Tallahassee Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Tallahassee, Florida?
Arrest records are public documents in Tallahassee, 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. The transparency of arrest records serves to maintain accountability within the criminal justice system and provides citizens with information regarding law enforcement activities within their community.
Members of the public should be aware that certain information within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure under Florida Statutes § 119.071, particularly when such information pertains to active criminal investigations, confidential informants, or victims of specific crimes. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to different disclosure rules under Florida Statutes § 985.04, with greater protections for privacy than adult records.
How to Look Up Tallahassee Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Tallahassee and Leon County maintain multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07, public agencies must provide reasonable access to records promptly and at a reasonable cost. Individuals seeking arrest records in Tallahassee may utilize the following official methods:
Visit the Tallahassee Police Department Records Division in person to request arrest reports and related documents. The division is located at 234 East 7th Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (850) 891-4200.
Access the Tallahassee Online Police Statistics (TOPS) system, which provides information about recent arrests and incidents handled by local law enforcement agencies.
Submit a request to the Leon County Sheriff's Office Records Section, located at 2825 Municipal Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (850) 606-3300.
Contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for statewide criminal history information at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Telephone: (850) 410-7000.
Submit an online records request through the City of Tallahassee Records Request Portal for official documents maintained by municipal agencies.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the duplication of records, typically $0.15 per one-sided copy and $0.20 per two-sided copy for standard letter-size documents.
Contents of a Tallahassee Arrest Record
Tallahassee arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statutes § 119.021, which mandates that public records be maintained according to professional standards. A typical arrest record in Tallahassee includes the following components:
Demographic information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks or tattoos.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred.
Booking information, such as the booking number, fingerprint identification, and booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots").
Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including the Florida Statute number(s) violated and the classification of each offense (misdemeanor or felony).
Arresting agency information, including the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest.
Narrative description of the incident leading to the arrest, often including witness statements and officer observations.
Bail or bond information, including the amount set and whether the individual was released pending court proceedings.
Court case number and initial appearance information, if available at the time the record was created.
The Tallahassee Police Department Records Division maintains these records in accordance with Florida Department of State retention schedules, which specify how long different types of records must be preserved. Most arrest records are retained permanently, though the accessibility of older records may vary depending on the agency's archiving systems.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Tallahassee
Florida law provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be sealed or expunged, thereby limiting public access to this information. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059, individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process in Tallahassee adheres to these state regulations and involves multiple steps:
Eligibility determination: Individuals must meet statutory criteria, which generally require that charges were dismissed, not filed, or resulted in acquittal, and that the petitioner has no prior convictions for criminal offenses.
Certificate of Eligibility: Applicants must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, located at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. This requires submission of fingerprints, a $75.00 processing fee, and supporting court documentation.
Petition filing: Upon receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility, individuals must file a petition with the court that handled the case, typically the Leon County Courthouse at 301 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
Judicial review: A judge will review the petition and may schedule a hearing before making a determination.
Implementation: If granted, the court will issue an order requiring all relevant agencies to seal or expunge the record from public view.
It is important to note that pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585(4) and § 943.059(4), even expunged or sealed records remain accessible to certain government agencies and for specific purposes, such as employment with criminal justice agencies or the Department of Children and Families. Additionally, individuals with expunged or sealed records may lawfully deny the existence of the arrest in most circumstances, except when applying for certain licenses or employment positions specifically enumerated in the statutes.
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