Leon County Arrest Records

Florida Statutes (Chapter 901) gives law enforcement officials in Leon County, Florida, the authority to make arrests. Officers can make an arrest when they witness a crime or have reasonable cause to believe an individual has committed it. Such an arrest can be based on various forms of evidence, including witness statements, victim statements, or physical evidence.

The nature of the arrest can range from minor offenses and misdemeanors to more serious felonies, such as burglary, arson, rape, robbery, and possession of controlled substances. Individuals charged with felonies may face extended jail terms, with or without the possibility of parole. The Leon County Court Records document information related to these arrests.

After an individual is arrested, they are booked at the law enforcement agency's office. This documents their personally identifying information and the details of the alleged criminal conduct, thereby creating an official arrest record. The suspect may then be released with a scheduled court appearance or held in custody until their initial appearance before a judge. The arrest records, including the booking form and any supporting documentation, are documented by the Leon County Clerk of Court, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the law enforcement agency that carried out the arrest.

Are Arrest Records Public in Leon County?

Yes. Arrest records are public. The Florida Public Records Act establishes a broad right of access to records held by government agencies, including arrest records and other records. This is consistent with the principle of transparency and the public's right to access information about government activities.

Such access allows for public oversight of the criminal justice system and enables individuals to verify the accuracy of their own records. However, while the public's right to access government records is robust, there are exceptions due to privacy or security interests that must be balanced against the presumption of public access.

These exemptions include:

• Information that could compromise the integrity of an investigation in progress or law enforcement operation
• Data that could put the safety of a witness or other individual at risk, such as personal contact information
• Disclosures that would reveal sensitive investigative strategies
• Confidential criminal record information
• Identifying information about juveniles
• Information that could unfairly prejudice an individual's right to a fair trial, such as confidential witness statements
• Analytical reports, recommendations, or conclusions from investigating officers
• Medical or similar records

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Information contained in arrest records typically includes:

• The arrestee’s name,
• A physical description, such as height, weight, hair, and eye color, along with any distinctive marks or tattoos,
• A front-facing photograph
• The specific charges filed against the suspect

In Leon County, Florida, law enforcement agencies collaborate in their operations. Transparency helps to keep the public trust in the effectiveness of law enforcement activities.

Leon County Crime Rate

According to a 2021 report by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR), the crime rate in Leon County in 2020 was 3,059.6 this is a 25.7% reduction from 3,845.5 in 2019. The number of violent crimes stood at 1,805 in 2020. This is a reduction of 6.24% from 1,699 in 2019. The total number of felony filings was 3,010. Out of this number, violent crimes were 96 cases, other crimes against persons were 759 cases, crimes against property were 1,481 cases, and drug crimes were 674 cases.

Leon County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2021 report, the local detention facility housed an average daily population of 877 inmates in 2020. Between 2019 and 2020, 1,571 inmates were admitted to correction facilities. The incarceration rate per 100,000 county population was 86.1.

Find Leon County Arrest Records

The criminal justice system in Leon County, Florida, involves a synergy among multiple law enforcement agencies. While the County Sheriff's Office is primarily responsible for maintaining public safety and securing lives and property within the county, various state and federal law enforcement entities, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), also operate within the jurisdiction.

Individuals are typically required to provide certain information to expedite the process of obtaining arrest records. These include:

• The date, time, and location of the incident
• The names of the individuals involved
• The case number
• The type of record being requested

Individuals can use some state and federal resources to look up arrest records and inmate information in Leon County. The Leon County Jail maintains a publicly accessible online database that provides daily arrest reports for incarcerated individuals. Also, VINELink is a nationwide service that provides details on offenders or criminal cases in U.S. jails and prisons.

Free Arrest Record Search in Leon County

Individuals seeking arrest records in Leon County can either visit the physical location of the law enforcement agency that made the arrest or check the agency's website.

To facilitate the request, individuals should know the law enforcement agency, the date and time of the arrest, and the location. The agency will provide the information at no cost. However, if a copy of the record needs to be produced, there are associated fees. Moreover, each department has a retention schedule for records. As a result, their availability depends on the agency’s retention schedules.

Third-party public records databases collate public information from various government sources, including law enforcement departments. While most of these resources are free, a fee is usually charged to access a comprehensive report containing arrest information about a specific individual.

Get Leon County Criminal Records

A criminal record encompasses information about a person's interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentencing details. In Leon County, individuals can obtain criminal records in person at the Leon County Sheriff's Office Records Section. These records can be obtained free of charge.

Additionally, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes arrest records, convictions, and other relevant information. To obtain these records, individuals should submit a request to the FDLE's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) unit. The request should include the subject's name, date of birth, and any other identifying information.

Leon County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

“Arrest record” and “criminal record” are terms often used interchangeably to describe official notations of a person’s criminal past. However, there is a difference between them. A criminal record expands on a person’s journey within the criminal justice system, from arrest to conviction. It includes contributions from various criminal justice departments, including local and state law enforcement agencies, court systems, prosecutor’s offices, correctional facilities, and probation departments. The Sheriff’s office maintains the master file.

An arrest record is a less detailed document maintained locally by arresting police agencies and law enforcement agencies. It carries information about the arrestee, the incident, and the arrest’s outcome. However, it does not include the court disposition or other criminal data.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Leon County, when an individual is arrested and charged, their criminal record is updated at the arraignment stage. The record reflects the charges brought against them. The case disposition remains uncertain until the trial when the court will render a verdict.

Regardless of whether charges are acquitted or dismissed, the original arrest record will typically persist. To erase or conceal the record, a formal expungement or sealing process must be initiated and approved by the court. Arrest records remain on file unless specifically expunged or sealed.

Expunge Leon County Arrest Records

When it comes to employment, housing, professional licensure, credit ratings, insurance, and other areas that involve background checks, individuals with questionable arrest records can have a difficult time landing such opportunities.

Fortunately, Florida law provides a process for sealing or expunging arrest records. Sealed records are no longer visible to the general public, but they can be viewed by certain authorized people or agencies, such as professional licensure boards. When an individual is granted a sealing of their criminal records, it means that their criminal record is protected from public view.

Expunged records are permanently erased from court records for all practical purposes. Only certain types of records can be expunged. Generally, the charge must have been dismissed or acquitted, or adjudication must have been withheld. If an individual was found guilty of the offense, they likely would not qualify. Juvenile offenses may or may not qualify depending on the type of offense and outcome of the case.

To get the record sealed, individuals should:

• Obtain a certified copy of the deposition of their case
• Apply to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for a Certificate of Eligibility.
• File the Certificate of Eligibility, an affidavit, a petition, and an Order to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
• The Clerk of Courts will forward the petition and order to the appropriate judge for their signature.

Leon County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a court order allowing police to arrest someone suspected of a crime. The warrant requires the accused individual to appear in court to face charges. Failing to comply with a valid arrest warrant, when able to do so, can be considered contempt of court.

To get an arrest warrant, a police officer shows evidence of probable cause to a prosecutor. The prosecutor carefully examines the evidence to ensure it is legally sufficient. If the prosecutor finds probable cause, they draft an affidavit outlining the evidence and submit it to the court for approval.

The Judge then examines the evidence presented in the affidavit. Only when they are satisfied that the evidence meets the probable cause threshold would an arrest warrant be issued. This judicial oversight is a check on the power of law enforcement and the prosecution to ensure that arrests are in line with the rule of law. Once the judge issues the arrest warrant, it is entered into law enforcement databases.

An arrest warrant normally includes the following information:

• The name of the court that issued the warrant.
• The name of the defendant.
• Their physical description includes information such as height, weight, hair color, eye color, and other unique features that may help identify them.
• The criminal offense charged against the individual.
• The official issuing date of the warrant
• The signature of the judge issuing the warrant.
• The bail amount

Leon County Arrest Warrant Search

In Leon County, there are many ways to determine whether an individual has an outstanding warrant. The Sheriff's Office curates a list of high-priority active warrants linked to specific persons. To obtain information about active warrants, individuals can visit their local police department or sheriff's office. This would potentially require the presentation of a government-issued identification.

Additionally, the Clerk of Courts maintains records of current warrants, which can be retrieved online or by physically visiting the Clerk's office.

Do Leon County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants generally don't expire. Once issued, they remain active until the individual is arrested, a judge cancels them, the charges are dropped, or the person passes away. Even if the law enforcement agents can't find the individual, the warrant will be entered into a national database, making it easily accessible. This means that if the individual is stopped by law enforcement again, they will likely be arrested on the outstanding warrant.