Duval County busted mugshots are booking photos taken by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) when someone is arrested in Duval County, Florida. JSO runs both police and sheriff duties for the entire county because Jacksonville and Duval County merged their governments in 1968.
Every person booked into the Duval County jail has a mugshot, a list of charges, and personal details recorded in the booking system. These booking photos are public records under Florida law. Anyone can look them up online, by phone, by email, or in person at the JSO headquarters in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Records System
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office keeps all arrest records and mugshots for Duval County. JSO took over police duties and sheriff duties when the city and county merged. Today, JSO is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Florida. Every arrest made anywhere in Duval County goes through JSO’s booking process. The booking record includes a mugshot, full name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and the arresting officer’s name.
How to Reach the JSO Public Records Unit
The JSO Public Records Unit answers requests for arrest records, incident reports, and booking photos. The unit is led by Brandi Goff, who serves as the Custodian of Records. You can call the unit at 904.630.2209 during regular business hours. The main JSO phone line for non-emergency calls is 904.630.0500. The unit handles thousands of requests each year for Duval County records.
- Public Records Phone: 904.630.2209
- Non-Emergency Phone: 904.630.0500
- Custodian of Records: Brandi Goff
- Main Address: 501 E. Bay St., Jacksonville, FL 32202
JSO Headquarters and Substations
JSO runs its main headquarters at 501 E. Bay Street in downtown Jacksonville. This building is called the Police Memorial Building. Six substations sit in different parts of Duval County so residents can visit the closest one. You can walk into any substation and ask for arrest records or mugshots at the front desk. The headquarters and substations are open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Public records requests can also be mailed to the headquarters address.
Online Search for Duval County Mugshots
The fastest way to search for Duval County busted mugshots is through the JSO online portal. The portal lets you file a records request, check the status, and receive records by email. You do not need to call or visit a JSO office. The system tracks every request from start to finish. Most requests get a response within a few business days.
JSO Public Records Portal
The JSO online portal is at jacksonvilleso.mycusthelp.com. To use the portal, you create an account, fill out a request form, and submit it. The form asks for the name of the person, the date of arrest if known, and the type of record you want. You can request mugshots, incident reports, arrest affidavits, and other JSO records. The portal sends email updates when your request status changes. Electronic copies often arrive within a few days. Paper copies may take longer and may have fees.
When you file a request through the portal, your email address becomes part of the public record under Florida law. This rule comes from Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes. Anyone can request your email if it appears in a public record you helped create. Use a work email or a separate email if this concerns you.
What the Portal Search Includes
Records available through the JSO portal cover all Duval County arrests. You can request the booking photo, the full arrest report, witness statements, and bond information. The portal does not show records from other counties. If you need mugshots from Nassau County, Clay County, or another Florida county, you must contact that county’s sheriff’s office. JSO only handles records for Duval County arrests.
Florida Public Records Laws for Mugshots
Florida law treats arrest records and mugshots as public records. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes says all government records are open to the public. Section 119.01 makes it the duty of every agency to provide access. You do not need to give your name. You do not need a reason. You only need to ask. Duval County busted mugshots fall under this law unless a specific exemption applies.
Exemptions to the Mugshot Rule
Some mugshots are not public. Section 119.071(4)(d) protects booking photos of current and former law enforcement officers who file a written request for privacy. A court case called Fraternal Order of Police v. City of Jacksonville dealt with this rule in Duval County. The court ruled that JSO could not release a deputy’s booking photo after the deputy filed a written privacy request. Section 119.071(4)(h) keeps victim information confidential in sex offense cases. Most other Duval County mugshots stay public.
Sealing or Expunging a Duval County Mugshot
If you have a Duval County arrest on your record, you can ask the court to seal or expunge it. Sealing hides the record from the public under Section 943.059. Expungement destroys the record under Section 943.0585. Both options start with a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE Seal and Expunge Section charges $75. Call 850.410.7870 or email SEinfo@fdle.state.fl.us to start. FDLE takes about 12 weeks to review your case. After you get the certificate, you file a petition with the 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County.
Sealing or expunging a record removes it from government databases. Third-party mugshot websites that already copied the photo are not required to remove it. Florida law does not force private sites to take down old booking photos after a record is sealed.
Statewide Mugshot Resources
Several statewide tools help you search for arrest records beyond Duval County. These tools pull data from county sheriff’s offices across Florida. They work well when you do not know which county an arrest happened in. Statewide searches also help with background checks and family checks.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
FDLE runs the state’s criminal history system. You can request a statewide criminal background check for $24. This check covers all 67 Florida counties including Duval. Contact FDLE at 850.410.8109 for general questions. The FDLE Public Records Custodian at 850.410.7676 takes broader record requests. You can email publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us for help. FDLE records cover arrests, dispositions, and corrections data.
Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search
If someone arrested in Duval County received a state prison sentence, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) tracks them. The FDC offender search at dc.state.fl.us lets you look up inmates by name or Department of Corrections number. The search shows current location, sentence details, release dates, and parole status. This tool is free to use. The FDC Public Records Office can help with more detailed requests at 850.717.9774.
Florida Jail Information System
The Florida Jail Information System is a statewide tool run by the Florida Sheriffs Association. The system pulls booking data from county jails across Florida, including Duval County. You can search for recent bookings, look up people by name, and set alerts for new bookings. The tool helps when you want to know if someone was arrested in any Florida county. Visit flsheriffs.org to use the system.
Other Ways to Search Duval County Mugshots
You do not need to use the JSO portal to find Duval County busted mugshots. Several other methods work. Each method has different speed and detail levels. Pick the one that fits your situation.
Phone Requests to the Records Unit
Call the JSO Public Records Unit at 904.630.2209. A records clerk takes your request over the phone. Have the full name of the person, date of birth, and arrest date ready. Case numbers speed up the search. The clerk can tell you if the record is public and how to get a copy. Phone requests often take longer than online requests. You may need to follow up by mail or email.
In-Person Visits to JSO Locations
Walk into the Police Memorial Building at 501 E. Bay St. or any JSO substation. Tell the front desk you want to see arrest records. You can view records on-site without paying a fee. Copies of records may have small charges. In-person visits work well when you want to see records right away. Staff can help you fill out request forms.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to the JSO Public Records Unit at 501 E. Bay St., Jacksonville, FL 32202. Include the full name of the person, date of birth, case number if known, and the type of record you want. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want records mailed back. Mail requests take the longest. Allow several weeks for a response.
Third-Party Mugshot Websites
Many private websites collect Florida booking photos from public sources. Sites like BustedMugshots.com, Mugshots.com, and others pull data from sheriff’s office websites. These sites let you search by name across many Florida counties. They are free to use but often show ads. Be careful with any site that asks for payment to remove a mugshot. Florida law caps fees these sites can charge.
Details Found in a Duval County Mugshot Record
A full Duval County booking record includes more than a photo. The record holds personal details, charge details, and custody details. Knowing what the record contains helps you search smarter and faster.
Personal Information on the Booking Record
The booking record shows the arrestee’s full legal name, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, eye color, and hair color. It lists the home address on file at the time of arrest. The record also includes a state identification number or FBI ID if one exists. Some records show scars, tattoos, or other identifying marks.
Charge and Bond Details
The record shows the charges filed at booking. Charges have a statute number, a charge name, and a level (felony, misdemeanor, or ordinance). The record lists the bond amount for each charge. If the person bonded out, the record shows the bond type (cash, surety, or PR). The record also shows the arresting officer and the arrest date.
Custody and Court Details
The record shows when the person was booked into the Duval County jail. It tracks release dates if the person bonded out or was released. The record shows the next court date and the assigned court division within the 4th Judicial Circuit. Sentences and dispositions appear after the court case ends. Older records may show prior arrests in Duval County.
Cost and Fees for Duval County Mugshot Requests
Viewing public records in person is free. Copying records may have fees. Florida law sets the maximum fees agencies can charge. JSO follows the fee schedule set by the state.
Standard Copy Fees
Paper copies of records cost between $0.15 and $1.00 per page depending on the size. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a certification fee. Electronic copies sent by email are often free or low-cost. Duplication of audio or video records has separate fees set by Florida law. JSO lists fees on its public records page.
Fee Waivers
JSO can waive fees for requests that benefit the public. Media requests often get fee waivers. Requests related to active investigations may also get waivers. Low-income requesters can ask for a fee reduction. You must show proof of need to get a waiver. JSO reviews each waiver request on a case-by-case basis.
Limits and Restrictions on Duval County Mugshot Searches
Not every mugshot search goes through easily. Some records are sealed, expunged, or restricted by law. Knowing the limits saves time and avoids frustration.
Records Sealed by the Court
When a court seals a Duval County arrest record, JSO must hide it from the public. Sealed records do not appear in online searches. Phone requests for sealed records get denied. Even walk-in requests for sealed records get denied. Only the person named in the record, their lawyer, or a court order can access sealed records.
Juvenile Arrest Records
Juvenile arrests in Duval County have separate privacy rules. Section 985.04 of Florida Statutes keeps most juvenile records confidential. Mugshots of minors are not public. Only the juvenile, parents, lawyers, and court officials can view them. Juvenile diversion programs also keep records sealed.
Federal Arrests
Federal arrests in Duval County go through federal agencies like the FBI or ATF. JSO does not hold federal mugshots. Federal records are public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You must file a FOIA request with the federal agency that made the arrest. Federal mugshots do not appear on the JSO portal.
Contact Information for Duval County Mugshot Searches
Use the contact details below to reach the right office for your search. Each office handles different types of records. Pick the office that matches your request type.
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Public Records Unit: 904.630.2209
- JSO Non-Emergency Line: 904.630.0500
- JSO Headquarters: 501 E. Bay St., Jacksonville, FL 32202
- JSO Online Portal: jacksonvilleso.mycusthelp.com
- FDLE Seal and Expunge Section: 850.410.7870
- FDLE Public Records Email: publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us
- Florida Department of Corrections Public Records: 850.717.9774
- Florida Jail Information System: flsheriffs.org
JSO Public Records Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time. The office is closed on weekends and federal holidays. Substations follow similar hours but may vary. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
People searching for Duval County busted mugshots often ask similar questions. Below are clear answers to the most common questions. Each answer covers the facts you need to search records, understand the law, and protect your own records.
Are Duval County mugshots free to view?
Yes. Florida law makes arrest records and mugshots public at no cost to view. You can walk into the JSO headquarters and look at records without paying. The JSO online portal also lets you view records for free. Fees only apply when you want paper copies or certified copies. Third-party mugshot websites are free to browse but often show ads.
How long does JSO keep booking photos on file?
JSO keeps booking photos indefinitely in the official records system. Older records move to archive storage but stay available through public records requests. Records of arrests that ended in acquittal or dismissal stay in the system. Sealed or expunged records get hidden but stay in the system for internal use.
Can I remove my mugshot from third-party websites?
Florida law makes it hard to force private sites to remove photos. The Florida Mugshot Removal Law lets you ask sites to take down your photo if the charges were dropped, you were found not guilty, or the record was sealed or expunged. The site must remove the photo within 10 days of a valid request. If the site refuses, you can sue. Many sites charge fees for removal in cases where the law does not require removal.
What is the difference between sealed and expunged records?
Sealed records stay in government databases but the public cannot see them. Law enforcement and certain agencies can still view sealed records. Expunged records are destroyed by the agency. Only the FDLE keeps a sealed copy for future criminal background checks. Most people prefer expungement because it removes the record from public view completely.
Can employers see my Duval County mugshot?
Yes. Florida employers can run background checks through FDLE and private screening companies. These checks pull data from sheriff’s office records, court records, and corrections records. Most employers run these checks for jobs involving money, children, or vulnerable adults. Sealed or expunged records do not show up on most employer background checks.
Do I need a lawyer to seal a Duval County arrest?
No. You can file a petition to seal or expunge on your own. FDLE and the Clerk of Court provide the forms. Many people hire attorneys because the process involves paperwork that is easy to file wrong. A mistake can delay the case by months. Legal aid groups in Duval County help low-income residents file for free.
Can I search for someone else’s mugshot without telling them?
Yes. Florida law does not require you to notify a person before searching their arrest records. Public records requests are anonymous unless you give your name. Many people run background checks on tenants, romantic partners, and business associates without telling them. The person will not be notified by JSO when you request their record.