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Jefferson County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County, Florida?

Arrest records are public documents in Jefferson 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 Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access to public records. Members of the public may access these records regardless of their purpose or relationship to the case, as the law does not require requestors to identify themselves or state a reason for their request.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida Statute § 119.071, which protects specific categories of information such as:

  • Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
  • Information about victims of certain crimes
  • Records involving juveniles in many circumstances
  • Personal identifying information of specific categories of personnel

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 257, Florida Statutes.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Jefferson County Clerk of Courts provides a public access portal through which citizens may search court records related to arrests and subsequent case proceedings. This service is provided in accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs public access to court records.

The Jefferson County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database that includes:

  • Arrest affidavits
  • Booking information
  • Case dockets
  • Court proceedings
  • Disposition information

Additionally, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate lookup service that allows the public to search current inmate information, including arrest details, charges, and custody status. This service is updated regularly to reflect the most current information available.

Users should be aware that while many records are available online, certain documents may require in-person requests due to redaction requirements under Florida Statute § 119.071 or technical limitations of the online systems.

How to Look Up Jefferson County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing Jefferson County arrest records in 2025, as prescribed by Florida's public records laws. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

  1. In-person requests may be submitted at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Courts office during regular business hours:

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
171 Industrial Park
Monticello, FL 32344
(850) 997-2523
Official Website

Jefferson County Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Circle
Monticello, FL 32344
(850) 342-0218
Official Website

  1. Online searches may be conducted through:

    • The Jefferson County Clerk's public records portal
    • The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system
    • The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Criminal History Information database (requires fee payment)
  2. Written requests may be submitted to the Jefferson County Public Records Custodian:

Jefferson County Public Records Custodian
1 Courthouse Circle, Room 10
Monticello, FL 32344
(850) 342-0218
Public Records Request

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the duplication of records. The current fee schedule includes:

  • $0.15 per one-sided copy (letter or legal size)
  • $0.20 per two-sided copy (letter or legal size)
  • Actual cost for other materials
  • Special service charge for extensive requests requiring more than 15 minutes of staff time

Requests must be responded to within a reasonable time, as required by Florida Statute § 119.07(1)(a).

Contents of a Jefferson County Arrest Record

Jefferson County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Florida Statute § 119.021, which requires public agencies to maintain records according to professional standards. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes the following components:

  • Biographical information of the arrested individual:

    • Full legal name and any known aliases
    • Date of birth
    • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
    • Address of residence at time of arrest
    • Identification numbers (SID, FBI, driver's license)
  • Arrest details:

    • Date, time, and location of arrest
    • Arresting agency and officer identification
    • Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
    • Narrative description of the circumstances leading to arrest
    • Booking number and processing information
  • Case processing information:

    • Court case number
    • Bond amount and status
    • Scheduled court appearances
    • Disposition of charges
    • Sentencing information if convicted
  • Supplemental documentation:

    • Booking photographs ("mugshots")
    • Fingerprint records
    • Property inventory
    • Medical screening information (with certain privacy protections)

These records are maintained in accordance with retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Rule 1B-24.003, Florida Administrative Code.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jefferson County

The expungement process in Jefferson County follows procedures established under Florida Statute § 943.0585, which provides for the court-ordered expungement of criminal history records. Individuals may petition for expungement if their case was dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in an acquittal or finding of not guilty.

To qualify for expungement in Jefferson County, applicants must:

  1. Have no prior adjudications of guilt for any criminal offense
  2. Not have previously received an expungement or sealing
  3. Not be seeking expungement for an offense listed as ineligible under § 943.0585(2)
  4. Complete all terms of pretrial diversion or court-ordered programs

The application process requires:

  1. Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
  2. Filing a petition with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts
  3. Serving copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
  4. Attending a hearing if scheduled by the court

Upon court approval, the clerk will forward the expungement order to all relevant agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, State Attorney, FDLE, and any other agencies that may possess the records. These agencies must then comply with the order by physically destroying or obliterating the records within a specified timeframe.

Expunged records are removed from public view but may still be accessible to certain government agencies under limited circumstances as specified in § 943.0585(4), Florida Statutes.

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