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  1. Sarasota County Court
  2. Sarasota County Arrest Records

Sarasota County, Florida Arrest Records

In Sarasota County, arrest records are government files regarding arrests that occurred within the county. Such records are under the purview of local law enforcement agencies, such as the county sheriff’s office and the Sarasota Police Department.

These agencies create and disclose arrest records in accordance with state laws. The Florida Public Records Act governs public access to records created by government agencies in the course of performing their official duty. However, Florida Statute 943.053 specifically determines access to criminal history records, which may also include arrest information.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Sarasota, Florida?

In Sarasota County, most arrest information is accessible to the public. The state laws permit all parties, irrespective of their location, to inspect and obtain copies of public arrest records from designated record custodians. These custodians are legally required to provide tools and resources through which the public may obtain arrest records. For example, the Florida Department of Corrections maintains a search platform for arrest records. That said, state laws restrict public access to specific arrest records. Such records generally contain information whose disclosure is not in the public interest. 

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Sarasota County may reveal the following details:

  • Arrestee’s name.
  • Arrest location and date.
  • Arresting agency.
  • Agency incident number.
  • Arrest charges and description.
  • Booking number.
  • Bond type and amount.
  • Court case number.
  • Intake date and time.

Public arrest records do not include information that is statutorily exempt from the public. Examples of non-public arrest information include the following:

  • Arrest information regarding juveniles and minors.
  • Arrest data whose disclosure may interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation.
  • Personal information about vulnerable parties, such as crime victims, witnesses, and undercover officers.
  • Arrest records that are sealed or expunged under court orders.

Sarasota County,  Florida Arrest Search

Record seekers may search Sarasota County arrest records through online search tools provided by criminal justice agencies. For example, the Florida Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database of inmates held in state prisons. The database may also include arrest information, such as arrest charges, bond amount, and booking number. To view arrest information on the platform, record seekers must enter the inmate’s name or DC number.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator also contains arrest details of inmates serving sentences in federal prisons. Record seekers must enter the inmate’s name or prison ID number to view records on the platform. 

In contrast, record seekers may view arrest information in criminal history databases. For example, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains an online search database for criminal history records. Requesters must pay a $25 processing fee to view records on the database.

Sarasota County Inmate Locator

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office hosts an online search database for current inmates in the county jail. To view records on the database, requesters must provide the arrest date, the arrestee's name, or the case number. 

Alternatively, requesters can obtain copies of arrest reports by submitting a request via mail or email to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Record Section at this address:

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

Attention: Records

P.O. Box 4115

Sarasota, Florida 34230-4115

Email: Records@sarasotasheriff.org

The Record Section also processes in-person requests received between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at this address:

Criminal Justice Center

2071 Ringling Boulevard

Sarasota, Florida 

Record seekers may view arrest reports in the custody of the Sarasota Police Department. To obtain records from the agency, record seekers must submit a request to this address:

2099 Adams Lane

Sarasota FL 34237

Phone: (941) 263-6773.

Active Warrant Search in Sarasota County

Sarasota County arrest warrants are legal documents that authorize the arrest of suspected offenders. Court judges or magistrates may issue warrants after receiving a sworn statement or complaint from arresting agencies. The complaint must show sufficient evidence that the offender violated state laws.

Arrest warrants issued in Sarasota County must include the following information.

  • The defendant’s personal information, which may include the name, address, body markings, height, gender, and ethnicity.
  • Alleged offense.
  • Arrest warrant issuance date and location.
  • Warrant number.
  • Statement that the defendant must be apprehended and brought before the court.
  • The name and signature of the warrant-issuing authority.

Record seekers may find information about active warrants by contacting the county sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office may accept in-person requests during official hours at this address:

Criminal Justice Center

2071 Ringling Boulevard

Sarasota, Florida 

In contrast, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains an online database of wanted persons. Record seekers must provide relevant information to view active warrant information. 

Record seekers may view resolved or inactive warrants in court records. To view court records, record seekers may visit the court that issued the warrant. An alternative option is to find records via the online search platform maintained by the Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Sarasota County

Record seekers may find free arrest information in inmate search platforms maintained by government agencies. For example, the county sheriff’s office maintains a free search platform for inmates serving time in the county jail. The search platform reveals arrest information, such as the arrestee's physical description, mugshot, charges, and bond amount. Record seekers must enter relevant details to view records on the platform.

The Florida Department of Corrections, via the Offender Network Search, reveals information about inmates in state prisons. The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator also offers free access to arrest information. To access records on the platform, record seekers must provide the inmate’s name or prison ID number.

Note: Free search websites may not include sensitive arrest information and older arrest records. Such information is generally accessible at the arresting agency or county court. These agencies may only release the records to persons or entities with a legal and tangible right to obtain them.

Sarasota County Arrest Report

Sarasota County arrest reports are detailed narrations of arrest events. Such records are created  by arresting officers in the aftermath of an arrest event. The officers may provide the following information when creating arrest reports:

  • Their observations about the arrest event.
  • Probable cause for the arrest.
  • Statements from crime victims and witnesses.
  • The arrestee’s conduct during the arrest.
  • Exhibits collected at the crime scene.

Arrest reports are crucial in subsequent investigations, court cases, and traffic-related infractions. For example, legal representatives may use arrest reports as evidence in court cases. Note that arrest reports are mostly accessible via the arresting agency.

In contrast, arrest records contain basic information about arrest events. Such records may include the arrestee’s name, charges, arrest date and location, and booking number. Record seekers may find arrest records in the custody of criminal justice agencies.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Sarasota County

In Sarasota County, concerned parties may expunge arrest records by filing a petition with the county’s circuit court. The court may grant the petition after considering factors, such as the legal requirements and severity of the crime. Concerned parties are generally eligible to expunge arrest records under the following conditions:

  • They were not convicted and there was no court-ordered supervision.
  • They were convicted but later pardoned.
  • The court passed a not-guilty verdict or dismissed the case.

Eligible parties may expunge arrest records by using the following steps:

  • Gather necessary documents, such as the certificate of eligibility and the Application to Expunge Records form. To request a certificate of eligibility, record seekers must use this simple guide:
    1. Complete the application form for the certificate.
    2. Visit a local law enforcement agency and get fingerprinted.
    3. Obtain a certified copy of disposition of charges from the Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller at this address:

2000 Main Street

Sarasota, FL 34237

Phone: (941) 861-7400.

  • Attach a $75 filing fee and submit the required documents via mail to:

Accounting and Budgeting

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Post Office Box 1489

Tallahassee, Florida 32302.

2. Next, include a $42 fee along with the Application to Expunge Record form and send them to the Clerk and Comptroller's Office.

Upon receiving the petition, the court may set up a hearing date to review and make a decision. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an expungement order and forward copies of the document to agencies holding the record.

How Do You Remove Sarasota County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Concerned parties must first obtain a court order for expungement before they can remove arrest records from the internet. The court clerk is responsible for forwarding copies of  the order to all relevant government agencies. However, it’s the petitioner’s duty to submit a record removal request to third-party websites that hold copies of their arrest record. Petitioners may find the website’s contact information on their “Contact Us” and “About Us" pages.

Note: Florida laws require third-party websites to remove mugshots within 10 days of receiving a removal request.