Tallahassee city public records cover arrest reports, booking logs, mugshots, inmate rosters, and police blotter data held by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Florida’s Chapter 119 public records law gives every person the right to inspect or copy these records without a reason.
Tallahassee sits in Leon County at the seat of Florida’s state capital, and arrest records split between city police files and county sheriff files at the local detention center.
What Tallahassee City Public Records Cover
Tallahassee city public records cover criminal history data, arrest logs, booking photos, incident reports, and court case files. The Tallahassee Police Department writes the arrest reports for crimes that happen inside the city limits. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office runs the booking intake at the Leon County Detention Center for every person arrested in Leon County. Court records for the 2nd Judicial Circuit go through the Leon County Clerk of Courts.
Florida’s open records law makes nearly all arrest data open to the public. Mugshots, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and arrest locations all stay open. Personal details like Social Security numbers, medical records, and juvenile records stay sealed by law. Sealed or expunged records disappear from public view by court order.
Types of Arrest and Booking Records in Tallahassee
Arrest records in Tallahassee break into several types. Each type answers a different question. A background check, a bail inquiry, or a simple name search pulls different files. Florida law keeps all of these as public records unless a judge seals them.
Tallahassee Arrest Records
Tallahassee arrest records are written reports made when a police officer takes a person into custody. The report lists the suspect’s name, date of birth, the date and time of arrest, the location of the arrest, the criminal charges, the arresting officer, and the booking number. These reports come from the Tallahassee Police Department or the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The Tallahassee Police Department covers arrests in city limits. The Sheriff’s Office covers arrests in unincorporated Leon County areas.
Anyone can ask for a copy of an arrest report. The agency charges a small fee per page. Reports stay open to the public after the case closes. Sealed or expunged records disappear from public view by court order. Common charges in Tallahassee arrest records include DUI, drug possession, theft, assault, and battery.
Tallahassee Booking Records and Jail Bookings
Tallahassee booking records show every person processed into the Leon County Detention Center. Each booking record lists the inmate’s full name, date of birth, race, gender, height, weight, booking date, booking number, housing location, charges, bond amount, and next court date. The booking number works as the fastest way to find an inmate in the system.
The Leon County Detention Center processes every arrest made in Tallahassee and across the county. City police officers and sheriff deputies bring arrestees to the center for fingerprinting, photos, and property storage. The intake process also includes a medical screening and a phone call to one family member or attorney.
Tallahassee Mugshots and Booking Photos
Tallahassee mugshots are photos taken at booking. Florida law treats booking photos as public records. Third-party websites collect and post these photos, but the official source stays the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Mugshots show the date of the photo, the inmate’s name, and a booking ID number. The photos get added to the public inmate roster as soon as intake ends.
Mugshots stay open for most misdemeanor and felony cases. Juvenile mugshots and sealed case photos do not appear in any public search. Some mugshot removal services charge a fee to take photos down from third-party sites, but the official sheriff’s office record stays public.
Leon County Inmate Search
The Leon County inmate search lets the public look up current inmates by name or booking number. The search pulls live data from the detention center roster. Each result shows charges, bond, court date, and housing unit. The inmate search updates several times each day. The search lives on the Leon County Sheriff’s Office website at leoncountyso.com.
Agencies That Keep Arrest Records in Tallahassee
Three agencies hold arrest records for Tallahassee. The Tallahassee Police Department covers arrests inside the city limits. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office covers arrests in unincorporated Leon County and manages the detention center. The Leon County Clerk of Courts holds court case files, charges, and sentencing orders.
State agencies also play a role. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state criminal history database. The Florida Department of Corrections tracks inmates in state prison after a Leon County sentence ends. The Florida Attorney General’s office handles public records disputes when an agency denies a request.
How to Search Tallahassee Arrest Records by Name
Searching Tallahassee arrest records by name takes a few simple steps. A name search pulls data from the inmate roster, the daily arrest log, and third-party arrest databases. Most searches finish in a few minutes.
- Visit the Leon County Sheriff’s Office website at leoncountyso.com.
- Open the inmate search page.
- Type the full legal name of the person you want to look up.
- Review the list of matching inmates from the results.
- Click the booking number for full charges, bond, and court date details.
For older arrest records, the Leon County Clerk of Courts case search at leonclerk.com covers court cases. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a paid criminal history search at fdle.state.fl.us that covers statewide records. Common names return many results, so adding a date of birth narrows the list fast.
Tallahassee Police Department Arrest Reports
The Tallahassee Police Department creates arrest reports for every arrest made by city officers. Each report contains the officer’s narrative, witness statements, evidence list, and charges filed. The Records Unit keeps these reports for years and makes them open to the public. The Records Unit sits at 234 E. Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
To request a Tallahassee Police Department arrest report, call the Records Unit at (850) 891-4200 or visit in person during business hours. Reports cost a small fee per page. Most simple reports come back within three to five business days. Reports needed for court or background checks can be certified for an extra fee.
Arrest reports differ from police blotters. A blotter lists arrests in a short form. An arrest report gives the full story of the arrest, the charges, and the people involved. Background check companies and attorneys often pull arrest reports for legal cases.
Leon County Detention Center and Jail Roster
The Leon County Detention Center sits at 535 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304. The center holds inmates arrested in Tallahassee and across Leon County. The phone number for the detention center is (850) 606-3500. Visiting hours run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with evening visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All visitors need a valid photo ID and must arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit ends.
The jail roster shows every current inmate. The roster lists the inmate’s name, booking number, charges, bond amount, and housing unit. The roster updates several times a day. Anyone can view the roster at leoncountyso.com without creating an account. The roster also shows release dates for inmates who bonded out or finished their sentence.
For bond payments, the detention center accepts cash, money order, and credit card through a third-party service. Phone calls to inmates go through a contracted phone provider. Inmates can also receive mail at the detention center address, with the inmate’s full name and booking number on the envelope.
Tallahassee Daily Arrest Log and Police Blotter
The Tallahassee daily arrest log lists every arrest made in the city during the previous 24 hours. The log shows the arrestee’s name, age, charges, and arrest time. The Tallahassee Police Department posts this log on its public website each morning. The log covers arrests from the city limits only and does not include county arrests.
The police blotter adds short notes on calls for service, traffic stops, and incidents. The blotter does not always list arrests. The arrest log is the better source for tracking Tallahassee recent arrests. Local news outlets in Tallahassee also post daily arrest logs pulled from the police department and the sheriff’s office each day.
Third-party arrest websites collect the same data and add search features by name and date. These sites charge subscription fees for bulk searches. The official Tallahassee Police Department log stays free and posts each morning at tallahassee.com/police.
How to Request Arrest Records from the City of Tallahassee
Requesting arrest records from the city of Tallahassee takes three simple steps. The Tallahassee Police Department Records Unit handles the request. No form is required. Florida law lets people ask by phone, email, mail, or in person.
- Write down the full name of the person, the date of arrest, and the report number if known.
- Call the Records Unit at (850) 891-4200 or visit in person at 234 E. Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
- Pay the copy fee and pick up the records or have them mailed to your address.
The agency must respond within a reasonable time based on the size of the request. Simple requests for a single report come back fast. Large requests for many reports can take weeks. The Tallahassee Police Department gives a price quote before filling the request.
Cost and Fees for Tallahassee Arrest Records
Florida sets standard fees for all public records. Copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification statement. If staff time goes past 30 minutes, the agency charges the lowest paid employee’s hourly rate for the extra time. Florida law caps fees at the actual cost of making the copies.
Most simple arrest record requests cost a few dollars. Large requests that need hundreds of pages can run much higher. The Tallahassee Police Department gives a written price quote before filling any large request. Payment goes by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the Records Unit window.
Online inmate roster searches cost nothing. Court record searches on the Leon County Clerk website cost nothing. Third-party mugshot and arrest websites charge subscription fees for bulk searches or full background reports. The official sources always stay free.
Free Online Sources for Tallahassee Arrest Records
Free online sources for Tallahassee arrest records include the Leon County Sheriff’s Office inmate search, the Leon County Clerk of Courts case search, the Tallahassee Police Department daily arrest log, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement public records portal. All four sources are free and need no account to view basic data.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office inmate search is the most complete free source. It covers current inmates at the detention center, including booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and court dates. The Leon County Clerk case search covers past court cases, charges, and case outcomes. The Tallahassee Police Department daily log covers recent arrests in the city limits.
For statewide criminal history checks, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement charges a small fee. The fee covers the cost of pulling records from state and national databases. The fee runs around $24 per search for a standard criminal history check.
Recent Arrests and Current Inmates in Tallahassee
Recent arrests in Tallahassee appear in the daily arrest log. The log lists every arrest from the past 24 hours. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office jail roster covers inmates currently held at the detention center. Both sources update daily. The Tallahassee Police Department posts the daily log at tallahassee.com/police each morning.
For a current arrest, the inmate roster is the fastest source. The roster shows the booking date. A booking date from the same day means the arrest happened recently. For a past arrest, the arrest log archive and the Clerk of Courts case search work best. The Clerk search covers cases back many years, with most records online back to the 1980s.
Arrest Record Removal and Sealing in Florida
Florida law lets people seal or expunge arrest records in some cases. Sealing hides the record from public view. Expungement destroys the record. Both paths need a court order. A person qualifies if charges were dropped, the case ended in a not guilty verdict, or the person completed a pretrial diversion program. Some serious charges like murder and sex offenses stay open even after a not guilty verdict.
To seal or expunge a Tallahassee arrest record, the person files a petition with the Leon County Clerk of Courts. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reviews the petition. A judge signs the final order. The record then disappears from public databases and inmate searches. The process takes 6 to 12 months from filing to final order.
Juvenile arrest records in Tallahassee stay sealed under Florida law. Only the juvenile, the juvenile’s parents or guardians, and the court can view these records. Expunged juvenile records can be destroyed by court order. The sealed status stays in place even after the juvenile turns 18. Automatic sealing happens for some juvenile cases after the person turns 21 with no further arrests.
Official Contact Information and Location
City of Tallahassee, City Hall: 300 S Adams St, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Phone: (850) 891-8200. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on state holidays.
Tallahassee Police Department Records Unit: 234 E. Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Phone: (850) 891-4200. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office: 2825 Municipal Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304. Phone: (850) 606-3300. Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Leon County Detention Center: 535 Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304. Phone: (850) 606-3500. Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Leon County Clerk of Courts: 301 S Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Phone: (850) 606-4000. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Official Websites: talgov.com (City of Tallahassee), leoncountyso.com (Leon County Sheriff’s Office), leonclerk.com (Leon County Clerk of Courts), tallahassee.com/police (Tallahassee Police Department), fdle.state.fl.us (Florida Department of Law Enforcement).
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions people ask about Tallahassee city public records, arrest reports, inmate searches, and booking logs. Each answer points to the right agency, the right search page, and the right fee. The answers follow Florida public records law and current Leon County Sheriff’s Office policies.
How do I look up recent arrests in Tallahassee for free?
Free recent arrest lookups in Tallahassee start at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office inmate search. The search shows current inmates at the detention center, including booking date, charges, bond amount, and next court date. The Tallahassee Police Department posts a daily arrest log on its website each morning. The log lists every arrest from the past 24 hours with names, ages, charges, and arrest times. The Leon County Clerk of Courts case search at leonclerk.com covers past court cases, charges, and sentencing orders. All three sources are free and need no account to view basic data. For a statewide criminal history check, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement charges a small fee through fdle.state.fl.us. Third-party arrest websites also pull data from these sources, but the official sources stay free. Common search terms include the inmate’s full legal name or booking number from a recent arrest report.
Where can I find Tallahassee mugshots online?
Tallahassee mugshots appear on the Leon County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster at leoncountyso.com. Each inmate listing shows a booking photo taken at intake, plus the inmate’s name, charges, bond amount, and housing unit. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement does not post mugshots on its public pages. Third-party mugshot websites collect booking photos from the sheriff’s office and other Florida counties. These third-party sites charge fees for full reports and removal requests, and they often list mugshots from past years for the same person. The official source at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office stays free and updates several times a day. Mugshots for sealed cases, expunged cases, and juvenile arrests do not appear in any public search. Court orders can remove specific mugshots from public view, but the booking record stays in the sheriff’s files.
Can I search Tallahassee arrest records by name only?
Yes, name-only searches work on the Leon County Sheriff’s Office inmate search and the Leon County Clerk of Courts case search. The inmate search pulls current detainees by full legal name and returns matches with booking numbers, charges, bond amounts, and court dates. The Clerk case search covers past court cases, charges, sentences, and case outcomes. Common names return many results, so adding a date of birth or booking date narrows the list fast. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement criminal history check needs a full name, date of birth, and a small fee paid online. The fee covers a statewide check plus a national database check. The Tallahassee Police Department does not run a public name search, but arrest reports from the city police can be requested by name through the Records Unit at (850) 891-4200.
How long does it take to get a Tallahassee arrest report?
Simple Tallahassee arrest reports come back within three to five business days. The Tallahassee Police Department Records Unit handles the request at 234 E. Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Large requests for many reports can take two to four weeks based on the size of the search. The agency gives a timeline quote after reviewing the request. In-person pickup is faster than mail because the request skips the mail step. Reports needed for court or background checks can be certified for an extra fee of $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification statement. Florida law says the agency must respond within a reasonable time based on the size and scope of the request. A denial can be appealed to the Florida Attorney General’s office through the open government mediation program at myfloridalegal.com.
What is the difference between a Tallahassee arrest record and a Leon County booking record?
A Tallahassee arrest record is the police report written at the time of arrest. It lists the officer, the location, the witness statements, the evidence, and the charges filed. A Leon County booking record is the intake file at the detention center. It lists the inmate’s personal details, fingerprints, photos, housing unit, medical screening notes, and bond amount. The arrest record tells the story of the arrest. The booking record tells the story of the jail intake. Both records stay open to the public under Florida’s Chapter 119 law. The Tallahassee Police Department creates arrest reports. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office creates booking records. Court records at the Leon County Clerk of Courts add another layer with case files, charges, plea deals, and sentences.
Can I remove my arrest record from public view in Tallahassee?
Florida law lets people seal or expunge arrest records in certain cases. A person qualifies if charges were dropped, the case ended in a not guilty verdict, or the person completed a pretrial diversion program. Some serious charges like murder, sex offenses, and crimes against children stay open even after a not guilty verdict. The person files a petition with the Leon County Clerk of Courts at 301 S Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reviews the petition. A judge signs the final order. The record then disappears from public searches at the sheriff’s office and the clerk. Third-party mugshot websites may keep copies. Removal from these sites needs a separate request and sometimes a fee. The whole sealing or expungement process takes 6 to 12 months from filing to final court order.
Are juvenile arrest records public in Tallahassee?
No, juvenile arrest records stay sealed in Florida under state law. Only the juvenile, the juvenile’s parents or guardians, the juvenile’s attorney, and the court can view these records. Juvenile booking photos do not appear in public searches. Court records for juveniles stay confidential and cannot be viewed by the public without a court order. Expunged juvenile records can be destroyed by court order. The sealed status stays in place even after the juvenile turns 18. Automatic sealing happens for some juvenile cases after the person turns 21 with no further arrests. The process for sealing or expunging a juvenile record goes through the Leon County Clerk of Courts. Records that qualify for automatic sealing do not need a court order, but the person must file a request with the clerk to start the sealing process.