Bay County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Bay County
Arrest records in Bay 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 governmental agencies within the county. The Florida Constitution and state statutes establish that most government records, including arrest records, are available for public inspection and copying.
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 Bay County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records accessible to the public in accordance with state law.
Exceptions to public disclosure may apply in certain circumstances, including:
- Active criminal investigations (temporarily exempt under § 119.071(2)(c))
- Records involving juveniles (subject to restrictions under § 985.04)
- Records sealed or expunged by court order (pursuant to § 943.0585 and § 943.059)
- Information that would reveal the identity of victims of certain crimes
The Bay County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records in the county and processes public records requests in accordance with statutory requirements.
Bay County Sheriff's Office 3421 N. Highway 77 Panama City, FL 32405 Phone: (850) 747-4700 Official Website: Bay County Sheriff's Office Public Records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What's in Bay County Arrest Records
Bay County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include several categories of information as required by Florida Statute § 119.021, which mandates the maintenance of public records.
Standard information contained in Bay County arrest records includes:
- Biographical data of the arrestee (full legal name, date of birth, address, physical description)
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Criminal charges filed, including Florida Statute citations
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint records and identification numbers
- Case numbers and tracking information
- Bail or bond information
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of the case (if available)
Supplementary information that may be included:
- Narrative reports from arresting officers
- Witness statements (with potential redactions)
- Property and evidence inventories
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
- Medical screening information (with potential redactions for privacy)
The Panama City Police Department also maintains arrest records for arrests made within city limits and shares this information with the Bay County Sheriff's Office for centralized record-keeping.
Panama City Police Department 1209 E. 15th Street Panama City, FL 32405 Phone: (850) 872-3100 Official Website: Panama City Police Department Public Records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Bay County in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Bay County in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county has implemented multiple access methods in compliance with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).
To look up arrest records in Bay County, individuals may:
- Submit a public records request to the Bay County Sheriff's Office in person, by mail, or through their online portal available on the Bay County official website
- Visit the Records Division at the Bay County Sheriff's Office headquarters during regular business hours
- Access the Bay County Clerk of Court's online case search system for cases that have been filed with the court
- Utilize the Bay County Jail inmate search function for current inmates
- Contact the arresting agency directly (Sheriff's Office or municipal police departments)
When requesting records, individuals should provide:
- The full name of the person whose records are being sought
- Date of birth or approximate age (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Requestor's contact information for record delivery
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records. Current fee schedules include:
- $0.15 per one-sided copy (8.5 x 11 inches)
- $0.20 per two-sided copy (8.5 x 11 inches)
- $1.00 per certified copy
- Actual cost for specialized documents or extensive research time
Bay County Clerk of Court 300 E. 4th Street Panama City, FL 32401 Phone: (850) 763-9061 Public Records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
How To Find Bay County Arrest Records Online
Bay County provides several digital platforms for accessing arrest records online, in accordance with Florida's commitment to government transparency under Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which encourages agencies to provide remote electronic access to public records.
The primary online resources for accessing Bay County arrest records include:
- The Bay County Sheriff's Office website offers an inmate search function that provides information on current inmates and recent arrests
- The Bay County Clerk of Court maintains an online case search portal where court cases related to arrests can be accessed
- The Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search provides information on individuals currently in state custody or under supervision
- The Florida Department of State maintains links to county jail and inmate searches throughout Florida, including Bay County
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 relevant information
- Follow instructions for requesting copies of complete records if needed
Online access may be limited to basic information, with more detailed records requiring formal requests. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(2)(a), agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith.
Can You Search Bay County Arrest Records for Free?
Bay County residents and members of the public may access certain arrest record information without charge, in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law. Florida Statute § 119.07 establishes the right to inspect public records at no cost, though fees may apply for copies or extensive research.
Free options for searching Bay County arrest records include:
- In-person inspection of public records at the Bay County Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court during regular business hours
- Basic online searches through the Bay County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system
- Public access terminals available at the Bay County Courthouse
- The Florida Department of Corrections website provides free access to information about individuals in state custody
- Public court records viewable through the Bay County Clerk of Court's public access system
While inspection is free, the following fee structure applies to copies pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4):
- Standard copies: $0.15 per page (single-sided)
- Certified copies: $1.00 per document
- Special service charge: May apply for extensive use of agency resources (defined as more than 15 minutes of staff time)
Agencies may waive fees when doing so serves the public interest, as permitted under Florida Statute § 119.07(4)(d).
How To Delete Arrest Records in Bay County
The process for removing arrest records from public access in Bay County follows Florida state law, specifically Florida Statutes § 943.0585 (expungement) and § 943.059 (sealing). These procedures are administered through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) with local implementation by Bay County agencies.
Individuals seeking to delete arrest records must:
-
Determine eligibility for expungement or sealing
- Charges must have been dismissed, dropped, or resulted in acquittal
- No prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
- No convictions for specified disqualifying offenses
-
Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE by submitting:
- Application form
- Fingerprints
- Certified disposition of the case
- $75 processing fee
-
File a petition with the Bay County Clerk of Court including:
- Completed petition form
- Certificate of Eligibility (valid for 12 months)
- Filing fee (approximately $42)
-
Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court
- The State Attorney's Office may object
- A judge will make the final determination
If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or expunge the record. This process does not physically destroy records but restricts public access to them. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed and expunged records for specific purposes authorized by statute.
What Happens After Arrest in Bay County?
Following an arrest in Bay County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and local protocols. This process includes several key stages that occur in sequence.
The post-arrest procedure typically includes:
-
Booking and Processing
- Arrestee is transported to the Bay County Jail
- Fingerprinting, photographing, and personal information collection
- Medical screening
- Property inventory and storage
-
First Appearance Hearing
- Occurs within 24 hours of arrest
- Judge informs defendant of charges
- Determination of probable cause
- Bail or bond decisions
- Appointment of public defender if eligible
-
Formal Charging Decision
- State Attorney's Office reviews evidence
- Decision to file formal charges, modify charges, or decline prosecution
- Information or indictment filed with Bay County Clerk of Court
-
Arraignment
- Formal reading of charges
- Defendant enters plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Trial date may be set
-
Pre-trial Proceedings
- Discovery exchange
- Motion hearings
- Plea negotiations
- Pre-trial conferences
The Bay County Jail, operated by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, processes approximately 10,000 bookings annually. Individuals seeking information about someone recently arrested may contact:
Bay County Jail 5700 Star Lane Panama City, FL 32404 Phone: (850) 785-5245 Visitation Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, scheduled by inmate housing unit
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Bay County?
Arrest records in Bay County are maintained in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules established under Florida Statute § 119.021(2) and the guidelines set forth by the Division of Library and Information Services of the Department of State. These records are typically retained for extensive periods due to their administrative and historical value.
The standard retention periods for arrest records in Bay County include:
- Arrest reports and booking information: 100 years from date of arrest
- Criminal history information: Permanent retention
- Fingerprint cards and biometric data: 75 years from date of collection
- Misdemeanor case files: 5 years after case closure
- Felony case files: 25 years after case closure for non-capital offenses
- Capital felony records: Permanent retention
These retention schedules apply to both physical and electronic records maintained by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, and other criminal justice agencies. Even after the minimum retention period has passed, many records are preserved for historical and research purposes in accordance with Florida's commitment to open government.
Exceptions to these retention periods may occur when:
- Records are sealed or expunged by court order
- Records pertain to juvenile offenders (subject to different retention schedules)
- Records are subject to special retention due to ongoing investigations or appeals
The Bay County Records Management Department oversees compliance with retention schedules for county agencies.
How to Find Mugshots in Bay County
Booking photographs, commonly referred to as mugshots, are considered public records in Bay County pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.011(12). These photographs are taken during the booking process at the Bay County Jail and become part of the official arrest record.
Members of the public may obtain mugshots through several official channels:
- Submit a public records request to the Bay County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Visit the Sheriff's Office in person to request copies
- Check the Bay County Sheriff's Office website, which may post recent booking photos
- Contact the Records Division by phone to inquire about obtaining specific mugshots
- Submit a written request by mail with the required identifying information
When requesting mugshots, individuals should provide:
- Full name of the arrested person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if available)
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), the Sheriff's Office may charge a reasonable fee for reproduction of photographs. Current fees include:
- $0.15 per page for standard copies
- Actual cost of duplication for photographs
- Special service charge for extensive research time
Certain mugshots may be exempt from disclosure, particularly those related to active investigations or protected categories of individuals under Florida law.
Lookup Arrest Records in Bay County
Florida Department of State - County Jails and Inmate Searches