Orlando Arrest Records

In Orlando, law enforcement officers are authorized by Fla. Stat. § 901.15 to arrest individuals suspected of committing a crime. This can occur through observation, the execution of a warrant, or the investigation of a reported offense.

Arrests within Orlando city limits are typically handled by the Orlando Police Department (OPD), while the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) covers unincorporated areas.

Following an arrest, individuals are booked at the Orange County Corrections Department facility. Information gathered during city booking procedures supplements other criminal justice systems and documentation, including the Orange County arrest records, jail rosters, court dockets, and state background check repository.

Are Orlando Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Orlando arrest records are open to the public under Florida's Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law provides access to government records, such as arrest and booking records. However, certain sensitive records may be exempt from public disclosure, such as:

• Juvenile records
• Records relating to active criminal investigations
• Identities of victims of sexual offenses
• Medical and mental health-related records
• Sealed or expunged records

While confidential records are not accessible to the public in Florida, individuals with a direct and tangible interest may gain access upon proper verification.

Orlando Crime Rate

In 2021, Orlando's crime rate was 4,296.3 per 100,000 residents. The city's violent crime index was 2,560 crimes, which translates to a rate of 813.8 per 100,000 people. This represented a 6.1% drop in the violent crime rate compared to the previous year. Furthermore, between 2021 and 2023, the city saw consistent decreases in its violent crime rate, including a 9% reduction from September 1, 2022, to March 18, 2023.

Orlando recorded 10,952 property crime incidents in 2021, translating to a rate of 3,482.3 per 100,000 residents. This figure represents a 1.9% decrease in the city's property crime index from the previous year.

(Source: FDLE 2021 County and Municipal Report, 2022 OPD Annual Report)

Find Orlando Arrest Records

There are numerous channels through which interested parties can access Orlando arrest records. These records are produced by local law enforcement agencies and then transmitted to centralized court and correctional databases for processing, storage, and access.

Orlando Police Department's Records Section

The OPD's Records Unit maintains city incident and arrest records. Interested individuals can obtain these documents in person or by mail.

For Mail Requests:

• Required Information: Name, date of birth, or arrest date.
• Enclosures: A self-addressed stamped envelope.
• Fees: Typically billed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee.
• Copy Charges: 15 cents per page.

Orlando Police Department
1250 West South Street
Orlando, FL 32805
Phone: (321) 235-5300

Orange County Corrections Inmate Lookup

Orange County provides an online Inmate Search tool for accessing details of individuals recently booked or currently held in the county jail. Users can search by booking number, name, or booking/release date.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement grants access to a statewide Criminal History Search through its Criminal History Record Information site. A name-based instant search costs $25 per request and includes all reported Florida arrests tied to the submitted name and date of birth.

Free Arrest Record Search in Orlando

Free options for accessing information about arrested persons in Orlando include:

• The Orange County Corrections Inmate Lookup tool, updated frequently and includes arrest charges and booking data.
• An FOIA request to the Orlando Police Department

It is worth noting that even though some third-party sites grant access to Orlando arrest information at no cost, they may require a fee to disseminate detailed records.

Criminal Background Check in Florida

Criminal background checks in Florida, including in Orlando, are processed by the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE handles the state's Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system and offers name- and fingerprint-based background checks.

Name-Based Background Checks:

These checks are generally accessible to the public, including employers, landlords, and interested individuals, for a fee of $25 per search via the FDLE Instant Search Portal. It is important to note that this method only provides access to Florida arrests and depositions reported to the state; expunged or FBI records are not included.

Fingerprint-Based Background Checks

Government agencies and employers in sensitive fields such as schools, healthcare, law enforcement, and licensing boards typically require these checks, which are usually conducted through Live Scan providers. These providers submit digital fingerprints to the FDLE for a fee of $24. The Live Scan vendor may charge an extra $10 to $20. Written consent from the individual being screened is necessary for a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Orlando Inmate Search

Individuals interested in accessing details of inmates serving sentences outside of the local jail system, such as those transferred to state correctional facilities, can use the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) Offender Information Search tool. This tool grants access to information on inmates in state facilities, including conviction offense, facility location, sentence duration, and release date.

The Florida DOC Offender Search portal allows researchers to find information on inmates in all state-operated facilities, excluding those temporarily held in local jails. Users can access the site by inputting a name or DC number. Typically, individuals sentenced to over a year serve their time in state prison, while shorter sentences fall under county jurisdiction.

Orlando Police Record Lookup

The Orlando Police Department is primarily responsible for managing and providing access to city police records, including incident reports, arrest affidavits, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) logs. Interested individuals can access these documents through numerous avenues, including the following:

• Remote requests through the Orlando Police Department Public Records Center.
• Mail-in requests to the OPD at Orlando Police Records, P.O. Box 913, Orlando, FL 32802.
• In-person requests during regular work hours.

Florida's Sunshine Law governs access to police records in Orlando. Turnaround time depends on the volume and nature of the request, although most requests are fulfilled in five to ten business days.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Orlando?

Arrests in Orlando and throughout Florida are generally retained indefinitely as part of a person's criminal history. However, an eligible arrestee may have those records sealed or expunged by court order or statute.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Orlando?

To be eligible for record expungement in Orlando, an individual is generally required to meet the following criteria:

• Dropped or dismissed charges, or the case resulted in an acquittal
• Never been convicted or received a prior sealing or expungement order
• The offense is not a violent or sexual offense

Upon determining eligibility, interested individuals can follow the process below to obtain an expungement in Orlando, Florida.

• Obtain an eligibility certificate from the FDLE. This attracts a $75 fee.
• Submit the FDLE certificate and petition to the Orange County Circuit Court in Orlando. Court filing fees and costs may apply, but indigent petitioners may apply for a waiver.
• Attend the scheduled hearing (if expected) for the judge to review the petition and enter a ruling.

It is worth noting that Florida allows only one expungement (or sealing) of a criminal record per lifetime.

Orlando Warrant Search

Arrest warrants are classified into two main categories in Orlando:

• Arrest warrants, which permit law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of a crime.
• Bench warrants, which can be issued by a judge when a party fails to appear in court or comply with a court order.

Residents can check whether an Orlando warrant was issued using the Orange County Clerk of Courts search portal. A name or case number is required to search. Individuals can also visit a law enforcement agency to inquire about a warrant. A valid photo ID is needed for in-person inquiries, but appearing in person carries a risk of immediate arrest if a warrant is active.

Do Orlando Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Orlando, Florida. Once issued, they remain active indefinitely until served by law enforcement or quashed by a court.