>Clay County Arrest Records Online

Clay County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clay County, Florida?

Arrest records in Clay County, Florida are public documents accessible to all citizens and interested parties. This public availability is mandated by Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), which establishes the right of access to records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business. The Clay County Sheriff's Office and Clay County Clerk of Court maintain these records as part of their statutory obligations to document law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings. Members of the public may access these records without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request, except in cases where specific statutory exemptions apply.

The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right by declaring that "every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body." This constitutional provision underscores the state's commitment to governmental transparency and public oversight of law enforcement activities.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clay County?

Clay County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Clay County Sheriff's Office provides a digital database of recent arrests and bookings through their official website. Additionally, the Clay County Clerk of Court maintains an online case search system where members of the public may access court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.

These online resources are maintained pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which states that "automation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records." The statute further requires agencies to provide remote electronic access to records when feasible. The online availability of these records serves to facilitate public access while reducing administrative burden on county offices.

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, certain supplementary documents may require in-person requests or additional fees for certified copies. Online records are updated regularly but may experience processing delays between an arrest and the appearance of records in digital systems.

How to Look Up Clay County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Clay County. Interested parties may utilize any of the following methods to obtain this information:

Clay County Sheriff's Office Records Division: The public may request arrest records in person at the Sheriff's Office headquarters. Records specialists process requests during regular business hours.

Clay County Sheriff's Office
901 North Orange Avenue
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
(904) 264-6512
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Clay County Clerk of Court: The Clerk's office maintains court records related to arrests and criminal cases. Records may be requested in person, by mail, or through their online portal.

Clay County Clerk of Court
825 North Orange Avenue
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
(904) 269-6302
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Clay County, the FDLE maintains a comprehensive database accessible for a fee.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 410-8109
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Clay County Courthouse for public use to search court records related to arrests.

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records. Current fee schedules include $0.15 per one-sided copy for standard documents and $1.00 per certified copy. Additional search fees may apply for requests requiring extensive use of agency resources.

Contents of a Clay County Arrest Record

Clay County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.071. These records typically include the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, identifying marks, and other distinguishing features
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory charges and offense descriptions
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Booking information including date, time, and facility
Case numbers and court docket information
Bond or bail amount, if applicable
Custody status and release information, when available

Certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided in Florida Statute § 119.071. These exemptions include, but are not limited to, information regarding victims of certain crimes, active criminal intelligence, and personal identifying information of specific categories of public employees.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clay County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585 (expungement) and § 943.059 (sealing), individuals may petition the court to remove arrest information from public view if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.

The expungement process in Clay County requires:

Verification of eligibility through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Filing of a petition with the Clay County Clerk of Court
Payment of filing fees (currently $75.00 for the petition plus FDLE processing fees)
Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE
Judicial review and determination

Eligibility criteria generally include:

No prior sealing or expungement in Florida
No adjudication of guilt for the offense in question
No adjudication of guilt for certain disqualifying offenses
Completion of all sentence requirements including probation

The Clay County State Attorney's Office reviews all petitions for expungement or sealing and may object based on public safety considerations or statutory ineligibility. Final determination rests with the presiding judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court.

State Attorney's Office, Fourth Judicial Circuit
825 North Orange Avenue, Room 106
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
(904) 284-6319
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process typically takes 6-9 months from initial application to final disposition. Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain governmental entities as specified in Florida Statute § 943.0585(4).