Clay County Arrest Records

In Clay County, law enforcement agencies often make arrests to maintain public safety and order. This typically occurs when there is probable cause to believe that a citizen or resident has violated their probation, broken the law, or committed a serious felony or misdemeanor.

During an arrest, the officer must inform the offender of their rights before booking them at the nearest detention center. The booking process includes documenting the arrested person’s fingerprints, legal name, offense information, and any property on them at the time of arrest. Afterward, the individual may face initial arraignment in court to address the allegations and plead guilt or innocence.

Generally, the arresting agency, either the county sheriff’s office or municipal police department, is responsible for generating and preserving the arrest record, including uploading them to the databases of corresponding criminal justice agencies.

As part of public records, basic information regarding a person’s arrest is easily located in several archives and offices including Clay County Court records, district attorney’s documents, and criminal history information. Hence, members of the public can review them for legal and official purposes, except imposed restrictions exist. These records may serve as helpful for educating the public on the operation of the criminal legal structure and how justice wins the day.

Are Arrest Records Public in Clay County?

Yes. The Florida Public Records Act, codified in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (FS) governs public access to arrest records in Clay County. Per this act, researchers and the media may inspect and reproduce copies of vital documents and information generated, compiled, or maintained by government entities, including arresting agencies. Albeit, certain exceptions may apply.

To ensure the privacy and security of individuals, certain records are strictly non-disclosable to the public. However, the record owner, victims, legal representatives, and law enforcement officers may access crucial information. A few examples include:

• Ongoing criminal investigative and intelligence information
• Confidential confessions given by an arrestee in an ongoing case proceeding
• Sensitive victim information, including the personal information of the victim of child human trafficking, child abuse, sexual offense, and mass violence
• Juvenile offender information
• Expunged or sealed arrest information

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

According to FS § 119.011(3)(c), law enforcement agencies may divulge the following information in a public Clay County arrest record:

• The arrestee’s full name
• Case number
• The arrestee's age, gender, race, height, weight, personality traits, scar marks and tattoos
• Arrest date, time, and location
• The reason for arrest, primary criminal charge, and type
• Booking agency
• Court date, case status (pre-trial, or incarcerated), and docket number
• Bond amount, type, and status
• Release date

Clay County Crime Rate

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement [FDLE] compiles crime statistics from several county law enforcement agencies within the state. According to the Annual Florida Uniform Crime Report, Clay County recorded a total crime index of 3,322 with a 41.9% clearance rate per 100 offenses for a population of 221,440 in 2020.

A few offenses were ranked the most recurring within the jurisdiction, including larceny (2,197). Aggravated assault (383), burglary (351), and vehicle theft (206). Clay County's crime rate per 100,000 population was 1,512.9 that year.

Clay County Arrest Statistics

The FDLE's 2020 County and Municipal Arrest Report recorded 2,343 arrests in Clay County. DUI emerged as the most reputable offense for which people were apprehended resulting in 358 arrests within the county.

Find Clay County Arrest Records

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office records section provides several useful options for anyone to inspect basic arrest information, and active warrants or find inmates currently incarcerated in county jail under Florida's Public Records Law. Requesters can explore the following outlined resources:

• Submit public records requests: Interested persons can obtain a public arrest record by contacting the Public Records Section at (904) 529-6090 or submitting written correspondence to the address below during office hoursat:

Clay County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Public Records Section
901 North Orange Avenue
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

In-person requests are also received at the David White Memorial Building, 901 North Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, or any of the substations. Normally, one can view available information for free, though reproducing copies of the document may attract an applicable fee of $1 per copy and $1 for certification.

On the other hand, anyone requesting juvenile arrest information in cases where the minor is an offender of a misdemeanor crime or victim must present proof of parenthood or guardianship alongside their request form. They may also be required to submit a copy of their state driver’s license, photo ID card, or the child’s proof of identity.

• Arrest and inmate search tool: The county sheriff’s online arrest database serves as a daily bulletin for publishing vital information regarding offenders arrested within the county for violating the county’s moral code. Inquirers will typically find a basic list of people arrested daily, including previously arrested persons.

On the other hand, the inmate catalog details the whereabouts of inmates incarcerated in the county jail, including the defendant's mugshot, case number, personal information, bond amount, booking agency, court date, charge description, and court date.

• Police Departments: Municipal police departments in Clay County, like the Green Cove Spring Police Department, disseminate police incident reports at the front desk during office hours. People can also mail a written request accompanied by a postage-paid self-addressed envelope and a service charge of $3 to 1001 Idlewild Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Checks are payable to the “City of Green Cove Springs”.

Occasionally, state and federal agents may apprehend someone within the county for committing a serious state or federal crime. To track the progress and outcome of the case, members of the public may utilize the following tools:

• Corrections Offender Network: The Florida Department of Corrections aggregates public information about detainees in several databases such as Inmate Population Information Search, Corrections Offender Databases, Inmate Release Information Search, Inmate Escape Information Search, Absconder/Fugitive Information Search, and Supervised Population Information Search.

Each database requires basic search criteria including name and inmate's assigned FDOC number. Users may retrieve details of the offense for which the inmate was arrested and incarcerated, the case number, offense date, arresting agency, and detainment date.

The DOC also receives online public record requests by mail at:

Department of Corrections
501 South Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 717-9774
Fax: (850) 488-4534

• The U.S. Bureau of Prisons: The FBI runs a web-based Inmate Search portal for people seeking information on their loved ones in federal custody.

Free Arrest Record Search in Clay County

Clay County law enforcement agencies maintain several free avenues for finding arrest records within the region. Individuals may contact the Clay County Sheriff's office or other municipal police departments within the county as mentioned in the previous section. Users may also navigate the sections of the online arrest and inmate databases maintained by the county sheriff's office to retrieve daily arrest information at no cost.

The Florida Sex Offender Registry also provides a list of registered convicted felons, sexual offenders, and predators.

Again, several third-party websites aggregate arrest records from various public repositories in Fairfax and the Commonwealth. Thus, they are ideal for locating basic details of an arrest, sentencing, incarceration, and overall criminal history. Nonetheless, the website may charge an applicable one-time or subscription fee.

Users are generally advised to verify the content of information received from these third-party platforms for accuracy and completeness.

Get Clay County Criminal Records

Clay County Criminal records (also called criminal history records or RAP sheets) detail a person’s arrest, initial arraignment, legal proceedings, sentencing, incarceration, and conditions for parole and probation.

There are several means of retrieving criminal records within the region, including querying the Clay County courts and conducting background checks via law enforcement agencies.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

As the central repository for criminal history information, the Division of Criminal Justice Information Services provides different avenues for background check services. The state discontinued the use of mail-in services, to provide other alternative options for this search. However, per 2018 Florida Statutes § 943.053, sealed or expunged records and juvenile criminal history records are not publicly disclosable.

Below are a few recommended options for obtaining certified and non-certified criminal records:

• Instant search

Applicants may perform an Instant Florida criminal History Search through the FDLE Criminal History Information on the Internet (CCHInet) site. The CCHInet is a self-service search option for locating FDLE's Computerized Criminal History (CCH) files only. On the search criteria page, the customer will be required to enter the demographic details of the record subject, such as legal names/aliases, Social Security Number (SSN), and date of birth.

Users are advised to verify the accuracy of the search criteria as it greatly impacts the potential candidate result(s) or responses. This kind of search may attract a total charge of $25, including a $1 credit card processing fee for each name search performed, regardless of the results. Users may print the results immediately or request a regular email service.

The CCHINET help page provides more detailed instructions for effective name searches.

• Certified/Non-Certified Search

This search option is generally recommended for people requesting criminal records for legal and official purposes, such as immigration and national/international adoptions. Typically, a user’s request is entered into FDLE's SHIELD system, processed, and mailed to the specified address in the search request. The accuracy of your search results depends on the accuracy of the information provided.

Interested parties can contact the FDLE's Criminal History Services Section for more questions or assistance via email at ApplicantChecks@fdle.state.fl.us, or phone at (850) 410-8161.

Court Records

The Clay County Clerk and Comptroller's Office provides an Online Case Inquiry System for registered users to retrieve criminal case information using the defendant’s name and case number. One can also improve search results by specifying the case opening and closing date. Electronically certified records are also available for interested persons to order online.

People who cannot locate the desired record online may query the Records Management Liaison Officer of the Clay County Clerk of Court's office by email at publicrecords@clayclerk.com, or via mail to:

Records Management Liaison Officer (RMLO)
825 North Orange Avenue
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Local Background Checks or Clearance Letters

A local background check is primarily for anyone requesting information regarding a person’s local criminal involvements and arrests.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office provides a clearance letter or letter of good conduct on persons living within the county and surrounding cities. One may be required to submit basic search criteria, such as the defendant’s full name, date of birth, race, sex, and social security number at any Clay County Sheriff substation.

Local background checks may attract a charge of $5 payable in cash, money order, or company check only. The returning response will typically bear either a "no local record" or "record". If the subject has a local record, the requester will receive a printout of the arrest history.

Clay County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records detail a person’s involvement with law enforcement, although they have different content and implications.

Someone’s arrest record is their first entry point into the criminal justice system. It generally details the date and time of arrest, photograph, offenses, and arresting agency. It is primarily retrieved through a local background check, but it does not imply a person's guilt or involvement in the crime.

Conversely, criminal records are a comprehensive account of a person's run-ins with local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies. Ultimately, they prove whether someone is found guilty or innocent after several case proceedings.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests are a permanent component of a person’s criminal history information record. However, they are revoked from public archives if the record owner acquires a sealing or expungement order from the presiding court once the necessary conditions or time frame are met. (FS 943.0595 and 943.0515).

Expunge Clay County Arrest Records

Florida law grants several options of relief to persons with a criminal record in Clay County. The most reputable options are sealing and expungement. However, the processes and implications for each one differ even though they impede public perusal.

Per Article 1, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, sealed records are inaccessible to the general public. Regardless, specific persons named in Fla. Stat. § 943.059 (6), may still gain access to these records.

On the other hand, an expungement order ultimately destroys and erases all physical evidence of a person's criminal past. If granted, the subject may deny ever having such a record in the past except for a few cases under Fla. Stat. § 943.0585 (6). Yet, the FDLE may preserve confidential copies of expunged records for official purposes.

Further, Fla. Stat. § 943.059 (1) and Fla. Stat. § 943.0585 (1), provide a comprehensive list of eligible applicants. This includes first-time culprits whose cases were ultimately dismissed, adjudicated without a guilty judgment, or never filed by the prosecution team.

Applicants may adhere to the following instructions to seal or expunge their records:

1. Acquire a Certificate of Eligibility by filling out the sealing or expunction form and submitting a certified written statement from the office of the State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit and a certified record of the criminal history information record to the court. This process may attract a $75 service fee.
2. File a petition or motion for expunction at the court where the case was adjudicated alongside a sworn statement stating the applicant’s eligibility and the certificate of eligibility issued by the FDLE.
3. Serve a petition in person to the state prosecutor or office of the State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit at 825 North Orange Avenue, GreenCove Springs, Florida 32043, or contact the office via phone at (904) 255-2500 or by e-mail at SAO4th@coj.net.

If the petition is approved, the court will notify all government-owned repositories governing access to the subject’s criminal records.

Clay County Arrest Warrants

In Clay County, arrest warrants are official papers or written directives issued by a judicial officer authorizing law enforcement to restrict a suspect’s freedom of movement.

To issue a valid warrant, the court must verify the legibility of the complaint and supporting sworn affidavit presented by the affiant, stating the probable cause for a subject’s search and seizure.

Under Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.121, a Clay County arrest warrant is only legally admissible if it details the defendant’s physical information, alleged crimes, issuing date and time, and the issuing officer’s signature and title of office. Once the request is approved, the Clay County Sheriff's Office may execute the warrant at any time per Fla. Stat. § 901.04.

Warrant subjects are advised to address active or pending arrest warrants at the county jail division.

Clay County Arrest Warrant Search

The county sheriff or county clerk and comptroller’s office should be the first point of visit for people who wish to verify the existence of an arrest warrant. However, individuals are advised to go to an attorney's company to avoid immediate arrest and detention.

In addition, the FDLE provides a Public Access System for active warrants issued within the state. Basic search parameters include the subject’s name, age, race, or date of birth. Typically, one may find the warrant subject's alleged crime, last known physical address, personal information, date of issuance, and the reporting agency.

Do Clay County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Any warrant issued for a person’s arrest in Clay County does not expire unless the person voluntarily surrenders or is apprehended by law enforcement. In some cases, the court may recall the warrant.