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Cocoa Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cocoa, Florida?

Arrest records are public in Cocoa, Florida, pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This legislation, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Act, establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection by the public, unless specifically exempted by law. The statute ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with the right to access arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies within Cocoa and throughout Florida.

The Cocoa Police Department, as a public agency, is required to maintain and provide access to arrest records in accordance with § 119.07, F.S., which outlines the inspection and copying of public records. While certain information may be redacted to protect privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 119.071, F.S., the general principle of public accessibility remains intact for most arrest documentation.

How to Look Up Cocoa Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Cocoa have several methods available to access this information. The Cocoa Police Department maintains these records in compliance with Florida Statutes and provides multiple channels for retrieval:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Cocoa Police Department Records Division, located at 1226 W. King Street, Cocoa, FL 32922. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Online requests may be submitted through the City of Cocoa's public records request portal, which processes requests in accordance with statutory requirements.
The Brevard County Clerk of Courts maintains court records related to arrests and prosecutions, accessible through their public access system.
Public access terminals are available at the Cocoa Police Department and certain government facilities for individuals without internet access.

Pursuant to § 119.07(4), F.S., fees may apply for the duplication of records. Standard fees include $0.15 per one-sided copy for pages not exceeding 8½ by 14 inches and $0.20 per two-sided copy. Additional charges may apply for certified copies or extensive research requests requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time.

Contents of a Cocoa Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Cocoa Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual involved. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information including race, sex, height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s), including Florida Statute citations
Arresting officer information and badge number
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records and identification numbers
Case numbers and tracking information
Disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)

It should be noted that pursuant to § 119.071(2)(h), F.S., certain information may be redacted from public records, particularly in cases involving victims of specific crimes or when the arrested individual is a minor. Additionally, arrest records related to sealed or expunged cases are not available for public inspection in accordance with § 943.059 and § 943.0585, F.S.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cocoa

The expungement or sealing of arrest records in Cocoa follows procedures established under Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059. Individuals seeking to have their arrest records expunged or sealed must meet specific eligibility criteria as defined by state law.

To qualify for expungement, the following conditions generally must be met:

The arrest must not have resulted in a conviction
The applicant must not have been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense
The applicant must not have previously sealed or expunged another record in Florida
The offense must not be among those listed as ineligible for expungement under § 943.0585(2), F.S.

The process requires submission of an application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), located at:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
850-410-7870
FDLE Seal and Expunge Process

Upon FDLE approval, applicants must file a petition with the court that handled the case. The Brevard County Clerk of Courts processes these petitions for cases within Cocoa's jurisdiction. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies holding the record, including the Cocoa Police Department, to physically destroy or prevent public access to the record.

Sealed records remain accessible to certain government agencies and for specific purposes as outlined in § 943.059(4), F.S., while expunged records are physically destroyed except for a confidential record maintained by FDLE.

Limitations on Public Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Cocoa are generally public, Florida law establishes several important exceptions that limit access to certain information. These limitations serve to protect privacy rights and sensitive information in specific circumstances.

Pursuant to § 119.071, F.S., the following categories of information may be exempt from public disclosure:

Personal information of law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and other specified public employees
Information identifying victims of sexual offenses, child abuse, or domestic violence
Social security numbers, bank account information, and other personal identifying information
Medical information and records
Juvenile arrest records, which are subject to different disclosure rules under § 985.04, F.S.
Records pertaining to active criminal investigations as defined in § 119.071(2)(c), F.S.

The Cocoa Police Department is required to redact exempt information before releasing records to the public. Individuals seeking access to exempt information must demonstrate legal authorization or obtain a court order permitting disclosure.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Florida

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Cocoa operates within a comprehensive legal framework established by Florida statutes and case law. This framework balances the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and law enforcement needs.

Key statutory provisions governing arrest records include:

Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119, F.S.) - Establishes the fundamental right of access to public records
Criminal Procedure and Corrections (Chapter 943, F.S.) - Outlines procedures for criminal history information
Florida Rules of Judicial Administration - Governs court records related to arrests and prosecutions

The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces the public's right of access to government records. However, this right is not absolute, and courts have recognized legitimate exceptions to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and other compelling interests.

Law enforcement agencies in Cocoa, including the Cocoa Police Department, must maintain arrest records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 257, F.S.

Requesting Certified Copies of Arrest Records

Official certified copies of arrest records may be required for various legal and administrative purposes. The Cocoa Police Department provides certified copies of arrest records upon request in accordance with established procedures.

To obtain certified copies of arrest records, requestors must:

Submit a written request to the Records Division of the Cocoa Police Department
Provide sufficient information to identify the specific record(s) requested
Present valid government-issued photo identification
Pay applicable certification fees as established by § 119.07(4), F.S.

Certified copies bear an official seal and signature verifying their authenticity and may be required for court proceedings, employment background checks, immigration matters, or other official purposes. The Copies of Reports service at the Cocoa Police Department processes these requests.

Cocoa Police Department Records Division
1226 W. King Street
Cocoa, FL 32922
321-433-8800
Official Records Request Portal

Standard processing time for certified copies is 3-5 business days, though expedited service may be available for urgent requests. Additional fees may apply for expedited processing.