Yes, arrest records are public in Volusia County, Florida. This accessibility is mandated by Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, which establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection, unless specifically exempted by the Florida Legislature. The Volusia Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within the county. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, members of the public have the legal right to request and review these documents without providing identification or stating a purpose for their request.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida law, particularly for juvenile records, active criminal investigations, and records sealed or expunged by court order. Additionally, Florida Statute § 119.071 provides specific exemptions for certain personal information of law enforcement officers, victims of crimes, and other protected classes of individuals.
Volusia County Sheriff's Office
123 W. Indiana Avenue
DeLand, FL 32720
386-736-5961
Volusia Sheriff's Office
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Volusia County through various digital platforms maintained by county agencies. The Volusia County Clerk of Circuit Court provides an online portal where members of the public may access court records, including information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Additionally, the Volusia Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of recent arrest records and incident reports that is regularly updated.
These online resources have been established pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which states that agencies must provide reasonable access to records electronically. The statute further requires that electronically available records be provided in a format that is compatible with information technology systems of the agency.
Users should be aware that while basic arrest information is available online, certain documents may require in-person requests or additional fees for certified copies. Furthermore, pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.071, some information within these records may be redacted to protect confidential information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to victims of certain crimes.
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Volusia County. Members of the public seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following methods:
Requestors should note that pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 11C-4.006, a processing fee may apply for certain record searches. Standard fees include $24 for a state criminal history record check and varying fees for certified copies of local records. Florida Statute § 119.07(4) permits agencies to charge up to $0.15 per one-sided copy for standard document reproduction.
Volusia County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.021, which mandates the proper documentation of law enforcement activities. A typical arrest record includes:
These records are maintained in accordance with Florida's records retention schedule as established by the Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 257, Florida Statutes. The retention period for arrest records varies based on case disposition but generally extends for a minimum of five years for misdemeanors and permanently for felony arrests.
The expungement of arrest records in Volusia County follows procedures established under Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059, which govern the expungement and sealing of criminal history records. Individuals seeking expungement must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The application process requires submission of:
Upon receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility, applicants must file a Petition for Expungement with the Volusia County Clerk of Circuit Court, located at 101 N. Alabama Avenue, DeLand, FL 32721. A judge will review the petition and may schedule a hearing before making a determination. If granted, the expungement order requires all criminal justice agencies to physically destroy the record, though certain agencies may maintain a confidential copy pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585(4).
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
850-410-7870
Seal and Expunge Unit