Palm Beach County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Palm Beach County
Arrest records in Palm Beach County 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 with certain limitations established by state law. The Florida Constitution and statutory provisions establish a right of access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Palm Beach County.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as mandated by Florida Statute § 119.021, which requires all agencies to maintain public records in accordance with retention schedules approved by the Division of Library and Information Services. These records become public immediately upon creation, with specific exemptions as provided by law.
Exemptions that may apply to arrest records include:
- Active criminal intelligence information (§ 119.071(2)(c), F.S.)
- Information regarding victims of certain crimes (§ 119.071(2)(h), F.S.)
- Records pertaining to juveniles in many circumstances (Chapter 985, F.S.)
- Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants (§ 119.071(2)(f), F.S.)
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records for the county, working in conjunction with municipal police departments such as the Jupiter Police Department and other law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office 3228 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Phone: (561) 688-3000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What's in Palm Beach County Arrest Records
Palm Beach County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.021 and typically include several standard components.
Standard information contained in Palm Beach County arrest records includes:
- Arrestee's full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Criminal charges filed, including Florida Statute citations
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint records
- Case numbers and court docket information
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility assignment
Additional documentation may include:
- Arrest affidavits detailing probable cause
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
- Property inventory lists
- Medical screening information
- Preliminary hearing dates
- Attorney representation information
The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission maintains statistical data regarding arrests throughout the county, which may be accessed for research and analytical purposes. These statistics provide aggregate information about arrest trends, demographics, and outcomes without revealing personally identifiable information in many cases.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Palm Beach County in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Palm Beach County may utilize several official channels established pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law. The county has implemented updated procedures for 2025 that streamline the process while maintaining compliance with statutory requirements.
To obtain arrest records in person:
- Visit the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Complete a Public Records Request Form (available on-site or downloadable from the PBSO website)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees as established by Florida Statute § 119.07(4)
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Records Division 3228 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Phone: (561) 688-3000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For municipal arrests, requestors may contact the specific law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest:
Jupiter Police Department Records Unit 210 Military Trail Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: (561) 746-6201 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Written requests may be submitted via:
- U.S. Mail to the appropriate agency address
- Email to the designated records custodian
- Fax to the records division
- Online portal systems where available
Requestors should include specific information to facilitate record location, including the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number if known. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(1)(c), agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable time.
How To Find Palm Beach County Arrest Records Online
Palm Beach County provides digital access to arrest records through several authorized online platforms in compliance with Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which encourages agencies to provide remote electronic access to public records when feasible. These digital resources have been enhanced for 2025 to improve public accessibility.
The primary online resources for Palm Beach County arrest records include:
- Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Booking Blotter - Provides real-time information about recent arrests, including names, charges, and booking photographs
- Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Public Records Search - Offers case information for arrests that have proceeded to court filing
- Florida Department of State County Jails and Inmate Searches - Provides links to county-level inmate information
To conduct an online search, users should:
- Navigate to the appropriate agency website
- Locate the inmate search or records search function
- Enter the required search parameters (name, date of birth, case number)
- Review the results for the specific record sought
- Follow instructions for obtaining copies if needed
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate search database that is updated multiple times daily. This resource provides information on individuals currently in custody as well as those recently released. Municipal police departments, such as the Jupiter Police Department, may maintain separate databases for arrests within their jurisdictions.
Can You Search Palm Beach County Arrest Records for Free?
Palm Beach County provides certain arrest record information at no cost to the public, while other records may require payment of statutory fees as authorized by Florida Statute § 119.07(4). The distinction between free and fee-based services is determined by the type of record, format requested, and method of access.
Free arrest record resources include:
- Online booking blotters and current inmate searches through the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office website
- Basic case information through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts public access system
- Limited information available through the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission statistical reports
Fee-based services typically include:
- Certified copies of arrest records ($1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee)
- Extensive record searches requiring significant staff time
- Records requiring extensive redaction of exempt information
- Specialized formats such as electronic media
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4)(d), agencies may charge up to $0.15 per one-sided copy for standard letter or legal size documents. Special service charges may apply for requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance as authorized by § 119.07(4)(a)3, F.S.
Individuals seeking their own records for purposes of employment verification, housing applications, or other personal needs may be eligible for reduced fees under certain circumstances as determined by agency policy.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Palm Beach County
Florida law provides specific mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under limited circumstances. These processes are governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 943, specifically sections 943.0585 and 943.059. Individuals seeking to remove arrest records from public view must follow statutory procedures administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Eligibility requirements for expungement include:
- No prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
- No adjudication of guilt for the arrest in question
- No adjudication of guilt for certain disqualifying offenses
- Completion of all court-ordered sanctions
The expungement process requires:
- Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE
- Filing a petition in the court where the case was handled
- Serving the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency
- Attending a hearing if required by the court
- Obtaining a court order if the petition is granted
Florida Department of Law Enforcement P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 Phone: (850) 410-8109 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Individuals should note that expungement or sealing does not destroy records but restricts public access. Certain government agencies retain access to sealed or expunged records pursuant to § 943.0585(4) and § 943.059(4), F.S. Private companies that previously obtained arrest information may continue to disseminate it unless specifically notified of the expungement order.
What Happens After Arrest in Palm Beach County?
Following an arrest in Palm Beach County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process established by Florida law and local procedures. This process includes several key stages that occur in sequence, with specific timeframes mandated by statute and court rules.
The post-arrest process typically includes:
- Booking and processing at a Palm Beach County detention facility
- First appearance hearing within 24 hours of arrest (Rule 3.130, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure)
- Pretrial release determination based on factors outlined in § 903.046, F.S.
- Formal charging decision by the State Attorney's Office
- Arraignment where formal charges are presented and pleas entered
- Pretrial conferences and discovery exchange
- Motion hearings as needed
- Trial if the case is not resolved through plea negotiations
- Sentencing if convicted
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office operates the main detention facilities where arrestees are initially processed:
Palm Beach County Main Detention Center 3228 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Phone: (561) 688-4340
West Detention Center 38811 James Wheeler Way Belle Glade, FL 33430 Phone: (561) 996-1670
First appearance hearings are conducted at:
Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex 3228 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Phone: (561) 355-2996
Individuals arrested for misdemeanors may be eligible for notices to appear rather than physical booking, pursuant to § 901.28, F.S., particularly for non-violent offenses.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Palm Beach County?
Arrest records in Palm Beach County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, as required by Florida Statute § 119.021(2)(a). These schedules specify minimum retention periods based on record type and content.
Standard retention periods include:
- Arrest records for adults: Permanent retention
- Arrest records for juveniles: Until age 24 if not transferred to adult court
- Booking photographs: Permanent retention
- Fingerprint records: Permanent retention
- Arrest reports: Permanent retention
Records may be maintained in various formats, including:
- Original paper documents
- Microfilm or microfiche
- Digital images
- Electronic database entries
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with General Records Schedule GS2 for Law Enforcement, Correctional Facilities, and District Medical Examiners. This schedule is established pursuant to Rule 1B-24.003, Florida Administrative Code.
Even after the minimum retention period has elapsed, many records continue to be maintained for administrative purposes, historical documentation, and statistical analysis. The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission utilizes historical arrest data for trend analysis and policy development.
How to Find Mugshots in Palm Beach County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records in Palm Beach County pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.011(12). These photographs are taken during the booking process and become part of the official arrest record. Access to these images is governed by public records law with specific exemptions.
Mugshots may be obtained through:
- The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Booking Blotter - Provides recent booking photographs online
- Public records requests to the arresting agency
- The Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts for cases that have proceeded to court filing
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Records Division 3228 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Phone: (561) 688-3000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Exemptions that may restrict access to mugshots include:
- Photographs of juvenile arrestees in most circumstances (§ 985.04, F.S.)
- Images of certain crime victims (§ 119.071(2)(h), F.S.)
- Photographs of law enforcement officers under specific circumstances (§ 119.071(4)(d), F.S.)
Florida Statute § 943.0585 provides a mechanism for individuals to request removal of mugshots from websites operated by private companies that charge fees for removal. This statute prohibits solicitation of payment for removal of mugshots by commercial entities under certain circumstances.
Lookup Arrest Records in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Florida Department of State County Jails and Inmate Searches