>Walton County Arrest Records Online

Walton County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Walton County, Florida?

Arrest records are public in Walton County, 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 specifically includes records pertaining to arrests, criminal charges, and the disposition of such cases within its scope of public accessibility.

Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or purpose of inquiry, as stipulated in § 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, which declares that "all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person." The Walton County Sheriff's Office and the Walton County Clerk of Courts maintain these records in accordance with state law.

Certain exemptions do exist under Florida law that may restrict access to specific information within arrest records, particularly in cases involving:

Juvenile offenders (as per § 985.04, Florida Statutes)
Active criminal investigations (§ 119.071(2)(c))
Victims of certain crimes (§ 119.071(2)(h))
Information that could compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Walton County?

Arrest records in Walton County are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller provides a comprehensive online database through which members of the public may search for and retrieve arrest records and related court documents. This service is provided in accordance with Florida's commitment to government transparency as outlined in § 119.01(2)(f), which encourages agencies to provide "remote electronic access" to public records.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office also maintains an online inmate search function that provides information about current detainees and recent arrests. This resource is updated regularly and includes basic booking information as required by § 119.071(5), Florida Statutes.

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 § 119.071, Florida Statutes, some sensitive information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining public access to essential arrest data.

How to Look Up Walton County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing Walton County arrest records in 2025, in accordance with Florida's Public Records Act. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

Online County Records System: The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller maintains a searchable database of court records, including arrest information. Users may search by name, case number, or date range.
Walton County Sheriff's Office: Walton County Sheriff's Office 752 Triple G Road DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435 Phone: (850) 892-8111 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and arrest reports. Requests may be submitted in person during regular business hours.
Walton County Clerk of Courts: Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller 571 US Highway 90 East DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Phone: (850) 892-8115 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The Clerk's office maintains official court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Staff can assist with locating specific records upon request.
Written Requests: Pursuant to § 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, written requests for public records may be submitted to the custodian of the desired records. Such requests should include specific information to identify the records sought, such as the individual's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): For statewide criminal history information, including Walton County arrests, individuals may request records from the FDLE through their online portal or by mail. Fees apply for this service as authorized by § 943.053, Florida Statutes.

Contents of a Walton County Arrest Record

Walton County arrest records contain standardized information as required by § 119.021, Florida Statutes, which mandates that public records be maintained in a manner that allows for easy access and retrieval. A typical arrest record in Walton County includes the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
Current photograph ("mugshot") taken during booking
Fingerprint impressions collected at time of arrest
Residential address at time of arrest (may be redacted in certain circumstances)
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Florida Statute citations
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking details, including date and time processed
Assigned case number for court proceedings
Bond or bail amount set, if applicable
Detention status (released or in custody)
Court appearance dates and locations
Disposition of charges (pending, dismissed, convicted)

The Walton County Circuit Court maintains these records in accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs the maintenance and accessibility of court records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Walton County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances, as codified in § 943.0585 and § 943.059, Florida Statutes. In Walton County, individuals seeking to have their arrest records expunged must meet statutory eligibility requirements and follow prescribed procedures.

The Walton County Probation and Community Intervention Program provides information regarding expungement eligibility for juvenile records. For adult records, the following criteria generally apply:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The case was dismissed or nolle prossed
The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program
The individual received a withhold of adjudication for certain eligible offenses
The individual has no prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
The offense is not among those specifically excluded by § 943.0585(2), Florida Statutes

The expungement process requires:

Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Filing a petition with the Walton County Clerk of Courts
Serving copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
Attending a hearing before a Circuit Court judge, if required
Obtaining a court order directing the expungement of records

Upon successful expungement, agencies are required to physically destroy or obliterate records pertaining to the arrest. However, certain agencies maintain confidential records of expunged arrests for limited purposes as permitted by § 943.0585(4), Florida Statutes.