Clay County Arrest Records

Clay County arrest records can be searched through the sheriff's office in Green Cove Springs. The county jail has an online inmate lookup that is free for the public to use. Clay County sits just south of Jacksonville and covers areas like Orange Park, Middleburg, and Fleming Island. The sheriff's office books every person arrested in Clay County into the county jail, and those records are open to the public. Whether you need to look up a current inmate or find booking details for a past arrest, there are several ways to get arrest records in Clay County.

Clay County Sheriff's Office Jail

The Clay County jail is at 901 Orange Avenue in Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. The jail phone is (904) 529-5952. The sheriff's office operates this facility and handles all bookings for the county. Local police departments in Orange Park and other Clay County towns make arrests, but the jail processes everyone the same way.

When a person is booked into the Clay County jail, the staff creates an arrest record. It captures the person's name, date of birth, charges, arresting agency, booking date and time, and bond amount. A mugshot and fingerprints are also part of the process. The fingerprint data gets sent to FDLE for the statewide criminal history database. Florida law under Chapter 119 treats these arrest records as public documents. You can request them without explaining your purpose. The sheriff's office is required to give you access.

Search Clay County Arrest Records Online

Clay County offers an online inmate search through the sheriff's website. The search is name-based and free. Enter the person's first and last name and the system will return matches from the current jail population. You can see the booking photo, charges, bond status, and other details about the arrest.

The online search shows current inmates only. People who have bonded out or been released will no longer appear. If you need an older Clay County arrest record, contact the sheriff's office at (904) 529-5952. You can also go to the jail at 901 Orange Avenue in Green Cove Springs and make your request in person. Written requests sent by mail are accepted too. The staff will pull the records and let you know about any copy fees. Section 943.053 of the Florida Statutes makes it clear that criminal history records are public, and the Clay County Sheriff's Office follows this rule.

The screenshot below shows the FDLE criminal history check page where you can search for Clay County arrest records statewide.

This FDLE tool costs $25 per search and covers arrest records from all 67 Florida counties, including Clay County.

Clay County Records and Florida Law

Arrest records in Clay County are governed by Florida's broad public records laws. The state constitution and the Sunshine Law give everyone the right to inspect government records. An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody. It lists charges, the booking details, and the arresting agency. It is not a finding of guilt. Anyone can request these records, and you do not need to be a party to the case.

Some records are restricted, even in Clay County. Juvenile arrest records are not public. Active investigation files may be withheld temporarily. Victim names can be redacted from records before release. Personal data such as Social Security numbers gets stripped out. If a Clay County arrest record has been sealed under Section 943.059 or expunged under Section 943.0585, it will not appear in any public search. The person whose record was sealed or expunged can deny the arrest in most situations.

Note: An arrest record in Clay County does not mean the person is guilty of the charges listed.

FDLE and Statewide Searches

FDLE maintains the central criminal history system for Florida. Every Clay County arrest that involves fingerprinting gets reported to this database. You can search it through the Public Access System for $25 per name. Results are instant and cover all counties. The CCIS court records system provides real-time data on Clay County cases, including charges, court dates, and outcomes.

The FDLE wanted persons search can show active warrants in Clay County. If you are looking for someone who was sentenced to state prison after a Clay County conviction, use the FDC offender search. It lets you search by name or DC number. The Florida Department of Corrections public records page explains how to request detailed records from the state prison system.

Expunging Clay County Arrest Records

If you have a Clay County arrest record you want erased, start with FDLE. The seal and expunge program issues Certificates of Eligibility. The processing fee is $75 and it takes about 12 weeks. Apply through the Clay County Clerk of Courts in Green Cove Springs. The certificate is good for 12 months after it is issued.

Expungement under Section 943.0585 destroys the arrest record at all agencies except FDLE. Sealing under Section 943.059 hides it from public access but keeps it on file for certain government agencies to see. After getting the certificate, you petition the circuit court in Clay County. If the judge grants the request, the court order goes to every agency that has your arrest record. Administrative expungement under Section 943.0581 handles cases where the arrest was made in error. Juvenile diversion expungement under Section 943.0582 applies to minors who finished a diversion program in Clay County.

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes spells out the public's right to access records, including arrest records from Clay County.

Nearby Counties

Clay County is in northeast Florida near Jacksonville. These counties border Clay and have their own arrest record systems.