Union County busted mugshots come from the sheriff’s office in Lake Butler, Florida. This small north-central county handles all local arrests through one central jail.
Booking photos and arrest records are public under Florida law. Anyone can request them without giving a reason. This page covers how the system works, where to search, and what the law says about mugshots in Union County.
Union County Sheriff and Jail Location
The Union County Sheriff’s Office runs the only jail in the county. All arrests from any town inside Union County flow to this one facility. The office sits in Lake Butler, which serves as the county seat. Staff handle bookings, take mugshots, and file the arrest data. Union County is one of the smallest counties in Florida by population.
Sheriff Office Contact Details
You can call the sheriff’s office during normal business hours. The staff can look up recent bookings by name over the phone. For official records, a written request works best. Walk-in visits are accepted at the front desk. Mail requests also get processed, but take longer.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Sheriff Phone | 386.496.2501 |
| Address | 50 Northwest 1st Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 |
| County Seat | Lake Butler |
| Population | About 16,000 |
| Judicial Circuit | 8th Circuit |
| Website | unionsheriff.us |
How to Search Union County Mugshots
Searching for Union County busted mugshots requires knowing the right tools. The county itself does not run a public online booking search. Most people use phone calls, state databases, or third-party sites. Each method gives different results.
Call the Sheriff Directly
The fastest way to check if someone is in the Union County jail is to call 386.496.2501. Staff can confirm a current inmate, charges, and bond amount. Phone requests work for active inmates only. Released inmates need a different process. This method works best for same-day checks.
Use the Florida Jail Information System
The Florida Sheriffs Association runs a statewide jail search tool. It pulls booking data from county jails across the state. You can filter results by 24, 48, or 72-hour windows. Union County bookings appear in this system once staff enter them. The tool covers most county jails in Florida.
Search Florida Department of Corrections
People arrested in Union County sometimes move to state prison. Once transferred, they show up in the Florida Department of Corrections offender search. This database tracks state inmates only. County jail inmates do not appear here. The search works by name or Department of Corrections number.
Visit the Sheriff’s Office in Person
Walk-in visitors can ask about current inmates at the front desk. Staff provide basic booking facts during regular hours. Photo copies require a written request and small fee. In-person visits work for people who live near Lake Butler. Always bring a valid photo ID for your own records.
Florida Public Records Law for Mugshots
Florida law makes arrest records open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes covers this rule. Mugshots fall under public record like booking logs and charge sheets. No reason is needed to request them. The law applies the same way in every Florida county, including Union County.
What Records Are Public
Booking photos, arrest reports, and charge lists all qualify as public records. Court records tied to the arrest also fall under the same law. Bond amounts and court dates appear in public files. The person’s name, date of birth, and physical details get released too. Most arrest data stays public even after the case closes.
Records That Stay Private
Some mugshot records have legal limits under Section 119.071. Photos of active or former police officers can be kept private if the officer files a written request. Victim information in sex crime cases stays sealed. Juvenile arrests follow different rules than adult records. These exceptions apply statewide, not just in Union County.
Copy Fees for Records
Florida law sets standard fees for public record copies. Single-sided pages cost 15 cents each. Double-sided copies run 20 cents per page. Certified copies cost up to $1.00 each. Special service fees may apply for large requests. The Union County Sheriff’s Office follows these same fee rules.
Union County Jail Booking Process
Every arrest in Union County follows the same booking steps. The process happens at the jail in Lake Butler. Staff complete each step before the inmate moves to a housing unit. Booking creates the mugshot and public record.
Step One: Photograph and ID
Staff take the booking photo right after intake. The person’s name, date of birth, and physical details get logged. Fingerprints go into the state database. Personal belongings get stored until release. This step creates the mugshot that becomes part of the public file.
Step Two: Charges and Warrants
The arresting officer files the charges with the jail. Staff enter each charge into the booking record. Local, state, and national warrant checks run at this stage. Bond amounts get set based on the charge type. The full charge list appears in the public record.
Step Three: Medical Check
A basic medical screening happens during booking. Staff check for injuries, illnesses, and mental health concerns. Medications get documented. This step protects inmate safety. Medical details stay private under health privacy laws.
Step Four: Housing and Release
Inmates move to a housing unit after booking. They can post bond, get released on their own recognizance, or wait for court. Release times vary based on charge type. Once released, the mugshot stays in the public file. Bond payments go through a licensed bondsman or the jail directly.
State Prisons Inside Union County
Union County hosts several state prison facilities inside its borders. These prisons are different from the county jail. State prisons fall under the Florida Department of Corrections. The county sheriff does not run these facilities. This causes confusion for people searching for inmate records.
Major State Facilities in Union County
Union Correctional Institution sits near Raiford. This is one of the largest prisons in Florida. It houses close-custody adult males. New River Correctional Facility also operates in the area. Work camps and annex facilities dot the county. These prisons employ thousands of staff.
How to Search State Prison Inmates
People housed in state prisons appear in the Florida Department of Corrections offender search. The county sheriff’s office does not have access to state prison records. Each system keeps its own database. A person arrested in Union County may end up in either system depending on the charge.
Differences Between County Jail and State Prison
The county jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. State prison holds people convicted of felonies with longer sentences. Booking procedures differ between the two. Mugshot access rules also work differently. County jail photos come through the sheriff. State prison photos come through the Department of Corrections.
Clearing Union County Arrest Records
Florida law lets people seal or expunge arrest records. Sealing hides the record from public view. Expungement destroys the record entirely. Both options require a court order. The process starts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Sealing vs Expungement
Sealing keeps the record but limits who can see it. Law enforcement and some agencies can still access sealed records. Expungement destroys the physical record. Only a few government agencies can see an expunged file. Both options apply to eligible arrests in Union County.
Eligibility Rules
Not every arrest qualifies for sealing or expungement. People found guilty of certain charges cannot use these options. The waiting period depends on the case outcome. Dismissed cases qualify faster. Acquitted cases also have shorter wait times. A lawyer can review eligibility before filing.
The Application Process
Applicants must complete a FDLE-certified sealing or expungement application. The fee is $75 by money order to FDLE. Fingerprints get submitted through an approved vendor. Processing takes about 12 weeks after FDLE receives all paperwork. The Union County Sheriff removes the record once the court order arrives.
Statewide Florida Background Checks
A Florida criminal background check covers all 67 counties, including Union County. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs these checks. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies often request them. Private citizens can also run background checks on themselves.
How to Request a Background Check
FDLE offers two main background check options. A name-based check costs less. A fingerprint-based check costs more but gives better results. Request forms are available on the FDLE website. Results return in about 5 business days for name checks. Fingerprint checks take longer.
Background Check Costs
Florida background checks through FDLE run $24 for a statewide check. This covers arrests from all Florida counties. Federal checks cost extra through the FBI. Apostille services add more cost for records used overseas. Vendors charge fees on top of state fees for fingerprinting.
Cities and Towns in Union County
Union County includes three main communities. All arrests from these towns go to the same jail in Lake Butler. No town in Union County meets the population threshold for a separate police booking system. The sheriff handles law enforcement across the entire county.
Lake Butler
Lake Butler serves as the county seat and largest town. The sheriff’s office and jail both sit in Lake Butler. Most county arrests happen here or nearby. The town has a small police department that works with the sheriff. Lake Butler handles most of the booking volume.
Raiford
Raiford is best known for the state prison facilities nearby. The town’s small population makes local arrests rare. Most booking activity tied to Raiford comes from state prison transfers. The Union County jail handles any local charges from Raiford residents.
Worthington Springs
Worthington Springs is the smallest town in Union County. Local law enforcement calls go to the sheriff’s office. Any arrests from Worthington Springs flow to the Lake Butler jail. The town’s small size keeps arrest numbers low.
Nearby Counties for Mugshot Searches
Union County borders several other north-central Florida counties. If someone is not in the Union County jail, they may be in a nearby facility. Each county runs its own jail and records system. Check neighboring counties when Union County searches come up empty.
Bradford County
Bradford County sits east of Union County. The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail in Starke. Their booking records are public under Florida law. Call the Bradford Sheriff at 904.966.2276 for inmate checks. Starke is about 15 miles from Lake Butler.
Columbia County
Columbia County lies west of Union County. Lake City serves as the county seat. The Columbia County Sheriff handles bookings at the local jail. Phone checks work for active inmates. Their booking photos are public under Chapter 119.
Alachua County
Alachua County sits south of Union County. Gainesville is the county seat. The Alachua County Jail runs a public inmate search tool. Their booking database updates daily. Phone calls work for basic checks at 352.367.4000.
Baker County
Baker County borders Union County to the north. Macclenny is the county seat. The Baker County Sheriff’s Office runs a small jail. Booking records are public. Their office phone is 904.259.2231. The county sits close to the Florida-Georgia border.
Union County Sheriff Official Contact
Union County Sheriff’s Office 50 Northwest 1st Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 Phone: 386.496.2501 Website: unionsheriff.us Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Jail Records Request: Available during business hours at the front desk Website: http://www.unionsheriff.us/
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section answers common questions about Union County busted mugshots. Each answer covers a specific search scenario, legal question, or record request. The answers use facts from Florida public records law and current sheriff’s office procedures. Read each one for details on how to handle specific mugshot and arrest record searches in Union County.
Are Union County mugshots free to view?
Yes, Union County busted mugshots are free to view through public records channels. Florida law makes these photos open to anyone. You can call the sheriff’s office at 386.496.2501 to check current inmates at no cost. Physical copies cost 15 cents per page for single-sided prints and 20 cents for double-sided prints. Certified copies run up to $1.00 each. The Florida Jail Information System also offers free online searches for recent bookings across the state. Third-party mugshot sites may charge fees but they are not required. Official sources remain free under Florida public records law.
How long does Union County keep mugshots online?
Union County keeps booking photos in the public record system indefinitely unless a court orders removal. Florida law does not set a time limit for mugshot retention. Sealing or expungement are the only ways to remove a photo from public files. The Union County Sheriff follows state retention schedules for physical records. Digital records often stay accessible longer. Private mugshot sites operate under different rules and may keep photos even after court orders. Official government databases respect court-ordered removals.
Can I remove my Union County mugshot from Google?
Removing a Union County mugshot from Google requires contacting each website that hosts the photo. Google does not remove mugshots on request alone. Florida law gives you two paths. First, you can seal or expunge the arrest through FDLE. Second, you can send removal requests to each mugshot site. Some sites comply with valid court orders. Others require formal legal action. A lawyer can help with the removal process across multiple platforms.
What is the difference between Union County jail and state prison?
Union County jail holds people awaiting trial or serving sentences under one year. State prison holds people convicted of felonies with longer sentences. The county jail falls under the Union County Sheriff’s Office. State prisons fall under the Florida Department of Corrections. Booking photos come from different systems. Union County booking photos stay with the sheriff. State inmate photos appear in the Department of Corrections database. Union County has several state prisons inside its borders, but the sheriff does not run them.
How do I find out if someone was arrested in Union County?
Call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 386.496.2501 and ask about a specific person. Staff can confirm current inmates and basic booking details over the phone. The Florida Jail Information System shows recent bookings from the past 24 to 72 hours. For older records, submit a written public records request to the sheriff. Allow a few days for processing. The Florida Department of Corrections search works for people moved to state prison.
Can employers see Union County mugshots during background checks?
Yes, employers can see Union County mugshots through criminal background checks unless the record is sealed or expunged. Florida law treats mugshots as public records. Most background check vendors include booking photos in their reports. Some industries face legal limits on using mugshots in hiring decisions. Sealed or expunged records do not appear on standard background checks. A certificate of eligibility from FDLE proves a record is sealed.
What happens if I was wrongly arrested in Union County?
A wrongful arrest in Union County does not automatically remove the mugshot from public view. You need to file for sealing or expungement through FDLE. Acquitted cases qualify for expungement after a waiting period. Dismissed cases also qualify. A lawyer can review your case and file the right paperwork. The court order tells the sheriff to remove the record. Private mugshot sites may need separate removal requests.