Brooksville Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Brooksville, Florida?
Arrest records are public documents in Brooksville, 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 statute specifically includes records pertaining to arrests, which ensures transparency in law enforcement operations within the jurisdiction.
Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or purpose of inquiry. The Florida Public Records Act operates under the principle that government records belong to the citizens, and access should be granted in the most expedient manner possible. This legal framework serves multiple public interests, including:
- Promoting accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Enabling community awareness of criminal activity
- Supporting journalistic investigation and reporting
- Facilitating background checks for employment or housing purposes
- Ensuring judicial proceedings remain transparent
Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida Statute § 119.071, which may apply to records involving active criminal investigations, confidential informants, or cases involving minors. Additionally, records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court are removed from public access.
How to Look Up Brooksville Arrest Records in 2025
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office maintains and provides access to arrest records for Brooksville residents. As of 2025, multiple methods are available for accessing these public documents:
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Records Division to submit requests for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees must be paid at the time of request.
Hernando County Sheriff's Office Records Division
18900 Cortez Boulevard
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-6830
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Access: The Hernando County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital records portal where certain arrest records can be accessed. The public records inquiry system allows searches by name, date range, and case number. Users must register for an account and may be subject to access fees for certain documents.
Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions and court proceedings, are maintained by the Clerk's office.
Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court
20 North Main Street, Room 362
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4201
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail or email. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the record.
Standard processing time for arrest record requests is 3-5 business days, though complex requests may require additional time. Fees for record retrieval and copying are established in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07(4) and local ordinances.
Contents of a Brooksville Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office for Brooksville arrests typically contain standardized information as required by Florida law. These official documents include:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color
- Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed, including Florida Statute citations
- Narrative description of the alleged offense
- Weapon information, if applicable
- Victim information (typically redacted in public versions)
Processing Information:
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Detention facility assignment
- Bond amount and status
- Court case number and assigned judicial division
Case Disposition:
- Court appearances and dates
- Plea information
- Case outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.)
- Sentencing details, if applicable
- Probation or supervision requirements
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.071(2)(h), certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including the identity of sexual offense victims, information about confidential informants, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Brooksville
The expungement process in Brooksville follows Florida state law as outlined in Florida Statute § 943.0585. This legal procedure allows for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement must meet statutory eligibility requirements and follow prescribed procedures.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The arrest must not have resulted in a conviction
- The case must have been dismissed, abandoned, or resulted in acquittal
- The petitioner must not have been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense
- The petitioner must not have previously received an expungement or sealing
- Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement
Application Process:
- Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
- Submit fingerprints to an authorized law enforcement agency
- Complete a sworn statement attesting to eligibility
- File a petition for expungement with the court that handled the case
- Serve copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
The petition is reviewed by a circuit court judge who determines whether the statutory requirements have been met. If approved, the court issues an order directing all agencies holding records of the arrest to expunge those records. Upon receipt of the court order, agencies must comply within a specified timeframe, typically 30 days.
Expunged records are physically destroyed by most agencies, though the FDLE maintains a confidential copy that is inaccessible to the public. Following expungement, the individual may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest except in specific circumstances outlined in Florida Statute § 943.0585(4).
The Brooksville municipal government provides resources for residents seeking information about the expungement process, including referrals to legal assistance programs for those who cannot afford private counsel.
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