Nassau County Arrest Records

When law enforcement officers arrest an alleged criminal, they bring them to the Nassau County Jail's booking desk for processing. This process encompasses medical screening, property inventory, booking (collecting the person's personal information, taking fingerprints and mugshots), and cell assignment. All the information gathered from the arrested person is assembled to create an arrest record. Some of this information is also sent to the court where it is tried and may be included within Nassau County Court Records as part of the judicial process.

Are Arrest Records Public in Nassau County?

Yes. The Florida Public Records Law states that anyone can inspect and copy arrest records. They do not need to state the purpose of obtaining access to the records and do not need to present identification. Record custodians will only restrict access to an arrest record if it is exempt from disclosure under Fla. Stat. § 9119.0713. Some examples of non-public arrest records in Nassau County include:

• Protected health information
• Arrest records relating to minors
• Active Criminal intelligence or investigative records
• Any geolocation record that a law enforcement agency maintains
• Arrest information whose disclosure would negatively affect a person's safety
• Arrest information about a person in the federal Witness Protection Program
• Pretrial intervention, pre-plea, presentence, and post-sentence investigation reports, including supplements, addenda, and updates.
• Detailed physical diagrams, blueprints, photographs, and security system plans of institutions and facilities (Fla. Admin. Code R. 33-601.901).
• Any arrest record revealing surveillance techniques, procedures, or personnel, the substance of an arrestee's confession, undercover personnel of any criminal justice agency, or the identity of a confidential informant or source.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The Nassau County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) includes the following information in its public arrest records:

• First, middle, and last names and aliases
• Age, gender, race, and mugshot
• Height, weight, and address
• Booking number, date, and origin
• Release and offense dates
• Sentence date and length
• Prisoner type, classification, and housing facility
• Total bail and bond amounts
• Bond number and type
• Charge description, charges, and crime class
• Docket number and arresting agency's name
• Court date, name of court, and courtroom

Nassau County Arrest Statistics

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains an Annual Report that compiles the UCR Arrest Data from all law enforcement agencies in the state. The data shows about 3,096 arrests were made in Nassau County in 2020. Of those arrested, 2,922 were adults, and 174 were juveniles. That same year, Part 1 arrests totaled 382, and Part 2 arrests totaled 2771. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office's (NCSO) Annual Reports reveal that about 203 DUI arrests and 314 drug-related arrests were made in 2022.

Find Nassau County Arrest Records

About 80,000 inmates are in the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) care. Copies of arrest records of these inmates can obtained from any of the 128 facilities managed by the FDC. Record seekers who cannot perform in-person searches can use the FDC Offender Search tools to find Nassau County arrest records. Users can click on any links available on the webpage depending on their desired records. A name or DC number will typically be required to conduct the search.

Nassau County law enforcement agencies forward arrest records of individuals in their custody to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Therefore, eligible individuals can query the FBI online, by mail, or through approved channelers to obtain copies of arrest records. This service costs $18, payable by credit card (Credit Card Payment Form), money order, or certified check.

Arrest records of Nassau County offenders housed in federal prisons can be viewed and copied from federal law enforcement agencies like:

• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Individuals can submit requests online using the Inmate Locator or in person at BOP facilities during business hours. A number or name is required to use the locator.
• The United States Capitol Police (USCP): Members of the public can freely access arrest records online via the Arrest Summary Report using a CFN number, crime date, crime summary, or crime type. They can also mail a Request Form to the USCP, which may attract a copy fee. The processing time for mail requests is between 7 and 10 days. The delivery method is by fax, mail, email, or in person at the office.
• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Requesters can use the Online Detainee Locator System to view arrest records without charges. Enter an A-Number or biographical information in the appropriate search box to view desired records. Alternatively, inquirers can visit any of the ICE local field offices and detention facilities during business hours to inspect or copy an arrest record.

Free Arrest Record Search in Nassau County

Anyone can freely access the Sheriff's Office's Inmate Inquiry portal to search for information on the arrests of inmates currently in the Nassau County Detention Facility. The search criteria typically required include name, booking date range, subject number, booking number, or housing facility. Alternatively, record seekers can conduct free arrest record searches on third-party websites. However, most free services available on third-party platforms provide only basic information. These sites often charge fees for comprehensive details.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per Florida law, an arrest may remain on a person's record forever. For example, jail docket books are permanent. However, arrest information can be removed from criminal records or made inaccessible through expungement or sealing. The Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services provides general records schedules for the length of time law enforcement agencies are required to maintain an arrest record according to law. For example, warrant indexes are kept one (1) year after they are served, and criminal investigative records (fraud) are kept for eight (8) years after committing the offense.

Expunge Nassau County Arrest Records

Expungement is the court-ordered physical destruction or obliteration of an arrest record or a portion of it by a criminal justice agency (Fla. Stat. § 943.045(16)). The Fla. Stat. § 943.0585 and 943.059 set forth the eligibility criteria for the expungement of adult arrest records. The first step in expunging an arrest record is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Eligible applicants download the Application for Certification of Eligibility Form to the FDLE's website or email the FDLE Expunge Section at SEinfo@fdle.state.fl.us to request the application form. Mail the completed form and a money order or Cashier's check in the amount of $75 to:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
ATTN: Expunge/Seal Section
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1489

The FDLE takes about 12 weeks to process the application. After receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, the next step is to file a petition for relief, the Certificate of Eligibility, and the required affidavit at the Nassau County Clerk and Comptroller's Office Criminal Division. The Criminal Customer Service Department can provide individuals with the expungement packet containing instructions and forms for filing a petition to expunge an arrest record. If the court grants the relief, a certified court order will be sent to the FDLE to ensure the person's arrest records are expunged. Once the FDLE expunges the record, they will send a notification letter to the arresting agency and all criminal justice agencies involved in the arrest.

Nassau County Arrest Warrants

The court will consider issuing an arrest warrant when a complaint is filed charging the commission of a crime (Fla. Stat. § 901.02). The judge will examine the complaint to determine if probable cause exists for issuing an arrest warrant. Per Fla. Stat. § 901.04, arrest warrants are directed to all sheriffs in the state, and they can be executed any day and time. The method of arrest with a warrant involves informing the person to be arrested that a warrant has been issued and the cause of its issuance. Under Fla. Stat. § 901.16, the officer does not need to have the arrest warrant in their possession at the time of the arrest but must show it to the arrested person upon request. According to Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.121, an arrest warrant issued in Nassau County is usually in writing and in the name of the State of Florida. It will also:

• Substantially state the nature of the offense
• Come the defendant to be arrested and brought before a judge
• Specify the name of the person to be arrested. However, the judge will designate the person by any name or identifiable description if the name is unknown.
• State the date the arrest warrant was issued and the county where it was issued.
• Be signed by the judge and include the title of the office
• If the offense is bailable, the judge will endorse the bail amount and return date on the warrant

Do Nassau County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Nassau County, arrest warrants do not have fixed expiration dates. They can last for several years and emerge or resurface at any moment. Consequently, it is essential not to ignore arrest warrants to avoid exacerbating the problem.