk's automated system or by calling the traffic division at 772-288-5547.

The martinclerk.com website has the full list of payment methods and any current fee details for Martin County traffic tickets.

Note: Payments must be made within 30 days of the citation date to avoid late fees and possible license suspension in Martin County.

Traffic Ticket Options in Martin County

You have 30 days from the date of your Martin County traffic ticket to choose how you want to handle it. This rule comes from Florida Statute 318.14. There are three main choices. First, you can pay the fine. This counts as a guilty plea. Points will go on your driving record. It is quick, but it affects your record and could raise your insurance rates.

Second, you can pay a reduced fine and elect to take a Basic Driver Improvement course. This gives you an 18% cut in the fine amount. If you finish the course on time, no points get added to your record. You must let the Martin County Clerk know within 30 days that you want this option. Then you have 90 days from the citation date to complete the course and file the certificate with the clerk. The state lists approved schools at the FLHSMV website.

Third, you can contest the ticket and ask for a court hearing. Tell the Martin County Clerk within 30 days that you want to plead not guilty. The clerk sets a court date. A traffic judge hears the case. If you lose, the fine could be up to $500 for most violations. School zone and construction zone speeding tickets in Martin County can carry fines up to $1,000 under Florida Statute 318.18.

Martin County Traffic School Rules

Traffic school is a solid choice for Martin County drivers who want to keep their record clean. The fine is 18% less, and no points go on your license if you complete the course. But not everyone qualifies. You can only elect this option five times in your life. One use per 12-month period is the limit. Commercial license holders cannot use it. And if your Martin County ticket was for going 30 mph or more over the speed limit, this option is not on the table.

Once you elect traffic school through the Martin County Clerk, sign up for a state-approved course right away. You have 90 days from the date on the ticket to finish. After you complete the course, make sure the completion certificate gets filed with the Martin County Clerk. Some schools send it automatically. Others do not. Call the traffic division at 772-288-5547 to check if they received it.

Martin County Traffic Fines

Traffic ticket fines in Martin County follow the state schedule set by Florida Statute 318.18. Speeding tickets have base fines that go up with speed. Going 6 to 9 mph over the limit costs $25. Ten to 14 mph over is $100. Fifteen to 19 mph over runs $150. Twenty to 29 over is $175. Thirty or more mph above the speed limit carries a $250 base fine. Court costs and county fees add to these numbers in Martin County.

Moving violations carry a $60 base fine. Nonmoving violations are $30. If you were speeding in a school zone in Martin County, the fine doubles. Same for construction zones when workers are present. Failing to pay within 30 days adds a $16 late fee. After that, the Martin County Clerk reports the missed payment to FLHSMV, and the state starts the process to suspend your driver license.

Note: Fine amounts shown are base fines only, and Martin County court costs and surcharges will increase the total amount you owe.

License Suspension from Martin County Tickets

If you ignore a Martin County traffic ticket, your license is at risk. Under Florida Statute 318.15, the clerk must notify FLHSMV when someone fails to pay or respond within 30 days. FLHSMV then mails a suspension order. Your license goes inactive 20 days after the letter is sent. This stays on your record for seven years.

To fix a suspension caused by an unpaid Martin County traffic ticket, you must pay the full amount owed plus a $60 reinstatement fee. Check your status at the MyDMV Portal. The Martin County Clerk can tell you the exact balance. Once paid, the clerk sends a certificate of compliance to FLHSMV, and the suspension is lifted. The FLHSMV traffic citations page has more details on how this process works across Florida.

Cities in Martin County

Martin County includes the city of Stuart, the Town of Jupiter Island, Indiantown, Ocean Breeze, Sewall's Point, and several unincorporated communities like Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Palm City, and Port Salerno. All traffic tickets from these areas are handled by the Martin County Clerk of Courts in Stuart. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a separate city page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Martin County. If your ticket was issued near a county line, double-check which county is listed on the citation. That is the clerk's office you need to contact.