Duval County Arrest Records

An arrest record is the official file created when law enforcement takes a person into custody, usually starting at the point of booking, even if the individual is later released without charges. The booking process in Duval County is overseen by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO). The standard steps for booking include fingerprinting, taking a mugshot, recording personal identifiers (name, age, physical description), listing the alleged charges, and assigning a booking number. Custody status (in jail, released, or transferred) is also recorded.

Arrest records are maintained in Duval County because they support transparency and accountability, as required under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). They allow the public, media, and courts to monitor law enforcement actions.

Arrest records are different from criminal history records in that they are only a part of the latter. Other parts include statewide arrests and disposition, and are controlled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) under Fla. Stat. §§ 943.045 and 943.053.

In Duval County, JSO maintains both local arrest and booking records. Once charges are filed, these records become part of case files managed by the Clerk of Courts for the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Florida?

Simply, yes. Florida has one of the broadest open records laws in the country. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, arrest records are generally considered public records, so the public, journalists, and researchers can request access to these records without showing a special interest.

There are four general exemptions to this rule.

• The exemption of active investigations (F.S. 119.071) allows records tied to an ongoing criminal investigation to be withheld until the case is closed.
• Juvenile records (F.S. 985.04). Confidential unless the juvenile is charged as an adult.
• Victim protections. Victim names and identifying details in sensitive cases like sexual offenses are redacted.
• Sealed or expunged records. If a court orders a record sealed or expunged, it is no longer publicly available.

The point of this policy of publicizing records is to promote transparency and trust in the government through Florida law. At the same time, the law balances this openness with protections for privacy, victim safety, and fair trial rights.

Duval County Arrest Search

There are different considerations at the state and local levels when looking up arrest records connected to Duval County. State-level resources are available through the FDLE Criminal History Record Check, which is run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

This resource covers arrests anywhere in Florida, and it can be accessed online at the FDLE's website for a non-refundable cost of $24 per search. Complementing this is the FBI Identity History Summary Check, which features a nationwide record of arrests and charges. In addition to being typically used for immigration, employment, or licensing, this federal-level resource requires fingerprint submission and costs $18 plus fingerprinting fees.

The main county-level source is the JSO Records Unit at 501 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville. Walk-in or mail requests are accepted, provided prescribed copy fees (county $0.15 per page, certified copies around $1 per page) are satisfied. Applicants can also contact local precincts and substations, which would either accept requests or direct people to the main Records Unit.

Arrest records can also be obtained through county court records. Once charges are filed, the Duval County Clerk of Courts online portal allows free searches of case files and dockets. Certified copies are available for about $1 per page plus $2 per certification. A government-issued photo ID is needed for certified copies, and processing times vary; generally shorter for walk-ins and longer for mailed certified copies.

Duval County Inmate Locator

To check if an individual is currently in jail in Duval County or get details about their custody status, the primary search tool is the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's online Inmate Information Search. Applicants can search by name, booking number, or jail number. The information available via this tool includes:

• Booking date and number.
• Current custody status (in custody, released, or transferred).
• List of charges.
• Bond amount (if set).
• Projected release date or upcoming court hearings.

Fresh remands may take 24 to 48 hours to appear online. Juvenile cases are not listed, and information on sealed or expunged inmates will not appear.

Alternatively, applicants can visit or mail the Duval County corrections facility at 500 East Adams Street, Jacksonville. Certified inmate records require a government-issued ID and may require a small fee of about $0.15 per page, with certification at about $2.

Active Warrant Search in Duval County

A warrant is an order signed by a judge or magistrate based on "probable cause" that a person committed a crime. Typically, this legal document lists the person's name, charges, issuing court, judge's signature, and date.

The JSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit handles arrest warrants in Duval County. Currently, there is no online search system. Inquiries must be made by phone (904-630-2220) or in person at the JSO Police Memorial Building, 501 E. Bay Street. For safety and privacy, staff are only allowed to confirm if a warrant exists, not give full details. Anyone who thinks they may have an arrest warrant is advised to speak with an attorney before contacting JSO directly.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Duval County

Several tools allow people to check arrest records in Duval County without paying fees.

One is the online JSO Inmate Search Portal, which shows who is in jail. Another is the Duval County Clerk of Courts online records portal, known as CORE, which grants free access to case dockets once charges are filed.

Interested individuals can also use the Clerk's Office In-Person Review, which allows them to peruse walk-in records. Fees apply only if applicants require printed or certified copies.

Searchers should note that older arrest records may be hard to locate solely using online checks. For this reason, in-person requests might prove more fruitful in some scenarios. Moreover, the statute may redact personal and other identifying information, especially for juvenile and sexual offense cases.

Free tools for Duval County arrest records provide basic arrest information. Applicants who need a comprehensive or certified record must file a formal records request at the relevant agency and pay copy and certification fees.

Duval County Arrest Report

Arrest records are not the same as arrest reports. An arrest record is a short summary including booking data, charges, and identifiers. An arrest report is more detailed and typically includes facts, probable cause, and witness statements.

The access rules for arrest reports in Duval County are governed by Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It prescribes availability to the public for inspection and copying, subject to legal restrictions. Reports may be withheld and inaccessible if the case is still under active investigation or if exemptions apply (for example, victim protection).

To get arrest reports in Duval County, applicants must submit a request through the JSO Public Records Unit or at a local precinct. Fees include small per-page charges (about $0.15 per page), and certified copies cost more (about $1 per page with a $2 certification fee). Redactions are applied where required by law.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Duval County

To expunge arrest records is to legally clear or hide an arrest record so it no longer appears in public searches. In Duval County, this is supported by the law, specifically, Florida Statutes §943.0585 (for expungement) and §943.059 (for sealing).

To get an arrest record expunged in Duval County requires meeting at least one of the following conditions:

• The arrest ended with no charges.
• The arrest ended with a dismissal.
• The arrest ended without a conviction.
• The arrest involves a juvenile.

To expunge arrest records in Duval County, the applicant needs to:

• Apply for a Certificate of Eligibilitythrough the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (application fee is about $75).
• File a petition with the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court at the Duval County Courthouse, 501 W. Adams Street.
• Serve copies to the State Attorney's Office, JSO, FDLE, and any other involved agencies.

Note that a hearing may be scheduled before a judge makes a ruling. If approved, arrest records are legally erased from public view, meaning that they are treated as if the arrest never happened, though law enforcement and certain employers (like schools or the government) can still see sealed and expunged records.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Many private websites repost arrest records, even when charges are dropped. The strongest way to demand the removal of such arrest details or mugshots posted on websites is to get the arrest expunged or sealed by court order. Otherwise, applicants may submit opt-out requests to the website operators, although this typically requires proof of expungement or dismissal.

If the arrest record continues to appear in online searches, an individual can compel a search engine like Google to remove it through a legal removal request. The required information varies by the content type and where it appears, but typically includes the following:

• The complete web address of the content
• Reason(s) for the removal request
• Legal support for the removal, such as a court order
• Contact information
• Legal authority for the request (such as a government-issued ID card)

Even when these methods succeed, cached or archived copies of an arrest record or report may remain online.

Some third-party sites may ignore removal requests even when backed by law. In such cases, applicants can get lawyers to send cease-and-desist letters or seek court injunctions. Alternatively, they can seek out paid online reputation management services.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Duval County, the information in a public arrest record and what is kept private depends entirely on Florida law. This policy is operational to guarantee accountability and transparency in the justice system while protecting sensitive personal data.

Typical details of an arrest record available to the public include:

• Full legal name and known aliases.
• Age, sex, race, and physical description.
• Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Arresting agency (for example, JSO).
• Charges filed, with statute references.
• Booking number, custody status.
• Bond or bail amounts.

On the other hand, information that is not available for public access includes:

• Social Security numbers, financial or medical data.
• Juvenile identifiers.
• Victim or witness details.
• Records that have been sealed or expunged.