Seminole County, Florida Arrest Records
In Seminole County, Florida, arrest records are official recordings of arrests that occurred within the county. Such records typically reveal the arrestee's name, physical description, booking number, arrest date and location, and bail amount.
Arrest records are under the purview of local law enforcement agencies, such as the Altamonte Springs Police Department and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. These agencies create arrest records after arresting and booking a suspected offender. In addition, they disclose the records in accordance with the Florida Public Records Act. The state law governs the public’s right to access arrest records generated by government entities. In addition, Florida Statute 943.053 determines public access to criminal history information.
These state laws allow public access to arrest records for the following reasons:
- To provide accurate information about recent arrest events.
- To promote transparency in the conduct of arresting agencies.
- To provide information about potential threats to the community.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in Seminole, Florida?
Most arrest information in Seminole County is public record. Under the Florida laws, the public may view and get copies of such records from criminal justice agencies, such as arresting agencies and courts. These agencies are legally required to provide options through which the public can obtain arrest records.
Note that agencies can legally refuse to disclose specific arrest information due to confidentiality or privacy reasons. Agencies may, however, disclose such information to legally eligible parties, such as the record subject and their legal representatives. Eligible parties must provide a valid ID when requesting confidential arrest records in Seminole County.
What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?
In Seminole County, public arrest records typically provide information on the following:
- Arrestee’s name, aliases, and physical-identifying features, such as ethnicity, age, height, and gender.
- Arrest charges
- Arrest date and location.
- Name of the arresting officer and agency.
- Booking date and number.
- Bond or bail amount.
Public arrest records often exclude information whose disclosure may endanger the safety of concerned parties. Examples of such information include the following:
- Information on juvenile arrestees.
- Court sealed or expunged arrest records.
- Personal information of security-vulnerable parties like the arresting officer, witnesses, and crime victims.
- Mental and medical health records compiled as part of crime evidence.
- Arrest information that may interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation.
Seminole County, Florida Arrest Search
Record seekers may search Seminole County arrest records by using online resources provided by state and federal agencies. At the state level, the Florida Department of Corrections maintains a search database for inmates held in state prisons. The database may also include arrest information, such as the booking number, charges, and bond amount. Record seekers may view records on the database by entering an inmate’s name or DC number.
In contrast, the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator reveals information on inmates serving sentences in federal prisons. To view records on the platform, record seekers must enter an inmate’s name or prison ID number.
Record seekers may find arrest details in criminal history records. To look up such records, record seekers must conduct searches using an online database maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The agency charges a $25 processing fee for searches conducted in the database.
Seminole County Inmate Locator
The Seminole County Sheriff’s website hosts an online search portal for pretrial detainees and inmates serving short sentences in the county jail. The portal also reveals arrest information, such as the arrestee’s name, booking number, arrest charges, and bond amount. Record seekers may view records on the portal by providing this search information:
- Inmate’s first and last name.
- Inmate’s age, sex, and gender.
- Booking number.
The county sheriff’s office also maintains a daily booking report on their website. Record seekers must select the preferred date to view information on recently booked offenders. In contrast, record seekers may request arrest records in-person by visiting the county sheriff’s office or jail at these locations:
Main Office
100 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773
Phone: (407) 665-6650
East Region Office (Oviedo / Geneva / Casselberry / Winter Springs)
1225 East Broadway
Oviedo, FL 32765
Phone: (407) 665-1750
South Region Office (Altamonte Springs)
120 West Pineview Street
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Phone: (407) 665-1705
North Region Office (Longwood / Lake Mary / Sanford)
805 Primera Boulevard
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: (407) 665-1450
John E. Polk Correctional Facility
211 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773
Phone: (407) 665-1200
Active Warrant Search in Seminole County
Seminole County arrest warrants are court documents that authorize the arrest of suspected offenders. Court magistrates or judges may issue arrest warrants upon receiving a sworn statement from an arresting officer. The statement must reveal sufficient evidence that the offender committed the crime. Note that court judges may issue arrest warrants if the offender refuses to honor court summons.
Under Florida laws, arrest warrants are considered valid if they include the following information:
- The defendant’s name, aliases, and physical-identifying features.
- Warrant document number.
- Warrant issuance date and location.
- Name of the issuing court.
- A statement that the defendant must be arrested and brought before the court.
- Alleged offense.
- Name and signature of the court official.
To find active warrants in Seminole County, inquirers may use the FDLE’s wanted persons search platform. The county sheriff’s office may also reveal active warrants issued in the county. Inquirers may look up the record by providing the arrestee’s name and other identifying information.
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Seminole County
Record seekers may find free arrest records in Seminole County by using resources provided by government entities. The county sheriff’s office maintains a free search platform for recently arrested persons. Inquirers may view records on the platform by providing the inmate’s name or booking number.
Likewise, inquirers may search arrest records for free via the Florida Department of Corrections' inmate search database. The FDLE also maintains a free search platform for offenders arrested in Seminole County. The platforms include the following:
The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator also provides free access to arrest information. Record seekers must provide the inmate’s name or prison ID to view records on the platform.
Free online search platforms may not include information about older arrests or confidential records. Such information is usually accessible via the arresting agency. Record seekers may obtain such records by providing relevant search details and valid IDs to the arresting agency.
Seminole County Arrest Report
Seminole County arrest reports provide detailed information about an arrest event. Unlike arrest records, these reports are written from the arresting officer’s perspective and may include the following information:
- The officer’s observations about the incident.
- Probable cause for the arrest.
- Offender’s conduct during the incident.
- Statements from crime victims and other concerned parties.
- Evidence collected at the crime scene.
Arrest reports are typically under the purview of the arresting agency. The agency may only require a written request and valid IDs before disclosing copies of arrest reports.
In contrast, arrest records contain basic information about an arrest event. They may also include post-arrest details, such as the booking date and bond amount. With that being said, arrest records are accessible via resources and tools provided by criminal justice agencies.
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Seminole County
Interested parties may expunge arrest records by submitting a petition to the circuit court in Seminole County. You may expunge by following these steps:
- Complete the legal requirements. You may expunge arrest records under the following conditions:
- The court acquitted or dismissed the case.
- You were not convicted and there was no court-ordered supervision.
- You were convicted but later pardoned by the court.
- Get a certificate of eligibility from the FDLE. Interested parties may obtain the certificate by following these steps:
- Fill out the request form for the certificate of eligibility.
- Visit a local law enforcement agency and get fingerprinted on a Form 40-024.
- Attach the required fee as a money order or check made payable to the FDLE. The agency charges a non-refundable $75 processing fee.
- Next, obtain a certified copy of the court disposition from the Seminole County Clerk of Court’s Office at this location:
Seminole County Courthouse
301 North Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
Phone: (407) 665-4300
- Submit the forms and fees via mail to this address:
Accounting and Budgeting
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Post Office Box 1489
Tallahassee, Florida 32302.
- Fill out the Application to Expunge Record form.
- Submit the required documents and a $42 processing fee to the Seminole Clerk of Courts. If the petition is granted, the court clerk may send copies of the expungement order to agencies holding the record.
How Do You Remove Seminole County Arrest Records From the Internet?
To remove records from the internet, interested parties must first obtain an expungement order from the Seminole County Circuit Court. The County Clerk of Courts may submit copies of the court orders to government websites holding the record. However, interested parties must submit a copy of the court order to third-party websites. These websites typically have their contact information on their “Contact Us” or “About Us” pages. Under Florida Statute 901.43, third-party websites must remove your mugshots within 10 days of receiving the removal request.