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Lee County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lee County

Arrest records in Lee 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 maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Florida Constitution and state statutes establish a presumption of openness regarding government records, including those pertaining to arrests and bookings.

Under § 119.01, Florida Statutes, all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains and provides access to arrest records in accordance with these statutory provisions.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply to arrest records in specific circumstances:

  • Records pertaining to active criminal investigations
  • Records involving juvenile offenders (with certain exceptions)
  • Information that would reveal the identity of victims of certain crimes
  • Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers

The Lee County Sheriff's Office booking search provides public access to arrest information as part of the agency's commitment to transparency and public safety. Citizens seeking arrest records may also submit formal requests through the Records Division.

Lee County Sheriff's Office 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33912 Phone: (239) 477-1000 Lee County Sheriff's Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What's in Lee County Arrest Records

Lee 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 § 119.021, Florida Statutes, which establishes requirements for record retention and accessibility.

Standard information contained in Lee County arrest records includes:

  • Arrestee's full legal name and aliases
  • Date of birth and physical description
  • Date, time, and location of arrest
  • Booking photograph (mugshot)
  • Fingerprint information
  • Enumeration of criminal charges
  • Case/booking number
  • Arresting agency and officer information
  • Bond information and current custody status
  • Court appearance dates

Additional documentation may be included in complete arrest files:

  • Arrest affidavits detailing probable cause
  • Incident reports describing the circumstances of the alleged offense
  • Property and evidence inventories
  • Miranda rights acknowledgment forms
  • Medical screening information (with certain privacy protections)

The Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains these records in accordance with Florida Department of State retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records as required by § 119.071, Florida Statutes, which provides exemptions for specific categories of information.

Arrest records serve multiple governmental and public interests, including documenting law enforcement activities, facilitating judicial proceedings, and providing transparency regarding the criminal justice system's operations within Lee County.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Lee County in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lee County have multiple methods available for conducting searches in 2025. The Lee County Sheriff's Office has implemented several access points to facilitate public record retrieval in compliance with Florida's Public Records Law.

To obtain arrest records in person:

  • Visit the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division
  • Complete a public records request form
  • Present valid government-issued photo identification
  • Pay applicable fees ($0.15 per one-sided page, $0.20 per two-sided page)
  • Allow processing time as specified by staff

Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33912 Phone: (239) 477-1350 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

For remote requests, individuals may:

The Lee County Clerk of Court maintains separate records pertaining to court proceedings following arrests. These records may be accessed through:

Lee County Clerk of Court 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901 Phone: (239) 533-5000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For statewide inmate and offender information, the Florida Department of Corrections offender database provides searchable records of individuals currently or previously in state custody. This resource complements local records maintained by Lee County agencies.

How To Find Lee County Arrest Records Online

Digital access to Lee County arrest records is available through several official online portals maintained by local and state government agencies. These electronic resources facilitate public access in accordance with Florida's commitment to government transparency under § 119.01(2)(a), Florida Statutes.

The primary online resources for Lee County arrest records include:

When utilizing these online resources, users should note:

  • Information accuracy is subject to data entry and system limitations
  • Some records may have restricted access based on statutory exemptions
  • Certain identifying information may be redacted from public view
  • Recent arrests may not appear immediately due to processing time

The City of Cape Coral Records page provides additional links to local resources for accessing public safety records, including those pertaining to arrests within municipal boundaries.

Can You Search Lee County Arrest Records for Free?

Free access to Lee County arrest records is available through several public channels, though certain limitations and exceptions apply. Florida's Public Records Law, specifically § 119.07, Florida Statutes, establishes the right to inspect public records at no cost, while allowing agencies to charge reasonable fees for copies and extensive research.

Free options for accessing Lee County arrest records include:

  • In-person inspection at the Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours. Members of the public may view records without charge, though appointment scheduling is recommended for efficiency.

  • The Lee County Sheriff's Office Booking Search provides free online access to recent booking information, including arrest details and mugshots. This resource is updated regularly and requires no user registration or payment.

  • Public access terminals at the Lee County Clerk of Court allow free on-site searches of court records related to criminal cases. These terminals are available during regular business hours at:

Lee County Justice Center 1700 Monroe Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Fees may apply in the following circumstances:

  • Requests for physical copies ($0.15 per one-sided page, $0.20 per two-sided page)
  • Requests requiring extensive staff time for research or redaction ($20.00 per hour after the first 30 minutes)
  • Certified copies of records ($1.00 per certification plus copy costs)
  • Specialized searches through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Pursuant to § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, these fees are designed to recover the actual cost of duplication and labor, not to generate revenue or discourage public records access.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Lee County

The expungement or sealing of arrest records in Lee County follows procedures established under Chapter 943, Florida Statutes. These processes do not technically "delete" records but rather restrict their accessibility to the public under specific legally defined circumstances.

Individuals seeking to remove arrest records from public view must:

  1. Determine eligibility under § 943.0585 (expungement) or § 943.059 (sealing)

    • Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal may qualify for expungement
    • Cases with certain dispositions may qualify for sealing
    • Numerous disqualifying offenses exist under Florida law

  2. Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement

    • Submit application form with $75 processing fee
    • Provide certified disposition of the case from Lee County Clerk of Court
    • Include fingerprints taken by authorized law enforcement agency

  3. File a petition in the Lee County Circuit Court

    • Submit petition with supporting documentation
    • Pay applicable filing fees (approximately $42)
    • Attend any scheduled hearings as directed by the court

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Attn: Expunge/Seal Section P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 Phone: (850) 410-7870

Lee County Clerk of Court - Criminal Division 1700 Monroe Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 Phone: (239) 533-5000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Automatic expungement may apply in limited circumstances under § 943.0595, Florida Statutes, for certain arrest records meeting statutory criteria. This process occurs without petition but is limited to specific case types and circumstances.

Legal representation is strongly recommended for navigating the complex requirements of record sealing or expungement. The Lee County Clerk's office cannot provide legal advice regarding eligibility or procedures.

What Happens After Arrest in Lee County?

Following an arrest in Lee County, individuals enter a standardized criminal justice process governed by Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and local protocols. This process includes several key stages with established timeframes and procedural requirements.

The post-arrest sequence typically proceeds as follows:

  1. Booking and Processing

    • Transportation to Lee County Jail (2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers)
    • Fingerprinting, photographing, and personal information collection
    • Medical screening and property inventory
    • Entry into Lee County Sheriff's Office booking database

  2. First Appearance Hearing

    • Occurs within 24 hours of arrest
    • Presided over by Lee County judge
    • Determination of probable cause
    • Appointment of public defender if financially qualified
    • Setting of bail or pretrial release conditions

  3. Formal Charging Decision

    • State Attorney's Office reviews evidence
    • Decision to file formal charges, modify charges, or decline prosecution
    • Filing of information or indictment within 21 days for detained defendants

  4. Arraignment

    • Formal reading of charges
    • Opportunity to enter plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
    • Setting of pretrial conference dates

  5. Pretrial Proceedings

    • Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
    • Motion hearings
    • Plea negotiations
    • Pretrial intervention consideration for eligible cases

Throughout this process, arrest records are generated and maintained by various agencies including the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Clerk of Court, and State Attorney's Office. These records become part of the individual's criminal history and are generally accessible to the public unless sealed or expunged through legal processes.

Lee County Jail 2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901 Phone: (239) 477-1500

State Attorney's Office - 20th Judicial Circuit 2000 Main Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 Phone: (239) 533-1000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Lee County?

Arrest records in Lee County are maintained according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various categories of law enforcement records.

The standard retention periods for arrest-related records include:

  • Arrest reports and booking information: 100 years from date of arrest
  • Criminal history records: Permanent retention
  • Arrest warrants: 4 years after execution or cancellation
  • Offense reports: 4 years after clearance or closure
  • Fingerprint cards and photographs: 75 years from date of creation
  • Jail booking and release records: 1 year after release from custody

Digital records maintained in the Lee County Sheriff's Office database follow the same retention requirements as physical records. The transition to electronic record-keeping has not altered the fundamental retention obligations established by state regulations.

Exceptions to standard retention periods may apply in certain circumstances:

  • Records pertaining to capital felonies: Permanent retention
  • Records subject to litigation hold: Retained until final disposition of legal proceedings
  • Records ordered preserved by court directive: Retained as specified in court order

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a centralized repository of criminal history information that includes arrest data from Lee County and other jurisdictions. This statewide system retains records indefinitely unless modified through court-ordered expungement or sealing.

Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services Records Management Program 500 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: (850) 245-6750 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

How to Find Mugshots in Lee County

Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are maintained as part of Lee County arrest records and are accessible through several official channels. These photographs are considered public records under Florida law, subject to specific exemptions outlined in § 119.071, Florida Statutes.

The primary methods for obtaining Lee County mugshots include:

  • Lee County Sheriff's Office Booking Search - This online database provides access to recent booking photographs along with corresponding arrest information. The search function allows queries by name, booking date, or case number.

  • Records Request to Lee County Sheriff's Office - For older mugshots not available in the online system, individuals may submit a formal records request through the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Standard copy fees apply.

  • In-person inspection at the Records Division:

Lee County Sheriff's Office Records Division 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33912 Phone: (239) 477-1350 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Certain mugshots may be exempt from public disclosure, including:

  • Photographs of juvenile arrestees (with limited exceptions)
  • Images of law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and other protected classes
  • Photographs subject to court-ordered sealing or expungement
  • Images related to active criminal intelligence or investigation

Requestors seeking mugshots should be prepared to provide specific identifying information about the subject, including full name and approximate date of arrest. For third-party requests, no statement of purpose is required under Florida's Public Records Law.

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