Arrest records are public in Martin 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 statute ensures transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, by providing citizens with the right to access arrest records maintained by county agencies.
The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right by declaring that every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body. This constitutional provision, along with the Public Records Act, creates a robust framework for public access to arrest information in Martin County.
Martin County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Martin County Clerk of Court provides digital access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Additionally, the Martin County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of recent bookings and current inmates.
Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a) specifically addresses electronic recordkeeping, stating that agencies must provide reasonable access to records electronically maintained. In compliance with this provision, Martin County has implemented digital systems that allow members of the public to search for arrest records without physically visiting government offices.
According to data from the Florida Department of State, Martin County processed approximately 3,106 arrests in 2021, all of which are documented in publicly accessible databases.
Members of the public seeking Martin County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:
Martin County Sheriff's Office Online Database: The Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive database of recent arrests and current inmates. This resource is updated regularly and provides basic arrest information.
Martin County Clerk of Court Records Search: The Clerk's office provides access to court records related to arrests through their official records search portal. Users may search by name, case number, or date range.
In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the Martin County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest records.
Martin County Sheriff's Office
800 Southeast Monterey Road
Stuart, Florida 34994
(772) 220-7000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Martin County Sheriff's Office
Martin County Courthouse
100 E. Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 288-5576
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Martin County Courts
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, 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.
Martin County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Florida law enforcement protocols. These records typically include the following elements:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple public interests, including community awareness, law enforcement accountability, and judicial transparency. According to Florida Court Records, Martin County's arrest rate was approximately 1,952.8 per 100,000 residents in 2021, reflecting the volume of records maintained by county agencies.
Under Florida law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records sealed or expunged, effectively removing them from public access. The process is governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059, which establish specific criteria for expungement eligibility.
To qualify for expungement in Martin County, applicants must meet the following conditions:
The expungement process requires:
The Martin County Probation and Community Intervention Program provides guidance to eligible individuals seeking to navigate the expungement process. Upon successful expungement, agencies are required to physically destroy the arrest record or remove it from public databases.
Martin County Clerk of Court
100 East Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 288-5576
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Martin County Clerk