Search Glades County Police Records

Glades County police records are housed at the Sheriff's Office in Moore Haven. This rural county sits along Lake Okeechobee with a population near 13,000 people. The sheriff provides law enforcement for the entire county, including the towns of Moore Haven and Buckhead Ridge. All incident reports, arrest records, and booking logs are maintained by the sheriff's administration division. Public records requests follow Florida's Sunshine Law, which makes most police documents available to anyone who asks.

Glades County Sheriff Records Division

The Glades County Sheriff's Office runs the Records Division, which handles all public requests for police documents. This office stores reports dating back many years. Staff can help you find what you need if you know the date or case number. Walk-in service is available during business hours at the Moore Haven facility.

Their website at www.gladessheriff.org/administration/records.php provides info on how to submit records requests in Glades County. You can also call or visit in person to start your request. Most records are released within days unless they involve ongoing investigations.

How to Get Police Records in Glades County

Getting police records from Glades County is simple. Start by calling the sheriff's office to confirm which documents exist for your case. Have the date and location ready. If you were involved in the incident, bring your ID when you visit. Some records can be emailed if they're in digital format.

For in-person requests in Glades County, go to the sheriff's office during business hours. Fill out a public records request form with your contact info and details about what you want. Staff will search the database and let you know how long it will take. Simple requests often finish the same day. Large or complex ones may take a week or more.

Florida law requires agencies to respond to records requests within a reasonable time. In Glades County, most routine police reports are ready in a few business days. If the sheriff's office needs more time, they'll tell you why and give you an estimate. You can inspect records for free before paying for copies.

What you need to request police records in Glades County:

• Your full name and contact information
• Description of the records you're seeking
• Date range or specific date if known
• Location of the incident
• Names of people involved if applicable

Copy fees in Glades County follow state guidelines. Expect to pay 15 cents per page for standard copies. Electronic records sent by email are often free. Certified copies require a notary and cost more. Ask staff for a fee estimate before they make copies.

Police Record Types Available

Glades County police records cover many categories. Incident reports are created when deputies respond to calls. These include theft, assault, vandalism, trespassing, and other crimes. The report has details like date, time, victim names, suspect info, and what the deputy found at the scene. You can get these records if you're a party to the incident or if the case is closed.

Arrest records document when someone is taken into custody in Glades County. The record shows the charges, date of arrest, arresting officer, and where the person was booked. Once booked into the Glades County jail, a separate booking log is created with mugshot, fingerprints, and bond amount. These logs are public records unless a judge seals them.

Traffic crash reports in Glades County are available through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. If a deputy responded to your accident, you can order the report online at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/. The fee is small and you get the report by email within days. This is helpful for insurance claims or court cases in Glades County.

The Glades County Clerk of Court also keeps records related to criminal and traffic cases that go through the court system. Their online database at gladesclerk.com/official-records/ lets you search by name or case number. You can view case status, charges, court dates, and dispositions. This complements police reports when you need the full picture of a case.

Florida Statewide Police Databases

Beyond local records in Glades County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains statewide criminal information. FDLE's public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal handles requests for state-level police documents. This is useful if you need records from multiple agencies or statewide background information.

FDLE also processes criminal background checks for $24 per person. These checks search the entire Florida criminal database. You submit fingerprints through approved vendors in Glades County or nearby areas. Results come back in about one week. Call (850) 410-8161 for questions about background checks in Florida.

For crash reports handled by the Florida Highway Patrol in Glades County, use the state crash report system. FHP patrols US 27 and other major roads through the county. Their reports are filed with the state and can be ordered online. This is separate from local crash reports handled by the sheriff's office.

Public Records Law in Florida

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes controls access to police records in Glades County. This law says all government records are public unless an exemption applies. Most police reports are public once the investigation is closed. Active cases may have redacted information to protect witnesses or ongoing work.

Under Florida Statute 119.07, you have the right to inspect and copy public records. The agency can charge for copying costs and staff time. They must give you a good faith estimate if the fee will exceed $200. You can choose to narrow your request to reduce costs.

If the Glades County Sheriff denies your request, they must cite the specific law that exempts those records. Common exemptions include active investigations, confidential informants, and sealed juvenile cases. You can challenge denials through the courts, but most issues get resolved by talking with the records custodian first.

Nearby Counties

Glades County borders several other counties in south-central Florida. Make sure you contact the right agency based on where the incident happened. Each sheriff only has authority within their county lines.