Osceola County Arrest Records

Arrest records are generally maintained by the Osceola County Clerk of Court, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the State Attorney's Office, and local law enforcement.

In Osceola County, law enforcement officers make arrests when there is sufficient evidence to suspect a crime has been or is about to be committed. Florida Statutes Chapter 901 provides the law regarding arrests. Reasons for arrests may range from minor offenses such as infractions and misdemeanors to more serious crimes such as felonies (e.g., homicides, robberies, and drug trafficking).

Typically, after an arrest, the suspect is taken to the police station for booking, where their personal information, fingerprints, and details of the alleged crime are recorded. This process creates an official arrest record. The individual may then be released with a future court date or held in custody until their initial appearance. Arrest information is typically featured within criminal records managed by county law enforcement and within Osceola County Court Records managed by the county’s judiciary.

Are Arrest Records Public in Osceola County?

Yes. According to Florida's Public Records Act, all state, county, and municipal non-exempt records are available for personal inspection and copying by anyone. The law goes further to say that the automation of public records must not limit people's ability to access them. However, there are several exceptions to this general rule. Under specific circumstances, particular arrest records may be confidential or exempted from public disclosure.

Information that is excluded from public disclosure includes:

• Personal identifying information of victims of sexual offenses or human trafficking
• Personal information, including social security numbers and medical information
• Information related to ongoing investigations or criminal proceedings
• Information that could compromise the safety or security of a person or property
• Information related to confidential informants or cooperating witnesses.
• Information that could compromise the effectiveness of law enforcement operations or tactics.
• Arrest records involving juveniles may be withheld under Chapter 985 of the Florida Statutes.
• Information considered a trade secret or commercial information may be withheld under section 119.071(2)(e).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

According to Florida Statute Section 119.07(1), the following information is available to the public:

• The name of the arrested person
• Identifying details such as date of birth, physical description, and any known aliases.
• The date, time, and location of the arrest.
• The law enforcement agency that made the arrest
• Factual circumstances surrounding the arrest
• The charges or offenses for which the person was arrested
• Information about the case outcome, such as dismissal, conviction, or pending.

While these records are public, certain information, such as personal identifying information (such as social security numbers and addresses), may be exempt from disclosure.

Osceola County Crime Rate

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) compiles crime data for each county in the state. According to reports compiled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Osceola County experienced decreased violent and property offenses between 2013 and 2017.

In 2017, Osceola County reported a total of 1,277 offenses classified as violent crimes, consisting of 19 homicides, 144 forcible rapes, 182 robberies, and 932 aggravated assaults. This represents a 9.3% decrease in violent crime rate compared to 2013. The county also recorded 7,369 offenses categorized as property crimes in 2017, including 1,482 burglaries, 5,405 larcenies/thefts, and 482 motor vehicle thefts. This indicates a 15.9% reduction in property crime rate from 2013.

Osceola County Arrest Statistics

According to a January 2024 report from the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), Osceola County had an average daily detention population of 772. Osceola County's incarceration rate of 1.8 was below the state average. The county, with a population of 439,225, contributed 1.44% to the state's total incarcerated population.

Find Osceola County Arrest Records

In Osceola County, law enforcement duties are divided among the municipal police departments, each having jurisdiction within their respective areas. This is in addition to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, which patrols unincorporated areas and various state and federal law enforcement agencies operating within the county. Many of these agencies accept inquiries regarding public records or police reports via in-person visits, mail, or electronic means. Some of the information necessary for such investigations include:

• The arrestee's first and last names
• The arrestee's birth date, if known
• Date of the incident and its location
• Contact details for the requester.
• Valid government-issued ID (usually used to show eligibility when obtaining nonpublic arrest records).

Here are some state and federal resources individuals can use to look up arrest records and inmate information in Osceola County:

• Osceola County Corrections Department maintains a publicly accessible online database that provides daily arrest reports for incarcerated individuals.
• The Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) maintains a database covering all Florida state prisons.
• VINELink is a nationwide service that details offenders or criminal cases in U.S. jails and prisons.

Free Arrest Record Search in Osceola County

Under the Florida Public Records Act, Osceola County affords public access to non-exempt records maintained by governmental entities, law enforcement agencies, and judicial bodies within the county. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) compiles and disseminates criminal history information and background checks pertaining to Osceola County residents. These are readily accessible upon request for free. Additionally, records of the Osceola County court system are available for online viewing and can be obtained for a nominal fee.

To find Osceola County arrest records, it's helpful for individuals to identify the agency responsible for maintaining them. If the sheriff's office doesn't manage the county jail, individuals can search online for the jail's website, where they would likely find an inmate directory. If unsuccessful, they can contact the county jail or local police departments directly, especially if they know the location of the incident or arrest. Many police departments also publish arrest information on their websites.

Get Osceola County Criminal Records

A criminal record is official documentation of an individual's criminal history. This includes arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, and sometimes dismissals or acquittals. Criminal history records pertaining to Osceola County are maintained and disseminated by the Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), a division of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

A certified criminal history report for individuals residing or with a criminal history in Osceola County can be obtained through CJIS via in-person application, standard mail correspondence, or email. Moreover, the Board of County Commissioners manages Osceola County's correctional facilities. Interested individuals may run an Osceola County Inmate Search to confirm the status of an inmate using the detainee's full name and biodata. Individuals might also try using a third-party online record finder if county records are difficult to locate.

Individuals can also request a criminal history report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to conduct a more comprehensive statewide search. However, this usually requires a fee and fingerprinting.

Osceola County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although "arrest record" and "criminal record" relate to an individual's interactions with law enforcement, they represent different stages and levels of detail within the criminal justice system.

Criminal records are a broader compilation of an individual's criminal history. They show the final disposition of criminal cases, providing a more complete picture of an individual’s involvement with the justice system. They include information on arrests but also encompass formal charges, court proceedings, convictions, sentences, parole details, and dismissals or acquittals.

Unlike the comprehensive criminal record, an arrest record is a simpler document kept by the arresting police department. It contains details about the arrested person, the circumstances of the arrest, and the immediate outcome. However, it doesn't include the final court decision or other criminal history details. Arrest records are generally easier to access than full criminal records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The only way to remove an arrest from one’s record is to obtain an expungement or sealing. In Osceola County, under Florida Statutes Sections 943.0585 and 943.059, an individual can petition the court to seal or expunge eligible criminal records. Individuals who successfully completed a diversion program or were not convicted following an arrest are typically eligible for sealing under Florida Statutes section 943.0585. Certain non-conviction records can be expunged under Florida Statutes section 943.059, which erases them from public view.

Expunge Osceola County Arrest Records

According to Florida Statutes Section 943.0585, in Osceola County, an individual can petition the court for the sealing or expungement of eligible criminal records. Sealing is typically available to people who have completed a diversion program or were not convicted after arrest. Sealed documents are secret, yet they can be accessed by law enforcement under certain conditions. Expungement removes some non-conviction records from public view. However, law enforcement can still access erased records for certain purposes.

To qualify for expungement in Osceola County, an individual must meet these conditions:

• No charges were filed, or the case was dismissed.
• The individual had no previous guilty or delinquency adjudications.
• The individual has no previous sealed or expunged cases.
• The individual doesn’t have an ongoing seal or expunge petitions in any court.

To initiate expungement, an individual must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This certificate confirms eligibility based on factors like the nature of the offense and the absence of subsequent convictions. Upon obtaining the certificate, a Petition for Expungement or Sealing must be filed with the Osceola County Clerk. This petition formally requests the court to expunge the arrest record. The court then reviews the petition and issues an Order to Expunge if approved.

Osceola County Arrest Warrants

In Osceola County, an arrest warrant is a court order authorizing law enforcement to take someone into custody. It indicates that a court has established reasonable cause to think the individual has committed a crime.

The procedure usually starts with a law enforcement official filing a sworn affidavit to a court. This affidavit describes the alleged offense, the facts supporting it, and why the officer feels the named individual is responsible. If the court approves, a warrant is issued. Once issued, the warrant is added to law enforcement databases. Officers may then carry out the warrant. Warrantless arrests are permissible in exigent circumstances, such as when an officer witnesses a crime or has reasonable grounds to believe a felony has been committed.

An arrest warrant in Osceola County, Florida, typically contains the following information:

• The name of the court issuing the warrant
• The name of the defendant
• Their physical description, including details like height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any distinguishing marks to aid identification.
• The specific criminal offense the person is accused of committing.
• The date the warrant was officially issued
• The signature of the judge authorizing the warrant.
• The bail amount

Osceola County Arrest Warrant Search

There are various methods to determine whether a person in Osceola County has an outstanding warrant. They may provide a photo ID at a local police or sheriff's office. In addition, the Clerk of the Circuit Court offers an online warrant report search. A person would need the first and last name or the case number of the person they are searching for. Also, the Sheriff's Office maintains a list of their "Most Wanted" individuals with active warrants. Moreover, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) offers a statewide search of wanted persons.

Do Osceola County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Osceola County do not expire. A warrant issued by a court stays active until it is executed, recalled, or quashed, the charges are withdrawn, or the person named in it dies.