Over 500,000 arrests are recorded in Florida annually, with approximately 2,300 of those cases reported in Putnam County. Following the Florida Public Records Act, most arrest records in the county are considered public and may be requested for a standard fee of up to $24 per record. However, exemptions apply to records related to active criminal investigations, juvenile offenders, dependency cases, and certain family court matters. Only individuals directly involved in the case, their attorneys, authorized government officials, and the Putnam County State Attorney's Office may access these protected records.
Public access to arrest records in Putnam County is managed by several authorized agencies. These include the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, local municipal law enforcement departments, the Putnam County Clerk of the Court, and the Florida Department of Corrections.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office maintains official records of all arrests made within its jurisdiction. Individuals seeking access to these records may submit a request either by mail or in person at the address below:
Putnam County Sheriff's Office
130 Orie Griffin Blvd
Palatka, FL 32177
Phone: (386) 329-0800
In addition to the Sheriff's Office, municipal law enforcement agencies in Putnam County also provide access to arrest records and jail inmate information at no cost. To obtain a record, individuals should contact the police department that conducted the arrest directly.
When making a request, it is important to provide personal identifiers for the arrestee, such as full name and date of birth.
Many local police departments also offer digital access to records, including links to county or state-maintained databases, allowing for convenient remote searches without the need for an in-person visit.
Primary law enforcement agencies in Putnam County include:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains arrests and criminal records from all law enforcement jurisdictions across the state. These records may be accessed online through the FDLE Criminal History Information website.
For those preferring a physical or mailed request, individuals must complete a Criminal History Record Check Request Form and include a $24.00 processing fee. Completed forms should be sent to:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Criminal History Services
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, Florida
For additional assistance or questions regarding the request process, contact the FDLE Criminal History Services Unit at (850) 410-8109 during regular business hours.
Criminal court records in Putnam County are created when an arrest case is formally processed through the judicial system. These records are maintained based on the nature of the offense. Felony case records are managed by the Putnam County Circuit Court Clerk, while misdemeanor records fall under the responsibility of the Putnam County Court Clerk.
Court records may be accessed online through the county's public records portal, where searches can be conducted using the arrestee's name, case number, or other identifying details.
For in-person requests, visit:
Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court
410 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
Telephone: (386) 326-7600
As an alternative to official channels, third-party platforms such as InfoTracer provide searchable databases that may offer quicker access to records, often at a lower cost.
Putnam County maintains an arrest rate of 3,130.6 per 100,000 residents. The table below provides more details on the arrests made within the county:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter | 1 |
| Manslaughter | 0 |
| Robbery | 25 |
| Rape | 2 |
| Aggravated Assault | 100 |
| Simple Assault | 305 |
| Burglary | 82 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 34 |
| Arson | 0 |
| Larceny | 365 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 609 |
| Total Crimes Against Property | 827 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 2,308 |
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
It is situated in Putnam county, Florida with a total number of 208 employees - 8 female, 106 male officers and 94 civilians. Putnam County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is FL0540000, it belongs to the South Atlantic division in the South region with a region code of Region III.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Crescent City Police Department | 19 N. Sumitt St | 386-698-1211 |
| Palatka Police Department | 110 N. 11th Street | 386-329-0115 |
| Welaka Police Department | 400 4th Ave PO Box 1098 | (386)467-2303 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Putnam Correctional Institution | 128 Yelvington Road | 386-326-6800 |