>Okeechobee County Arrest Records Online

Okeechobee County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Okeechobee County, Florida?

Arrest records in Okeechobee County, Florida are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This legislation, commonly known as the Florida Sunshine Law, establishes that most government records, including arrest documentation, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The law specifically mandates that records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are open for public inspection, unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07, which requires custodians of public records to permit inspection and examination of records under reasonable conditions. Citizens seeking arrest records may obtain them without demonstrating a specific purpose or reason for their request. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as information related to ongoing investigations or the identities of certain victims as outlined in Florida Statute § 119.071.

Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office
504 NW 4th Street
Okeechobee, FL 34972
(863) 763-3117
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Okeechobee County?

Digital access to Okeechobee County arrest records is available through several official online platforms. The Okeechobee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains an electronic database of court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system allows members of the public to search for records using various criteria such as name, case number, or date range.

The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function that displays current detention information and recent booking data. This resource is updated regularly to reflect the most current arrest information within the county's jurisdiction. Additionally, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a statewide database that includes Okeechobee County arrest records, accessible through their Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system.

Users should be aware that online records may not always contain complete information, as certain details may be exempt from public disclosure under Florida Statute § 119.071. Furthermore, pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 11C-4.006, some records may require additional verification or authentication processes before being released in their entirety.

Okeechobee County Clerk of Circuit Court
312 NW 3rd Street
Okeechobee, FL 34972
(863) 763-2131
Official Website

How to Look Up Okeechobee County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Okeechobee County, each with specific procedures and requirements. The following options are available to members of the public:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Requestors must complete a public records request form and provide proper identification. Fees for copies are assessed at $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page, as established by Florida Statute § 119.07(4).
Online access is available through the Okeechobee County Clerk's public records search portal, which provides case information including arrest details. Users may search by name, case number, or date range without creating an account, though certain detailed documents may require registration.
Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Division of the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office. Such requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and specific information sought. Response times typically range from 3-10 business days depending on the complexity of the request.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides statewide criminal history information, including Okeechobee County arrests, through their Criminal Justice Information Services. Requests may be submitted online or via mail with the appropriate fee of $24 per record search.

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.053, criminal history information obtained from official sources may be used for employment screening, licensing, or other lawful purposes. However, users are advised that unauthorized dissemination of such information may constitute a violation of state law.

Contents of an Okeechobee County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Okeechobee County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 943.051. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of residence
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Florida Statute citations and offense severity classifications
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency case number and booking identification numbers
Initial appearance information, including bond amounts if applicable
Detention status and facility location if the individual was incarcerated
Disposition information if the case has been adjudicated

The Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission establishes uniform procedures for the collection and maintenance of arrest data through Florida Administrative Code Chapter 11C. These standards ensure consistency in record-keeping across all law enforcement agencies within the state, including those in Okeechobee County.

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records if it falls under exemptions outlined in Florida Statute § 119.071, such as the identities of certain victims, information related to ongoing investigations, or data that could compromise security measures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Okeechobee County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Florida Statute § 943.0585 and § 943.059. Individuals seeking to have their Okeechobee County arrest records expunged must meet strict eligibility criteria and follow prescribed procedures.

To qualify for expungement in Okeechobee County, the following conditions generally must be met:

The arrest must not have resulted in a conviction
The applicant must not have been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense
The applicant must not have previously secured an expungement or sealing of another criminal history record
The offense in question must not be among those enumerated in Florida Statute § 943.0585(2) as ineligible for expungement

The expungement process requires submission of an application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), accompanied by a certificate of eligibility, fingerprints, processing fee, and supporting documentation. Upon approval by FDLE, a petition must be filed with the Okeechobee County Circuit Court for judicial review.

If granted, an expungement order requires all criminal justice agencies to physically destroy or obliterate the record, though a confidential copy remains with FDLE. A sealed record, while not destroyed, becomes confidential and exempt from public records requests. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585(4), individuals who have had records expunged may lawfully deny the existence of the arrest in most circumstances, with certain exceptions for specific types of employment or licensure.

Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida - Okeechobee County
312 NW 3rd Street
Okeechobee, FL 34972
(863) 763-2131
Official Website