>Columbia County Arrest Records Online

Columbia County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Columbia County, Florida?

Arrest records are public in Columbia 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 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, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation under Florida law. Members of the public may request access to these records without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request, as stipulated in § 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as the identity of sexual assault victims or active criminal intelligence information as defined in § 119.071, Florida Statutes.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Columbia County?

Columbia County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function through their official website, allowing members of the public to access current and recent arrest information. This service is provided in accordance with § 119.01(2)(a), Florida Statutes, which encourages agencies to provide reasonable public access to records electronically.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) also maintains a statewide database of criminal history information that includes arrest data from Columbia County. Access to comprehensive criminal history information through the FDLE requires payment of a statutory fee as authorized by § 943.053, Florida Statutes.

Additionally, the Columbia County Clerk of Court provides online access to court records related to criminal cases through their public access system. These records often contain information about arrests that have resulted in formal charges. The system operates in compliance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs public access to judicial branch records.

How to Look Up Columbia County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Columbia County arrest records. Interested parties may utilize the following methods to access this information:

Columbia County Sheriff's Office Online Inmate Search: The Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of current and recent arrests. This system is updated regularly and provides basic arrest information including charges and booking details.
In-Person Requests at the Sheriff's Office: Members of the public may visit the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to request arrest records.

Columbia County Sheriff's Office
4917 US Highway 90 East
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 752-9212
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Columbia County Clerk of Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent criminal proceedings are available through the Clerk's office.

Columbia County Clerk of Court
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 758-1342
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Florida Department of Law Enforcement: For comprehensive criminal history information, the FDLE provides a fee-based service in accordance with § 943.053, Florida Statutes.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requests for arrest records must comply with the provisions of § 119.07, Florida Statutes, which outlines the procedures for making public records requests. Agencies may charge a reasonable fee for duplication of records as authorized by § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes.

Contents of a Columbia County Arrest Record

Columbia County arrest records contain standardized information as required by § 901.21, Florida Statutes, and include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Florida Statute numbers
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and facility information
Bond or bail amount, if applicable
Case number assigned by the court system
Fingerprint identification information
Personal property inventory taken at the time of booking

Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records if it falls under statutory exemptions outlined in § 119.071, Florida Statutes. These exemptions include social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to ongoing investigations. Additionally, pursuant to § 119.0714, Florida Statutes, information regarding victims of certain crimes may be exempt from public disclosure.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, as required by § 119.021, Florida Statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Columbia County

Under Florida law, individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in Columbia County under specific circumstances. The process is governed by § 943.0585 and § 943.059, Florida Statutes, which establish eligibility criteria and procedures.

Expungement may be available to individuals who meet the following criteria:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
Charges were dismissed or nolle prossed by the State Attorney
The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program
The court issued an order of acquittal or dismissal

The expungement process requires:

Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Filing a petition with the court that had original jurisdiction over the case
Serving copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
Attending a hearing if required by the court

The Columbia County Clerk of Court processes expungement petitions at:

Columbia County Courthouse
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 758-1342
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves multiple government agencies and specific statutory requirements. According to Columbia County arrest statistics, the county recorded 1,969 total arrests in 2020, with 1,895 being adult arrests and 74 juvenile arrests. These statistics underscore the volume of records potentially subject to expungement proceedings.