Punta Gorda Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Punta Gorda, Florida?
Arrest records in Punta Gorda, Florida are classified as public documents and are accessible to all members of the public. This accessibility is mandated by Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, which establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for inspection by any person. The law operates under the principle of government transparency, allowing citizens to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and the Punta Gorda Police Department maintain these records as part of their official duties. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, these agencies must provide reasonable access to public records during normal business hours. Requesters are not required to disclose their identity or state a purpose for accessing these records, unless specifically exempted by statute.
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure, including:
• Social Security numbers • Driver's license numbers • Medical information • Information related to ongoing investigations • Records involving juveniles, with certain exceptions
These exemptions are designed to protect individual privacy while maintaining the overall transparency of the criminal justice system in Punta Gorda and throughout Florida.
How to Look Up Punta Gorda Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Punta Gorda. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and Punta Gorda Police Department maintain systems for record retrieval in compliance with Florida Statute § 119.07(1)(a), which requires custodians of public records to permit records to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so.
The following methods are available for accessing Punta Gorda arrest records:
• In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Division of the Punta Gorda Police Department located at 1410 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Standard operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requesters must complete a public records request form and may be required to pay a fee for document reproduction.
• Online Access: The Punta Gorda Police Department maintains a Police to Citizen (P2C) portal that allows for electronic searches of recent arrest data. This system is accessible 24 hours per day and provides basic information about arrests within the department's jurisdiction.
• Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Records Custodian at either the Punta Gorda Police Department or the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Requests should include specific information such as the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record location.
• Charlotte County Clerk of Court: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Charlotte County Clerk of Court located at 350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. The Clerk maintains records of all court proceedings, including those stemming from arrests in Punta Gorda.
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07(4) and may include charges for duplication ($0.15 per one-sided copy, $0.20 per two-sided copy) and staff time for extensive requests exceeding 15 minutes of research time.
Contents of a Punta Gorda Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Punta Gorda law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Florida Department of Law Enforcement guidelines. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system at the point of arrest.
A typical Punta Gorda arrest record contains the following elements:
• Demographic Information: The subject's full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos.
• Arrest Details: The date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting agency; the name and badge number of the arresting officer; and the circumstances leading to the arrest.
• Criminal Charges: All charges filed at the time of arrest, including the Florida Statute number, offense description, and classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction).
• Booking Information: Details of the booking process, including the time of booking, the facility where the subject was processed, and any property taken into custody.
• Custody Status: Information regarding pretrial detention, release on recognizance, or bail/bond amounts set and posted.
• Case Disposition: If available, the outcome of the case, including dismissals, convictions, sentences imposed, or diversion program participation.
• Photographic Evidence: A mugshot taken during the booking process, showing the front and side profile of the arrested individual.
• Fingerprint Records: Digital or ink fingerprints collected during booking for identification purposes and submission to state and federal databases.
It should be noted that pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.071, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect confidential information or the privacy of specific individuals, such as victims of certain crimes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Punta Gorda
Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059, which establish the criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access.
Individuals seeking expungement of Punta Gorda arrest records must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• The arrest did not result in a conviction • The individual has not been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense • The individual has not previously secured an expungement or sealing of another arrest record • The offense is not among those specifically excluded by Florida Statute § 943.0585(2)
The expungement process involves multiple steps:
• Certificate of Eligibility: Applicants must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This requires submission of a completed application, fingerprints, and payment of a $75 processing fee.
• Petition Filing: Upon receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility, the applicant must file a petition for expungement with the court that handled the case. This petition must be accompanied by the certificate and an affidavit attesting that the petitioner meets all eligibility requirements.
• Prosecutorial Review: The State Attorney's Office will review the petition and may file an objection based on the facts of the case or statutory limitations.
• Judicial Determination: A judge will review the petition and any objections before making a determination. If granted, an order of expungement will be issued.
• Agency Notification: Upon court approval, certified copies of the expungement order must be delivered to all agencies in possession of the arrest record, including the Punta Gorda Police Department, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, FDLE, and the Charlotte County Clerk of Court.
Once an expungement order is executed, the agencies must physically destroy all records related to the arrest, with the exception of a single copy maintained by the FDLE, which is exempt from public records requests.
Individuals with questions about the expungement process may contact the Charlotte County Clerk of Court at 350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, or by phone at (941) 637-2199.
Search Arrest Records in Punta Gorda
• Punta Gorda Police Department Records • Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search • Charlotte County Clerk of Court Case Search
