St. Johns County Police Records

Law enforcement records in St. Johns County are maintained by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The county serves over 273,000 residents in northeast Florida communities. Police records include incident reports, arrest documentation, and crash reports. Florida public records law makes most of these documents accessible to the public. Records become available once the active investigation phase concludes. The sheriff's office handles the majority of law enforcement in unincorporated areas throughout St. Johns County.

St. Johns County Sheriff's Office

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Deputies patrol unincorporated areas and respond to calls throughout the region. The agency maintains comprehensive records of all incidents and investigations. These records are stored in a central system and become public once investigations conclude in St. Johns County.

Public records requests are processed by the sheriff's office records division. Staff handle each request according to Florida's public records law. You can submit requests in person, by mail, or through online systems. Basic incident reports are typically ready within a few business days. Complex requests involving multiple records may require additional time in St. Johns County.

Visit the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office website for contact information and department resources.

The sheriff's office website provides access to department services and public information for St. Johns County residents.

Requesting Police Records

To get police records in St. Johns County, first determine which agency handled the incident. The sheriff's office covers unincorporated areas. Some cities have their own police departments that handle incidents within city limits. Contacting the correct agency ensures your request is processed quickly and you receive the right records.

When you make a request, include as much detail as possible. The date and location of the incident are essential pieces of information. Names of people involved help staff narrow their search. A case number speeds up the process significantly. If you do not have a case number, staff can search by date and location in St. Johns County.

Key information for record requests:

• Date of incident
• Location where it occurred
• Names of involved parties
• Case number if available
• Type of record needed
• Your contact information

Florida law exempts certain records from disclosure. Active investigations often remain closed to the public. Records involving minors may have restrictions. The agency will notify you if an exemption applies to your request. Copy fees are charged according to state law in St. Johns County.

State Police Records Resources

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains criminal records for the entire state. FDLE's public records office processes requests for state-level information. The FDLE online portal provides a convenient way to submit requests electronically for all Florida counties including St. Johns County.

Traffic crash reports are accessible through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. This service provides access to crash reports from any law enforcement agency in the state. The Florida Highway Patrol maintains records for state highway crashes. Contact FHP through the FHP contact page for state road incidents in St. Johns County.

All public records requests are governed by Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes.

This law applies to all government agencies in St. Johns County and throughout Florida.

Available Record Types

Incident reports are the most common type of police record requested in St. Johns County. These documents describe crimes and events that officers responded to. They include what happened, who was there, and what actions officers took. Most incident reports become public after investigations end. Some stay confidential if they involve active cases in St. Johns County.

Arrest records document when law enforcement takes someone into custody. They show the person's name, charges filed, and booking details. Most arrest records are public unless sealed by a court. Traffic crash reports document vehicle accidents investigated by law enforcement. They contain driver information, vehicle details, and accident descriptions in St. Johns County.

Common record types include:

• Incident and crime reports
• Arrest and booking records
• Traffic crash reports
• Call logs and dispatch records
• Citations and warnings
• Police response logs

Video evidence such as body camera footage falls under public records law. These requests take longer to process. Staff must review videos to protect privacy before release. Video records often have higher fees due to processing time in St. Johns County.

Note: Some records remain confidential during active investigations in St. Johns County.

Public Records Fees

Agencies in St. Johns County charge fees for copying public records. Florida law allows charges for actual duplication costs. Standard copies cost 15 cents per page. Certified copies include an official seal and cost more. Electronic copies may have different fee structures in St. Johns County.

For extensive requests, agencies can charge for staff time. This applies when a request takes more than a few minutes to complete. The agency provides a cost estimate before beginning work. You can narrow your request to reduce the total fee. All fees must be paid before records are released in St. Johns County.

Legal Framework for Access

Florida's public records law is among the most comprehensive in the United States. Chapter 119, Florida Statutes requires agencies to provide access to most government records. This includes police records in St. Johns County. The law has limited exemptions, and agencies must prove an exemption applies before denying access.

Agencies must respond to requests promptly. While no specific deadline exists, unreasonable delays violate the law. If an agency denies a request, they must explain why in writing. You can challenge denials through legal action. Most disputes are resolved without going to court in St. Johns County.

For comprehensive background checks, contact the FDLE criminal history records section.

FDLE maintains statewide criminal records that supplement local police records in St. Johns County.

Cities in St. Johns County

St. Johns County includes several municipalities. St. Augustine is the largest city and county seat. Most law enforcement services are provided by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office maintains police records for unincorporated areas and cities without their own departments in St. Johns County.

Cities in St. Johns County include St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Hastings, and Ponte Vedra Beach. Law enforcement records for these areas are maintained by the appropriate agency based on jurisdiction.

Nearby Counties

Several counties border St. Johns County. Each has its own law enforcement system and records procedures. Verify jurisdiction if an incident occurred near a county boundary.