Liberty County Arrest Records

Liberty County arrest records are filed at the Liberty County Sheriff's Office in Bristol, Florida. This is one of the least populated counties in the state, sitting along the Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle. The sheriff runs the county jail and processes all local bookings. If you need to look up arrest records in Liberty County, you can contact the jail by phone or visit in person. There is no online inmate search for Liberty County at this time, so most record requests go through the sheriff's office directly. Florida law makes these records open to the public through the Sunshine Law.

Liberty County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Liberty County Sheriff's Office is the sole law enforcement agency for the entire county. There are no city police departments here. All arrests made in Liberty County go through the sheriff, and all bookings happen at the county jail on NW Pogo St in Bristol. When someone is arrested, the jail staff records the charges, takes a booking photo, and logs the data. This creates a public arrest record under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Because Liberty County is small, the sheriff handles everything from patrol to jail operations to record keeping.

The jail is at 12499 NW Pogo St, Bristol, FL 32321. Call 850-643-2075 to ask about someone in custody or to request a copy of an arrest record. Liberty County does not have an online inmate search tool, which means phone and in-person requests are the main options for checking recent bookings.

Note: Liberty County jail staff can confirm if a person is in custody over the phone during business hours.

How to Find Liberty County Arrest Records

Without an online jail roster, finding arrest records in Liberty County takes a bit more effort than in larger counties. The most direct way is to call the sheriff's office. Give them the full name of the person you are looking for. Staff can check if that person has been booked recently. They can also tell you the charges and bond amount. For older records, you may need to submit a written public records request to the Liberty County Sheriff.

State-level tools fill in the gap for Liberty County. The FDLE Public Access System holds criminal history records from every county in Florida, including Liberty County. A name search costs $25 and gives results right away for online requests. You need the person's full name. A date of birth helps if the name is common. The FDLE search covers arrests from all agencies in Liberty County and across the state, so it is the most complete option available.

The FDLE provides a criminal history check tool that covers all Florida counties.

This state system is one of the best ways to search for Liberty County arrest records since the county has no local online search tool.

The CCIS court case system is another state resource. It has over 150 million records from all 67 Florida counties. CCIS pulls data in real time from the Liberty County Clerk of Court. You can use it to find court cases tied to Liberty County arrests, including charges filed, case status, and outcomes. This works well for checking if an arrest led to a conviction or if the case was dropped.

Liberty County Arrest Record Laws

Florida's public records laws are some of the broadest in the country. Under Section 119.07, anyone can request to see a public record. You do not have to give a reason. Arrest records in Liberty County are public unless a court has sealed or expunged them. Section 943.053 of the Florida Statutes says that criminal history records are public. This applies to every arrest record held by the Liberty County Sheriff or by FDLE at the state level.

An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody. It is not proof of guilt. The record lists the arrest date, the agency that made the arrest, the charges, and booking details. Some records have limits. Juvenile arrests in Liberty County are not open to the public. Records that have been sealed under Section 943.059 or expunged under Section 943.0585 will not show up in public searches. Active law enforcement investigations may also be exempt from public release in Liberty County.

Sealing or Expunging Liberty County Records

If you have an arrest record in Liberty County that you want removed from public view, you may be able to seal or expunge it. The process starts with an application to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. The fee is $75. FDLE takes about 12 weeks to process it. They do not speed up applications for anyone.

Under Section 943.059, a sealed record stays on file but is hidden from the public. Under Section 943.0585, an expunged record is destroyed by most agencies. FDLE keeps one confidential copy. The certificate lasts 12 months from the date it is issued. After you get it, you file a petition with the court in Liberty County. The Liberty County Clerk of Court handles the filing. Not every arrest qualifies. Some charges cannot be sealed or expunged under state law. Visit the FDLE seal and expunge page to get the application and check the rules.

The FDLE website explains the seal and expunge process in detail below.

Anyone with a Liberty County arrest record who wants to explore sealing or expunging should start at this page.

State Databases for Liberty County

Because Liberty County lacks a local online search, state databases are especially useful. The FDC Offender Search lets you look up anyone in a Florida state prison. This includes people arrested in Liberty County who received a state sentence. You can search by name or DC number. The FDLE Wanted Persons database shows people with active warrants across the state. It includes anyone wanted by Liberty County law enforcement.

The Florida Department of Corrections processes public records requests under Chapter 119 and Section 945.10 of the Florida Statutes. Be specific in your request to keep costs low. For basic info on a Liberty County inmate in state custody, the online offender search is free and fast.

Note: State prison records cover people sentenced after a Liberty County arrest, not those held in the local jail.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Liberty County. If you are not sure where an arrest took place, check the booking agency on the record. The arresting agency determines which county holds the arrest record.