Fort Pierce Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fort Pierce, Florida?
Arrest records are public documents in Fort Pierce, 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's provisions apply to arrest records maintained by the Fort Pierce Police Department, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction.
Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or purpose of the request. Florida's commitment to government transparency is among the strongest in the nation, with constitutional provisions reinforcing statutory requirements for public access to government records. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with § 119.071, Florida Statutes, which provides exemptions for confidential information such as:
- Social security numbers
- Information regarding victims of certain crimes
- Active criminal intelligence information
- Juvenile records in specific circumstances
- Information that could compromise ongoing investigations
How to Look Up Fort Pierce Arrest Records in 2025
The process for obtaining arrest records in Fort Pierce involves several established channels through which members of the public may submit requests. Pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable timeframe. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the records division of the appropriate agency during regular business hours to submit a request. Proper identification may be required.
Online Access Systems: The Fort Pierce Police Department and St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office maintain online portals where certain arrest information is published and searchable by the public.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via mail or email to the records custodian of the relevant agency. Requests should include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers if available.
Court Records: The St. Lucie County Clerk of Court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings, which may be accessed through their public records system.
Fort Pierce Police Department
920 South US Highway 1
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Phone: (772) 467-6800
Fort Pierce Police Department Official Website
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
4700 West Midway Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Phone: (772) 462-7300
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office Official Website
St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court
201 South Indian River Drive
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Phone: (772) 462-6900
St. Lucie County Clerk Official Website
Contents of a Fort Pierce Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Fort Pierce law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records are created pursuant to § 119.011(3)(c), Florida Statutes, which defines public records to include "documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency."
Standard information contained in Fort Pierce arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges and Florida Statute citations
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint records
- Narrative description of the circumstances leading to arrest
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility assignment
In accordance with Florida law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including information about confidential informants, ongoing investigations, or details that could compromise public safety if disclosed.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fort Pierce
Florida law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records. These procedures are governed by § 943.0585 and § 943.059, Florida Statutes, and are administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in conjunction with the court system.
Expungement physically destroys the record, while sealing removes it from public view but maintains it for certain governmental entities. To qualify for expungement in Fort Pierce, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- 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 sealed or expunged another Florida record
- The offense must not be among those enumerated in § 943.0585(2) as ineligible for expungement
The process requires:
- Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE
- Filing a petition with the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court
- Serving copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
- Attending a judicial hearing if required by the court
- Receiving a court order granting the expungement
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Expungement Section
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
Phone: (850) 410-7870
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves strict statutory requirements and may benefit from legal consultation. Upon successful expungement, agencies are required to physically destroy records and remove references from public databases, though certain governmental entities may retain sealed information for limited purposes.
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