Lake County sits on the western edge of the Central Florida metro area, and its court system operates differently from the high-volume Orange County courts just 30 miles to the east. The Lake County Courthouse in Tavares handles every criminal and traffic case in the county — there are no branch courthouses for hearings. If you have been charged with a crime or received a citation anywhere in Lake County, your case will be heard at 550 W. Main Street.
At The Law Office of James P. Kelly, we handle criminal defense and traffic cases in Lake County. Call us today and speak directly with your attorney.
Lake County is part of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which also covers Citrus, Hernando, Marion, and Sumter counties.
The Clerk also operates branch offices in Clermont (290 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite 116) and Lady Lake (902 Avenida Central), but these handle clerk services only — not court hearings.
The growing population in south Lake County — particularly Clermont and surrounding communities — has increased the volume of traffic cases tied to the US-27 and State Road 50 corridors.
Fifth Judicial Circuit judges and prosecutors operate independently from the Ninth Circuit courts in Orlando. Different circuit, different judges, different prosecutors, different approach.
Common cases include:
Every case has facts that can be challenged. In traffic cases, common defenses include:
In criminal cases, the analysis goes deeper:
For charges carrying mandatory court appearances — DUI, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license — the defense strategy begins with a thorough review of the police report and any available body camera or dashcam footage.
Lake County’s courthouse is smaller than Orange County’s, and cases tend to move at a different pace. But the stakes are identical. A DUI conviction in Lake County carries the same penalties. A speeding ticket adds the same points. The insurance consequences are the same regardless of which county issued the citation.
One practical difference: Lake County has no branch courthouses. If your case requires a hearing, you are going to Tavares. For defendants in south Lake County, that can mean a 45-minute drive. Having an attorney appear on your behalf can eliminate that trip entirely.
Florida’s point system does not distinguish between counties:
Traffic school is an option, but with limitations:
For criminal charges, a conviction creates a permanent record on background checks. Florida does not automatically seal or expunge criminal records. Avoiding the conviction in the first place is always the better strategy.
Yes. For most civil traffic infractions, your attorney can appear on your behalf, so you do not need to be present.
Online at lakecountyclerkfl.gov, by mail to 550 W. Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778, or in person. Paying the fine is a guilty plea and will add points to your record.
No. The South Lake Branch Office in Clermont handles clerk services only. All court hearings take place at the main courthouse in Tavares.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every case involves unique facts and circumstances that affect the outcome. Contacting The Law Office of James P. Kelly, P.A. does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
