Arrest records are public in Jacksonville, Florida, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Act. This legislation establishes that all government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be open for personal inspection by any person. The law operates under the principle that government agencies function as custodians rather than owners of public records, ensuring transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations throughout the state.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Duval County Clerk of Courts. These records are subject to certain exemptions as provided in Florida Statutes § 119.071, which may restrict access to information related to ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or records involving minors in specific circumstances.
The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access by establishing that all persons have 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, county, or municipality.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Duval County Clerk of Courts maintain systems for public access to arrest records. As of 2025, individuals seeking to obtain Jacksonville arrest records may utilize the following methods:
Online Database Access: The Duval County Clerk of Courts maintains the Clerk's Online Records Electronic (CORE) system, which provides public access to court records including arrest information. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Section of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office or the Duval County Courthouse to submit requests for arrest records.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
501 E. Bay Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 630-7600
Official Website
Duval County Clerk of Courts
501 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-2000
Official Website
Written Requests: Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(1)(a), written requests for arrest records may be submitted to either agency. Requests must include sufficient information to identify the record sought, including the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Criminal History Information: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a statewide repository of criminal history information, including arrest data from Jacksonville. Certified criminal history records may be requested through the FDLE for a statutory fee of $24.00 per record check.
Requestors should note that fees may apply for record searches and copies in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which permits agencies to charge up to $0.15 per one-sided copy for pages not exceeding 8½ by 14 inches, plus an additional service charge for extensive use of agency resources.
Jacksonville arrest records, maintained in compliance with Florida Statutes § 119.021 regarding records management, typically contain the following information:
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with exemptions provided in Florida Statutes § 119.071, such as the home addresses and telephone numbers of active or former law enforcement personnel, social security numbers, and information identifying victims of certain crimes.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office maintains these records in both electronic and physical formats, with retention schedules governed by Florida Administrative Code Rule 1B-24.003, which requires arrest records to be maintained for a minimum of 100 years from the date of arrest.
Under Florida law, individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by Jacksonville law enforcement agencies and the courts. The authority for expungement is established in Florida Statutes § 943.0585, while sealing is governed by § 943.059.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Jacksonville include:
The expungement process requires:
Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Filing a Petition for Expungement with the court where the case was handled
Judicial review and determination
Upon court approval, the Clerk of Courts will distribute the expungement order to all agencies possessing the criminal history record, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the State Attorney's Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Pursuant to § 943.0585(4), Florida Statutes, an expunged record is physically destroyed by all criminal justice agencies except the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which maintains a confidential copy not subject to public disclosure.