Lee County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lee County

Yes, arrest records in Lee County, Florida are considered public information under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This means that most arrest records, including booking information, charges, and mugshots, are accessible to the public.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and makes them available through various channels. However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure, particularly those involving:

• Juvenile arrests
• Active investigations
• Cases involving victims of certain crimes
• Sealed or expunged records

Lee County Sheriff's Office, 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912

What's in Lee County Arrest Records

Lee County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been arrested, including:

• Full legal name and aliases
• Date of birth and physical description
• Booking date and time
• Arrest location
• Charges filed (including Florida statute numbers)
• Bond information
• Booking photograph (mugshot)
• Case numbers
• Arresting agency
• Court dates (if scheduled)
• Custody status

These records serve as official documentation of an arrest but do not indicate conviction. The information is maintained by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Court.

Lee County Clerk of Court, 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Lee County in 2025

To access arrest records in Lee County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Online Booking Search: The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of recent bookings and arrests.

2. Public Records Request: Submit a formal request to the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division for specific arrest records.

3. Lee County Clerk of Court: Search court records related to arrests through the Clerk's office website or in person.

4. In-Person Visits: Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Division during business hours.

5. Third-Party Websites: Various commercial background check services compile arrest data from Lee County.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's recommended to use official county resources.

How To Find Lee County Arrest Records Online

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

1. Lee County Sheriff's Office Booking Search: The most direct source for recent arrest information. The database is updated regularly and allows searches by name, booking date, or case number.

2. Lee County Clerk of Court Records Search: Access court records related to arrests through their online portal. This system provides case information, hearing dates, and disposition details.

3. Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search: For individuals who have been sentenced to state prison or are on state probation.

4. Public Records Request Portal: Submit online requests for specific arrest records that may not be available through the booking search.

Florida Department of Corrections, 501 S. Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Can You Search Lee County Arrest Records for Free?

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

• The Lee County Sheriff's Office booking search is completely free and provides access to recent arrest information.
• The Lee County Clerk of Court offers free basic searches of court records related to arrests.
• In-person searches at the Sheriff's Office Records Division or the Clerk's office are available at no cost.

However, there may be fees associated with:

• Obtaining certified copies of arrest records
• Comprehensive background checks
• Records that require extensive research or redaction
• Third-party background check services

Standard fees for copies are typically $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 Lee County

Arrest records in Lee County cannot simply be deleted upon request. However, Florida law provides mechanisms to limit public access to these records through:

Record Sealing: If you were not convicted of the offense, you may be eligible to have your record sealed, which restricts public access.

Record Expungement: If your case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, you may qualify for expungement, which physically destroys the record.

To pursue either option:

1. Determine eligibility through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
2. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE
3. File a petition with the Lee County Clerk of Court
4. Attend any required court hearings

This process requires filing specific forms and paying applicable fees. Many individuals seek legal assistance for this complex process.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308

What Happens After Arrest in Lee County?

After an arrest in Lee County, the process typically follows these steps:

1. Booking: The arrestee is transported to the Lee County Jail where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and their personal information is recorded.

2. First Appearance: Within 24 hours of arrest, the individual appears before a judge who reviews probable cause, sets bail if applicable, and may appoint a public defender.

3. Formal Charges: The State Attorney's Office decides whether to file formal charges, typically within 21 days for misdemeanors or 40 days for felonies.

4. Arraignment: The defendant is formally presented with charges and enters a plea.

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

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

7. Sentencing: If convicted, the judge determines the appropriate sentence.

Throughout this process, arrest records are created and maintained by various agencies, becoming part of the public record unless sealed or expunged.

State Attorney's Office, 20th Judicial Circuit, 2000 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Lee County?

Arrest records in Lee County are typically maintained indefinitely unless they are legally sealed or expunged. Florida's record retention policies require that these records be preserved as permanent historical documents.

Even if a case results in dismissal or acquittal, the arrest record itself remains in the system and accessible to the public unless specific legal action is taken to restrict access.

Digital records maintained by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Court are preserved in electronic databases with no standard deletion timeline. Physical records may eventually be archived but remain retrievable.

The permanent nature of these records underscores the importance of the sealing and expungement processes for eligible individuals who wish to limit public access to their arrest history.

How to Find Mugshots in Lee County

Mugshots (booking photographs) from Lee County arrests can be accessed through several channels:

1. Lee County Sheriff's Office Booking Search: The official database includes mugshots of recently arrested individuals.

2. Public Records Request: Submit a specific request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division for mugshots that may not be available online.

3. Media Websites: Local news outlets often publish mugshots from significant arrests.

4. Third-Party Websites: Various commercial websites aggregate and publish mugshots from public records.

It's important to note that while mugshots are legally considered public records in Florida, their publication can have lasting consequences for individuals. Some third-party websites charge fees for removal, a practice that has faced legal challenges and legislative restrictions in recent years.

Lookup Arrest Records in Lee County

For the most accurate and up-to-date arrest information in Lee County, these official resources provide direct access to public records:

• Lee County Sheriff's Office - Arrest Search - Search recent bookings and releases in the county jail system with this official tool maintained by the Sheriff's Office.

• Public Records Request - Lee County Sheriff's Office - Submit formal requests for arrest records and other public documents not available through the standard booking search.