Contact us for questions about Florida recent arrests through official state and county sources listed on this page. Florida recent arrests are public records that you can search on your own through sheriff’s offices, county jails, and state agencies. This page gives you the right contacts, hours, phone numbers, and website links to reach each office that handles arrest and booking data across Florida. You will also learn what each office does and how to get the fastest answer for your search.
How to Reach the Right Florida Agency
Florida has 67 counties, and each county runs its own sheriff’s office and jail. Because of this setup, there is no single phone number for all Florida recent arrests. You must contact the county where the arrest took place. The State of Florida also has two major agencies that hold arrest data statewide. Picking the right office saves you time and helps you get a correct answer on your first call or visit.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s main criminal history system. You contact FDLE when you need a full criminal record check or when you need arrest data that covers all of Florida. FDLE can also help you check whether a record has been sealed or expunged. Their office processes requests by mail, online, and in person for eligible requestors.
- Official Website: www.fdle.state.fl.us
- Phone (Tallahassee Headquarters): (850) 410-7000
- Criminal History Requests: (850) 410-8100
- Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Florida Department of Corrections (FDC)
The Florida Department of Corrections handles people who have already been sentenced and moved to state prison. If your search relates to someone who was recently arrested and then transferred to a state facility, FDC is the right office to contact. FDC runs an online inmate search that you can use at any time without calling.
- Official Website: www.dc.state.fl.us
- Phone (Headquarters): (850) 717-3000
- Inmate Search Phone Help: (850) 488-9161
- Address: 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Major Florida County Sheriff Contact Directory
Most Florida recent arrests show up first at the county level. The list below covers the largest counties by population and booking volume. Each sheriff’s office runs its own jail and inmate search tool. Use the county where the arrest took place, not where the person lives, to get the right record.
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County has one of the busiest jail systems in Florida. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department handles all inmate lookups for the county. Their online tool updates within minutes for most new bookings. You can also call or visit in person for help with older records.
- Official Website: www.miamidade.gov/corrections
- Phone: (305) 275-2700
- Address: 2755 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33172
- Inmate Search: Available 24 hours online
- Front Desk Hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Broward County
Broward County releases arrest and booking data through the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The online inmate search tool lets you look up recent bookings by name or booking date. The main jail, the North Broward Bureau, and the South Broward Bureau all feed into the same system.
- Official Website: www.sheriff.org
- Phone (Main Jail): (954) 831-0100
- Address: 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Hours: 24 hours a day for jail inquiries
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, processes thousands of bookings each month. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office runs the Falkenburg Road Jail and the Orient Road Jail. Their inmate search tool is one of the most detailed in the state and includes booking photos and bond amounts.
- Official Website: www.hcsso.tampa.fl.us
- Phone: (813) 247-8200
- Falkenburg Jail Address: 520 Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619
- Orient Road Jail Address: 6700 Orient Road, Tampa, FL 33610
- Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Orange County
Orange County covers Orlando and processes arrests from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Police Department, and other agencies. The Orange County Corrections Department runs the central inmate search. Most recent arrests appear within one to three hours of booking.
- Official Website: www.ocfl.net
- Phone (Orange County Jail): (407) 254-7000
- Address: 3855 South John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32839
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Duval County
Duval County includes Jacksonville and is run by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Their system merges police and corrections data, which makes it easier to see the full timeline of a recent arrest. You can search by name, booking number, or date of arrest.
- Official Website: www.jaxsheriff.org
- Phone: (904) 630-0500
- Address: 501 East Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Hours: 24 hours a day
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County runs its booking data through the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The main detention center is the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach. Their inmate lookup tool updates several times each day and covers all cities in the county.
- Official Website: www.pbso.org
- Phone: (561) 688-3000
- Address: 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Lee County
Lee County serves Fort Myers and surrounding cities. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office runs the Lee County Jail and posts arrest records within hours of booking. Their inmate search is free to use and shows bond amounts and court dates.
- Official Website: www.sheriffleefl.org
- Phone: (239) 477-1000
- Address: 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Mid-Sized Florida County Sheriff Contacts
Mid-sized counties in Florida still handle a large number of recent arrests each year. The contacts below cover counties that fall between the largest urban areas and the smallest rural counties. These offices give you the same inmate search tools as larger counties, but with shorter wait times for phone calls.
Pinellas County
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office serves St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo. Their inmate lookup tool is available online, and their records team answers calls during regular business hours.
- Official Website: www.pcsoweb.com
- Phone: (727) 582-6200
- Address: 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33778
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours for jail inquiries
Polk County
Polk County covers Lakeland and Winter Haven. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office posts new booking data each morning and updates the tool throughout the day. Their central phone line connects you to jail staff at any hour.
- Official Website: www.polksheriff.org
- Phone: (863) 298-6200
- Address: 1891 Jim Kehoe Boulevard, Bartow, FL 33830
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Brevard County
Brevard County runs from Titusville to Palm Bay along the Space Coast. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office handles all inmate lookups for the county. Booking data appears on their site the same day in most cases.
- Official Website: www.brevardfl.gov/BCSO
- Phone: (321) 264-5210
- Address: 700 South Park Avenue, Titusville, FL 32780
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Volusia County
Volusia County includes Daytona Beach and Deltona. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online inmate search and a public records request portal for older arrest reports.
- Official Website: www.volusiasheriff.org
- Phone: (386) 248-1777
- Address: 123 West Indiana Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Seminole County
Seminole County is part of the Orlando metro area. Their inmate search tool links directly to the county corrections website and shows current inmates only.
- Official Website: www.seminolecountyfl.gov
- Phone: (407) 665-6600
- Address: 100 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Pasco County
Pasco County covers areas north of Tampa. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office handles bookings from cities like New Port Richey and Dade City. Their lookup tool is fast and free.
- Official Website: www.pascosheriff.com
- Phone: (727) 847-8102
- Address: 8700 Citizen Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654
- Hours: Daily, 24 hours
How Florida Recent Arrests Are Published
Florida recent arrests reach the public through the booking process at each county jail. When an officer takes someone into custody, the arrestee goes to the nearest county jail for processing. The booking step records the arrestee’s name, date of birth, charges, bond, and photo. Most jails post this data online within hours, which is why you see the term “Florida recent arrests” used for very fresh records.
What Booking Records Contain
Booking records in Florida carry the same core data points across most counties. These include the person’s legal name, date of birth, height, weight, booking date and time, arresting agency, charges listed at booking, bond amount, and the inmate’s ID number. Larger counties also post the booking photo, called a mugshot, on the public website.
| Data Point | Common in Florida Booking Records |
|---|---|
| Full Legal Name | Yes |
| Date of Birth | Yes |
| Booking Date and Time | Yes |
| Arresting Agency | Yes |
| List of Charges | Yes |
| Bond Amount | Yes, unless no bond applies |
| Mugshot | Most large counties, some smaller counties |
| Scheduled Court Date | Some counties only |
| Inmate ID Number | Yes |
Time It Takes for Records to Appear
Large Florida counties with automated booking systems post new arrests within one to four hours of intake. Mid-sized counties may take four to twelve hours. Smaller rural counties sometimes post records once a day, often in the morning. Always check the timestamp on the booking record to know how recent the arrest data is.
What an Arrest Means Under Florida Law
An arrest in Florida is only the first step in the criminal justice process. It means that a law enforcement officer believed there was probable cause to take the person into custody. It does not mean the person is guilty of anything. Many people who are arrested are released without charges, and others have their cases dismissed later.
Arrest Versus Conviction
A conviction only happens after a court process ends with a guilty plea, a guilty verdict at trial, or another formal finding of guilt. Florida recent arrest records do not show the outcome of the case. You need to check the county clerk of court for case status, plea information, or trial outcomes.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Florida allows some arrest records to be sealed or expunged under Chapter 943 of the Florida Statutes. When a record is sealed, the public can no longer see it, but some government agencies still have access. When a record is expunged, it is destroyed from public view. If you search for a Florida recent arrest and cannot find one that you expected to see, it may have been sealed or expunged.
How to Run Your Own Search
You do not need to call anyone to search for most Florida recent arrests. You can use the inmate search tool on the sheriff’s office website for the county where the arrest took place. These tools are free and run 24 hours a day.
Searching by County
County searches are the most accurate method for Florida recent arrests. Pick the county, open the sheriff’s office or corrections website, and enter the person’s name. You can also filter by booking date if you know roughly when the arrest happened.
Searching by Name
Name searches work best when you know the full legal name. Try common spelling variations if your first attempt does not return results. Some counties search aliases, but others only search legal names.
Searching by Booking Date
Booking date searches help you narrow results when you already know the date. This method is useful when you want to confirm that a specific arrest took place. Many counties let you set a date range of one to seven days.
What to Do If a Record Does Not Show Up
If you cannot find a record, try a different spelling, check nearby counties, or wait a few hours and try again. The booking process can take time, especially if the arrestee needs medical clearance. You can also call the sheriff’s office records desk during business hours for help.
Other Official Florida Contacts for Records
Sheriff’s offices are not the only source for arrest data in Florida. Several other agencies hold related records that may help you complete your search.
Florida County Clerks of Court
Each Florida county has a clerk of court that keeps case files, dockets, and court records. These records show what happened after an arrest, including charges filed, hearings held, and final outcomes. You can search most clerk records online for free.
- Official Website Directory: www.flclerks.com
- Phone (Statewide Office): (850) 921-1440
- Address: 3544 Maclay Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32312
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health handles birth, death, and marriage records. These records are not arrest records, but they sometimes help confirm someone’s identity when you are running a background check. You can order certified copies online.
- Official Website: www.floridahealth.gov
- Phone: (850) 245-4444
- Address: 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
FLHSMV keeps driving records, not arrest records. However, some driving-related arrests, such as DUI, also create entries in this system. You can request a driving record for a small fee if you have a valid reason under Florida law.
- Official Website: www.flhsmv.gov
- Phone: (850) 617-2000
- Address: 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tips Before You Contact Any Florida Office
Before you call or visit a sheriff’s office, gather the details that will help them locate the record faster. This saves time for both you and the office staff. The list below shows the items you should have ready.
- Full legal name of the person, including middle name
- Date of birth, if known
- Approximate date and time of arrest
- County where the arrest took place
- City or town where the arrest occurred
- Any case number or booking number you already have
What This Site Does and Does Not Do
This page lists official Florida contacts for people who want to search Florida recent arrests. We do not run arrest searches for you, pull court files, or act on your behalf with any agency. We also cannot seal or expunge records. If you need those services, contact a licensed attorney or the clerk of court in your county.
Reporting an Error on This Page
If you see a wrong phone number, a broken link, or outdated hours on this page, please let us know. We check every report and update our records within a few business days. Accurate contact data helps everyone who depends on this page for Florida recent arrest lookups.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Recent Arrests
This section answers the most common questions people ask when they search for Florida recent arrests. The questions cover how to find records, what arrest data means, how to verify a record, and how to fix problems when a record is missing. Each answer gives you a clear path forward without legal jargon.
How Do I Find a Recent Arrest in Florida?
Start with the county where the arrest took place. Visit the sheriff’s office or county jail website and use their inmate search tool. Enter the person’s full legal name. If you do not know the county, ask the person or use the court date, if known, to narrow down the location. For statewide searches, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and request a criminal history check under their public records rules.
How Fast Do Florida Recent Arrests Show Up Online?
Most large Florida counties post new arrests within one to four hours of booking. Mid-sized counties usually post the same day. Smaller rural counties may take up to 24 hours. If you do not see a record right away, wait and check again. The booking process can take time, especially when the arrestee needs medical care or identification help.
Are Florida Mugshots Public?
Yes, Florida mugshots are public records under state law. Most sheriff’s offices post them on their websites as part of the booking record. Some third-party sites also collect mugshots, but they often charge to remove them and may keep old photos. Always use the official sheriff’s office site when you need a current mugshot.
Can a Florida Arrest Record Be Removed?
Yes, in some cases. Florida allows eligible arrest records to be sealed or expunged. Sealing hides the record from the public. Expungement destroys the public record. You usually must apply through the clerk of court and meet specific requirements, such as completing a diversion program or having the case dismissed. A lawyer can help you file the right paperwork.
What Is the Difference Between an Arrest and a Conviction in Florida?
An arrest means law enforcement took someone into custody. A conviction means a court found the person guilty after a plea or trial. Florida recent arrests only show the arrest. To learn whether a conviction happened, check the county clerk of court’s docket for the same case number, or contact the clerk’s office by phone.
Can I Find Out Why Someone Was Arrested in Florida?
Yes. The booking record lists the charges at the time of arrest. For more details, you can request the arrest report from the arresting agency or check the clerk of court’s docket for the case number listed in the booking record. Most arrest reports become public after the case moves past the initial investigation stage.
Who Can I Call About a Recent Florida Arrest?
Call the county sheriff’s office or jail where the arrest took place. For statewide criminal history checks, call the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at (850) 410-7000. For state prison lookups, call the Florida Department of Corrections at (850) 717-3000. For court records, call the clerk of court in the relevant county. Use the contact list on this page to reach the right office the first time.