Any criminal court file sealed pursuant to court order issued in conformity with Section 943.059, Florida Statutes, is generally confidential and is exempt from the provisions of Article 1, Section 24(a) of the State Constitution and Section 119.07(1), Florida Statutes.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court, without the necessity of further court order, shall handle all requests directly and process such requests. The only exception to this general rule is that under Section 943.059(4)(a), Florida Statutes, the clerk is authorized to release documents from sealed criminal files to certain persons, Criminal Justice agencies and other entities.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court shall allow access to the requested documents from the sealed files upon personal appearance with a valid picture identification, or upon receipt of a written sworn and notarized request upon request of the defendant or the defendant's Attorney.
Upon the request of Criminal Justice agencies as defined in Section 943.045(1), Florida Statutes; and those entities set forth in Sections 943.059(4)(a)1., 4., 5. and 6., Florida Statutes, for their respective licensing and employment purposes, the Clerk of the Circuit Court shall allow access to the requested documents upon receipt of a sworn statement from a duly authorized representative of such agency or entity. Copies shall be provided only upon payment of costs as authorized by law.