Of the over 679,221 arrests made in Florida annually, Sarasota County accounts for 8,571, representing approximately 1.26% of the state's total. Florida's Sunshine Law grants public access to records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records. Agencies may charge up to 15 cents per one-sided copy for documents up to 14 inches by 8.5 inches, with an additional 5 cents for two-sided copies. For certified copies, a fee of up to $1 per page may be charged.
While the law ensures public access to government records, certain arrest records are exempt from disclosure to protect security, sensitive information, or individual privacy. Exemptions include records related to active criminal investigations, victims, and confidential informants. Access to confidential records is restricted to authorized individuals, including law enforcement officers, judicial officials, the Sarasota County Attorney's Office, and the subjects of the records, along with their legal representatives.
Sarasota County arrest records are accessible through various official channels, including the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office provides an online platform where anyone may look up current and past arrest records. This tool allows searches by name, date, or case number. Please note that while this database is regularly updated, it may not reflect real-time information. For official records, it's advisable to contact the Records Section directly.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Florida Records Section provides arrest reports and related documents. Interested persons may obtain them by submitting their request in person or by mail to the county sheriff's office at:
2071 Ringling Blvd.
P.O. Box 4115
Sarasota, FL 34237
Individuals seeking arrest records may access them through local law enforcement agencies. Typically, they must provide the arrestee's name and the date of arrest to facilitate the search. Many police departments within the county offer online access to incident logs and arrest records. The Records Unit of the Sarasota Police Department handles requests for various reports, including arrest reports. Requests may be made by mail or in person. Listed below are some of the major police departments in the county:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement compiles and maintains criminal records from all law enforcement agencies within the state. Individuals may obtain Sarasota County arrest records through the FDLE's Criminal History Record Check System for a fee of $24 per record. Additionally, public records requests may be submitted to the FDLE for specific Sarasota County arrest records, which may involve associated fees.
Records of arrests that lead to formal charges in Sarasota County may be found in the county's criminal court records. The Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller serve as the custodian of all court records in the county. Individuals may access these records through the Clerk's online portal or request them by mail or in person at the following address:
Public Access Department
P.O. Box 3079
Sarasota, FL 34230-3079
Phone: (941) 861-7400
Furthermore, record seekers may use trustworthy third-party websites such as InfoTracer to access arrest records from Sarasota County. These platforms provide a faster and more convenient way to access records, often with user-friendly search tools and broader coverage.
Sarasota County has an arrest rate of 2,537 per 100,000 population. Some arrest figures recorded in Sarasota County during this period are shown below:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder | 10 |
| Manslaughter | 5 |
| Robbery | 69 |
| Rape | 31 |
| Aggravated Assault | 689 |
| Simple Assault | 3,259 |
| Burglary | 254 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 81 |
| Larceny | 1,144 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 10,295 |
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
It is situated in Sarasota county, Florida with a total number of 310 employees - 56 female, 127 male officers and 127 civilians. Sarasota County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is FL0580000, it belongs to the South Atlantic division in the South region with a region code of Region III.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sarasota Police Department | 2099 Adams Lane | 941 -366-8000 |
| Venice Police Department | 1350 Ridgewood Ave | (941) 486-2444 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sarasota County South Jail - West Wing | 1350 Ridgewood Avenue | 941-480-3351 |