Holmes County Arrest Records

Holmes County arrest records contain a portion of an individual’s criminal history information, providing details of the person’s arrests and interactions with law enforcement agencies. Arrest records are typically maintained in public records, which include details such as the arrest date, location, time, arresting officer or investigating agency, and the detainee’s physical description or booking information. They also include the alleged offenses and the offender’s mugshots or photographs.

Holmes County arrest records are collated and maintained by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. These agencies execute arrests when there is enough evidence to reasonably confer guilt and prosecute the alleged offender. Arrests are executed through arrest warrants, issued by a court when probable cause is established. When there is no warrant, a peace officer may also arrest an alleged offender if the crime was witnessed or there is probable cause for a felony.

Individuals arrested and detained in the county are held at the Holmes County Jail after booking. This facility serves for the temporary incarceration of persons serving short sentences or awaiting appearance/bond. Arrest records can also be found through Holmes County court records. There are arrest details included in court records, like arraignment and pretrial documents for cases that are charged in court. These court records can be accessed through the Holmes County Clerk of Court. Arrest records do not provide a complete criminal profile and are restricted to details of allegations and no convictions.

Are Arrest Records Public in Holmes County?

Yes, Holmes County arrest records are public records, as mandated by the state’s Sunshine Laws (Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes). This means anyone can approach the relevant agencies, courts, or law enforcement agencies to request access to updated arrest records. This law provides for publicly accessible arrest information such as the detainee’s physical description, age, name, gender, arrest date, time, location, alleged offense, bond amount, and mugshot.

There are also details that are exempted from public access for privacy or data security reasons. They include personally identifiable details like personal account numbers, social security numbers, juvenile records, details from active investigations, and victim information in sensitive cases such as child abuse or sexual battery. Individuals who seek access to restricted records must provide a valid ID and a court order or proof of access when submitting requests. The public can access the sheriff’s office at this address:

Holmes County Sheriff’s Office
1173 E. Highway 90
Bonifay, Florida 32425
(850) 547-3681 - Main Phone
(850) 547-3681 - Non-emergency
(850) 547-3681 - Holmes County Jail
(850) 547-2290 - Fax

Holmes County Arrest Statistics

Holmes County arrest statistics are publicly available through the relevant law enforcement agencies, such as the local police department or the sheriff’s office. The FBI provides nationwide crime and arrest statistics through the Crime Data Explorer website. Over the past five years, there have been 788 total arrests recorded by the sheriff’s office. This includes 220 arrests for all other offenses, 108 arrests for simple assault, 62 arrests for burglary, and 61 arrests for larceny. The county recorded 53 arrests for aggravated assault, 13 arrests for motor vehicle theft, 11 arrests for nonforcible sex offenses, and three arrests for homicide and sex offenses, respectively. There were no arrests recorded for arson and robbery within this period.

Find Holmes County Arrest Records

Holmes County has an open records policy for government agencies, including the courts and the sheriff’s office. This means arrest records are publicly accessible and can be obtained by individuals who submit records requests in person at the agency’s location or via mail. Physical submission usually has a same-day processing time, which makes it the fastest and most reliable access mode.

Online access to Holmes County arrest records is also available through the Florida Department of State’s County Jails and Inmate Searches website. This provides a statewide database for county jail inmates, which can be searched by county. The Holmes County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains an Online Court Records Search for accessing court records.

Holmes County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Holmes County arrest records refer to a part of criminal records, while criminal records refer to the complete details of an individual’s interaction with the criminal justice system. Criminal records contain three categories, which are arrest records, court documents, and sentencing records. They begin with details about the arrest of an alleged offender, proceed to the information about the court trial, and end with details of the court’s judgment and sentence.

Arrest records are informative pieces that are restricted to notifying the public about detainees and the reason for their detention. While arrest records do not contain any details beyond the alleged crimes, criminal records provide conviction details, which are proof of the offender’s guilt. These records are both valid for background checks, but criminal records will provide a more comprehensive profile of the individual.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests will remain on your public records indefinitely in Holmes County. There are no regulations or laws that provide for automatic sealing or removal of arrests from your public profile. This applies to arrests that led to convictions and arrests that did not. According to Florida laws, arrests can be expunged or sealed through the courts. This process is generally available to individuals whose arrest did not lead to a conviction. Individuals who have no prior record are usually handled as a priority in the sealing or expungement process.

Holmes County Arrest Warrants

Holmes County arrest warrants are official legal documents that judges or magistrates sign to give law enforcement the power to arrest and detain for a crime. These documents are usually issued when there is enough evidence, or probable cause, to believe that the person named is responsible for the named offense. Due to the public nature of arrest warrants, anyone can look them up, which helps keep the community safe and informed.

Once a judge signs a warrant, it becomes active, and the arrest can be executed at any time and in different jurisdictions, not just where it was first issued. The warrant itself contains important information, such as the suspect’s physical description, the specific laws they are accused of violating, and the court that issued the order. When an officer makes an arrest, they are supposed to show the person the warrant right then or as soon as they can if they don't have it on hand. While arrest warrants are mostly for arraignment, bench warrants are specifically used to bring in people who missed their court date or to bring someone in for a hearing. Ultimately, these warrants are sent directly to police and sheriff departments to be executed after enough evidence is presented to the court.

Do Holmes County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Holmes County arrest warrants do not expire. They become active after they are signed and will remain active until the named suspect is in law enforcement custody. Arrest warrants can be cancelled after being recalled by a court or judge. They can also be cancelled after the named suspect becomes deceased. However, there is no law that makes arrest warrants expire over time. Statute of limitations can prevent the prosecution of a criminal charge after the allowed time for filing expires. In such cases, the arrest warrant will not expire but will become inactive.

Expunge Holmes County Arrest Records

Holmes County arrest records are publicly accessible, but can be removed from public access or archives according to Florida laws. The state allows sealing and expungement of records to applicants who meet the requirements. Sealing in Holmes County refers to making your arrest record confidential and removed from public view, while expungement means the physical destruction of your arrest records by the relevant criminal justice agencies. The eligibility requirements are similar. The offender must not have any prior convictions, nor can the offender expunge more than one offense.

In cases where there was no conviction, the applicant can use the expungement process, while convictions are more suited for the sealing process. Individuals who meet the requirements can apply by:

• Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility, which will require a fingerprint card, a certified disposition from the County Clerk, and a $75 fee.
• Fill out the application in the required format and file the petition with an affidavit at the Holmes County Clerk’s Office.
• If applying for expungement, the State Attorney must sign a section of your application that confirms the charges were dismissed.
• The petition will be reviewed by a judge who has the final discretion.
• If granted, the order will be signed by the judge, and the clerk will send copies to the relevant agencies.