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Mount Dora Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Mount Dora, Florida?

Arrest records are public documents in Mount Dora, 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 inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. The statute mandates that government agencies must provide access to public records within a reasonable time, at a reasonable cost, and in a reasonable manner.

The Florida Public Records Act specifically includes arrest records, booking photographs, and arrest reports among the documents that must be made available to the public. These records remain accessible regardless of whether the arrested individual was subsequently convicted, acquitted, or had charges dismissed. However, certain exemptions do apply, including:

Records pertaining to active criminal investigations
Information related to confidential informants
Juvenile arrest records (with certain exceptions)
Records sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585 or § 943.059

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Mount Dora should be aware that while these documents are generally accessible, specific information within them may be redacted to comply with privacy protections established by state law.

How to Look Up Mount Dora Arrest Records in 2025

The retrieval of arrest records in Mount Dora, Florida involves several established procedures through which members of the public may access this information. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in compliance with the Florida Public Records Act:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests for arrest records directly to the Mount Dora Police Department or the Lake County Sheriff's Office. When making an in-person request, requestors should:

Provide the full name of the individual whose records are being sought
Include any known aliases or alternate spellings
Specify the approximate date of arrest if known
Present valid identification
Be prepared to pay applicable copying fees as established by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4)

Mount Dora Police Department
1300 N Donnelly Street
Mount Dora, FL 32757
(352) 735-7130
Mount Dora Police Department

Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
550 West Main Street
Tavares, FL 32778
(352) 742-4100
Lake County Clerk of Court

Online Access Options

The City of Mount Dora maintains several digital platforms through which certain public records, including arrest information, may be accessed:

The Public Records Request portal allows citizens to submit formal requests for specific arrest records
The Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search function for current detainees
Third-party aggregator websites may compile arrest record information, though the accuracy and currency of such information cannot be guaranteed by official agencies

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Mount Dora City Clerk's Office. Such requests should:

Be addressed to the Records Custodian
Clearly identify the records being requested
Include contact information for response
Specify preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)

Mount Dora City Clerk's Office
510 N Baker Street
Mount Dora, FL 32757
(352) 735-7126
City Clerk's Office

Contents of a Mount Dora Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Mount Dora Police Department and associated agencies typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. Standard arrest records include the following categories of information:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at time of arrest
Gender and race

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable Florida Statutes
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and facility
Arrest circumstances and probable cause statement
Property seized during arrest
Bail or bond information
Court appearance dates

Case Processing Information

Case or docket number assigned by the court
Prosecuting attorney assignment
Defense attorney information (if available)
Plea entered
Case disposition (if resolved)
Sentencing information (if applicable)

Supplementary Documentation

Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Results of any chemical tests administered
Miranda rights acknowledgment
Witness statements (may be redacted)
Officer narrative reports

Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071, certain information within arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, information related to victims of certain crimes may be redacted in accordance with Marsy's Law (Article I, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Mount Dora

The State of Florida provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by Mount Dora law enforcement agencies. These procedures are governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 (expungement) and § 943.059 (sealing) and are administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in conjunction with the court system.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for expungement or sealing of arrest records in Mount Dora, applicants must meet specific statutory criteria:

The arrest must not have resulted in a conviction
The applicant must not have been adjudicated guilty or delinquent of any criminal offense
The applicant must not have previously secured an expungement or sealing of another arrest record
The offense must not be among those enumerated in Florida Statutes § 943.0584 as ineligible for expungement
The applicant must not be under court supervision related to the arrest for which expungement is sought

Application Process

The procedure for expungement or sealing of Mount Dora arrest records involves multiple steps:

Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Submit fingerprints through an approved provider
- Complete FDLE application form
- Provide certified disposition of the case from the Lake County Clerk of Court
- Pay the required processing fee ($75 as of 2025)
File a Petition for Expungement or Sealing with the Lake County Circuit Court
- Include the Certificate of Eligibility with the petition
- Submit an affidavit attesting to eligibility requirements
- Serve copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
- Pay applicable court filing fees
Attend any scheduled court hearings regarding the petition

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-7870
FDLE Seal and Expunge Unit

Legal Effects of Expungement

When an arrest record is expunged pursuant to Florida law, the physical record is destroyed by all criminal justice agencies possessing such records, with the exception of a confidential record maintained by FDLE. A sealed record is preserved but removed from public access. Following successful expungement or sealing:

The individual may lawfully deny the existence of the arrest in most circumstances
The record will not appear in standard background checks
Government agencies with access to sealed or expunged records are prohibited from disclosing their existence without a court order
Certain exceptions exist for applications to criminal justice agencies, educational institutions, or for certain licensed professions