StJohns County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in StJohns County
Arrest records in St. Johns County are considered public records pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Members of the public may access these records through established channels provided by county agencies. The Florida Constitution and state statutes establish a presumption of openness regarding government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within county jurisdiction.
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available to the public in accordance with state law. However, certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida Statutes § 119.071, which may restrict access to:
- Records pertaining to active criminal investigations
- Information regarding juvenile offenders (with specific exceptions)
- Personal identifying information of certain protected classes of individuals
- Records sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059
Individuals seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally public, specific information within them may be redacted in accordance with applicable exemptions under state law. The custodian of records at the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is responsible for ensuring compliance with disclosure requirements while protecting exempt information.
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office 4015 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: (904) 824-8304 St. Johns County Sheriff's Office
What's in StJohns County Arrest Records
St. Johns County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include several categories of information that serve both administrative and investigative purposes.
Demographic information contained in arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address
- Gender and race
Case-specific information documented in arrest records encompasses:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Criminal charges filed, including Florida statute citations
- Booking number and facility information
- Arrest circumstances and probable cause statement
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Additional documentation may include:
- Fingerprint records and booking photographs (mugshots)
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
- Initial appearance information
- Bond or bail determination
- Detention status
The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains court records related to arrests, which may contain additional information as cases progress through the judicial system. These records are managed separately from the initial arrest documentation maintained by the Sheriff's Office, as noted in the criminal court records maintained by the Clerk's office.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in StJohns County in 2025
St. Johns County provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in 2025, accommodating various needs and preferences of requestors. The county has implemented updated procedures to streamline the process while maintaining compliance with Florida's public records laws.
In-person requests may be submitted at:
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Records Unit 4015 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (904) 810-6610
When making an in-person request, individuals should:
- Complete the standard public records request form
- Provide specific information about the record sought (name, date of arrest, case number if available)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for document reproduction
Electronic requests have been enhanced for 2025 and may be submitted through:
- The Sheriff's Office public records request portal
- Email submission to the Records Unit
- Online form completion with electronic signature capability
Written requests continue to be accepted via postal mail addressed to the Records Unit at the address listed above. All requests, regardless of submission method, are processed in the order received, with standard processing times of 3-5 business days for routine requests. Complex requests may require additional processing time.
Fees for arrest record searches and reproduction are established pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4) and include:
- $0.15 per one-sided copy (8.5" x 11")
- $0.20 per two-sided copy (8.5" x 11")
- $1.00 per certified copy
- Special service charges may apply for extensive use of agency resources
How To Find StJohns County Arrest Records Online
St. Johns County provides digital access to arrest records through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The primary resource for online arrest record searches is the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office website, which offers multiple search tools for public use.
The inmate search database allows users to locate information about:
- Currently incarcerated individuals
- Recent bookings into the county detention facility
- Basic case information and charges
- Scheduled court appearances
- Bond information when applicable
Users should note that the inmate search function is limited to individuals currently in custody or recently released and does not provide comprehensive historical arrest data.
For broader arrest record searches, the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains an online research portal that provides access to:
- Criminal court case information
- Docket entries related to arrests
- Court proceedings and dispositions
- Judgment and sentencing information
The Sheriff's Office also maintains a wanted persons database that contains information about individuals with active warrants in St. Johns County. This resource can be useful for determining if an individual has pending arrest warrants or unresolved criminal matters.
When using these online resources, users should be aware of the following limitations:
- Some personal identifying information may be redacted
- Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear
- Technical issues may occasionally affect data availability
- Information should be verified through official channels for legal purposes
Can You Search StJohns County Arrest Records for Free?
St. Johns County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic arrest record information. Members of the public may utilize these free resources while understanding their limitations and the circumstances under which fees may apply.
Free online resources include:
- The Sheriff's Office inmate lookup tool for current detention information
- Basic case information through the Clerk of Court's public access system
- The wanted persons database maintained by the Sheriff's Office
These no-cost options typically provide limited information such as:
- Name and demographic information
- Booking date and facility
- Charges filed
- Case numbers
- Court dates
- Bond information
For more comprehensive records or certified copies, fees are assessed pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(4). These fees include:
- Standard copying charges for physical documents
- Special service charges for requests requiring extensive staff time
- Certification fees for official document authentication
Individuals may also view public records at no cost by inspecting them in person at the appropriate agency during regular business hours. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Records Unit accommodates in-person inspection by appointment at:
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Records Unit 4015 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (904) 810-6610
How To Delete Arrest Records in StJohns County
The process for removing arrest records from public access in St. Johns County follows Florida state law regarding record sealing and expungement. Individuals seeking to delete arrest records must comply with statutory requirements and follow established procedures.
Eligibility for expungement under Florida Statutes § 943.0585 generally requires:
- No prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
- No conviction for the arrest in question
- No current criminal proceedings
- Completion of all court-ordered sanctions
- No disqualifying offenses as enumerated in the statute
The sealing process under Florida Statutes § 943.059 may be available when:
- The case resulted in withholding of adjudication
- All court-ordered sanctions have been completed
- The offense is not among those statutorily prohibited from sealing
- The petitioner has no convictions for other criminal offenses
The procedural steps for record deletion include:
- Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
- Attending any required hearings
- Obtaining a court order for sealing or expungement
- Distributing the order to all agencies holding records
Applications for Certificates of Eligibility must be submitted to:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Attn: Expunge/Seal Section P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 Phone: (850) 410-7870
Petitions for sealing or expungement must be filed with:
St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court Richard O. Watson Judicial Center 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: (904) 819-3600
What Happens After Arrest in StJohns County?
Following an arrest in St. Johns County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Florida law and local procedures. The post-arrest sequence typically begins with transportation to the county detention facility for processing.
The booking process includes:
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Background check
- Initial charge documentation
- Housing assignment if detention continues
Within 24 hours of arrest, individuals appear before a judge for first appearance proceedings where:
- Probable cause for the arrest is reviewed
- Bail or bond amounts are established
- Pretrial release conditions may be imposed
- Public defender appointment occurs for qualifying defendants
- Next court dates are scheduled
For misdemeanor charges, cases proceed to arraignment in County Court where defendants enter pleas and may:
- Request trial by judge or jury
- Negotiate plea agreements
- Participate in diversion programs when eligible
- Receive sentencing if pleading guilty or no contest
Felony cases follow a more complex path including:
- Filing of formal charges by the State Attorney's Office
- Arraignment in Circuit Court
- Pretrial conferences and motion hearings
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Trial proceedings if no plea agreement is reached
Throughout this process, records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies including the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and the Criminal Division of the Clerk's Office.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in StJohns County?
Arrest records in St. Johns County are maintained according to Florida's records retention schedules established by the Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various categories of criminal justice records.
Law enforcement arrest records are typically retained for:
- 100 years from the date of arrest for felony cases
- 25 years from the date of arrest for misdemeanor cases
- 5 years from the date of arrest for county ordinance violations
- Permanent retention for homicide and sexual offense cases
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats, with digital conversion efforts ongoing to enhance accessibility while ensuring proper retention. Records may be maintained beyond minimum retention periods at the discretion of the agency.
Court records related to arrests are maintained by the St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court according to separate retention schedules that generally require:
- Permanent retention of felony case files
- 10 years retention for misdemeanor case files
- 5 years retention for ordinance violation cases
Exceptions to standard retention periods may apply when:
- Records are sealed or expunged pursuant to court order
- Special retention requirements exist for specific case types
- Records have historical significance warranting permanent preservation
Individuals with questions regarding specific record retention may contact:
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Records Unit 4015 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: (904) 810-6610
How to Find Mugshots in StJohns County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are maintained by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office as part of the official arrest record. These images are generally considered public records under Florida law, though access methods are regulated to balance transparency with privacy considerations.
Current mugshots may be accessed through:
- The Sheriff's Office inmate search database, which displays booking photos of currently incarcerated individuals
- Public records requests submitted to the Sheriff's Office Records Unit
- Third-party websites that aggregate mugshot data (though these are not official sources)
When requesting mugshots through official channels, individuals should:
- Provide specific identifying information about the subject
- Include approximate date of arrest if known
- Submit requests through approved channels
- Be prepared to pay applicable reproduction fees
Important limitations regarding mugshot access include:
- Photos related to active investigations may be temporarily exempt
- Juvenile mugshots are generally not public records
- Images that are part of sealed or expunged records are not accessible
- Certain protected classes of individuals may have restricted photo access
The Sheriff's Office has implemented policies to prevent the misuse of booking photographs while maintaining compliance with public records laws. Individuals concerned about unauthorized use of mugshots should consult with legal counsel regarding remedies under Florida Statutes § 943.0583 and other applicable laws.