Leon County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Leon County
Arrest records in Leon County are public documents pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, specifically Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Under this comprehensive transparency legislation, most government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public. The Florida Constitution and statutory framework establish a presumption of openness regarding government records, with limited exceptions.
The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant for members of the public seeking information. Arrest records document the initial apprehension and charging of an individual, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of the alleged offense. In Leon County, both types of records are generally accessible, though arrest records that did not result in conviction may be eligible for sealing or expungement under certain circumstances.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, criminal history information, including arrest data, is maintained in centralized repositories and made available through various access methods. However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure, particularly those involving:
- Active criminal investigations
- Juvenile records (with exceptions)
- Records sealed or expunged pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585 or § 943.059
- Victim information in certain cases
Individuals seeking arrest records in Leon County may obtain them through the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, or through state-level resources maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
What's in Leon County Arrest Records
Leon County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include several categories of information as detailed below:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address
- Gender and race
- Fingerprints and, in most cases, photograph (mugshot)
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Whether arrest was made pursuant to warrant or probable cause
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Florida Statute numbers corresponding to alleged violations
- Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony)
- Degree of each offense (e.g., first-degree, second-degree)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing authority
- Date warrant was issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking date, time, and location
- Booking number or case identification
- Processing officer information
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount set
- Bond type (cash, surety, property)
- Whether bond was posted
- Conditions of release, if applicable
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number
- Scheduled court appearances
- Name of assigned judge
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of incarceration, if applicable
- Expected release date, if determined
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history in Leon County
- Probation or parole status at time of arrest
- Vehicle information if relevant to arrest
- Property seized during arrest
- Witness information (may be redacted)
- Victim information (often redacted for privacy)
These records are maintained by multiple agencies, including the Leon County Sheriff's Office and the Leon County Clerk of Courts, with certain elements reported to state and federal criminal justice information systems.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Leon County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Leon County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest record information:
In-Person Requests:
Individuals may obtain arrest records by visiting the Leon County Sheriff's Office Records Section in person:
Leon County Sheriff's Office
2825 Municipal Way
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 606-3300
Leon County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
When requesting records in person, requestors should:
- Provide the full name of the subject
- Include date of birth if known
- Present valid photo identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees (typically $0.15 per one-sided page)
- Complete a public records request form available at the counter
Written Requests:
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Leon County Sheriff's Office Records Section by mail or email. Requests should include:
- Subject's full name and date of birth
- Specific information being requested
- Requestor's contact information
- Payment for applicable fees
Court Records:
For arrest records that have proceeded to court action, the Leon County Clerk of Courts maintains case files:
Leon County Clerk of Courts
301 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 606-4000
Leon County Clerk of Courts
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Public Records Requests:
For broader public records requests, individuals may contact the Leon County Public Records Request Coordinator:
Leon County Public Records
301 S. Monroe Street, Suite 202
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 606-5300
How to Make a Public Records Request
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07, agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in a reasonable time. Fees may be charged for extensive use of agency resources, as defined by county ordinance.
How To Find Leon County Arrest Records Online
Leon County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests and are accessible 24 hours a day. The following online resources are currently available:
The Leon County Clerk of Courts maintains a comprehensive online case search system that includes criminal cases resulting from arrests. To utilize this system:
- Navigate to the Clerk's official website
- Select "Court Records Search" from the available options
- Create a free user account or log in as a guest
- Search by name, case number, or other identifiers
- Review case summaries and available documents
- Pay applicable fees for document copies if needed
The Leon County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search function that displays current booking information:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office website
- Select "Inmate Search" or "Detention Facility"
- Enter search criteria (name or booking number)
- Review current inmate status and booking information
For statewide arrest record searches, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system:
- Access the FDLE website
- Navigate to "Criminal History Information"
- Select "Public Access System"
- Create an account or log in
- Pay the required fee ($24.00 per record search)
- Submit search criteria
- Receive results electronically
Additionally, the Florida Department of Corrections offers an Offender Information Search for individuals who have been sentenced to state prison or supervision:
- Visit the Department of Corrections website
- Select "Offender Search"
- Enter name or DC number
- Review incarceration and supervision history
Users should note that pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071, certain information may be redacted from online records for security and privacy purposes. Complete records may require in-person requests.
How To Search Leon County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public seeking no-cost access to Leon County arrest records have several options available. These free resources provide basic information, though comprehensive records may still require payment of statutory fees.
The Leon County Sheriff's Office maintains a free online inmate search that provides current booking information for individuals in custody. This resource includes:
- Arrestee name and booking photo
- Charges
- Booking date
- Bond information
- Next court appearance
The Leon County Clerk of Courts offers free case searches through their online portal. While document viewing may require payment, basic case information is available at no cost:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Charge information
- Case status
- Scheduled court dates
- Party names
For recent arrests, the Leon County Sheriff's Office Daily Booking Report provides a free listing of individuals processed in the previous 24-48 hours.
The Florida Department of Corrections maintains a free offender search for individuals sentenced to state prison or supervision.
Public access terminals are available at no cost at the following locations:
Leon County Public Library
200 W. Park Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 606-2665
Leon County Public Library
Leon County Clerk of Courts
301 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 606-4000
Leon County Clerk of Courts
These terminals provide access to public court records without fees for viewing (printing fees may apply).
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), while agencies may charge for copies of records, inspection of records at the agency is available at no cost during regular business hours.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Leon County
In Leon County, individuals seeking to remove arrest records from public access have two primary legal remedies: expungement and sealing. These processes are governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 (expungement) and § 943.059 (sealing).
Expungement vs. Sealing:
Expungement results in the physical destruction of arrest records, with limited exceptions for certain criminal justice agencies. Sealing restricts public access to records but preserves them for potential access by specific government entities. Both processes remove records from public view, but expungement provides more complete removal.
Eligibility Requirements:
For sealing, the applicant must:
- Have no prior sealed or expunged records (with limited exceptions)
- Have no convictions for any criminal offense
- Have received a disposition other than conviction (e.g., charges dropped, acquittal, nolle prosequi)
- Not be seeking to seal records for certain disqualifying offenses
For expungement, the applicant must:
- Meet all requirements for sealing
- Have arrest records that were either:
- Previously sealed for at least 10 years, or
- Never filed with the court (nolle prosequi, dismissed before trial)
Application Process:
-
Obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Submit fingerprints
- Pay application fee ($75)
- Provide certified disposition of the case
-
File a petition with the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Leon County
- Include FDLE certificate of eligibility
- File in the court where the case was handled
- Pay filing fees (approximately $42)
-
Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court
-
If granted, provide copies of the court order to all agencies with records
Administrative Removal:
For certain factually incorrect information, individuals may request correction through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement without court proceedings.
Legal Assistance:
Due to the complexity of these processes, applicants may benefit from legal representation. The Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee provides assistance to qualifying individuals:
Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee
301 S. Monroe Street, Suite 108
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 222-3292
Legal Aid Foundation of Tallahassee
What Happens After Arrest in Leon County?
Following an arrest in Leon County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process with several distinct phases. This process typically proceeds as follows:
Booking and Initial Detention:
Upon arrest, individuals are transported to the Leon County Detention Facility for booking, which includes:
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Collection of personal information
- Medical screening
- Property inventory
- Criminal history check
First Appearance:
Within 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a judge at the Leon County Courthouse:
- Judge reviews probable cause for the arrest
- Bail/bond amounts are set or pretrial release conditions established
- Public defender may be appointed for indigent defendants
- Preliminary hearing date may be scheduled
Formal Charging:
The State Attorney's Office for the Second Judicial Circuit reviews the case and determines whether to file formal charges:
- For misdemeanors: typically within 30 days
- For felonies: typically within 175 days
- Charges may be filed, modified, or dropped based on evidence
Arraignment:
Defendants appear in court to hear formal charges and enter a plea:
- Not guilty (proceeds to pretrial and trial phases)
- Guilty (proceeds to sentencing)
- No contest (proceeds to sentencing)
Pretrial Proceedings:
If a not guilty plea is entered, the case proceeds through:
- Discovery (exchange of evidence)
- Motion hearings
- Pretrial conferences
- Plea negotiations
Trial:
If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial:
- Jury selection (except in bench trials)
- Opening statements
- Presentation of evidence
- Closing arguments
- Jury deliberation and verdict
Sentencing:
Following a guilty plea or conviction:
- Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
- Victim impact statements may be presented
- Judge imposes sentence according to Florida sentencing guidelines
- Sentences may include incarceration, probation, fines, or alternative sanctions
Post-Conviction:
After sentencing, defendants may pursue:
- Direct appeal within 30 days
- Post-conviction relief motions
- Clemency or pardon applications
Throughout this process, case information becomes part of the public record maintained by the Leon County Clerk of Courts, though certain sensitive information may be redacted pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Leon County?
Arrest records in Leon County are subject to retention requirements established by Florida law, specifically Florida Statutes § 119.021, which mandates that public records be maintained according to retention schedules established by the Division of Library and Information Services of the Department of State.
The General Records Schedule GS2 for Law Enforcement, Correctional Facilities, and District Medical Examiners governs retention periods for arrest records in Leon County. Key retention periods include:
Arrest Records:
- Felony arrests: 100 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests: 25 years from date of arrest
- Municipal ordinance violations: 5 years from date of arrest
Criminal History Records:
- Maintained permanently by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Local agencies typically retain indefinitely
Booking Records:
- Felony bookings: 100 years
- Misdemeanor bookings: 25 years
Fingerprint Records:
- Adult fingerprints: 75 years
- Juvenile fingerprints: Until subject reaches 24 years of age
Arrest Warrants:
- Executed warrants: 3 years after execution
- Unexecuted warrants: Until recalled or withdrawn
Offense Reports:
- Capital/life felonies: 100 years
- Other felonies: 25 years
- Misdemeanors: 5 years
Different agencies within Leon County maintain separate record systems with potentially different retention practices:
Leon County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and investigative files.
Leon County Clerk of Courts maintains court case files related to arrests, which are generally kept permanently.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the central repository of criminal history information at the state level.
Records may be maintained in various formats, including paper, microfilm, and electronic systems. The retention period applies regardless of format, and agencies must ensure records remain accessible throughout the required retention period.
It is important to note that even after the minimum retention period expires, many records continue to be maintained indefinitely, particularly those in electronic formats or those considered to have historical value.
How to Find Mugshots in Leon County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. In Leon County, these photographs document the appearance of arrested individuals at the time of processing and become part of the official arrest record. Mugshots typically include front-facing and profile views of the arrestee.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
In Leon County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by the following agencies:
Leon County Sheriff's Office
2825 Municipal Way
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 606-3300
Leon County Sheriff's Office
As the agency operating the county detention facility, the Sheriff's Office creates and maintains the original booking photographs as part of the arrest record.
Finding Mugshots
Members of the public seeking mugshots in Leon County have several options:
-
In-person requests can be submitted to the Leon County Sheriff's Office Records Section during regular business hours. Requestors should:
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject
- Complete a public records request form
- Pay applicable fees (typically $0.15 per page for copies)
-
Written requests may be submitted by mail or email to the Sheriff's Office Records Section, including:
- Subject's full name and date of birth
- Date of arrest if known
- Requestor's contact information
- Payment for applicable fees
Can Mugshots Be Found Online
The Leon County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search function that includes booking photographs of currently incarcerated individuals. Historical booking photographs may not be available through this system.
Several third-party websites aggregate and publish mugshots obtained from public records. However, these sites may:
- Contain outdated or inaccurate information
- Charge fees for removal of photographs
- Not reflect expunged or sealed records
The Florida Legislature has enacted restrictions on websites that publish mugshots through Florida Statutes § 943.0425, requiring removal upon request in certain circumstances.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
For official copies of booking photographs, individuals should contact:
Leon County Sheriff's Office Records Section
2825 Municipal Way
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 606-3300
Leon County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots may be restricted in certain circumstances:
- Photographs of juveniles are generally confidential under Florida law
- Images related to active investigations may be temporarily exempt
- Photographs of certain protected classes (e.g., law enforcement officers) may have restricted access
- Mugshots that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order are not available to the public
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071, certain exemptions to public records disclosure may apply to booking photographs in specific circumstances.
Lookup Arrest Records in Leon County
Florida's Second Judicial Circuit