Search Bay County Arrest Records

Bay County arrest records can be searched through the sheriff's office in Panama City. The county jail processes bookings from across the Panama City area and surrounding towns. An online inmate search tool is available for the public to look up current inmates by name. If you need to check on a recent arrest or find booking details for someone in Bay County, the sheriff's office makes this data easy to access. Florida's public records laws ensure that arrest records in Bay County remain open to anyone who wants to see them.

Bay County Sheriff and Jail

The Bay County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail at 5700 Star Lane, Panama City, FL 32404. Call (850) 785-5245 to reach the jail. This facility handles every arrest made in Bay County, whether it was by the Panama City Police, the Panama City Beach Police, or the sheriff's deputies working in unincorporated areas. All bookings funnel through one system.

When a person is booked into the Bay County jail, their arrest record is created. The record includes the person's name, date of birth, the charges filed, the booking date, and the arresting agency. Bond amounts are set based on the charges. Florida law under Chapter 119 classifies arrest records as public documents. You have the right to look at them. The sheriff's office cannot deny access or demand that you explain why you need the information.

Bay County Arrest Records Online Search

Bay County offers an online inmate search tool. You can look up people currently held in the county jail. The search is name-based and free to use. Results show the booking photo, charges, bond status, and other booking details. This system is useful for checking on recent arrests in Bay County or confirming if someone is still in custody.

Keep in mind that the online tool only covers current inmates. Once someone posts bond or gets released, their information may drop off the search. For older arrest records in Bay County, you will need to contact the sheriff's office at (850) 785-5245 or go to 5700 Star Lane in Panama City. The staff can pull records from the booking system. Public records requests can be made in person, by phone, or by mail. Section 943.053 of the Florida Statutes states that criminal history records are public, and the Bay County Sheriff's Office follows this law when handling record requests.

The CCIS statewide court records system also covers Bay County cases and can show how charges progressed through the courts.

CCIS pulls real-time data from all 67 Florida counties, making it a solid tool for checking Bay County court records tied to arrests.

FDLE Resources for Bay County

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs statewide databases that include Bay County arrest records. A name-based criminal history check costs $25 and returns instant results. You need the person's full name. Add a date of birth if you can. This search pulls from all Florida counties at once, so you will see Bay County arrests along with any others on file.

FDLE's Public Access System provides criminal history information from the Florida Crime Information Center. The wanted persons search shows active warrants that could be tied to Bay County cases. If you are looking for someone who was sentenced to state prison after a Bay County arrest, the FDC offender search can help. Search by name or DC number to find current and past state inmates.

Bay County Record Requests

There are several ways to get copies of arrest records in Bay County. The fastest method for current inmates is the online search. For records that are not available online, call the jail at (850) 785-5245 during regular business hours. You can also visit the sheriff's office at 5700 Star Lane in Panama City and make your request in person.

Written requests can be mailed to the same address. Include the person's full name, any known dates, and what specific records you need. The sheriff's office may charge copy fees as allowed by Florida law. Under Chapter 119, agencies can recover the cost of duplicating records, but they cannot charge for the time it takes to search for them. Bay County arrest records that are on paper may cost a per-page fee. Digital records may be provided by email in some cases.

The FDLE seal and expunge page explains how to start the process if you want a Bay County arrest record removed from public view.

FDLE handles the Certificate of Eligibility that is the first step in sealing or expunging an arrest record from Bay County.

Note: Copy fees for Bay County arrest records vary based on format and number of pages.

Sealing Bay County Arrest Records

If you have a Bay County arrest record you want sealed or expunged, start with FDLE. You need a Certificate of Eligibility, which costs $75 to process. Under Section 943.0585, expungement destroys the record at all agencies except FDLE. Sealing under Section 943.059 hides it from public view. Both processes require filing through the Bay County Clerk of Courts in Panama City.

Processing takes about 12 weeks for the certificate. It is good for 12 months. After you get it, petition the circuit court in Bay County for an order. The court reviews the case and either grants or denies the request. If granted, the order goes to every agency that holds your Bay County arrest record. FDLE keeps one confidential copy even after expungement.

Nearby Counties

Bay County sits in the Florida Panhandle. If you are not sure which county made the arrest, check these neighbors. Each one has its own booking system and arrest records.