Palm Beach County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Palm Beach County

Yes, arrest records in Palm Beach County are public records under Florida's Sunshine Law. This means that most arrest information, including booking details and mugshots, is accessible to the public. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and makes them available through various platforms.

The Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes) establishes that government records, including arrest records, are generally open for public inspection. However, certain information may be exempt from disclosure, such as records involving juveniles, active investigations, or cases that have been sealed or expunged by court order.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office provides access to these public records through their website and in-person at their facilities. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

What's in Palm Beach County Arrest Records

Palm Beach County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been arrested within the county. These records include:

• Full name and aliases of the arrested person
• Date of birth and physical description
• Booking date and time
• Arrest location
• Charges filed
• Case numbers
• Bond information
• Mugshot photographs
• Arresting agency
• Court dates and hearing information
• Custody status (in jail, released, transferred)

The level of detail may vary depending on the specific case and the stage of the criminal justice process. Some sensitive information might be redacted in publicly available versions of these records, particularly in cases involving protected categories of individuals or ongoing investigations.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Palm Beach County in 2025

To look up arrest records in Palm Beach County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Online Inmate Search: The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search tool that provides information about currently incarcerated individuals and recent arrests. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

2. Clerk of Courts: The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's office maintains court records related to criminal cases. You can search these records through their online portal called eCaseView. Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

3. Public Records Request: For more detailed information or older records, you can submit a public records request directly to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office either online or in person.

4. Visit in Person: You can visit the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Central Records Division to request arrest records in person.

5. Third-Party Websites: Various commercial websites aggregate public records, including arrest information, though these may not always be up-to-date or complete.

For the most current and accurate information, it's recommended to use official county resources rather than third-party services.

How To Find Palm Beach County Arrest Records Online

Finding Palm Beach County arrest records online is straightforward through these official channels:

1. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Website: Visit the PBSO website and navigate to their "Arrest & Jail" section. The site offers an inmate search function that provides information on current inmates and recent arrests. www.pbso.org

2. Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller: The county clerk's website offers eCaseView, which allows you to search court records related to criminal cases. You can search by name, case number, or other identifiers. www.mypalmbeachclerk.com

3. Public Records Request Online: The PBSO website has an online form for submitting public records requests for arrest information that may not be readily available through their search tools.

When searching online, you'll need basic information such as the individual's name and, ideally, additional identifiers like date of birth to ensure you're finding the correct records, especially for common names.

Can You Search Palm Beach County Arrest Records for Free?

Yes, you can search Palm Beach County arrest records for free through several official channels:

1. PBSO Inmate Search: The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate search tool that includes recent arrest information.

2. eCaseView: The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's online court records system is free to search, though there may be fees for obtaining certified copies of documents.

3. In-Person Viewing: You can visit the Central Records Division of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to view arrest records at no cost. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

While basic searches are free, there may be fees associated with:

• Obtaining physical copies of records
• Certified copies of documents
• Extensive research requests requiring significant staff time
• Records that require special processing or redaction

The current fee schedule for copies is typically around $0.15 per one-sided page and $0.20 per two-sided page, with additional charges for certified copies.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Palm Beach County

Deleting or restricting access to arrest records in Palm Beach County requires a legal process known as expungement or sealing. Here's how to pursue this option:

1. Determine Eligibility: Not all arrest records qualify for expungement or sealing. Generally, you may be eligible if:

   • Your case was dismissed or you were acquitted
   • You completed a diversion program
   • You have no convictions for certain offenses
   • A specified waiting period has passed

2. Obtain Certificate of Eligibility: Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Florida Department of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302

3. File a Petition: Once you have the certificate, file a petition with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts. Palm Beach County Courthouse, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

4. Court Hearing: In some cases, a court hearing may be required where a judge will decide whether to grant the expungement or sealing.

5. Legal Assistance: This process can be complex, and many people choose to hire an attorney who specializes in record expungement.

It's important to note that even if records are sealed or expunged at the county level, they may still exist in private databases or other jurisdictions. Additionally, certain government agencies may still have access to sealed or expunged records.

What Happens After Arrest in Palm Beach County?

After an arrest in Palm Beach County, the following process typically occurs:

1. Booking: The arrested person is taken to a Palm Beach County detention facility where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and their personal information is recorded. Palm Beach County Main Detention Center, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

2. First Appearance: Within 24 hours of arrest, the individual appears before a judge who reviews the probable cause for the arrest, sets bail if applicable, and may appoint a public defender if the person qualifies. Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

3. Bail Determination: The judge decides whether to release the person on their own recognizance or set a bail amount based on factors like the severity of the charges and flight risk.

4. Arraignment: The formal reading of charges typically occurs within 30 days for felonies and 90 days for misdemeanors, where the defendant enters a plea.

5. Pre-Trial Proceedings: This may include discovery, motion hearings, and plea negotiations.

6. Trial or Plea: The case either proceeds to trial or is resolved through a plea agreement.

7. Sentencing: If convicted or if a guilty plea is entered, the judge determines the appropriate sentence.

Throughout this process, arrest records are created and updated in the Palm Beach County criminal justice system, becoming part of the public record unless specifically sealed or expunged.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Palm Beach County?

Arrest records in Palm Beach County are typically kept indefinitely unless they are legally sealed or expunged. Florida law does not provide for automatic deletion of arrest records after a certain period. These records become part of the permanent public record maintained by various agencies:

• The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records
• The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller preserves court case records
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps state-level criminal history information

Even decades-old arrest records may still be accessible through these agencies. This long-term retention policy is consistent with Florida's strong public records laws, which favor transparency and public access to government records.

The only way to remove or restrict access to arrest records is through the legal processes of sealing or expungement, which require court approval and are only available in specific circumstances as outlined by Florida law.

How to Find Mugshots in Palm Beach County

Mugshots from Palm Beach County arrests are considered public records and can be accessed through several channels:

1. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Website: The PBSO maintains an online inmate search that includes booking photos of recently arrested individuals. www.pbso.org

2. Public Records Request: For mugshots not available online, you can submit a public records request to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, 3228 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

3. In-Person Request: Visit the Central Records Division of the PBSO to request mugshot records in person.

4. Local Newspaper Websites: Some local news outlets publish mugshots from recent arrests, though this practice has become less common due to ethical concerns.

When requesting mugshots, you'll typically need to provide:

• The full name of the individual
• Date of birth (if known)
• Approximate date of arrest
• Case number (if available)

It's important to note that while mugshots are legally public records in Florida, using them for certain commercial purposes may be restricted under state law. Additionally, if a case has been sealed or expunged, the associated mugshot should no longer be publicly accessible through official channels.

Lookup Arrest Records in Palm Beach County

For comprehensive access to Palm Beach County arrest records, these official resources provide reliable information:

• Arrest & Jail Information - Search for current inmates and recent arrests through the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office database.

• Central Records Division - The main repository for all PBSO records, including arrest reports and booking information.

• Public Records Request - Submit formal requests for arrest records not readily available through online searches.

• eCaseView Court Records - Access detailed case information for arrests that have proceeded to court through the Palm Beach County Clerk's system.

These resources allow you to find information about arrests, bookings, charges, court dates, and case dispositions within Palm Beach County's jurisdiction.