Franklin County public records include arrest reports, booking logs, inmate rosters, and mugshots held by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. These records are open to anyone under Florida’s Chapter 119 public records law.
You can search them online through official databases, by phone, or in person at the sheriff’s office in Apalachicola.
This page explains how to look up arrests, find someone in jail, view booking photos, and request recent arrest data. All data comes from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Clerk of Court, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement sources as of July 2026.
What Are Franklin County Arrest Records?
Franklin County arrest records are written reports created when a person is taken into custody by a law enforcement officer. Each record lists the arrestee’s full name, date of birth, physical description, the charges filed, the arresting agency, the booking number, and the date and time of arrest.
These records come from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, which serves the entire county. The sheriff’s office handles calls in cities like Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and Eastpoint. State troopers and Florida Fish and Wildlife officers also make arrests here, and those reports go to the same central booking facility.
An arrest record is different from a court record. The arrest report shows what happened at the time of arrest. The court record shows what happened after charges were filed. Both are public, but they live in different offices.
What an Arrest Record Contains
- Full legal name of the person arrested
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Race, sex, height, and weight
- Home address on file
- Charge or charges filed (with Florida statute number)
- Name of the arresting officer and agency
- Booking number and booking date
- Bond amount, if set
- Case number assigned by the court
Franklin County Arrest Search Methods
You have three main ways to run a Franklin County arrest search. The first is the online inmate lookup tool on the sheriff’s website. The second is calling the sheriff’s records office. The third is visiting the jail in person during business hours.
The online tool is the fastest method. It updates every few hours and shows everyone currently booked into the Franklin County Jail. You can search by name or by booking date. The tool shows mugshots, charges, bond info, and the next court date.
Online Arrest Search Step by Step
- Go to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office website at franklinsheriff.com
- Click on the “Inmate Roster” or “Jail Records” link
- Type the last name, first name, or booking number into the search box
- Press enter or click search
- Read the list of matching inmates with photos and charges
- Click on a name to see full booking details and bond status
If the person was arrested but already released, the online roster may not show them. Released inmates move to the arrest log archive, which keeps records for several years. You can request archived records by email or phone.
Franklin County Recent Arrests and Arrest Log
The Franklin County arrest log is a running list of all arrests made in the county, updated by the sheriff’s communications division. Each entry includes the arrestee’s name, age, city of residence, charges, arrest date, and arresting agency.
Recent arrests in Franklin County tend to cluster around certain charge types. Misdemeanor DUI, possession of controlled substance, battery, and violation of probation make up the largest groups. Traffic stops on US Highway 98 and State Road 65 generate a steady flow of arrests each month.
How Recent Is the Arrest Log
The online arrest log refreshes twice daily, usually around 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time. Weekend logs post on Monday morning. Each entry stays on the public log for 90 days, then moves to the archive section. You can still get archived entries with a public records request.
Franklin County Booking Records and Jail Booking
Booking records are created at the Franklin County Jail when an arrestee is processed. Processing includes fingerprinting, photographing (mugshot), medical screening, personal property inventory, and assignment of a housing unit.
The booking process takes 2 to 6 hours depending on the charge level and inmate behavior. Felony arrests take longer because of fingerprint submission to FDLE and identification checks through state and federal databases.
Booking Information You Can Request
- Booking date and time
- Booking photo (mugshot)
- Arresting officer name and badge number
- Full list of charges with statute numbers
- Bond amount and conditions
- Housing location within the jail
- Scheduled release date (if any)
- Court date and assigned judge
Booking records are public from the moment processing ends. You do not need to wait for the person to be arraigned or for charges to be filed formally.
Franklin County Inmate Lookup and Jail Roster
The Franklin County inmate lookup is a live database of everyone currently held in the county jail. It shows name, photo, charges, bond, and court date. The roster updates in real time as inmates are released or transferred.
The jail is located at 270 State Road 65, Eastpoint, Florida 32328. It has a rated capacity of 150 beds but typically holds 80 to 120 inmates. Inmates serving sentences longer than one year are usually transferred to a state prison within 60 days of sentencing.
Inmate Roster Search Options
| Search Type | What You Need | Results |
|---|---|---|
| By Name | Last name, first name | All inmates with matching name |
| By Booking Date | Date range | All inmates booked that day |
| By Charge | Statute number or charge type | All inmates charged with that offense |
| By Booking Number | Booking number | Single inmate full record |
Franklin County Mugshots
Mugshots in Franklin County are taken at booking and posted to the public inmate roster. The photo shows a front-facing view with a plain background. Side and profile views are taken for serious felony charges.
You can view mugshots on the sheriff’s website for free. Each mugshot links to the full booking record. Mugshots stay on the public site until the inmate is released, then move to the historical arrest records archive.
Rules for Using Mugshots
Florida law does not restrict who can view or copy mugshots. However, using them for commercial purposes, blackmail, or to harass a person can create civil liability. Common lawful uses include news reporting, legal research, background checks, and personal verification.
Franklin County Jail Records and Detention Records
Detention records cover the full period an inmate spends in custody. They include booking data, incident reports written by jail staff, disciplinary actions, medical requests, visitor logs, phone call records, and release paperwork.
Most detention records are public. Active investigation notes, medical records, and records that identify confidential informants are exempt from disclosure. The sheriff’s office redacts exempt parts before releasing the rest.
What Detention Records Show
- Length of stay in jail
- Disciplinary issues during incarceration
- Visits from attorneys, family, and clergy
- Phone calls made and received (with account codes)
- Grievances filed by the inmate
- Medical and mental health services provided
- Work assignments and program participation
- Reason for release (bond, sentence, transfer, etc.)
To request detention records, submit a written public records request to the sheriff’s office. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. There is no charge for the first 30 minutes of staff time.
Franklin County Sheriff Arrests vs. Police Arrests
Sheriff arrests are made by deputies of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Police arrests are made by city police. Franklin County has no incorporated cities with their own police departments, so all arrests within county limits are sheriff arrests.
State law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, also make arrests in Franklin County. Those arrests are processed through the same county jail and appear on the same public roster.
Arresting Agency Breakdown
| Agency | Coverage Area | Common Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Sheriff | Entire county, unincorporated areas | DUI, battery, drug possession, warrants |
| Florida Highway Patrol | US 98, SR 65, SR 30 | Speeding, reckless driving, DUI, accidents |
| FL Fish and Wildlife | Coastal and inland waters | Boating DUI, fishing violations, marine theft |
| Probation and Parole | Countywide | Probation violations, failure to report |
Franklin County Arrest History and Background Checks
Arrest history shows every arrest for a person, going back as far as records exist. For Franklin County, the sheriff’s office keeps arrest history back to 1990 in digital form. Older records exist on microfilm at the clerk’s office.
Statewide arrest history comes from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). You can run a statewide check through their public records portal. Results show all arrests in Florida, not just Franklin County.
Who Can Request an Arrest History
- The person named in the record (for personal review)
- Employers running background checks with written consent
- Licensing agencies for certain professions
- Attorneys working on a related case
- Landlords screening tenants (with consent)
- Anyone under Florida public records law for records older than specific exemptions
For employment background checks, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires written consent from the applicant. For personal review, you can request your own record with photo ID.
Franklin County Arrest Records by Name
Searching arrest records by name is the most common method. The online inmate roster accepts partial name matches. If you do not know the full name, you can search by approximate age and city to narrow results.
Common name spellings create duplicate entries. The search tool shows each spelling as a separate result. Click on each one to compare charges, photos, and dates to find the right person.
Tips for Successful Name Searches
- Try multiple spelling variations of the last name
- Add the first name initial if results are too broad
- Check the booking date range to focus on a specific period
- Compare photos, dates of birth, and charges to confirm the right person
- Call the sheriff’s records office if you cannot find the person online
Franklin County Arrest Records Online Access
Online arrest records are available 24 hours a day through the sheriff’s website. No login or account is required. The site is mobile-friendly and works on phones and tablets.
For bulk data requests, the sheriff’s office can provide a CSV file of arrest logs. This requires a written request and may have a research fee if the request takes more than 30 minutes to process.
Other Online Record Sources
- Franklin County Clerk of Court (franklinclerk.com) for court case records
- FDLE Criminal History Search for statewide arrest records
- Florida Department of Corrections for state prison inmate search
- VineLink for victim notification on inmate release
- MyFloridaCounty.com for official records across counties
Franklin County Arrest Report Details
An arrest report is the full narrative written by the arresting officer. It includes the reason for the stop or call, observations made at the scene, statements from witnesses and suspects, evidence collected, and the officer’s reasoning for the arrest.
Arrest reports become public after the investigation closes or 60 days after the arrest, whichever comes first. Reports related to active investigations, juvenile cases, and sealed court orders are not released.
How to Get a Full Arrest Report
- Note the case number from the inmate roster or court records
- Contact the sheriff’s records office at (850) 670-8514
- Provide the case number and arrestee name
- Pay any applicable copy fees (up to 15 cents per page)
- Pick up the report in person or receive it by email if available
Franklin County Jail Roster and Current Inmates
The current jail roster lists every inmate in custody at the moment. It updates automatically as new bookings happen and releases occur. The roster includes pending charges, bond status, and projected release dates for sentenced inmates.
You can sort the roster by booking date, name, or charge severity. Sorting by recent booking date gives you the most current view of who just came into custody.
Common Misconceptions About Franklin County Arrest Records
One common belief is that arrest records disappear if charges are dropped. This is not true. The arrest record stays even if the case is dismissed, dropped, or the person is found not guilty. Expungement is the only legal way to remove an arrest record, and it requires a court order.
Another false belief is that a mugshot can be removed for a fee. Private companies sometimes offer mugshot removal services, but they only remove the copy from their own website, not from official government sites. Official mugshots require a court-ordered expungement or sealing.
A third misconception is that arrest records are private until conviction. Under Florida law, arrest records are public from the moment of arrest, not conviction. Conviction is only relevant to sentencing and prison records, not arrest records themselves.
How Long Franklin County Keeps Arrest Records
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office keeps digital arrest records permanently. Paper records are kept for at least 10 years, then archived. Court records are kept by the clerk’s office and never destroyed for serious felonies.
For record requests older than 10 years, expect a longer processing time. The clerk’s office may need to pull physical files or search older databases. Requests for records over 25 years old may require additional research time and fees.
Franklin County Arrest Inquiry Process
An arrest inquiry is a formal question about a specific arrest or inmate. You can submit inquiries by phone, email, or in person. The sheriff’s office responds to inquiries within 3 business days in most cases.
Common inquiries include bond amount questions, court date verification, inmate location confirmation, and release date estimates. For legal questions, contact an attorney rather than the sheriff’s office.
Franklin County Crime Log and Police Activity Reports
The crime log lists all reported incidents, not just arrests. It includes calls for service, traffic stops, suspicious activity reports, and case numbers for each incident. The log is updated daily by the sheriff’s communications division.
Police activity reports are more detailed versions of the crime log. They show officer responses, witness statements, and case outcomes. These reports are public unless they involve active investigations or juvenile cases.
Contact Information for Franklin County Records
For arrest records, booking data, inmate searches, and mugshots, contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. The jail lobby is open 24 hours a day for inmate information calls.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
270 State Road 65
Eastpoint, FL 32328
Phone: (850) 670-8514
Website: franklinsheriff.com
Jail Records Phone: (850) 670-8500
For court records, case files, and official documents, contact the Franklin County Clerk of Court. The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Franklin County Clerk of Court
33 Market Street, Suite 203
Apalachicola, FL 32320
Phone: (850) 653-8861 ext. 103
Website: franklinclerk.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Franklin County Public Records
Below are answers to common questions about Franklin County arrest records, booking searches, inmate lookups, and mugshots. Each answer is based on Florida public records law and current Franklin County Sheriff’s Office policy as of July 2026.
How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Franklin County?
You can find recent arrests in Franklin County by visiting the sheriff’s website inmate roster or by calling the jail records phone line at (850) 670-8500. The online roster shows everyone currently in custody with their booking date, charges, and bond amount. The arrest log section shows bookings from the past 90 days. For arrests older than 90 days, submit a public records request to the sheriff’s records office. The request should include the person’s name, date of birth if known, and the approximate date of arrest. The sheriff’s office responds to public records requests within 10 business days at no cost for the first 30 minutes of research time.
Are Franklin County Mugshots Free to View?
Yes, Franklin County mugshots are free to view on the sheriff’s website. The inmate roster shows front-view booking photos for every current inmate. You can search by name, booking date, or charge. The photos are taken at booking and remain on the public site until the inmate is released. Once released, the mugshot moves to the historical archive. To get a copy of a mugshot, you can take a screenshot from the website or request a printed copy from the sheriff’s office for a small fee. Florida law allows public access to booking photos without restrictions on who can view them.
Can I Search Arrest Records by Name in Franklin County?
Yes, the Franklin County inmate lookup tool lets you search arrest records by name. You can enter a last name, full name, or partial name with a first initial. The search returns all matching inmates currently in custody. For people who have been arrested and released, you can search the historical arrest log on the same website. If the online search does not return results, you can call the sheriff’s records office during business hours. They can run a name search across all recent bookings and provide booking dates, charges, and release dates for any matching record.
How Do I Find Someone in Franklin County Jail?
To find someone in Franklin County Jail, use the online inmate roster on the sheriff’s website or call the jail at (850) 670-8500. The online tool is available 24 hours a day and shows current inmates with photos, charges, and bond info. The phone line is staffed 24 hours a day by jail personnel who can confirm if a specific person is in custody. You will need the person’s full legal name. If you do not know the full name, you can search by approximate age and city of residence. For federal inmates or state prison inmates, search the FDOC website instead of the county jail roster.
What Is the Difference Between Arrest Records and Court Records?
Arrest records are created by law enforcement at the time of arrest. They show who was arrested, when, where, and on what charges. Court records are created by the clerk of court after charges are filed. They show the case progress, motions, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. Arrest records come from the sheriff’s office or police department. Court records come from the clerk of court. Both are public, but they contain different information. An arrest record does not tell you the outcome of the case. A court record does not tell you about the initial arrest details. For a complete picture, check both sources.
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Arrest Records?
Franklin County keeps digital arrest records permanently in electronic format. Paper arrest records are kept for at least 10 years before being archived. Court records for serious felonies are kept permanently. Misdemeanor court records are kept for at least 5 years after case closure. For records older than 10 years, expect a longer processing time on public records requests. The clerk’s office may need to retrieve physical files from off-site storage. There may be a research fee for very old record requests that require significant staff time to locate.
Can I Remove My Arrest Record from Public View in Franklin County?
You can only remove an arrest record from public view through a court-ordered expungement or sealing. Expungement destroys the record. Sealing keeps the record but limits who can see it. To qualify for expungement in Florida, you must meet specific criteria, such as the case being dismissed, you being found not guilty, or completing a diversion program. You cannot expunge a record simply because it is old or embarrassing. The process requires filing a petition with the court in the county where the arrest happened. A hearing may be required before a judge grants the expungement.