Lafayette County Police Records

Police records in Lafayette County are maintained by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office. This rural county in north-central Florida has a population of around 8,000 residents. The Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement services for the county including incident reports, arrest records, and public safety documentation. You can request police records through the Sheriff's Office in Mayo, the county seat. Florida public records law allows anyone to access most police records unless they fall under specific exemptions.

Lafayette County Sheriff Office

The Sheriff serves as the main law enforcement agency for Lafayette County. All police records originate from this office. They handle patrol, investigations, jail operations, and emergency response across the county. The office is in Mayo on Northeast Court Street.

For police records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Staff can help you find incident reports and arrest records. Some older files may take time to locate. The office follows Florida public records law for all requests.

You can submit a public records request to the Lafayette County Sheriff by mail or in person. Include specific details about what you need. Provide names, dates, case numbers, or incident locations if you have them. This helps staff search faster. Fees may apply for copies and search time.

Lafayette County is a small, rural area. The Sheriff's Office does not have an online records portal like larger counties. Most requests are handled by phone or in person at the office in Mayo.

Florida State Police Records

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains statewide criminal records. FDLE collects arrest data from all Florida counties including Lafayette. You can request criminal history background checks through FDLE.

FDLE's Public Records Portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal allows you to submit requests for state-level police records. The portal is free to use. Create an account and describe what records you need. FDLE responds within a few business days.

For background checks, contact FDLE Applicant Services at (850) 410-8161. The fee is $24 per check. Mail your request to FDLE, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302. Include fingerprints and payment. Results take 5 to 10 business days.

How to Request Records

Police records in Lafayette County fall under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law gives every person the right to inspect public records. You do not need to be a resident. You do not need to explain why you want records.

To request police records from Lafayette County, you need:

• Name of person involved in the incident
• Date or approximate date of the event
• Location where it happened
• Type of report (incident, arrest, crash)
• Case number if you have one

Contact the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office by phone first. Staff can tell you if the records exist and what the cost will be. Some records are exempt from public disclosure under Florida law. Active investigations and confidential informant information cannot be released. Personal details like social security numbers are redacted.

Most police records become public once the case is closed. Arrest records are public immediately under Florida law. Incident reports are usually available within a few days. Crash reports go through the Florida Highway Patrol or local agencies.

Traffic Crash Reports

Traffic crash reports in Lafayette County are available through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Any crash with injury, death, or property damage over $500 must be reported. The Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol investigate crashes in the county.

Order crash reports online at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/. You need the date and location of the crash. The site charges a small fee per report. Reports are usually ready within a few days.

The Florida Highway Patrol serves Lafayette County for major highway crashes. Call FHP at *FHP (*347) from a cell phone for non-emergency questions. For records, contact the Tallahassee regional office.

Public Records Law in Florida

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs public records access. Police records are public unless a specific exemption applies. The law requires agencies to respond to requests promptly. Most agencies respond within a few business days.

You can request records in any format. Most agencies provide paper copies or electronic files. Fees cover the cost of duplication and staff time for extensive searches. The agency must give you a written estimate if costs exceed $200.

If an agency denies your request, they must cite the specific statutory exemption. Common exemptions include active criminal investigations, confidential informant identities, and certain personal information. You can challenge denials in court.

Under Florida law, arrest records and booking logs are public immediately. Agencies cannot withhold arrest information once the person is booked. Mugshots and booking details are part of the public record in Lafayette County.

Criminal History Records

Statewide criminal history records come from FDLE. They compile arrest and conviction data from all Florida agencies. Lafayette County reports to this central database. Background checks pull from this system.

Contact FDLE Criminal History Records at (850) 410-8161 for help with background checks. Visit the FDLE office at 2331 Phillips Road in Tallahassee for in-person service. Bring photo ID and payment. Same-day results may be available for walk-ins.

The $24 fee covers a full Florida criminal history search. This includes arrests and dispositions from Lafayette County and all other Florida counties. Results show charges, court outcomes, and sentences.

Note: Criminal history checks for employment or licensing go through authorized channels and require the subject's consent.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

FDLE serves as the central law enforcement agency for Florida. They maintain statewide databases, process background checks, and assist local agencies. The public records unit handles requests for FDLE documents.

Contact FDLE Public Records at (850) 410-7676 or email publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us. The mailing address is FDLE, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302. The office is open Monday through Friday during business hours.

FDLE provides resources for Lafayette County residents. Their website has information on crime statistics, missing persons, and sex offender registries. Visit www.fdle.state.fl.us for statewide law enforcement information.

Florida Highway Patrol

The Florida Highway Patrol patrols state and federal highways in Lafayette County. They investigate serious crashes and provide traffic enforcement. FHP reports are part of the public record.

For FHP records, contact the Tallahassee regional office. You can also submit requests through the FHP contact page. Crash reports go through the FLHSMV system mentioned earlier.

Call *FHP (*347) from your cell phone to reach FHP. This connects you to the nearest dispatch center. Use this for road conditions, crash reports on highways, or non-emergency questions about Lafayette County highways.

Cities in Lafayette County

Lafayette County is a small, rural county. The county seat is Mayo. There are no cities in Lafayette County with a population over 75,000. All areas are served by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement and police records.

Other communities in Lafayette County include Day and Branford. All police services come from the Sheriff's Office based in Mayo.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lafayette County. Each has its own Sheriff's Office and police records system. If you are not sure which county has the records you need, check the location where the incident occurred.