Bonifay Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Bonifay, Florida?
Arrest records are public in Bonifay, 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 Holmes County Sheriff's Office and Bonifay Police Department maintain these records as part of their statutory obligations to document law enforcement activities. Members of the public may access these records during regular business hours at the respective agencies or through designated online portals maintained by local law enforcement.
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. This constitutional provision, enacted in 1992, elevates public access to government records beyond statutory protection to a fundamental right under Florida law.
Certain exceptions do exist to protect sensitive information. Pursuant to § 119.071, Florida Statutes, specific categories of information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:
- Social security numbers
- Information regarding victims of certain crimes
- Home addresses of specified public employees
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
- Active criminal intelligence information
How to Look Up Bonifay Arrest Records in 2025
The Holmes County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records for Bonifay and surrounding areas within its jurisdiction. Individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize several methods established by local authorities. The following procedures have been implemented in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07, which governs the inspection and copying of public records:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Holmes County Sheriff's Office located at 211 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425. Office hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests may be directed to the Records Division of the Holmes County Sheriff's Office. Requestors should include the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record location.
The Bonifay Police Department, located at 301 North Etheridge Street, Bonifay, FL 32425, maintains separate arrest records for arrests made within city limits. Their public counter operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Holmes County Clerk of Court provides access to court records related to arrests at the Holmes County Courthouse, 201 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425. Court records may include arrest information, charges filed, and case dispositions.
Online access to certain arrest record information is available through the Holmes County Sheriff's Office website. This service provides limited information on recent arrests and is updated regularly in accordance with public disclosure requirements.
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records. Current fee schedules include $0.15 per one-sided copy for documents not exceeding 8½ by 14 inches and $1.00 per certified copy. Additional charges may apply for extensive use of agency resources as defined in § 119.07(4)(d).
Contents of a Bonifay Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Bonifay contain standardized information as prescribed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.05. These records typically include the following components:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence at time of arrest
Unique identifiers such as booking numbers and, when applicable, FBI or state identification numbers
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including address and jurisdiction information
Statutory citations of alleged violations, including Florida Statute numbers and descriptions of offenses
Arresting agency information, including the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and personal property inventory
Detention status, including information regarding bail or bond amounts as set by the court
Case disposition information, when available, indicating whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction
Warrant information, if the arrest was executed pursuant to an active warrant
The Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission establishes protocols for the uniform collection and maintenance of this information across all law enforcement agencies in the state. These standards ensure consistency in record-keeping practices and facilitate information sharing between agencies when necessary for law enforcement purposes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Bonifay
Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059. The Holmes County Clerk of Court processes applications for record expungement or sealing for arrests that occurred within the county jurisdiction.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction or adjudication of guilt
- The case was dismissed or nolle prossed by the State Attorney's Office
- The individual has not been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense or comparable ordinance violation
- The individual has not previously secured an expungement or sealing of another arrest record
- The offense is not among those enumerated in § 943.0585(2) as ineligible for expungement
The expungement process requires:
- Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
- Filing a petition for expungement with the court of original jurisdiction
- Serving copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
- Attending a hearing if ordered by the presiding judge
Upon court approval, the clerk forwards the expungement order to all agencies possessing the arrest record. These agencies must then physically destroy all records except for a single copy maintained under seal by the FDLE, accessible only by court order.
Pursuant to § 943.0585(4)(a), Florida Statutes, a person who has secured the expungement of an arrest record may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrest covered by the expunged record, except when applying for certain positions enumerated in the statute, including law enforcement employment, positions with criminal justice agencies, and licensure by the Florida Bar.
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