>Indian River County Arrest Records Online

Indian River County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Indian River County, Florida?

Arrest records in Indian River County, Florida are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This legislation establishes that all records made or received by any public agency during the course of official business shall be available for inspection by any person, unless specifically exempted by the Florida Legislature. The statute upholds the state's commitment to government transparency and public oversight.

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 ensures that arrest records maintained by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies remain accessible to the public.

Certain exceptions do exist under Florida Statutes § 119.071, which may temporarily restrict access to arrest records during active criminal investigations or permanently protect specific information such as the identities of certain victims or witnesses. However, the general presumption favors disclosure rather than confidentiality.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Indian River County?

Indian River County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners provides digital access to numerous public records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings. The county's commitment to digital transparency allows citizens to access these records remotely without requiring in-person visits to government offices.

The Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains a comprehensive online database of court records, which includes information about arrests, charges, and case dispositions. This system operates in accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs public access to court records.

Additionally, the Florida Department of State maintains resources for county jail and inmate searches, providing another avenue for accessing arrest information. These online resources typically update information within 24-48 hours of an arrest, though processing times may vary.

Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, obtaining complete records with all attachments may require submission of a formal public records request through the appropriate agency.

How to Look Up Indian River County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Indian River County arrest records:

Indian River County Sheriff's Office: The primary law enforcement agency maintains arrest records and booking information.

Indian River County Sheriff's Office
4055 41st Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone: (772) 569-6700
Official Website

Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court: Maintains court records related to criminal cases resulting from arrests.

Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court
2000 16th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone: (772) 770-5185
Official Website

Public Records Request: Citizens may submit formal requests for specific arrest records through the Indian River County public records request portal. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07, agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): Provides statewide criminal history information that includes arrests in Indian River County.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Official Website

When requesting records in person, requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth if available. Agencies may charge statutory fees for record searches and copies pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4).

Contents of an Indian River County Arrest Record

Indian River County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Florida law. These records typically include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; arresting officer's name and badge number; circumstances leading to arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific Florida Statutes allegedly violated; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies; degree of each charge
Booking Information: Booking number; date and time of booking; fingerprints; mugshot photographs taken from front and side views
Case Processing: Court case number; assigned judge; scheduled court appearances; bond amount and conditions; plea information; case disposition
Custody Status: Current detention status; facility location if incarcerated; release date if applicable

These records are maintained in accordance with Florida Department of Law Enforcement standards and retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Florida Statutes § 257.36.

Law enforcement agencies may redact certain information from arrest records before public release as required by Florida Statutes § 119.071, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to victims of certain crimes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Indian River County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059, individuals may petition for expungement or sealing if their case was dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or if adjudication was withheld and all conditions were met.

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice provides additional resources for juvenile record expungement, which follows different procedures than adult records.

Requirements for expungement in Indian River County include:

No prior expungements or sealings (with limited exceptions)
No convictions for any criminal offense
Completion of all court-ordered sanctions
Payment of applicable filing fees
Submission of fingerprints for background verification
Completion of FDLE Certificate of Eligibility application

The expungement process begins with obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, followed by filing a petition with the Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court. The petition must be served on the State Attorney's Office and any arresting agencies.

If granted, expungement removes the record from public view, though certain government agencies retain access for specific purposes as outlined in Florida Statutes § 943.0585(4). Law enforcement agencies, the Florida Bar, and certain licensing boards may still access expunged records when evaluating applications for employment or licensure.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While Florida's Public Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, certain statutory exemptions limit access to specific arrest record information. Florida Statutes § 119.071 enumerates these exemptions, which include:

Active criminal intelligence and investigative information
Information revealing the identity of victims of sexual offenses or child abuse
Information revealing the identity of confidential informants
Personal information of law enforcement officers and their families
Juvenile arrest records (with certain exceptions)

Additionally, federal laws including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may restrict the release of medical information contained within arrest records. The Indian River County Sheriff's Office is required to redact such protected information before releasing records to the public.

Persons seeking access to exempt information must demonstrate legal entitlement through proper identification, court orders, or statutory authorization. Unauthorized access to protected arrest record information may result in civil or criminal penalties under Florida law.