Evidence

Exhibits received into evidence during court proceedings become the responsibility of the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. The office is responsible for guarding the integrity of criminal and civil evidence within its possession – which includes maintaining the chain of custody, inventorying and storing the evidence, and properly disposing of evidence after it meets its mandated retention time according to Florida law.

Disposal of Evidence:

If you received a Notice of Intent to Dispose of or Destroy Exhibits, or a Petition to Dispose of Unclaimed Evidence, you or your attorney of record have until the date listed on the letter to respond with any objections to the destruction or disposal of the evidence referenced.

For non-criminal proceedings, the exhibits will, upon request, be delivered to any party or attorney of record calling for them before the date listed, with preference given to the party or attorney of record who introduced them into evidence or had them marked for identification.

For criminal proceedings, any evidence that was seized by a law enforcement agency in connection with its investigation, and for which it is entitled to by Florida Law, will be returned to the agency if it calls for the evidence before the date stated in the letter.

Florida law governs the disposition of weapons or firearms and the destruction of controlled substances or chemicals.