Alachua County, Florida Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Alachua County, Florida?
Arrest records are public documents in Alachua County, Florida, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Act. This legislation establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for public inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access to public records.
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties under Florida law. These records typically include booking photographs (mugshots), arrest reports, and other documentation related to an individual's arrest and detention. Members of the public may access these records without demonstrating a specific purpose or interest in the information.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida Statutes § 119.071, which may apply to:
- Active criminal intelligence information
- Records pertaining to juvenile offenders in certain circumstances
- Information that would reveal the identity of victims of certain crimes
- Personal identifying information of specific categories of personnel (e.g., law enforcement officers, judges)
Requests for exempt information require additional verification and may be denied in accordance with statutory provisions.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Alachua County?
Alachua County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to current and recent arrest information through its official website. This online accessibility is consistent with Florida's commitment to government transparency as codified in Florida Statutes § 119.01(2)(a), which encourages agencies to provide remote electronic access to public records.
The Alachua County Clerk of Court maintains an online database of court records, including those related to criminal cases that originate from arrests. These records are searchable by name, case number, and other identifiers. The system provides 24-hour access to public records without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
Online records typically include:
- Basic demographic information about the arrested individual
- Charges filed
- Court dates and hearing information
- Case disposition when available
- Bond information
Users should note that while basic information is available online, certain documents may require in-person requests or payment of statutory fees for copies pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4).
How to Look Up Alachua County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Alachua County, with varying levels of detail and accessibility. The following options are available to members of the public seeking arrest information:
Online Resources:
- The Alachua County Sheriff's Office inmate search provides current detention information
- The Alachua County Clerk of Court's online portal offers access to criminal case records
- The Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS) provides statewide court records access for registered users
In-Person Requests:
Alachua County Sheriff's Office
2621 SE Hawthorne Road
Gainesville, FL 32641
(352) 367-4000
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMAlachua County Clerk of Court
201 E University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 374-3636
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Written requests for public records may be submitted to the appropriate agency's records custodian. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(1)(a), agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable time. Requests should include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Date of arrest (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Requestor's contact information
Fees for copies of records are established by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4) and may include a charge of up to $0.15 per one-sided copy for pages not exceeding 8½ by 14 inches, with additional charges for certified copies or extensive research time.
Contents of an Alachua County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Alachua County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Florida law. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system beginning at the point of arrest. Standard arrest records include the following components:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical characteristics (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Florida driver's license number or state ID number (partially redacted in public records)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges with Florida Statutes citations
- Narrative description of the alleged offense
- Probable cause statement
- Weapon information (if applicable)
Processing Information:
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint identification
- Booking date and time
- Detention facility information
- Bond or bail amount
- Pre-trial release conditions (if applicable)
Case Progression:
- Court case number
- Arraignment date
- Assigned judge
- Prosecution status
- Court appearances
- Case disposition
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071(5), certain personal identifying information such as social security numbers, bank account numbers, and medical information is exempt from public disclosure and will be redacted from records provided to the public.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Alachua County
Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 (expungement) and § 943.059 (sealing). Individuals seeking to remove arrest records from public access in Alachua County must comply with statutory requirements and follow established procedures.
Eligibility Criteria for Expungement:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction
- Charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or not filed
- The individual has no prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
- The individual has no disqualifying criminal history
- The offense is not among those enumerated as ineligible under Florida Statutes § 943.0585(2)
Eligibility Criteria for Sealing:
- The individual was not adjudicated guilty of the offense
- The individual received a withhold of adjudication for an eligible offense
- The individual has completed all terms of probation or sentence
- The individual has no disqualifying criminal history
- The offense is not among those enumerated as ineligible under Florida Statutes § 943.059(2)
Application Process:
- Obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- File a petition with the Alachua County Clerk of Court
- Serve copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
- Attend a hearing if required by the court
- Obtain a court order granting expungement or sealing
Effect of Expungement or Sealing: When an arrest record is expunged, physical destruction of the record occurs in most repositories. When sealed, the record remains intact but is confidential and exempt from public disclosure. In both cases, the individual may lawfully deny the existence of the arrest in most circumstances, with exceptions for certain employment applications as specified in Florida Statutes § 943.0585(4) and § 943.059(4).
Applications for expungement or sealing may be filed with:
Alachua County Clerk of Court
Criminal Division
201 E University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 374-3636
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Search Arrest Records in Alachua County
