Access Charlotte County Arrest Records

Charlotte County arrest records are kept by the sheriff's office in Punta Gorda. The county provides an online inmate search so the public can look up current jail bookings from home. Charlotte County sits along Florida's southwest Gulf Coast and covers Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and surrounding areas. All arrests in the county go through the sheriff's office jail for processing and booking. You can search these arrest records online, by phone, or in person at the jail, and Florida law guarantees your right to access them.

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail at 26601 Airport Road in Punta Gorda, FL 33982. You can reach them at (941) 833-6300. The sheriff's office handles law enforcement across the county and operates the jail where all bookings take place. Whether someone is arrested by a deputy in Port Charlotte, by the Punta Gorda Police, or during a traffic stop on I-75, they end up at this same facility for processing.

Every booking creates a Charlotte County arrest record. This record has the person's name, date of birth, charges, booking photo, bond amount, and the name of the arresting agency. Fingerprints get taken and submitted to FDLE for the state criminal history system. All of this data is public under Florida's Chapter 119 Sunshine Law. The sheriff's office cannot ask why you want an arrest record, and they must provide it within a reasonable time frame.

Charlotte County Inmate Search Online

Charlotte County offers an online inmate search tool. It is free and name-based. Enter the person's first and last name to look up current inmates in the county jail. Results show the booking photo, charges filed, bond information, and booking date. The system reflects people who are currently in custody at the jail on Airport Road.

Once an inmate bonds out or gets released, they will stop showing up in the online search. For older Charlotte County arrest records, you need to reach out to the sheriff's office directly. Call (941) 833-6300 or visit the jail in person. Mailing a written request to 26601 Airport Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33982 also works. Be specific about the person's name and date range. The more details you provide, the faster the staff can find what you need. Under Section 943.053 of the Florida Statutes, criminal history records are public unless a court has ordered them sealed or expunged.

The FDLE Public Access System is another way to look up Charlotte County arrest records that have been reported to the state.

This statewide database covers all 67 Florida counties. Charlotte County arrest data flows into it through the fingerprint reporting process.

Statewide Databases for Charlotte County

Beyond the local inmate search, statewide tools can help you find Charlotte County arrest records. The FDLE criminal history check runs $25 per name. It is instant online and covers all Florida counties. You need the person's full name, and adding a date of birth helps narrow results. This search pulls criminal history data that includes arrests, charges, and dispositions.

The Comprehensive Case Information System is a free resource for court records. CCIS has over 150 million cases from all 67 Florida counties. Charlotte County criminal cases appear here with charge details, court events, and outcomes. You can track a case from the arrest through sentencing. The FDC offender search covers anyone sentenced to state prison after a Charlotte County arrest.

Note: The FDLE search costs $24 per name plus a $1 online processing fee.

Charlotte County Arrest Record Access

Getting arrest records in Charlotte County is simple. Start with the online inmate search for current bookings. For anything older, call the jail at (941) 833-6300 or send a written request. Florida law requires agencies to respond to public records requests promptly. You may need to pay small copy fees for paper records. The sheriff's office handles these requests during normal business hours.

If you go in person, the jail is on Airport Road near the Punta Gorda airport. Bring a valid ID if you want to pick up copies. Staff at the front desk can point you in the right direction. For large requests covering multiple records or a wide date range, expect the process to take a bit longer. The sheriff's office may give you a cost estimate before pulling the records. Under Florida law, they can charge for copies but not for the time to search and locate the records.

The FDLE seal and expunge page outlines how Charlotte County arrest records can be removed from public databases if you are eligible.

Eligibility for sealing or expunging a Charlotte County arrest record starts with a $75 application to FDLE.

Removing Charlotte County Records

Florida lets you seal or expunge certain arrest records. Under Section 943.0585, expungement means the Charlotte County arrest record is destroyed by most agencies. FDLE holds a single confidential copy that is not public. Section 943.059 allows for sealing, which hides the record from public view without destroying it. Both require a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE.

Apply through the Charlotte County Clerk of Courts in Punta Gorda. The fee is $75 and processing takes about 12 weeks. The certificate is good for 12 months. You then petition the circuit court for an order to seal or expunge the record. If the court grants it, the order goes to all agencies holding your Charlotte County arrest record. Administrative expungement under Section 943.0581 is a separate option for arrests that were made in error.

Nearby Counties

Charlotte County borders three other counties in southwest Florida. Each has its own jail and arrest record system.