>Polk County Arrest Records Online

Polk County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Polk County, Florida?

Arrest records in Polk 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 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 Polk County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.071, which protects specific categories of personal information. These protections typically apply to victims of certain crimes, active or former law enforcement personnel, and other protected classes as defined by statute. Notwithstanding these exemptions, the majority of arrest record information remains accessible to promote transparency in the criminal justice system.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Records Division serves as the primary custodian of these public records and processes requests in accordance with statutory guidelines.

Polk County Sheriff's Office Records Division
1891 Jim Keene Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33880
863-298-6300
Polk County Sheriff's Office Records Division

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Polk County?

Polk County arrest records are available through multiple online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Polk County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to current inmate information through their Jail Inquiry system, which is updated regularly to reflect current detention status. This system allows for searches based on inmate name, booking number, or other identifying information as permitted under Florida Statute § 119.071(2)(h).

Additionally, the Polk County Clerk of Courts maintains the Polk County Court Records Search system, which provides access to case information for individuals processed through the county court system. This database includes information on criminal cases, including arrest details, court appearances, and case dispositions. Access to these records is provided in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2-9.2, which governs public access to court records in the Tenth Judicial Circuit.

For individuals seeking information about active warrants, the Sheriff's Office maintains a Warrants Inquiry database that contains information about outstanding warrants issued within Polk County jurisdiction. Users should note that this information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for any action against individuals listed in the system.

All online systems are maintained in compliance with Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which requires agencies to provide reasonable access to records electronically.

How to Look Up Polk County Arrest Records in 2025

The process for obtaining Polk County arrest records in 2025 involves several official channels established by county authorities. Members of the public may utilize any of the following methods to access these records:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Polk County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit a records request. Proper identification is required, and fees may apply in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07(4).
Online Portal Access: The Polk County Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive Public Records portal where citizens can submit requests electronically. This system complies with Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(f), which encourages agencies to develop online access systems.
Automated Information System: For current inmate information, the Sheriff's Office provides an Automated Information System accessible by telephone at 863-457-3738. This system provides basic booking information and custody status.
Clerk of Courts Records: The Polk County Clerk of Courts maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings. These records can be accessed through the Clerk's official website or in person at:

Polk County Clerk of Courts
255 North Broadway Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
863-534-4000
Polk County Clerk of Courts

Florida Department of Law Enforcement: For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Polk County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the Computerized Criminal History system. Requests can be submitted through:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Criminal History Services
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
850-410-8109
FDLE Criminal History Information

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.053, fees apply for criminal history information obtained through FDLE.

Contents of a Polk County Arrest Record

Polk County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.021, which establishes requirements for public records maintenance. These records typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information: Full legal name, date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks), gender, and race of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); and statutory authority for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Florida Statute violations alleged; charge classification (misdemeanor or felony); and charge degree (first, second, or third).
Booking Information: Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot"); booking number; fingerprint identification; and property inventory.
Case Processing: Court case number; assigned judge; scheduled court appearances; bond or bail amount; and pretrial release conditions if applicable.
Custody Status: Current detention status; facility location if incarcerated; and projected release date for sentenced individuals.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests within Polk County jurisdiction may be included if relevant to the current case.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, as required by Florida Statute § 119.021(2)(a).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Polk County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585 and § 943.059, individuals may petition for expungement or sealing if they meet statutory eligibility requirements. The expungement process in Polk County requires adherence to the following procedures:

Certificate of Eligibility: Applicants must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This requires submission of fingerprints, payment of processing fees, and verification that the applicant meets all statutory requirements.
Petition Filing: Upon receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility, a petition must be filed with the Polk County Clerk of Courts in the division where the case was originally processed. The petition must include all documentation required by Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.692.
Prosecutorial Review: The State Attorney's Office for the Tenth Judicial Circuit reviews all petitions and may file objections within the statutory timeframe.
Judicial Determination: A judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court reviews the petition and any objections before rendering a decision. If approved, the court issues an order for expungement or sealing.
Implementation: Upon receipt of a court order, the Polk County Sheriff's Office and other agencies must comply with expungement or sealing directives as specified in Florida Statute § 943.0585(4) or § 943.059(4).

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement under Florida Statute § 943.0584. Additionally, expunged records may still be accessible to certain government agencies for specific purposes as outlined in Florida Statute § 943.0585(4)(a).