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Clayton O. Rooks III, Jackson County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Jackson County, FL | Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

Criminal Court

Circuit Criminal

The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all defendants accused of committing crimes that have been designated by the State Legislature as felonies. A felony is a criminal offense punishable by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary. Felonies are classified into the following degrees:

  • A Capital Felony is punishable by death or life imprisonment without eligibility for parole.
  • A Capital Felony is punishable by death or life imprisonment without eligibility for parole.
  • A Life Felony is punishable by a term of life imprisonment and by a fine not to exceed $15,000.
  • A First Degree Felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 years and by a fine not to exceed $10,000.
  • A Second Degree Felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 years and by a fine not to exceed $10,000.
  • A Third Degree Felony is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 5 years and by a fine not to exceed $5,000.

County Criminal

Traffic & Misdemeanors

The County Court has jurisdiction over all defendants accused of committing crimes that have been designated as misdemeanors. A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is punishable by imprisonment in a county correctional facility. Misdemeanors are classified into the following degrees:

  • A First Degree Misdemeanor is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 1 year in the county jail and by a fine not to exceed $1,000.
  • A Second Degree Misdemeanor is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 60 days in the county jail and by a fine not to exceed $500.

Other charges handled in the misdemeanor division:

  • County and Municipal Ordinances, which are defined as local regulations passed by a county or municipality, are punishable by a fine less than $500 and/or imprisonment in a county jail for less than 60 days.
  • Criminal Traffic Laws, which are defined by the Florida Rules of Court as a violation that may subject a defendant upon conviction to incarceration.

The Clerk of the Court has the responsibility for the collection and distribution of all fines, forfeitures, and court costs assessed by the Court.