>Lafayette County Arrest Records Online

Lafayette County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lafayette County, Florida?

Arrest records are public in Lafayette County, Florida, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Act. This legislation establishes that all government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access to public records. This legal framework ensures transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations within the county and throughout the state.

Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or purpose of inquiry, as stipulated in § 119.01, which declares that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any person. The Lafayette 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.

Lafayette County Sheriff's Office
176 SW Main Street
Mayo, FL 32066
(386) 294-1222
Lafayette County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lafayette County?

Arrest records can be found online in Lafayette County through several official digital platforms. The Lafayette County Clerk of Court maintains an online database that includes arrest records and case information as part of the public court record system. Additionally, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides a statewide database that includes arrest information from all counties, including Lafayette.

Pursuant to § 119.07(2)(a), Florida Statutes, agencies are encouraged to provide remote electronic access to public records when feasible. The Lafayette County Clerk's Office has implemented this directive by establishing an online portal where citizens may search for arrest records and related court documents. This system operates in compliance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs public access to court records.

The online availability of these records is subject to certain redactions as required by § 119.071, which protects confidential information such as social security numbers, bank account information, and certain personal information of specified individuals such as law enforcement officers and their families.

Lafayette County Clerk of Court
120 W. Main Street
Mayo, FL 32066
(386) 294-1600
Lafayette County Clerk of Court

How to Look Up Lafayette County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Lafayette County arrest records in 2025, individuals have multiple authorized methods available, each governed by specific procedures established under Florida's public records laws:

Visit the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit a formal records request. Requestors should be prepared to provide the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest to facilitate the search process.
Access the Lafayette County Clerk of Court's online records system, which maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. This system is accessible 24 hours per day pursuant to the court's implementation of electronic access under Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
Submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a criminal history record check, which will include arrest information from all Florida counties, including Lafayette. This service requires payment of a statutory fee as authorized by § 943.053, Florida Statutes.
Utilize the County Jails and Inmate Searches portal maintained by the Florida Department of State, which provides links to county-level inmate information.

Pursuant to § 119.07(4), agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the duplication of records, not to exceed 15 cents per one-sided copy for duplicated copies of not more than 14 inches by 8½ inches. An additional service charge may be imposed for requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance.

Contents of a Lafayette County Arrest Record

Lafayette County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Florida law and administrative procedures established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. These records typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Statutory citation of violated laws under Florida Statutes
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Formal charges filed by the State Attorney's Office
Case number assigned by the court system
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions imposed
Booking photograph (mugshot) of the individual taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected at the time of booking
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released or remains in custody

These records are maintained in accordance with retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 257, Florida Statutes. The Lafayette County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of these records as required by § 119.021, which mandates that public records be maintained and preserved in accordance with established retention schedules.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lafayette County

In Lafayette County, the expungement of arrest records is governed by § 943.0585, Florida Statutes, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedures. Individuals may petition for expungement if their arrest did not result in a conviction or if charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in acquittal after trial.

The expungement process requires the following sequential steps:

Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Applicants must submit fingerprints, a processing fee of $75.00, and a certified disposition of the case from the Clerk of Court.
Upon receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility, file a Petition for Expungement with the Lafayette County Clerk of Court, accompanied by the certificate and an affidavit attesting that the petitioner meets all eligibility requirements.
The petition is then reviewed by the State Attorney's Office and the presiding judge of the court that handled the original case.
If approved, the court issues an Order of Expungement directing all criminal justice agencies to seal or destroy the records related to the arrest.

Pursuant to § 943.0585(4), Florida Statutes, once an expungement order is issued, the subject of the expunged record may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrest covered by the expunged record, except when applying for certain positions or licenses as specified in the statute.

The Lafayette County Clerk of Court provides standardized forms for expungement petitions in compliance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. Individuals seeking expungement are advised that certain agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, maintain a confidential record of expunged cases that may be accessed by specified entities under limited circumstances as provided in § 943.0585(4)(a).