Highlands County busted mugshots are booking photos taken at the Highlands County Jail in Sebring, Florida. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office takes these photos when someone gets arrested and booked into jail.
Florida’s public records law makes these mugshots available to anyone who asks. You can search for these photos by calling the sheriff’s office at 863.402.7201 or by using statewide search tools that pull data from Highlands County.
Highlands County Sheriff Booking Data
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is the main agency that creates and stores busted mugshots in the county. Every person arrested in Highlands County goes through one place: the county jail in Sebring. Police officers from Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid all bring their arrestees to this single facility. This makes the Highlands County Sheriff the central source for all booking photos and arrest data in the area.
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Location
The sheriff’s office sits at 338 South Orange Street in Sebring, FL 33870. This address serves as both the law enforcement headquarters and the booking location. When you call 863.402.7201, the staff can help with arrest questions, inmate lookups, and records requests. The office runs regular business hours Monday through Friday and handles walk-in records requests during those times.
How Booking Photos Get Created
Booking photos in Highlands County follow a standard process. Jail staff take a front-facing photograph of each arrestee as part of the intake process. They also take a side profile shot in some cases. The photos link directly to the arrestee’s booking record, which includes their name, date of birth, charges, bond amount, and booking date. This entire record becomes public under Florida law shortly after booking.
Highlands County Booking Photo Format
Highlands County uses a digital booking photo system. Files include the arrestee’s full legal name, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, and eye color. The photo shows the person from the chest up against a plain background. Most booking photos also capture a placard with the booking number and date. This format matches what other Florida counties use, which makes statewide searches easier.
| Data Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Booking Number | Unique ID assigned at intake |
| Full Name | Legal name on arrest report |
| Date of Birth | Required for identification |
| Arrest Date | Date and time of arrest |
| Charges | List of criminal charges |
| Bond Amount | Set per Florida bond schedule |
| Mugshot | Front-facing booking photo |
How to Search Highlands County Mugshots
You have several ways to look up busted mugshots in Highlands County. Some methods give you results right away. Others require a phone call or a formal request. The fastest options depend on what kind of search you need and how recent the arrest was.
Calling the Highlands County Sheriff Directly
The most direct path is calling the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office at 863.402.7201. Ask the records desk for booking information on a specific person. You can search by full name or by booking number. Staff will confirm if they have a record and share the booking details, including the mugshot. Phone requests work best during regular business hours on weekdays.
Florida Jail Information System Search
The Florida Sheriffs Association runs a statewide jail search at flsheriffs.org/how-we-serve/jail-services/florida-jail-information-system. This system pulls recent booking data from sheriff’s offices across Florida, including Highlands County. You can filter results by date range and view bookings from the last 24, 48, or 72 hours. The system updates throughout the day as new bookings come in.
Florida Department of Corrections Search
Use the Florida Department of Corrections offender search at dc.state.fl.us/OffenderSearch if someone from Highlands County moved into state prison. This database covers all state correctional facilities. You can search by name or DC number. Results show current location, sentence details, and release dates. It does not show current county jail inmates.
Florida Department of State County Directory
The Florida Department of State maintains a directory of county jail search tools at dos.fl.gov/library-archives/research/florida-information/government/local-resources/county-jails-and-inmate-searches. This page links to the official inmate search tool for each of Florida’s 67 counties. Highlands County appears on this list, and the directory helps you find the right agency when you search for someone who might be in a different county.
Florida Public Records Law for Mugshots
Florida law treats busted mugshots as public records. Anyone can request them. The state does not require a reason. The sheriff’s office must release them unless a specific legal exemption applies. This open access comes from the same law that makes other government records available to the public.
Florida Chapter 119 Statutes
Florida Statutes Chapter 119 is the main public records law. Section 119.01 states that all records made or received by public agencies are open for inspection and copying. This covers arrest records, booking photos, and charge sheets. The Highlands County Sheriff must provide these records to anyone who asks. You can request them in person, by mail, by phone, or sometimes by email.
Section 119.071 Exemptions
Some mugshots stay sealed under Section 119.071. Booking photos of sworn law enforcement officers get shielded when the officer files a written request. Information about victims of sexual offenses stays confidential. Active criminal intelligence data and juvenile arrest records also stay closed. But these exemptions are narrow. The vast majority of mugshots in Highlands County stay fully open to public view.
Records Request Fees in Highlands County
Florida law sets standard copy fees for public records. Single-sided pages cost 15 cents each in Highlands County. Double-sided pages cost 20 cents each. Certified copies run up to $1.00 per document. If your request needs heavy staff time, the sheriff’s office can charge labor fees, but they must give you a cost estimate first. For criminal history checks beyond Highlands County, the FDLE charges $24 for a statewide search.
| Service | Cost | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Single-sided copy | $0.15 | Highlands County Sheriff |
| Double-sided copy | $0.20 | Highlands County Sheriff |
| Certified copy | Up to $1.00 | Highlands County Sheriff |
| Statewide criminal history | $24.00 | FDLE |
| Seal or expunge application | $75.00 | FDLE |
Highlands County Jail Booking Steps
When police arrest someone in Highlands County, the arrestee gets transported to the county jail in Sebring. From there, jail staff run a fixed booking process. Each step creates data that ends up in the public record. The whole process takes a few hours in most cases.
Step One: Arrest and Transport
The booking process starts with the arrest itself. A law enforcement officer takes the person into custody based on probable cause, a warrant, or an observed crime. The officer brings the arrestee to the Highlands County Jail. Local police from Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid all transport arrestees here. Highway patrol arrests in the county also come to this facility.
Step Two: Mugshot Photograph
Jail staff take the booking photo during intake. The arrestee stands against a plain background while a digital camera captures a front-facing image. Some bookings include a side profile photo too. The mugshot links to the arrestee’s booking number. Florida law treats this photo as a public record once the booking finishes.
Step Three: Personal Details Entry
After the photo, jail staff collect personal data. They record the arrestee’s full legal name, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, and eye color. They also note any scars, marks, or tattoos. Fingerprints get scanned into the state system. Staff check the arrestee’s ID and verify the spelling of their name.
Step Four: Charges and Bond Setting
Jail staff enter the criminal charges from the arrest report. They check the charges against the Florida bond schedule to set an initial bond amount. Simple misdemeanors often carry bonds of a few hundred dollars. Felonies can mean bonds in the thousands or no bond at all. The booking record lists each charge and its bond amount.
Step Five: Warrant Checks
Staff run warrant checks during booking. They search state and national databases for any active warrants from other jurisdictions. If the arrestee has open warrants elsewhere, that information gets added to the booking record. This step also flags any holds from other agencies that might prevent release on bond.
- Arrest and transport to jail
- Mugshot photograph taken
- Personal details entered into system
- Charges logged and bond amount set
- Active warrants and holds checked
Seal or Expunge Highlands County Records
Florida law gives people a path to clear their arrest records. Two options exist: sealing and expungement. Both apply to Highlands County arrests. Each follows the FDLE process and has its own rules about who qualifies.
Florida Expungement Law 943.059
Court-ordered expungement under Section 943.059 physically destroys your arrest record. After expungement, the Highlands County Sheriff must remove the booking photo and arrest data from public files. The court order also tells third-party websites to take down the record, though they do not always comply. Expungement is only available once in a lifetime under Florida law.
Florida Sealing Law 943.0585
Court-ordered sealing under Section 943.0585 hides your record from public view. The record still exists but stays out of background checks and public searches. The Highlands County Sheriff removes the record from public access. Most private mugshot websites still show sealed photos because they already copied the data before the court order.
FDLE Application Process
The FDLE runs the application process at fdle.state.fl.us/seal-and-expunge-process. The fee is $75 by money order. You must include a certified copy of the court order with your application. Processing takes about 12 weeks from the date FDLE gets your completed packet. Not every arrest qualifies. You generally cannot seal or expunge a record more than once.
Cities and Police in Highlands County
Highlands County has three main cities. Each has its own police department. All three departments bring their arrestees to the same county jail for booking. This means every mugshot taken in Highlands County comes from one facility, no matter which city made the arrest.
Sebring Police Department
Sebring is the county seat and the largest city in Highlands County. The Sebring Police Department handles arrests within city limits. They transport everyone they arrest to the Highlands County Jail. Sebring sees the highest number of bookings in the county due to its size.
Avon Park Police Department
Avon Park is the second-largest city in Highlands County. The Avon Park Police Department makes arrests within city limits. They also transport arrestees to the Highlands County Jail in Sebring. Avon Park bookings show up in the same database as Sebring arrests.
Lake Placid Police Department
Lake Placid sits in the southern part of Highlands County. The Lake Placid Police Department handles local arrests and brings arrestees to the same county jail. Despite the name, Lake Placid is not near the actual lake of the same name in New York.
Highlands County Contact and Visit Hours
The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office is the main contact point for booking photos and arrest records. The county jail also handles inmate visitations. Knowing the hours helps you plan your records request or visit.
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Contact
The sheriff’s office is at 338 South Orange Street, Sebring, FL 33870. The main phone number is 863.402.7201. Business hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office stays closed on weekends and major holidays. You can walk in during business hours to make a records request. Phone requests work too, though walk-ins often resolve faster.
Visiting Hours at Highlands County Jail
Visiting hours at the Highlands County Jail depend on the inmate’s housing unit. Most visits happen in the afternoons and evenings during weekdays. Weekends also have limited visiting windows. You must schedule visits in advance. Call the jail at 863.402.7201 to confirm current hours and book a visit slot.
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
338 South Orange Street, Sebring, FL 33870
Phone: 863.402.7201
Website: highlandssheriff.org
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Nearby Counties with Arrest Records
Highlands County borders several other Florida counties. If you cannot find a booking record locally, the arrest might have happened in a nearby county. Each neighboring county has its own sheriff’s office and jail. The same Florida public records law applies to all of them.
| County | Main City | Sheriff Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County | Bartow | 863.298.6200 |
| Hardee County | Wauchula | 863.773.0304 |
| DeSoto County | Arcadia | 863.993.4700 |
| Glades County | Moore Haven | 863.946.1600 |
| Okeechobee County | Okeechobee | 863.763.3117 |
| Osceola County | Kissimmee | 407.348.2222 |
Highlands County Mugshot FAQ
These answers cover the most common questions about Highlands County busted mugshots. They explain how the records work, who can see them, and what options exist for removal. The answers reflect current Florida law as of 2026.
How Long Does Highlands County Keep Mugshots?
Highlands County keeps mugshots as part of the arrest record. The sheriff’s office does not delete them after a set time. The records stay in the system unless a court orders sealing or expungement. Even old mugshots from years ago remain searchable through public records requests. Third-party mugshot sites often keep copies indefinitely, and they are not bound by Florida’s removal rules.
Can I Remove My Mugshot for Free in Highlands County?
You cannot remove a mugshot from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office without a court order. Florida law requires a judge to sign off on the removal. The seal or expunge process costs $75 through FDLE, plus any attorney or court fees. Some third-party sites will remove mugshots for a fee if you contact them directly, but they have no legal obligation to do so.
Does Highlands County Post Recent Bookings Online?
Highlands County does not run its own public online mugshot database. The sheriff’s office relies on phone requests and walk-in visits for booking lookups. The Florida Sheriffs Association statewide system does include recent Highlands County bookings within 72 hours of intake. For older records, you need to contact the sheriff’s office directly.
Can Employers See Highlands County Mugshots?
Yes, employers can see Highlands County mugshots through public records requests or third-party background check services. Florida law does not limit who can access booking photos. Sealed or expunged records do not show up in standard background checks. Some employers run criminal history checks through the FDLE, which pulls data from all 67 Florida counties including Highlands.
Are Juvenile Mugshots Public in Highlands County?
No, juvenile mugshots stay sealed under Florida law. Section 985.04 of the Florida Statutes protects juvenile arrest records from public view. Only certain agencies and parties can access them. This rule applies in Highlands County the same as in every other Florida county. Juvenile booking photos never appear on public search sites.
What Happens After Someone Posts Bond in Highlands County?
After posting bond, the arrestee gets released from the Highlands County Jail. The booking record stays in the system. The mugshot remains public. The arrest record stays open until the court resolves the case or until a judge orders sealing or expungement. Bond payment does not trigger any automatic removal of records.
Can I Search Highlands County Mugshots by Date?
The Florida Jail Information System lets you search Highlands County bookings by date range. You can pull up bookings from the last 24, 48, or 72 hours. The system shows the arrest date for each record. For older records, you must call the sheriff’s office directly with a name and approximate date range to start a manual search.