Washington County Arrest Records

An "arrest" is legally defined as the formal restraint of a person for a suspected crime. Arrests—part of enforcement actions conducted by police departments in Washington County—become necessary when a peace officer witnesses a crime, obtains knowledge of/possesses a warrant, receives a credible eyewitness report, or discovers incriminating evidence (Chapter 901, Florida Statutes (F.S.)).

Arrest records are generated following an arrested person's booking at a police station or jail. In Washington County, the place of detention after an arrest may be the local jail operated by the Washington County Sheriff's Office or another secure facility where the arrestee may be held until they see a judge or post bail.

Arrest records present an official account of an arrest, including the person involved and the alleged offense(s). These records are maintained by agencies that conduct arrests. However, because such records are shared among criminal justice agencies, the public may find arrest information in Washington County court records, statewide and national criminal history files, and other official documents.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

Yes, arrest records are categorized as open records in Washington County. Under Florida's Public Records Act, members of the public can inspect or copy Washington County arrest records and many other documents held by local law enforcement agencies, except where information may be exempt.

Exemptions to public access typically apply where a record's disclosure may endanger a person's safety or life, expose sensitive information, compromise the execution of a government process/operation, or cause undue damage. When records are withdrawn from the public, they remain inaccessible unless the requester is a legally authorized party. Florida's classified records are listed in F.S. 119.071 and include:

• The substance of an arrested person's confession until the case is closed
• Records sealed or expunged by a court
• Juvenile offender information
• Information exposing the identity of a confidential informant, confidential source, or undercover personnel
• Surveillance techniques or procedures
• Criminal intelligence and investigative information
• Medical information

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Washington County public arrest records typically carry the following information:

• The arrestee's complete name (first, middle, last), race, age, physical characteristics (height, weight), and last known address
• Arrest date, time, and place
• Arresting agency
• Offense(s) for which apprehended
• Bail amount
• Booking information, including the date, facility, number, and photograph (mugshot)

Washington County Arrest Statistics

Washington County arrest statistics can be accessed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Crime Data Explorer. The FBI posts these figures according to the reporting agency; thus, it is necessary to know which agency will be the subject of one's research.

In Washington County, the Chipley Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office are the primary local reporting agencies, but other state law enforcement agencies also make and report local arrests to the FBI.

Together, the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Chipley Police Department recorded 441 arrests in 2023. Specifically, the Sheriff's office reported 302 arrests, with 232 and 70 male and female suspects, respectively. The most prevalent arrests were for offenses like Simple Assault (68 arrests), Drug/Narcotic Offenses (28), and Aggravated Assault (15).

On the other hand, the Chipley Police Department reported 139 arrests, with 92 and 47 male and female suspects, respectively. The most common arrests were for Larceny (12 arrests), Simple Assault (9), and Aggravated Assault (2).

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Members of the public have various ways to find arrest records generated in Washington County, Florida. The first option involves requesting a background check from the Washington County Sheriff's Office to verify a person's arrest history within Washington County. This check can be requested by filling out an online application or submitting a direct request to the Sheriff's Records Office using the following address details:

711 Third Street
Chipley, FL 32428
Phone: (850) 638-6070
Email: records@wcso.us

Each requester must provide the possible arrestee's name and date of birth and any other known identifiers, like race/sex and maiden name/alias, if possible. Each check costs $10 per person.

The Sheriff also provides an inmate roster to find information about persons arrested and kept in the county jail. Moreover, if someone were sent to a state or federal prison after their arrest in Washington, parties may search the Florida Department of Corrections' Offender Network or the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Inmate Locator, respectively, for information about their incarceration.

Another way to obtain Washington arrest records is to contact or visit the agency that made the arrest. If such an agency is unknown, one may request a background check from the Sheriff's office, as explained previously.

Washington arrest records may also be available to the public as part of the Florida Criminal History Records disseminated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for a fee.

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

Florida law does not require agencies to charge for inspection requests. This means a person can approach any law enforcement department in Washington County to ask to inspect or view arrest information for free; however, nominal fees are attached if an agency will produce a copy of a record/report.

Members of the public can also seek a free Washington County arrest record search on third-party aggregator websites. The advantage for users is that they may find arrest records from other jurisdictions, and no inquiry has to be made to an arresting department or official records custodian. However, similar to the policies of official custodians, users may be charged for a comprehensive report.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An individual's arrest is a permanent record in Florida. As a result, it may be seen by anyone who conducts a background check, including employers, landlords, and family members. However, certain situations may qualify a defendant to obtain an expungement or sealing order from the court, which serves to restrict or remove public access to the record.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

A person must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE to expunge or seal a criminal history record, including arrests, within the Washington County court system. This certificate costs $75 and verifies one's eligibility to petition the circuit court for expungement or sealing. However, additional charges may apply when preparing the application; for example, a fee may be incurred to notarize one's application, request a certified disposition from the Washington County Clerk of Court's Office, or obtain fingerprints from a law enforcement agency.

F.S. 943.0585 and 943.059 govern the court expungement/sealing process in Washington County. The local expungement forms (affidavit, petition, and proposed order), which must be submitted with the Certificate of Eligibility (if received), are available within the Seal and Expunge Criminal Record Information document on the Washington County Clerk of Court's website. One can also request an expungement packet from the Clerk's office.

If, after submitting the petition, the court grants a sealing order, the associated records will become available only to entities under F.S. 943.059(6) (a). However, an expunged record is only available by court order (F.S. 943.0585(6) (a)).

It should be noted, however, that Florida has other kinds of expungement/sealing processes, including an administrative expungement through the FDLE when an arrest (adult or juvenile) was made contrary to law or by mistake. More information about the different Florida criminal record relief procedures is provided on the FDLE's Seal and Expunge Process web page.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

Florida Statute Section 901.02 allows judges to issue arrest warrants based on complaints from law enforcement that implicate an individual in a criminal offense. Per the law, complaints and any proof submitted by investigating or requesting officers must establish probable cause—a reasonable belief, based on facts or circumstances, that a crime has been committed and that a particular individual is responsible for the crime. Without probable cause, such warrants cannot be issued, and if issued erroneously, are legally invalid.

Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 3.121, requires Washington County arrest warrants to be in writing and in the name of the State of Florida, and bear the following contents:

• A command that the accused be apprehended and brought before a judge
• The accused's name or description
• The date and county where issued
• The issuing judge's signature, with the title of office
• For bailable offenses, the amount of bail or other conditions of release

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Washington County arrest warrants prevail until the accused person is arrested, surrenders, or dies. In other words, the passage of time does not affect the validity of these warrants.

However, a court can recall or quash an arrest warrant if the underlying reason for issuance has been satisfied or new evidence or information surfaces that undermines the warrant's basis, among other legitimate reasons.