Search Florida busted mugshots through county sheriff offices and state websites. All mugshots in Florida are open public records under state law.
Anyone can look them up online, by phone, or in person. You do not need to pay a fee to search the state’s free sites. This page shows where to look, how to search, and how the law works.
What Florida Busted Mugshots Are
Florida busted mugshots are photos taken when someone gets booked into a county jail. Sheriff offices take these photos and keep them with arrest records. The state has 67 counties, and each one runs its own booking system.
Who Keeps These Mugshot Records
Each Florida county has a sheriff office that runs the local jail. When police arrest someone, the jail takes a mugshot. The sheriff office logs the photo with arrest details. Most sheriff offices post these photos on their websites.
You can search by name to pull up booking photos and arrest data. Results show the mugshot, charges, bond amount, and booking date. Large counties update their jail rosters often. Smaller counties may post just a basic list.
Why Mugshots Stay Open in Florida
Florida law keeps these records open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and city records are open for inspection. Booking photos fall under this rule. The law also says automation of records must not block public access.
You can ask for mugshots in person, by phone, by mail, or online. You do not have to share your name. You do not need to state a reason for the request. This right applies to every Florida resident and visitor.
Florida County Mugshot Search Sites
County sheriff offices are the main place to search Florida busted mugshots. Each county has a sheriff that runs the local jail. When someone gets booked, the jail takes a photo and logs charges.
Florida Jail Information System
The Florida Sheriffs Association runs the Florida Jail Information System, called FJIS. This statewide site pulls booking data from agencies across Florida. FJIS lets you search for people in jail right now. You can also find people booked in the last 24, 48, or 72 hours.
The system covers mugshots and arrest records from counties that share data with FJIS. It has several search features:
- Search for current jail inmates
- Person of interest lookups
- Recently booked searches by time frame
- Exact and logic-based person searches
- Watch alerts for specific people
Florida County Jail Directory
The Florida Department of State keeps a directory of all 67 county jails. Each entry links to the county’s own booking search page. This directory is a good place to start if you want a specific Florida county.
It lists every sheriff office and jail facility in the state. You can also visit the Florida Sheriffs Association site for phone numbers and addresses for every county sheriff in Florida.
Not all Florida counties post mugshots online. All must give arrest records when asked. You can make records requests without giving your name or a reason under state law.
Statewide Florida Arrest Records
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) handles statewide criminal records. FDLE runs several databases tied to mugshots and arrests. Their public records office can help with statewide searches.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History
A statewide criminal history check through FDLE costs $24. This pulls arrest records from all 67 Florida counties. FDLE oversees all law enforcement records in the state. Their public records custodian is Brittany Auclair.
You can call the FDLE records office at 850-410-7676. You can email publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us. The mailing address is 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. FDLE also handles the seal and expunge steps for people who want their Florida mugshots removed.
FDLE Wanted Persons Database
FDLE runs a Wanted Persons Database with active warrant data from agencies across Florida. This database lists people with open warrants. It shows their descriptions and last known places.
The wanted list is different from a mugshot search. It focuses on people with active warrants, not all bookings. For a full arrest history or booking photo in Florida, the county sheriff office is usually the better source.
FDLE statewide criminal history checks cost $24. You can request them by phone at 850-410-8109. The seal and expunge section can be reached at 850-410-7870.
Florida Prison Inmate Mugshots
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) keeps records on people in state prisons or on state supervision. This is separate from county jail systems. County jails hold people before trial or for short sentences. State prisons hold people convicted of felonies with sentences over one year.
Florida Department of Corrections Search
FDC manages all state correctional facilities in Florida. The FDC Offender Search lets you look up inmates by name. You can search by name or DC number to find an inmate’s location, status, and details.
This search covers current inmates and released offenders in the Florida corrections system. Results show the inmate’s Florida facility, sentence length, and release date if set.
FDC Public Records Requests
You can ask for records directly from FDC. The public records custodian is James Best. His office sits at 501 S. Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Call 850-717-9774 to ask about records.
FDC accepts online records requests through their website. Cost estimates come before any records get produced. All records get reviewed for private data before release. Florida law does not require agencies to create new records or do research for you.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has strong public records laws that cover mugshots and arrest data. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes all state, county, and city records open for personal inspection and copying. Booking photos fall under this law.
Florida Chapter 119 Statutes
Section 119.01 says giving access to public records is a duty of each agency. The law also says automation of records must not block the right of access. This means that as Florida agencies put records online, they still must let people inspect and copy them the old way.
You can request mugshots and arrest records in person, by phone, by mail, or online. You do not have to give your name. You do not need to state a reason for the request. This right applies to every Florida agency.
Officer Mugshot Release Rules
There are a few exceptions to public access. Section 119.071(4)(d) exempts photos of active or former law enforcement officers. If an officer gets arrested in Florida, their mugshot can be withheld if they or their agency files a written request for privacy.
This exemption covers home addresses, phone numbers, and photos of officers and their families. The Florida Attorney General issued an opinion in 2012 about releasing booking photos of law enforcement officers. Victim data also has limits under Section 119.071(4)(h). Photos of sexual offense victims stay private.
Seal or Expunge a Florida Mugshot
If you have a Florida arrest record or mugshot you want removed, the steps go through FDLE. Section 943.0585 of the Florida Statutes allows court-ordered expungement. When a record gets expunged, it gets physically destroyed or removed from public databases.
FDLE Seal and Expunge Steps
FDLE keeps a private copy for limited purposes, but the public record is gone. Section 943.059 allows court-ordered sealing, which is different. A sealed record gets placed under seal and is not open to the public. Courts and the criminal justice system can still see it.
The full steps take about 12 weeks from the time FDLE gets a completed application. The fee is $75 by money order payable to FDLE. Mail your application to Florida Department of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489, Attention: Expungement Section.
Call the FDLE seal and expunge section at 850-410-7870. Email SEinfo@fdle.state.fl.us for help with your case.
Private Website Photo Removal
Section 943.0581 covers administrative expungement. Section 943.0582 covers juvenile diversion expungement in Florida. Each type has its own rules and forms. Private mugshot websites are not required to remove photos even after a court orders sealing or expungement in Florida.
Many private sites will remove photos only after you send a formal written request and proof of the court order. Some sites charge a removal fee. Florida law does not force these sites to take down photos once a court has ordered them sealed or expunged.
Top Florida County Mugshot Pages
Every Florida county has a sheriff office that handles arrest bookings and mugshot records. Pick a county to find local arrest search sites, inmate lookup pages, and sheriff office contact details. Large counties run full online arrest search sites. Smaller counties may post a basic jail roster.
Miami-Dade and Broward Mugshots
Miami-Dade County runs the largest jail system in Florida. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department posts daily booking photos and arrest data online. Broward County runs the Broward Sheriff’s Office inmate search site. Both counties update their jail rosters several times each day.
These two South Florida counties handle thousands of bookings each month. Their online search sites let you pull mugshots by name. You can also see charges, bond amounts, and court dates.
Other Large County Mugshot Sites
Hillsborough County covers Tampa and posts booking photos through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office site. Orange County covers Orlando and runs an inmate search with arrest data. Duval County covers Jacksonville with a daily jail roster.
Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater with online booking photos. Palm Beach County runs the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office inmate lookup. These five counties handle the most bookings in Florida outside Miami-Dade and Broward.
Florida Records Contact Directory
Use the table below to find the right Florida office for mugshot and arrest record requests. Each agency lists its phone number, address, and the best hours to call.
| Agency | Phone | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDLE Public Records | 850-410-7676 | 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308 | Mon-Fri 8 AM – 5 PM ET |
| FDLE Seal and Expunge | 850-410-7870 | P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302 | Mon-Fri 8 AM – 5 PM ET |
| FDLE Statewide History | 850-410-8109 | 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308 | Mon-Fri 8 AM – 5 PM ET |
| FDC Public Records | 850-717-9774 | 501 S. Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 | Mon-Fri 8 AM – 5 PM ET |
| Florida Sheriffs Association | 850-877-3695 | 2617 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308 | Mon-Fri 9 AM – 5 PM ET |
| Florida Department of State | 850-245-6336 | 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 | Mon-Fri 8 AM – 5 PM ET |
Website links: flsheriffs.org, dos.fl.gov, fdle.state.fl.us, fdc.myflorida.com, leg.state.fl.us, myfloridalegal.com.
Florida Busted Mugshots Questions
Here are answers to common questions people ask about searching Florida busted mugshots. These cover the law, the search steps, and the seal and expunge process. Each answer gives clear facts you can use right away. Use these to plan your search before you contact any agency or sheriff office.
Can I look up Florida mugshots for free?
Yes. County sheriff websites let you search Florida busted mugshots at no cost. Statewide sites such as the Florida Jail Information System and FDLE Wanted Persons Database also stay free to use. You only pay $24 when you ask FDLE for a full statewide criminal history check. The $75 seal and expunge fee applies only when you want a record removed, not when you search for one.
How long do mugshots stay online in Florida?
Florida law keeps booking photos open until a court orders them sealed or expunged. There is no set time limit. Photos from decades ago can still appear on sheriff sites and FDLE records. Private mugshot sites can also keep photos online until you send a written removal request and show proof of the court order.
Do all 67 Florida counties post mugshots online?
No. Large counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough run full online mugshot search sites. Smaller counties may post only a basic jail roster with names and charges, not photos. Even if a county does not post photos online, it must give arrest records when you ask in person or by mail under Chapter 119.
Can I remove my mugshot from private websites?
Private mugshot sites are not forced by Florida law to remove photos after a court order. You must write to each site and ask for removal. Some sites charge a fee. Others will take the photo down once you show proof of the court order. There is no single state form that removes photos from private sites at once.
What is the difference between sealing and expungement?
Sealing places a Florida record under court seal so the public cannot see it. Courts and criminal justice agencies can still see a sealed record. Expungement physically destroys or removes the record from public databases. FDLE keeps a private copy for limited court and law enforcement use after expungement.
Can employers see my Florida mugshot during a background check?
Yes, if the mugshot is part of a public arrest record. Most Florida background checks pull data from county sheriff sites, FDLE records, and court files. Once a court seals or expunges your record, it should not show up on a standard background check. You must give the court order to the agency that ran the check.
Do I need a lawyer to seal or expunge a Florida mugshot?
No. You can file the seal or expunge application yourself through FDLE. The application form and fee of $75 go directly to FDLE. Many people hire a lawyer to help with the court part of the steps. A lawyer can also file the petition with the clerk of court in the county where the arrest happened.