>Seminole County Arrest Records Online

Seminole County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Seminole County, Florida?

Arrest records in Seminole 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 Public Records Act, establishes that all government records, including arrest records, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by state law. The principle underlying this statute is to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations throughout the state of Florida.

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court maintains these records in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.01, which states that "all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person." Members of the public seeking arrest records may access them through various governmental agencies in Seminole County, including the Clerk of Courts and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement statistics, Seminole County processed approximately 8,760 arrests in 2021, with 8,177 adult arrests and 583 juvenile arrests. These records are maintained as part of the public record, though certain exceptions apply to juvenile records as specified in Florida Statute § 985.04.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Seminole County?

Seminole County arrest records are available online through several official government portals. The digital availability of these records is consistent with Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which states that "automation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records." This provision ensures that as records transition to digital formats, they remain accessible to the public.

The Seminole County Clerk of Court maintains an online database where members of the public may search for arrest records and related court documents. Additionally, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate search function on their official website, allowing citizens to verify current incarcerations and related arrest information.

The John E. Polk Correctional Facility, operated by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, also maintains records of current and former inmates that can be accessed online. These digital resources are available 24 hours per day, providing convenient access to public records without requiring in-person visits to government offices.

How to Look Up Seminole County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Seminole County arrest records in 2025, individuals may utilize several methods established by county authorities:

Online Database Searches: The Seminole County Clerk of Court maintains a comprehensive online portal where arrest records can be searched using personal identifiers such as name, date of birth, and case numbers. This service is available at the Seminole County Clerk's website.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Seminole County Clerk of Court's office to request arrest records in person. The office is located at:

Seminole County Clerk of Court
301 N. Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 665-4330
Official Website

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Sheriff's Office Records: The Seminole County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and booking information that can be requested through their Records Division:

Seminole County Sheriff's Office
100 Bush Boulevard
Sanford, FL 32773
(407) 665-6600
Official Website

Florida Department of Law Enforcement: For statewide criminal history information, including arrests in Seminole County, individuals may contact:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
Official Website

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the duplication of records. Current fees are $0.15 per one-sided copy for pages up to 8.5 x 14 inches, and $1.00 per certified copy.

Contents of a Seminole County Arrest Record

Seminole County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.071. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), and photograph (mugshot) of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer
Criminal Charges: All charges filed, including Florida Statute numbers and descriptions of alleged offenses
Booking Information: Date and time of booking, assigned inmate number if applicable
Case Processing: Court case number, scheduled court appearances, and disposition information
Bail/Bond Information: Amount set, payment status, and conditions of release
Incarceration Details: For those detained, facility location and projected release date

The Department of Corrections maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted pursuant to exemptions in Florida Statute § 119.071, such as the home addresses and telephone numbers of certain public employees, victims of specific crimes, and other protected categories.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Seminole County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585 (expungement) and § 943.059 (sealing), eligible individuals may petition to have their arrest records removed from public access.

The Seminole County Probation and Community Intervention Program provides information about eligibility requirements for record expungement. Generally, to qualify for expungement in Seminole County, the following conditions must be met:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The individual has no prior convictions for criminal offenses
The case was dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in an acquittal
The individual has not previously had a record sealed or expunged in Florida
The offense is not included in the list of ineligible offenses under Florida law

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Fifth District Court of Appeal or the appropriate court of original jurisdiction. Applicants must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement before filing the petition. The current application fee for this certificate is $75.00, payable to FDLE.

If granted, an expungement order requires all criminal justice agencies to physically destroy or obliterate the record. A sealed record is not destroyed but is removed from public access and can only be viewed by specific government agencies under limited circumstances as outlined in Florida Statute § 943.059(4).