Arrest records are public in Leon County, Florida, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Act. This legislation establishes that all governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access to public records. This transparency framework serves to maintain public oversight of law enforcement activities and governmental operations within the county.
Members of the public should be aware that certain portions of arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.071, which provides exemptions for confidential information such as social security numbers, information related to ongoing investigations, and records involving juveniles as specified in Florida Statutes § 985.04.
Leon County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by local government agencies. The Leon County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of current inmates and recent arrests as mandated by Florida Statutes § 119.01(2)(f), which requires agencies to provide electronic access to public records when feasible. The Leon County Clerk of Courts also provides online access to court records related to arrests through their official website.
Online accessibility is subject to certain limitations established by Florida Administrative Code Rule 2.420, which governs the confidentiality of court records. Additionally, pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.053, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a statewide repository of criminal history information that may be accessed online for a statutory fee.
The process for obtaining Leon County arrest records in 2025 involves several official channels, each providing different levels of information access. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following methods:
Leon County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller: This office maintains court records related to criminal cases. Records may be requested in person, by mail, or through their online portal.
Leon County Courthouse
301 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 577-4000
Leon County Clerk of Courts
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Leon County Sheriff's Office: Provides access to arrest reports, booking information, and inmate status.
Leon County Sheriff's Office
2825 Municipal Way
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 606-3300
Leon County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Florida Department of Law Enforcement: Maintains the statewide criminal history database, accessible through their Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system.
FDLE Public Records Unit
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
FDLE Criminal History Information
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tallahassee Police Department: Provides arrest reports for incidents within city limits.
Tallahassee Police Department
234 E. 7th Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 891-4200
Tallahassee Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07, agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the duplication of records. The standard fee is $0.15 per one-sided copy for pages not exceeding 8½ by 14 inches, with additional charges for certified copies or extensive research time.
Leon County arrest records contain comprehensive information as prescribed by Florida Statutes § 119.021, which establishes standards for public records maintenance. A typical arrest record includes the following elements:
According to crime statistics compiled by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Leon County experienced a 25.7% reduction in crime rates in recent years, demonstrating the importance of maintaining accurate arrest records for statistical analysis and public safety planning.
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. Individuals may petition for expungement if:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Leon County Circuit Court after obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585(4), once an arrest record is expunged, the individual may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrest in most circumstances, with exceptions for certain professional licensing applications and employment with criminal justice agencies.
Juvenile records are subject to different confidentiality provisions under Florida Statutes § 985.04, with automatic expungement occurring at age 21 for most non-violent offenses if certain criteria are met.
Leon County Circuit Court
301 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 577-4000
Leon County Circuit Court
The First District Court of Appeal, which has jurisdiction over Leon County, periodically reviews cases related to record expungement and sealing, establishing precedents that guide local court decisions on these matters.