Okaloosa County Arrest Records Search

Okaloosa County arrest records are managed by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office in Crestview, Florida. This Panhandle county is home to Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and several military installations including Eglin Air Force Base. The sheriff runs the county jail and processes all local bookings. Okaloosa County offers an online inmate search, giving the public quick access to recent arrest records. You can also call the jail or visit the sheriff's office for records requests. Under Florida's Sunshine Law, arrest records in Okaloosa County are open to anyone and no reason is needed to view them.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Booking Records

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the unincorporated areas and operates the county jail on E James Lee Blvd in Crestview. Several local police departments also serve the county, including Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, and Crestview police. All arrests from these agencies go through the Okaloosa County jail for booking. When someone comes in, the jail staff records charges, takes a mugshot, and enters the booking data. This creates a public record under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.

The jail is at 1200 E James Lee Blvd, Crestview, FL 32539. Call 850-689-5690 for information on someone in custody. Staff can share basic booking details for Okaloosa County arrest records over the phone.

Note: Arrests made by military police on Eglin AFB are federal matters and may not appear in Okaloosa County records.

How to Search Okaloosa County Arrest Records

Okaloosa County gives you multiple ways to search for arrest records. The sheriff's online inmate search is the fastest for recent bookings. It shows people currently in jail or booked within the last few days. You search by name and the system returns charges, bond amounts, and booking dates for Okaloosa County arrest records.

For records that go back further, the FDLE Public Access System is the most complete option. This statewide criminal history database covers all 67 Florida counties. It costs $25 for a name search, with results right away for online requests. The search pulls data from every law enforcement agency in Okaloosa County and from across the state. You need a full name and a date of birth helps with common names. For older Okaloosa County arrest records that no longer show on the local jail roster, the FDLE search is the right tool.

The CCIS court system has over 150 million case records from all Florida counties. It pulls data in real time from the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court. Use it to see what happened after an arrest in Okaloosa County. Was a case filed? Did the person take a plea or go to trial? What was the outcome? CCIS answers all of those questions.

The CCHInet system from FDLE is shown below and offers another way to access criminal history records for Okaloosa County.

This system serves government users and authorized agencies but connects to the same data that covers Okaloosa County arrests.

Okaloosa County Arrest Record Access Laws

Under Florida law, arrest records in Okaloosa County are public. Section 119.07 gives anyone the right to inspect public records. No explanation is needed. Section 943.053 says criminal history records are public unless a court has ordered them sealed or expunged. This covers all Okaloosa County arrest records held by the sheriff and by FDLE.

An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody by law enforcement in Okaloosa County. It is not a finding of guilt. The record includes the arrest date, charges, booking details, and case number. Some records have limits. Juvenile arrests are not public. Records sealed under Section 943.059 or expunged under Section 943.0585 will not come up in public searches. Active investigation files in Okaloosa County may be held back until the case is done. But the large majority of adult arrest records remain fully open to the public.

Sealing Okaloosa County Records

Arrest records in Okaloosa County can sometimes be sealed or expunged. This takes the record out of public view. The process starts with FDLE. You apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. The fee is $75, and processing takes about 12 weeks. FDLE does not speed up any applications.

A sealed record under Section 943.059 stays in the system but is hidden from the public. An expunged record under Section 943.0585 gets destroyed by most agencies. FDLE keeps one confidential copy. Once you have the certificate, file a petition with the Okaloosa County court. The clerk handles it from there. The certificate is good for 12 months from the date FDLE issues it. Not all Okaloosa County arrests qualify. Some charges cannot be sealed or expunged. Visit the FDLE seal and expunge page for the rules and the application.

The Chapter 119 public records statute page from the Florida Legislature is shown here.

This is the law that makes Okaloosa County arrest records and all other government records open to the public.

State Resources for Okaloosa County

The FDC Offender Search lets you find people who were arrested in Okaloosa County and later sent to a state prison. Search by name or DC number. It is free to use. The FDLE also runs a Wanted Persons database that includes people with active warrants in Okaloosa County. That search is also free. If you have a tip on a wanted person, call the Okaloosa County Sheriff at 850-689-5690.

Nearby Counties

Okaloosa County sits between two other Panhandle counties. Arrests near the county line could be handled by either agency. Check the booking records to find which county processed the arrest.