Lake County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lake County
Arrest records in Lake County, Florida are considered public records pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Members of the public may access these records through various official channels established by county agencies. The Florida Constitution and state statutes establish a presumption of openness regarding government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within Lake County jurisdictions.
Under Florida Statute § 119.01, it is the policy of the state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. The Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains these records in accordance with statutory requirements and makes them available through both in-person and online platforms.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida law, including:
- Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585 or § 943.059
- Information that would reveal the identity of victims of certain crimes
- Active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information
The custodian of these records is primarily:
Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller 550 West Main Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 742-4100 Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding legal holidays.
What's in Lake County Arrest Records
Lake County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement at the time of apprehension. These records are maintained in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.021, which establishes requirements for record retention and accessibility.
Standard information contained in Lake County arrest records includes:
- Demographic information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, address, physical description)
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
- Case number and booking information
- Fingerprint data collected during booking procedures
- Photograph (mugshot) taken during the booking process
- Bond information, including amount set and status
- Court appearance dates and preliminary hearing schedules
Additional documentation may include:
- Narrative reports from arresting officers describing the circumstances of the arrest
- Witness statements collected at the scene
- Evidence inventory lists
- Miranda rights acknowledgment forms
- Medical screening information when applicable
The Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains booking information and makes certain elements available through their online portal in accordance with Florida's public records requirements.
Lake County Sheriff's Office 360 West Ruby Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 343-2101 Lake County Sheriff's Office Self Services
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Lake County in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Lake County for the year 2025. The following procedures have been established by county agencies to facilitate public access to these records:
In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller - Records Department 550 West Main Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 742-4100 Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
When making an in-person request, requestors should:
- Complete a public records request form available at the service counter
- Provide specific information about the record being sought (name of individual, approximate date of arrest, case number if known)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for document reproduction (currently $1.00 per page for certified copies and $0.15 per page for uncertified copies)
For telephone requests, individuals may contact:
- Records Division: (352) 742-4145
- Criminal Division: (352) 742-4323
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the duplication of records. Payment methods accepted include cash, credit card, money order, or cashier's check made payable to the Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office also maintains a dedicated terminal at their headquarters where members of the public may conduct searches of arrest records without charge during regular business hours.
How To Find Lake County Arrest Records Online
Lake County provides multiple digital platforms through which members of the public may access arrest records electronically. These online resources have been established in accordance with Florida's commitment to government transparency as codified in Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which encourages agencies to provide remote electronic access to public records.
The primary online resources for accessing Lake County arrest records include:
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The Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller's official website offers a comprehensive court records search portal. Users must first accept the terms of the user agreement, which outlines the permissible uses of the information in compliance with Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(b). As of October 13, 2023, all documents accepted into court files are maintained in PDF/A format as required by the Supreme Court of Florida.
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The Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains a self-service portal that includes:
- Current inmate information
- Recent booking data
- Arrest reports
- Warrant information
To utilize these online resources, users should:
- Have specific identifying information about the subject of the search
- Be aware that certain records may be redacted pursuant to exemptions in Florida law
- Understand that the most recent records may not be immediately available online due to processing time
For technical assistance with online searches, users may contact: Lake County Clerk's Information Technology Department 550 West Main Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 742-4100 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Can You Search Lake County Arrest Records for Free?
Lake County provides several no-cost options for members of the public seeking to access arrest records, in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law. While certain services may incur fees for document reproduction or certification, basic search capabilities are available without charge.
Free access options include:
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Public access terminals located at the Lake County Courthouse provide complimentary on-site search capabilities during regular business hours. These terminals are available at:
Lake County Judicial Center 550 West Main Street Tavares, FL 32778 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
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The Lake County Sheriff's Office online inmate search function is accessible without charge through their self-service portal. This resource provides basic booking information and current custody status.
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The Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller's website offers free search functionality for court records, though downloading documents may incur fees.
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), while agencies may charge for the actual cost of duplication of records, they may not charge for the labor cost or overhead associated with providing access to records that are readily accessible. The following fee structure applies to document reproduction:
- Electronic access to view records: No charge
- Printed copies: $0.15 per page (standard size)
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee
- Research assistance: $20 per hour after the first 30 minutes (which are provided at no charge)
How To Delete Arrest Records in Lake County
The process for removing arrest records from public access in Lake County is governed by Florida Statutes §§ 943.0585 and 943.059, which establish the legal framework for expungement and sealing of criminal history records. Individuals seeking to delete arrest records must follow specific statutory procedures administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Lake County Clerk of Court.
Eligibility requirements for expungement include:
- The arrest must not have resulted in a conviction
- The individual must not have been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense
- The individual must not have previously secured an expungement or sealing of another arrest record
- The offense must not be among those enumerated in Florida Statute § 943.0585(2) as ineligible for expungement
The process requires:
- Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE
- Filing a petition with the Lake County Clerk of Court
- Attending a hearing before a Circuit Court judge
- If granted, serving the expungement order on all agencies possessing the record
For assistance with this process, individuals may contact:
Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court - Criminal Division 550 West Main Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 742-4323 Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Office of County Probation 315 W. Main Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 742-6565 Lake County Probation
Individuals should be aware that expungement applies only to records maintained by Florida agencies. Federal agencies and private companies that have previously obtained the information may still retain copies.
What Happens After Arrest in Lake County?
Following an arrest in Lake County, a standardized procedural sequence is initiated in accordance with Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and applicable state statutes. This process ensures constitutional protections while maintaining public safety interests.
The post-arrest procedure typically includes:
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Booking Process: Arrestees are transported to the Lake County Detention Center where they undergo fingerprinting, photographing, and personal information collection. This information is entered into the county's records management system and becomes part of the public record pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.011(3)(c).
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Initial Appearance: Within 24 hours of arrest, individuals appear before a judge for a first appearance hearing where:
- Charges are formally read
- Constitutional rights are explained
- Determination of probable cause is made
- Bond amounts are established or pretrial release conditions are set
- Public defender appointment occurs if the individual qualifies
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Arraignment: Typically scheduled within 30 days of arrest, the defendant enters a formal plea to the charges.
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Pretrial Proceedings: May include discovery exchanges, motion hearings, and pretrial conferences.
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Case Disposition: Concludes through trial, plea agreement, diversion program, or dismissal.
The Lake County Detention Center processes approximately 12,000 bookings annually. For information regarding an individual currently in custody, contact:
Lake County Detention Center 551 West Main Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 343-9500 Visitation Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Lake County?
Arrest records in Lake County are maintained in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules as established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Florida Statute § 257.36. These schedules mandate specific timeframes for the preservation of public records based on their content and significance.
The standard retention periods for arrest-related records in Lake County are:
- Arrest reports and booking information: Permanent retention
- Fingerprint cards and photographs: 75 years from date of creation
- Arrest warrants (executed): Retained until final court disposition plus 3 years
- Arrest warrants (unexecuted): Retained until expiration of statute of limitations
- Juvenile arrest records: Until subject reaches 24 years of age (with exceptions for serious offenses)
Records may be maintained in various formats, including:
- Original paper documents
- Microfilm/microfiche
- Digital images
- Electronic database entries
The Lake County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the custodian of court records related to arrests and prosecutions. Historical records dating back to the county's formation in 1887 are maintained in the county archives and are accessible to researchers and members of the public.
Lake County Records Management Division 315 West Main Street, Suite 441 Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 253-6150 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
How to Find Mugshots in Lake County
Booking photographs, commonly referred to as mugshots, are classified as public records under Florida Statute § 119.011(12) and are maintained by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. These images are created during the booking process and become part of the official arrest record.
Members of the public seeking to obtain mugshots from Lake County arrests may utilize the following methods:
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Online Access: The Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate database that includes booking photographs of individuals currently in custody. This resource is updated regularly and provides recent booking images.
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Public Records Request: For historical mugshots or those not available online, individuals may submit a formal public records request to:
Lake County Sheriff's Office - Records Division 360 West Ruby Street Tavares, FL 32778 (352) 343-9500 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Request forms are available on the Sheriff's Office website or in person at the Records Division.
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Clerk of Court Records: In cases that have proceeded to prosecution, mugshots may be included in court files accessible through the Clerk of Circuit Court's records system.
When requesting mugshots, individuals should provide:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if available)
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), a fee of $0.15 per page may be assessed for printed copies of mugshots. Electronic copies may be provided at no cost if the records are readily available in that format.