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Pensacola Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pensacola, Florida?

Arrest records are public documents in Pensacola, 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 and statutory provisions maintain that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be open for personal inspection by any person. This framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities throughout Escambia County and the City of Pensacola.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with § 119.071, Florida Statutes, which provides exemptions for confidential information such as social security numbers, information related to ongoing investigations, and records pertaining to juvenile offenders.

How to Look Up Pensacola Arrest Records in 2025

The retrieval of arrest records in Pensacola offers multiple pathways for public access. As of 2025, the following methods are available to individuals seeking arrest record information:

Online Public Access Systems: The Escambia County Clerk's Office maintains digital databases that allow for remote searches of arrest records. These systems permit queries based on name, date of arrest, case number, and other relevant identifiers.
Pensacola Police Department Records Division: Citizens may request arrest records directly from the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest. The Records Division maintains comprehensive documentation of all arrests within city limits.

Pensacola Police Department Records Division
711 N Hayne Street
Pensacola, FL 32501
(850) 435-1900
Records Division Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court: This office serves as the official repository for court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings.

Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court
190 W Government Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 595-4310
Clerk of Court Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

City Clerk's Office: The City Clerk serves as the records management liaison officer and can assist with locating public records maintained by the city.

City of Pensacola Clerk's Office
222 W Main Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 435-1606
City Clerk Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contents of a Pensacola Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Pensacola law enforcement agencies and the Escambia County court system typically contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.021, which establishes requirements for public records maintenance. A comprehensive arrest record generally includes:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s), including Florida Statute citations
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Biometric data, including fingerprints collected at the time of booking
Demographic information, including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
Arresting agency identification and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond amount established
Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated

The City Government maintains these records in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules as established by the Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Pensacola is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. Florida's commitment to government accountability is codified in Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, which establishes the public's right to access government records and proceedings.

The Florida Public Records Act, codified in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, implements this constitutional provision by requiring that all public records be open for inspection and copying by any person. Under § 119.011(12), public records are defined as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency."

Law enforcement agencies in Pensacola must comply with § 119.07, which outlines the procedures for making public records available. Pursuant to this statute, custodians of public records must:

Permit the record to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so
Provide reasonable accommodations for access
Charge only the actual cost of duplication or a statutorily prescribed fee
Respond to requests promptly and in good faith

The Code Enforcement Division works in conjunction with other city departments to ensure compliance with these legal requirements.

Exemptions and Redactions in Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Pensacola, Florida law establishes specific exemptions that protect certain information from disclosure. These exemptions serve to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and the integrity of law enforcement operations.

Pursuant to § 119.071, Florida Statutes, the following categories of information may be redacted from arrest records prior to public disclosure:

Social security numbers, bank account information, and credit card numbers
Information regarding victims of certain crimes, including sexual offenses and child abuse
The identity of confidential informants and undercover personnel
Active criminal investigative information that could impede an ongoing investigation
Medical information and records protected under HIPAA
Information pertaining to juvenile offenders, as governed by Chapter 985, Florida Statutes
Home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs of certain public employees, including law enforcement officers and their families

When requesting arrest records, members of the public should be aware that these exemptions may result in partially redacted documents. The custodian of records must cite the specific statutory exemption when withholding information from public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pensacola

The State of Florida provides legal mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under certain circumstances. This process is governed by Florida Statute § 943.0585 for expungement and § 943.059 for sealing. Individuals seeking to remove their arrest records from public access in Pensacola must meet specific eligibility criteria and follow prescribed procedures.

To qualify for expungement in Escambia County, the following conditions generally apply:

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 secured an expungement or sealing of another criminal history record
The offense must not be among those specifically excluded by § 943.0585(2)

The expungement process typically involves:

Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Filing a petition for expungement with the Escambia County Clerk of Court
Serving the petition on the State Attorney's Office and any law enforcement agencies involved
Attending a hearing before a circuit court judge, if required

Upon court approval, the arrest record is removed from public access, though it remains available to certain government agencies for specific purposes as outlined in Florida law.