Duval County Arrest Records

In Duval County, Florida, if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a resident has committed a crime or if the officer witnesses an individual breaking the law, the officer has the authority to make an arrest. This arrest can occur with or without a warrant, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the arrest. The range of crimes warranting an arrest can vary from civil traffic infractions to misdemeanors to felonies.

Following an arrest, the individual is typically transported to the county jail for booking and subsequent detention, pending bail, or a guaranteed court appearance based on the seriousness of the offense. During a booking, detailed information about the arrestee is recorded. These would include a full name, height, contact information, age, race, sex, crime details, mugshot, and fingerprints.

The information collected during the booking process forms the basis of an individual's arrest record, an integral component of the broader set of law enforcement records. Other government entities, such as the judiciary system, also maintain databases containing arrest records as part of their comprehensive criminal records related to specific cases. As a result, it is not uncommon to find arrest records included in Duval County court records. Duval County records are relevant in that they serve as a data source for several public bodies apart from the Sheriff's office and the Police Department.

Are Arrest Records Public in Duval County?

Yes, Duval County arrest records are public records and, in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 119.01, are open for public scrutiny and reproduction. Additionally, the law stipulates that the custodians of these records must grant access to interested parties as long as the specific record in question is not sealed, expunged, or considered confidential.

In contrast, as outlined in F.S. 119.071, some aspects within an arrest record or the entirety of the record itself are deemed confidential and legally prohibited from public disclosure. This confidential information encompasses details such as:

• Data that may disclose the identity of a confidential informant or pertain to an ongoing criminal intelligence operation or investigation
• Details concerning an arrestee's confession
• Information relating to a victim
• Confidential data, the release of which could jeopardize an individual's safety
• Records of juvenile arrests, among others

Access to such sensitive information is restricted solely to law enforcement personnel, judicial officials with explicit clearance to retrieve such data, and individuals directly involved in the respective legal cases.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Usually, a public arrest record from Duval County would encompass information concerning the arrest and the individual arrested. The breakdown of these details is as follows:

1. Details regarding the arrested individual:

• Full name
• Gender
• Age
• Address at the time of arrest
• Hair color
• Height
• Weight
• Any identifying physical characteristics (e.g., tattoos, piercings)

2. Details regarding the arrest itself:

• Time of arrest
• Date of arrest
• Location of the arrest
• Offense charged
• Jail identification number
• Detention facility location
• Bail amount (if applicable)
• Arresting agency information

Duval County Crime Rate

As detailed in the 2021 publication of the annual crime rate report by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the data sample size for Duval County needed to be improved, resulting in the unavailability of crime statistic estimates for the county. Additionally, the Department has not published the crime rate online since 2021.

Nevertheless, residents can physically visit the county's stations or the Sheriff's office during regular business hours to inquire about the prevailing crime rate.

Duval County Arrest Statistics

In the FDLE's 2021 publication, it was reported that there were 353 arrests, 4 of which involved juveniles and the remaining adults. Similar to the situation with crime rates, arrest statistics for Duval County are not available online.

Nevertheless, residents can physically visit any station to obtain information about the annual arrest count and the number of inmates detained in the county's jail.

Find Duval County Arrest Records

Public safety regulations stipulate that arrest records that have not been sealed, expunged, or classified as confidential are open for public inspection or copying by residents seeking to obtain a copy. Interested parties can visit any of the six-county stations to request these records formally. Knowledge of the agency responsible for the arrest can significantly facilitate the search process.

The Jackson Sheriff's Office offers an inmate search tool, allowing residents to access the database to locate the arrest records of inmates, whether currently detained or released. The search can be conducted using the subject's name, an arrest number, or a booking date. Additionally, researchers can also opt to request the arrest records by submitting the public record request form to the records department of the Sheriff's Office. This can be done via online platforms, mail, or in person.

On a state level, access to arrest records is generally attainable as part of criminal records. Individuals have the option to request their RAP sheet or that of another individual. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that specific information may be limited when disclosed to a non-criminal affiliated member of the public. The acquisition of this record entails a fee of $24.

Free Arrest Record Search in Duval County

Access to arrest records in Duval County can be obtained at no cost up to a certain extent. Residents can examine records without charge, provided the staff does not spend more than 30 minutes locating the record. Copies of less than 10 pages can also be made for free. However, a fee will be charged for requests beyond 10 pages or if staff assistance surpasses 30 minutes.

Moreover, online and mail requests may result in charges if resources from the Jacksonville Information Technology Department are utilized. Additionally, while some third-party websites offer basic search capabilities for free, delving into detailed search functions may require payment.

Get Duval County Criminal Records

A Duval criminal record, also known as a RAP sheet, comprises information compiled by criminal justice agencies about individuals. It includes identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, or other formal criminal charges and their dispositions.

These records are part of Duval County public records and are available to interested parties. Typically, they can be obtained from law enforcement agencies or the judiciary at the federal, state, or county level, as various agencies maintain these records. However, for immediate access to a Duval criminal record, the first step is to initiate a search at the county level.

These records can be accessed online, via mail, or in person from the Sheriff's office or the court that handled the case.

If researchers wish to check with the Sheriff's office, they can visit the website of the Duval County Sheriff (Jacksonville Sheriff) to submit a request. An account is required to submit an online request. Residents can also choose to visit in person or send mail to the headquarters office or any of the sub-stations. The address of the headquarters office is as follows:

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Headquarters
Police Memorial Building
501 East Bay Street Jacksonville FL 32202

The requester would need to provide the name and the date of birth of the subject of the record.

Those who opt to check with the courthouse can visit the court's webpage that handled the case to utilize the provided case management system, send a request email to the court, or visit the court to inquire from the clerk.

It is important to note that only criminal records covering Duval County will be provided. Residents seeking statewide criminal record coverage must visit the FDLE home page to learn how to obtain records accessible to the public.

The cost of obtaining a criminal record depends on the time taken and the number of record pages. There may or may not be a charge for citizens interested in procuring a criminal record. Instances that would incur a charge include:

• Requests over 10 pages, which would be charged at 15 cents per one-sided copy and 20 cents per two-sided copy.
• Searches requiring more than 30 minutes of employee time will also incur a charge at the hourly rate of compensation for each employee involved, rounded down to the nearest half-hour.

For online and mail requests that necessitate the use of City of Jacksonville Information Technology Department resources, the cost is determined by:

• Analyst time
• Media (DVD, CD, etc.)
• Hard copies
• System resource charge

Payment can only be made in cash, money order, or business check.

Duval County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

It is common for residents to confuse Duval arrest records with Duval criminal records, yet these records are distinct and contain different information. An arrest record typically includes details of the arrestee, arresting agent, and other related arrest details, while a criminal record encompasses court hearings, indictment, and judgment. Put simply, a criminal record documents an individual's contact with the justice system.

Moreover, not every suspect with an arrest record possesses a criminal record, as the latter is only established for individuals who have been convicted of the crime they were arrested for.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely, as long as an individual's arrest records are not sealed or expunged, they will remain within their records, particularly if they are a part of their criminal record. According to the Florida Sunshine Statute, this implies that a background search on the person would yield the arrest record for the public. However, an eligible resident can request that their arrest record be sealed or expunged.

Expunge Duval County Arrest Records

Individuals can seek the sealing or expungement of their arrest records. When a record is sealed, although it is not accessible to the public, according to F.S.S. 943.059(4)(a), certain authorized agents and judicial members can still access it. Conversely, if a record is expunged, law enforcement or the judiciary can only access it with a court order.

Various types of expungements are available to former offenders in Duval based on different criteria as provided by the Florida Statutes. These criteria include the type of offense, the duration of the offense, and the offender's age at the time the crime was committed.

Some of the types of expungement include:

• Juvenile Diversion Expungement
• Automatic Juvenile Expungement
• Early Juvenile Expungement
• Administrative Expungement
• Lawful Self-Defense Expungement
• Automatic Sealing

In the case of automatic juvenile expungement or sealing, eligible offenders do not need to apply as it is done automatically by law. For example, once a juvenile offender who has served the punishment accorded based on the offense committed turns 21 years old, their criminal record is automatically expunged. Additionally, the records of juveniles who enter a correctional facility or juvenile prison are expunged when they turn 26. Notably, this does not apply to individuals whose crimes involve forcible felonies or felonies involving the use, sale, or possession of firearms. The criteria for automatic sealing are outlined in F.S. Section 943.0595.

Residents seeking to expunge or seal their arrest records can visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) website or consult with an attorney to determine the type of expungement they qualify for.

For instance, as per F.S. Section 943.0581, both juveniles and adults can request the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to expunge the record of an arrest made in error or without legal basis.

Similarly, according to Section 943.0578 of the Florida Statutes, individuals can apply for a certificate of expungement for their criminal record, including an arrest record, if a state attorney with jurisdiction over the case determines that the offender acted in self-defense and the charges were not filed or were dismissed.

Typically, the process of expungement begins by applying for an eligibility certificate. If the certificate is granted, the applicant can then file a petition for relief. This entails completing and submitting a Seal and Expunge Application, along with the eligibility certificate and required affidavit, to the court with jurisdiction over the arrest. Subsequently, the court will determine whether the applicant is eligible for an expungement.

Upon receiving an expungement court order from a court with jurisdiction, the FDLE will proceed to expunge the record.

Duval County Arrest Warrants

A Duval County arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a court authorizing a law enforcement agent to detain a resident suspected of committing a crime. This authorization is typically granted only when there is sufficient probable cause to believe that an individual has engaged in criminal activity. Once this threshold is met and an officer presents a signed affidavit supporting the claim, a judge has the authority to issue the warrant (F.S. Chapter 901.02).

While this is the standard procedure, there are circumstances where a peace officer may arrest an individual without a warrant, such as when the offense occurs in the officer's presence or when there is an existing warrant for the individual's arrest (F.S. Chapter 901.15).

Details Included in a Warrant are outlined below:

• The name of the subject
• Description of the subject (if applicable)
• Warrant number
• The charge for which the warrant was issued
• Bond amount
• Date of warrant issuance
• Returnable date (if applicable)
• The name of the judge who issued the warrant, the court, and its location

Duval County Arrest Warrant Search

To conduct a Duval arrest warrant search, consider starting at the Sheriff's office or the Department of Police. The office readily provides access to a list of active warrants, or most wanted individuals. An inquirer may only need to provide a name to determine whether an active warrant exists for the subject.

Alternatively, researchers can inquire at the nearest courthouse. Given that warrants are usually issued by a judge, individuals can review the court's criminal records database or seek assistance from the clerk at the front desk.

Do Duval County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. An arrest warrant remains valid (which could last for years) until the subject either surrenders or is apprehended and meets the obligations of their charge. An arrest warrant is not considered void until the arrest is executed.