Santa Rosa County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Santa Rosa County
Arrest records in Santa Rosa County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law, specifically Florida Statutes Chapter 119. This comprehensive transparency statute establishes that most government records, including arrest records, are available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law. According to § 119.01, Florida's public records law is designed to ensure that government activities remain open and accessible to the public.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains the state's criminal history information and provides access to these records pursuant to § 943.053. However, it is important for requestors to understand the distinction between arrest records and conviction records:
- Arrest records document the fact that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement and may include details of the alleged offense
- Conviction records indicate that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense through court proceedings
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county and makes them available in accordance with state law. While most arrest information is public, certain exemptions exist under Florida law to protect sensitive information, particularly in cases involving juveniles, victims of certain crimes, and ongoing investigations.
What's in Santa Rosa County Arrest Records
Santa Rosa County arrest records contain standardized information documenting an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Home address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
- Identifying numbers (state ID number, FBI number if applicable)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken during booking
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Whether arrest was made pursuant to warrant or probable cause
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Florida statute numbers of alleged violations
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
- Charge severity (degree of felony or misdemeanor)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Judge who signed the warrant
Booking Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Facility where individual was processed
- Property inventory taken during booking
- Medical screening information (partially redacted)
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond amount set
- Bond type (cash, surety, property)
- Whether bond was posted
- Conditions of release if applicable
Court Information:
- Court case number
- Assigned judge
- Scheduled court appearances
- Case disposition when available
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility where individual is held if in custody
- Release date if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history in Santa Rosa County
- Known gang affiliations (if documented)
- Special custody requirements
- Probation/parole status
The Florida Department of Corrections may provide additional information for individuals who have been sentenced to state custody following conviction.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Santa Rosa County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Santa Rosa County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing these records are:
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Visit the Records Division in person during regular business hours
- Complete a public records request form specifying the information sought
- Provide sufficient identifying information about the subject (full name, date of birth)
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office
5755 East Milton Road
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-1100
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office
- Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
- Access court records related to arrests through the Clerk's office
- Search by name or case number using public terminals at the courthouse
- Request certified copies of court documents for a fee
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
6865 Caroline Street
Milton, FL 32570
(850) 981-5500
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Request a criminal history record check through FDLE
- Submit fingerprints for a more comprehensive background check
- Pay required processing fees as established by state law
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 410-7000
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Pursuant to § 119.07, Florida Statutes, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the duplication of public records. The current fee structure typically includes a per-page charge for physical copies and may include additional charges for certified copies or extensive research time.
How To Find Santa Rosa County Arrest Records Online
Santa Rosa County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. These electronic systems offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests:
-
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup
- Navigate to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office website
- Select the "Inmate Lookup" or "Jail Information" section
- Enter the individual's name or booking number in the search fields
- Review current inmate information and recent booking data
-
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court Online Records
- Visit the Santa Rosa County Clerk's website
- Access the "Court Records Search" function
- Create a user account if required for full access
- Search by name, case number, or date range
- View case summaries, charges, and court dates
-
Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search
- Access the Florida Department of Corrections website
- Utilize the "Offender Search" function
- Enter the individual's name or DC number
- Review information on current inmates and released offenders
-
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Public Access System
- Visit the FDLE Criminal History Information
- Register for an account to access the system
- Pay the required fee for each record search
- Receive official criminal history information
When conducting online searches, users should note that the most recent arrest information may not be immediately available as records require processing time. Additionally, pursuant to § 119.071, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect confidential data.
How To Search Santa Rosa County Arrest Records for Free?
Santa Rosa County residents and other interested parties may access certain arrest record information without payment through several authorized channels:
-
Santa Rosa County Jail Current Inmate Roster
- The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible list of current inmates
- This information is available at no cost through the Sheriff's website
- Provides basic booking information and custody status
-
Public Access Terminals at Government Offices
- Visit the Santa Rosa County Courthouse during regular business hours
- Use public computer terminals in the Clerk's office at no charge
- Search basic case information without printing fees
Santa Rosa County Judicial Center
6865 Caroline Street
Milton, FL 32570
(850) 981-5500
Santa Rosa County Courts
-
Daily Booking Reports
- The Sheriff's Office publishes recent booking information
- These reports are typically available online at no cost
- Contain basic arrest information for recent detentions
-
Public Records Requests for Specific Information
- Submit a targeted public records request to the appropriate agency
- Specify exactly what information is needed
- Inspection of records in person is typically free of charge
- Fees apply only for copies or extensive research time
-
Local News Media Resources
- Local newspapers and news websites often publish arrest information
- These secondary sources compile information from official channels
- May provide searchable databases of recent arrests
While basic information is available at no cost, comprehensive criminal history reports from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement require payment of statutory fees pursuant to § 943.053(3)(e), Florida Statutes.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Santa Rosa County
Florida law provides limited mechanisms for the removal, sealing, or expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The distinction between these remedies is significant:
- Expungement completely removes the record from public view and most government databases
- Sealing restricts public access while maintaining the record for certain government agencies
Pursuant to § 943.0585 and § 943.059, Florida Statutes, individuals may petition for expungement or sealing of arrest records if they meet specific eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Requirements for Expungement:
- No prior sealing or expungement (with limited exceptions)
- No conviction for the arrest in question
- No adjudication of guilt withheld for certain enumerated offenses
- No pending criminal charges
Eligibility Requirements for Sealing:
- No prior sealing or expungement (with limited exceptions)
- No conviction for the arrest in question
- Adjudication of guilt was withheld
- Completion of all court-ordered sanctions
- No conviction for certain disqualifying offenses
The process for seeking expungement or sealing in Santa Rosa County involves:
- Obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- File a petition with the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
- Serve copies on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
- Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court
- Receive a court order if the petition is granted
First Judicial Circuit of Florida - Santa Rosa County
6865 Caroline Street
Milton, FL 32570
(850) 981-5544
First Judicial Circuit
Individuals seeking expungement or sealing may benefit from legal representation, as the process involves complex statutory requirements and procedural rules.
What Happens After Arrest in Santa Rosa County?
The criminal justice process in Santa Rosa County follows a standardized progression from initial arrest through case disposition:
-
Arrest and Booking
- Law enforcement takes the individual into custody
- Transportation to Santa Rosa County Jail for processing
- Fingerprinting, photographing, and personal information collection
- Initial medical screening
- Property inventory and secure storage
-
First Appearance Hearing
- Occurs within 24 hours of arrest
- Judge reviews probable cause for the arrest
- Bail determination or pretrial release decision
- Appointment of public defender if defendant qualifies
- Preliminary hearing date set for felony cases
-
Formal Charging Decision
- State Attorney's Office reviews evidence
- Determines whether to file formal charges
- May file as charged, modify charges, or decline prosecution
- Information or indictment filed for felonies
- Complaint filed for misdemeanors
-
Arraignment
- Formal reading of charges
- Defendant enters plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Trial date set if not guilty plea entered
- Pretrial conference scheduled
-
Pretrial Proceedings
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Motion hearings on evidence and procedural matters
- Plea negotiations may occur
- Pretrial diversion may be offered in eligible cases
-
Trial
- Jury selection (voir dire)
- Opening statements
- Presentation of evidence and witness testimony
- Closing arguments
- Jury deliberation and verdict
-
Sentencing (if convicted)
- Pre-sentence investigation in felony cases
- Sentencing hearing
- Imposition of incarceration, probation, or other sanctions
- Assessment of fines, costs, and restitution
-
Post-Conviction
- Right to appeal within 30 days
- Transfer to Department of Corrections for prison sentences
- Probation supervision by Department of Corrections
- Payment of financial obligations to Clerk of Court
This process is governed by the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and may vary slightly depending on the nature and severity of the charges.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Santa Rosa County?
Arrest records in Santa Rosa County are maintained according to Florida's records retention requirements established under § 119.021, Florida Statutes, and the General Records Schedule GS2 for law enforcement agencies. These retention periods ensure the preservation of important criminal justice information while maintaining accountability.
The standard retention periods for arrest-related records include:
-
Arrest Reports and Booking Information
- Felony arrests: Retained for 100 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests: Retained for 25 years from date of arrest
- Juvenile arrests: Special retention rules apply under § 985.04
-
Criminal History Information
- Maintained permanently by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Local agencies may maintain duplicate records indefinitely
- Subject to sealing or expungement only by court order
-
Fingerprint Records
- Maintained permanently in state and federal databases
- Local copies retained according to agency policy
- Removal requires court-ordered expungement
-
Mugshot Photographs
- Retained as part of the arrest record
- Subject to same retention period as the associated arrest
- May be published online by law enforcement agencies
-
Investigation Records
- Active investigations: Retained until case closed
- Closed cases: Retention period matches associated arrest record
- Unsolved cases: Retained 100 years from date of report
Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention requirements. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, State Attorney's Office, and Florida Department of Corrections each maintain records according to their specific statutory obligations.
Digital records are increasingly replacing paper files, but the retention requirements remain the same regardless of format. All criminal justice agencies must comply with state-mandated retention schedules and secure storage requirements.
How to Find Mugshots in Santa Rosa County
Mugshot photographs, officially known as booking photographs, are created during the arrest booking process and serve as visual identification records within the criminal justice system.
What Mugshots Are Mugshots are standardized photographs taken by law enforcement during the booking process after an arrest. These images typically include:
- Front-facing (frontal) photograph
- Profile (side-view) photograph
- Identification information displayed on a board or digitally added
- Date of booking and arresting agency information
Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Santa Rosa County, booking photographs are maintained by:
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement criminal history repository
- Digital booking systems at the Santa Rosa County Jail
Finding Mugshots Members of the public seeking mugshot photographs may:
- Submit a public records request to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office
- Specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest
- Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and reproduction
- Receive copies in electronic or printed format
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Records Division
5755 East Milton Road
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-1100
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office
Can They Be Found Online Santa Rosa County provides limited online access to booking photographs:
- The Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system may display current inmate photographs
- Recent booking information may include mugshots for public safety purposes
- Third-party websites may aggregate and republish mugshots from public sources
Obtaining Mugshots Officially For certified or official copies of booking photographs:
- Contact the Records Division of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office
- Complete a formal public records request form
- Provide specific identifying information about the subject
- Pay established fees for certified copies
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Access to certain booking photographs may be restricted under Florida law:
- Juvenile mugshots have special confidentiality protections under § 985.04
- Victims of certain crimes may have their booking photos protected
- Photographs related to active investigations may be temporarily exempt
- Expunged or sealed records will not include publicly accessible mugshots
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides guidance on the proper use and dissemination of criminal history information, including booking photographs, in accordance with state and federal regulations.