Search Florida Public Records

How to Look Up Criminal Records in Florida

FL state and local law enforcement agencies manage and maintain all criminal and arrest records for the state. They are committed to providing public access to these records and for every file requested they charge a $24 fee. They allow people to search online, through the mail for a certified copy (this will take five days), or a regular search through the mail. They provide a link to the proper form right on their website.

What Information Does Public Arrest Records Florida Report Include?

A Florida arrest records report will be full of helpful information like name, address, phone, email, gender, race, height, weight, physical description, tattoos, scars, mug shots, and fingerprints. Along with that, there will be arrest details,mugshots, charges, convictions, dispositions, jail time and other jail arrest details, bond and bail paid, pleas, the dates of arrest, location and time. Also included will be vehicles that were involved and the arresting officer’s name and agency.

Florida Police Report and Mugshots

Are Florida Police Reports Public Record?

Yes. Police reports in Florida are completely accessible by the general public. Some county police departments make it very easy to request them for a variety of purposes, including insurance. For example, the Miami-Dade County police department has a section on their website where someone can get copies of police reports regarding vehicle crashes, assault, domestic violence, robbery, automobile theft, and more. Sometimes you will need a bit of information to make a request. It’s a good idea to have:

• The case number (if you have it).
• The date and time of the incident.
• The location of the event.
• Names of the person(s) involved.

Florida also makes it easy to search for open arrest warrants. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department offers crash reports via their portal. These are gathered from all types of law enforcement agencies around the state.

Some of the information contained within a police report will be:

• Names and ages of the people involved.
• Date, time, and location of the incident.
• Witness accounts of the event.
• Crime scene photos.
• Vehicle information (make, model, year) if any were involved.
• Road conditions, weather, and other factors that are pertinent to the case.
• Possibly a diagram of the scene.
• Citations or other violations if issued.

Florida Mugshots

Florida mugshots are readily available online. According to the Freedom of Information Act and Florida laws, anyone can obtain a mugshot. Mugshots are taken when someone is arrested in Florida. However, this does not indicate their guilt or innocence. They must be fully processed before being found guilty.

Mugshots originated in the 1800s when photography was invented, then became a regular part of the booking process when French policeman Alphonse Bertillon made it so. Most counties use mugshots to help identify criminals and suspects with victims, witnesses, and investigators. Typically, police take two photographs of the arrested person. The first is of the front of their face and then a side shot (profile) as well.

Florida Arrest Booking Process

Florida arrests take place in many ways. Sometimes after months of investigation, a judge will issue an arrest warrant for a suspect. Other times, you may be pulled over for a DUI and arrested if intoxicated. The first step in an arrest is the officer will read you your Miranda rights then handcuff you. You will be placed in a cruiser to be transported to the local jail and then booked.

The booking process is a formal process where a suspect is entered into the criminal investigation system, where the following will happen:

• You will be questioned, and vital information will be taken (name, address, phone number, birth date, an emergency contact, etc.).
• You will be fingerprinted.
• They will take mugshots of you.
• You will be thoroughly searched, and your belongings confiscated and stored.
• You may be given jail clothes and assigned a cell.
• Your bail amount may be set, or a bond set up for you.

Within 24-hours, you will be seen by a judge for your initial hearing. You may stay in jail until your trial if you cannot make bail.

Violent Crime Rates for the last 10 years

The crime rate has decreased over the past decade in Florida, going from 72,897 crimes in 2006 to 48,361 by 20% lower than it was back in 2006. The largest percentage of violent crimes falls into the Aggravated Assault category, with Revised Rape being the least popular crime in the state.

Arrest Law

According to FL Statute 901.15, a law enforcement officer can arrest someone without a warrant only if they committed a felony or misdemeanor in the presence of the officer. Another way is if a felony was committed and they suspect that person of it. Another circumstance is when there is an outstanding warrant for arrest, but another officer is in possession of it. A police officer can also arrest someone they have probable cause to suspect of committing a felony or misdemeanor. Along with other conditions if an officer suspects someone of domestic or child abuse, they can also arrest them without a warrant.

The Arrest Rate in Florida

For 2017, law enforcement made 711,831 arrests. Of those, adult males committed 488,316 of them, and adult females committed 168,227 of them. Juvenile males committed another 42,635 and young females committed the remainder (12,653). The most significant number of arrests (463,038) were white people, the second largest number were black with 242,158 with the remainder being Indian (1,021) and Asian (5,614). FL arrest rate based on 100,000 residents is 3,475.03.

Florida Arrest Records by Type of Crime

The popular arrests for 2017 in Florida was for All Other Offenses (except traffic) - 321,186, the same popularity of the arrest type was seen in Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. The least popularity had Curfew and Loitering Law Violations arrests - with only 10 crimes a year.