Franklin County Police Reports

Franklin County police records are maintained by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Apalachicola. The Sheriff handles all law enforcement for this small coastal county in the Florida panhandle. You can request incident reports, arrest records, and other police documents through the Sheriff's public records process. Most records are public under Florida law, with some exemptions for active cases or protected information. The Sheriff's Office processes all public records requests for Franklin County.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office serves the entire county. This includes patrol, investigations, jail operations, and records. All reports filed by deputies are kept at the Sheriff's Office in Apalachicola. The main website is at www.franklinsheriff.com with contact info and department details for Franklin County.

The Sheriff's Office has a Public Records Division that handles all requests. Visit www.franklinsheriff.com/divisions/public-records/ to learn about the request process. This page explains what records are available and how to ask for them. You can submit requests by mail, phone, or in person in Franklin County.

For questions about public records, call the Sheriff's Office main line. Staff can tell you if a report exists and how to get it. Bring case details when you call, such as date, location, names, and case number if you have it. The more details you provide, the faster they can find your report in Franklin County.

You can also visit the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours. The office is in Apalachicola. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Ask for the Public Records Division or the front desk. If the report is ready and cleared for release, you may get it the same day. Otherwise, staff will tell you when to expect it.

Available Police Records

Franklin County police records include incident reports for crimes and accidents. These reports document what happened, who was involved, and what action was taken. Offense reports cover theft, burglary, assault, fraud, and vandalism. Most reports become public after the case is closed or charges are filed. Active investigations may be exempt from immediate release.

Arrest records come from the Franklin County Detention Facility. When someone is arrested and booked, the jail creates a booking record with photo, charges, and bond amount. You can check for current inmates through the jail roster if available online. For past arrests, submit a public records request. Arrest records are usually public unless sealed by court order in Franklin County.

Traffic crash reports are kept by the agency that responded. If a Franklin County deputy investigated the accident, the report is at the Sheriff's Office. For crashes on highways handled by Florida Highway Patrol, order the report through the state website at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/ for a fee. Local crash reports may be free or have a small copy charge.

Records you can get in Franklin County:

• Incident and offense reports
• Arrest and booking records
• Traffic accident reports
• Jail inmate information
• Case files and investigative summaries

Requesting Police Records

To get a police report in Franklin County, start by confirming the Sheriff's Office has the report. If a Franklin County deputy filed it, the Sheriff's Office is the right place. If another agency was involved, contact that agency instead. Knowing where the report is kept saves time and ensures you get the correct records.

You can request records by calling the Sheriff's Office. Ask for the Public Records Division. Tell them what report you need and provide as many details as you can. Include date, time, location, names, and case number if you have it. Staff will tell you if the report is ready and how to get it. Some reports are available quickly while others need review before release.

Written requests can be sent by mail to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Apalachicola. Include your name, address, phone number, and a detailed description of the records you want. Be as specific as possible. General requests take longer to process. Allow at least a week for a mailed request to get a response in Franklin County.

In-person requests work if you are in the Apalachicola area. Visit the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours. Bring photo ID. Staff will help you fill out a request form if needed. Simple requests may be filled the same day. More complex ones take extra time. You will be told when to expect the records.

Note: Copy fees or processing charges may apply depending on the request.

Florida State Police Records

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps statewide criminal records. FDLE collects arrest and conviction data from all Florida agencies including Franklin County. You can get a background check through FDLE for $24. This shows arrests and convictions from across the state. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days by mail. Call (850) 410-8161 for criminal history questions.

FDLE has a public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal for general requests. This covers FDLE documents but not local police reports. For Franklin County police records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. More info on criminal history is at www.fdle.state.fl.us/criminal-history-records/contact-us with phone and address details.

Florida's public records law is in Chapter 119 Florida Statutes. This law makes most government records public. It also lists exemptions for active investigations, personal data, and security concerns. The Sheriff's Office reviews each request under this law in Franklin County.

Franklin County Court Records

The Franklin County Clerk of Court keeps criminal court records. Once charges are filed, the case goes to court. Court records show charges, hearings, pleas, and outcomes. You can search court cases online through the Clerk's office website if available. This helps you see what happened after an arrest in Franklin County.

Police reports and court records are not the same. Police reports come from the Sheriff's Office. Court records come from the Clerk after the case enters the court system. Both are public but you get them from different offices. The Clerk office is at the Franklin County Courthouse in Apalachicola.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is in the Florida panhandle on the Gulf Coast. It borders several other counties. If you are not sure where an incident occurred, check the exact location. You must request records from the agency with jurisdiction over that area.