Access Monroe County Arrest Records

Monroe County arrest records are filed at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Key West, Florida. This unique county stretches across the Florida Keys, from Key Largo all the way down to Key West. The sheriff operates the county jail on College Rd and handles all bookings from local agencies across the Keys. Monroe County offers an online inmate search, making it easy to look up recent arrest records. You can also call the jail directly at 305-293-7300. Florida's Sunshine Law ensures that all arrest records in Monroe County are open to the public, and you never have to state a reason when requesting them.

Monroe County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office covers one of the most geographically spread out counties in Florida. The Keys span about 120 miles of ocean highway. The sheriff's jail is in Key West, and all arrests across the county chain of islands get processed there. Local police departments in Key West, Marathon, and other Keys towns make arrests, but every person booked goes through the Monroe County jail.

When someone is arrested, the jail staff records charges, takes a booking photo, and logs everything into the system. This creates a public arrest record under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The jail address is 5501 College Rd, Key West, FL 33040. You can call 305-293-7300 to check on someone in custody or to request copies of Monroe County arrest records.

How to Look Up Monroe County Arrest Records

The sheriff's online inmate search is the fastest way to find recent arrest records in Monroe County. Just enter a name and the system returns current bookings with charges and bond info. For arrest records going back further, state databases are the way to go.

The FDLE Public Access System holds criminal history records from every Florida county. A name search costs $25 total. Results come back right away for online requests. This covers arrests from all agencies in Monroe County, from the sheriff to the Key West Police Department. It goes back years, so it is the most complete source for older Monroe County arrest records. Adding a date of birth helps narrow results when searching for common names.

The FDLE criminal history check page covers all Florida counties, including Monroe County arrest records.

This portal is the starting point for statewide criminal history searches that include Monroe County data.

Another useful tool is CCIS, which pulls court data from all 67 Florida county clerks. CCIS has more than 150 million records and gets data in real time from the Monroe County Clerk of Court. Use it to find out what happened after an arrest in Monroe County. Was the person charged? Did the case go to trial? What was the sentence? CCIS answers those questions.

Note: The FDLE search covers all of Florida, not just Monroe County records.

Monroe County Public Records Access

Arrest records in Monroe County are public. Full stop. Under Section 119.07 of the Florida Statutes, anyone can request access to a public record without giving a reason. Section 943.053 confirms that criminal history records are public unless sealed or expunged. This applies to all Monroe County arrest records, whether they sit with the sheriff or with FDLE at the state level.

An arrest record means a person was taken into custody. It is not proof of guilt. The record typically shows the arrest date, the arresting agency, the charges, booking details, and a case number. Juvenile arrests in Monroe County are not open to the public. Records sealed under Section 943.059 or expunged under Section 943.0585 will not show up in searches. Active investigation files may also be held back. For everything else, Monroe County arrest records are there for the taking.

Sealing Arrest Records in Monroe County

If you were arrested in Monroe County and want the record removed from public view, sealing or expunging may be an option. Start by applying to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. It costs $75 and takes about 12 weeks. They process applications in the order they come in and do not offer faster service.

Under Section 943.059, a sealed Monroe County arrest record stays in the system but cannot be seen by the public. Under Section 943.0585, an expunged record is destroyed by most agencies. FDLE keeps one confidential copy. The certificate is valid for 12 months. You then file a petition with the Monroe County court. The clerk handles the paperwork. Some charges cannot be sealed or expunged under state law. Check the FDLE seal and expunge page for details and the application.

The FDC offender search tool can help find people who were arrested in Monroe County and later transferred to a state prison.

This free tool from the Florida Department of Corrections covers all state inmates, including those from Monroe County.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County only borders two other counties due to its island geography. If an arrest happened near the county line on the mainland side, check the booking agency on the record.