>Franklin County Arrest Records Online

Franklin County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County, Florida?

Arrest records are public documents in Franklin 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 public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes:

Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
Maintains accountability within the criminal justice system
Provides citizens with access to information regarding public safety
Supports the constitutional right to information about governmental proceedings

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07, which requires custodians of public records to permit inspection and copying of such records at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, information about victims of specific crimes, and details about ongoing investigations as provided in § 119.071.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Franklin County?

Franklin County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to recent arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the Franklin County Clerk of Court maintains an online database of court records that includes information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.

Online access to these records is governed by Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which states that agencies must provide reasonable access to records electronically maintained. The statute further requires that:

Records must be provided in a format that is compatible with the information technology systems of the agency
Agencies must take reasonable steps to protect confidential or exempt information
Electronic records must be maintained in a manner that allows the public to access them

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, complete arrest records with all associated documentation may require an in-person request or formal written application.

How to Look Up Franklin County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Franklin County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by Florida's public records statutes. The following options are available for record retrieval:

Online County Resources: The Franklin County public records search portal provides 24-hour access to digitized arrest records. Users may search by name, date range, or case number.
Sheriff's Office Records Division: Citizens may request records in person at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
270 State Road 65
Eastpoint, FL 32328
Phone: (850) 670-8500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Clerk of Court Records Department: Court records related to arrests are maintained at:

Franklin County Clerk of Court
33 Market Street, Suite 203
Apalachicola, FL 32320
Phone: (850) 653-8861
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Written Requests: Pursuant to § 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, written requests may be submitted to either agency above. Requests must include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement: For statewide criminal history information that includes Franklin County arrests:

FDLE Public Records Unit
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
Phone: (850) 410-8109
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, and may include $0.15 per one-sided page, $0.20 per two-sided page, and actual cost of duplication for other media.

Contents of a Franklin County Arrest Record

Franklin County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.021, which establishes requirements for the maintenance of public records. A complete arrest record typically contains the following elements:

Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and address of residence
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency making the arrest
Criminal Charges: Florida Statute violations cited, classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony), and degree of each charge
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprints, mugshot photographs, and personal property inventory
Case Processing: Court case number, arraignment date, bond amount and type, and custody status
Narrative Reports: Officer's account of the circumstances leading to arrest, witness statements, and evidence collected
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions within Franklin County jurisdiction

These records are maintained in accordance with Florida Administrative Code Rule 1B-24.003, which establishes retention schedules for criminal history records. Arrest records are generally retained for a minimum of 100 years from the date of arrest, though retention periods may vary based on case disposition and other factors.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Franklin County

Under specific circumstances, individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in Franklin County pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059. The expungement process removes arrest records from public view, while sealing restricts access to authorized government agencies only.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Franklin County include:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
Adjudication was withheld and any probation has been completed
The case was dismissed or nolle prossed
The individual has no prior convictions for criminal offenses
The charge is not among those ineligible for expungement under § 943.0585(2)

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice provides additional guidance for juvenile record expungement, which follows separate statutory provisions under § 943.0582.

To initiate the expungement process, applicants must:

Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
File a petition with the Franklin County Clerk of Court
Provide fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency
Pay applicable filing fees (approximately $75 for the FDLE certificate and $42 for court filing)
Attend any required court hearings

Processing time for expungement applications typically ranges from 6-9 months from submission of a complete application. Successful expungement prevents the record from appearing in standard background checks conducted by employers, educational institutions, and housing providers.