Find Police Records in Suwannee County
Suwannee County police records are kept by the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office in Live Oak. The Sheriff handles all law enforcement for unincorporated areas and provides services throughout the county. Records include incident reports, arrest logs, and case files from deputy patrols and investigations. You can request these records through the Sheriff's Office by phone, mail, or in person under Florida's public records law.
Suwannee County Quick Facts
Suwannee County Sheriff's Office Records
The Suwannee County Sheriff's Office maintains all police records for the county. This rural North Florida county relies on the Sheriff for most law enforcement. Deputies patrol the highways, respond to calls, and investigate crimes across Suwannee County. The records section at the main office processes public records requests and provides copies of available reports to those who ask.
Public records requests in Suwannee County go through the Sheriff's Office in Live Oak. You can call, write, or visit in person to request police reports. Staff will search for the records you need and let you know what is available. Some records may be exempt from disclosure if they involve active investigations or protected victim information under Florida law. The Sheriff's Office will explain which records can be released in Suwannee County.
Visit the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office website for contact details and basic information about requesting records. You can find phone numbers, addresses, and general guidance on how to submit a public records request in Suwannee County. Response times depend on the complexity of your request and the volume of requests being processed.
| Main Office |
Suwannee County Sheriff's Office 200 S Ohio Ave Live Oak, FL 32064 Phone: (386) 362-2222 |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | (386) 362-2222 |
| Website | www.suwanneesheriff.org |
Requesting Records in Suwannee County
You have several options for getting police records in Suwannee County. The fastest way is to call the Sheriff's Office and ask about your specific report. If you know the case number or incident date, staff can tell you if the report is available and how to get a copy. For more detailed requests, you may want to submit a written request by mail or email to Suwannee County.
In-person requests work well if you live near Live Oak. You can go to the Sheriff's Office, fill out a request form, and wait while staff locate the records. Simple requests may be fulfilled the same day. More complex searches might take longer. Bring identification with you when you visit the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office for records.
Florida law requires agencies to respond to records requests in a reasonable time. Under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, you do not have to explain why you need the records. The agency can ask for your contact information but cannot deny a request based on how you plan to use the records in Suwannee County.
When requesting police records in Suwannee County, include:
- Date of the incident
- Type of report or incident
- Location where it occurred
- Names involved if you know them
- Case or report number if available
Most police reports in Suwannee County are available within a few days. Requests that require extensive searching or redaction may take a week or more. The Sheriff's Office will contact you about fees and when your records are ready for pickup or mailing.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps statewide criminal records. FDLE collects data from all law enforcement agencies in Florida including Suwannee County. If you need criminal history information or statewide records, contact FDLE directly. Their public records portal handles requests for FDLE documents and databases.
You can submit requests through the FDLE online portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal. This system is for FDLE records, not for local police reports from Suwannee County. For incident reports and arrest records created by the Suwannee County Sheriff, you must contact the Sheriff's Office. Use the FDLE portal for statewide searches and FDLE-specific information.
Criminal background checks go through FDLE. Call (850) 410-8161 to ask about background check requests. The fee is $24 per person in Florida. Background checks can be done for employment, licensing, or personal reasons. Processing time is typically 5 to 10 business days when you submit by mail. Visit FDLE's criminal history contact page for instructions on submitting background check requests from Suwannee County.
Traffic Crash Reports
Crash reports in Suwannee County are filed with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. When deputies or highway patrol respond to a crash, they complete a report and send it to the state. You can order crash reports online through the official Florida Crash Portal for a fee of $10 per report plus a $2 service charge.
Florida law makes crash reports confidential for 60 days after the incident. During that time, only parties involved in the crash, their attorneys, and insurance reps can get copies. After 60 days pass, crash reports become public and anyone can order them. This rule is set in Florida Statute 316.066 and applies to all crashes in Suwannee County.
Order crash reports at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/. You need the date of the crash, the county, and either the report number or the names of people involved. Once you pay, the report is available for download within 48 hours. You can also request crash reports by mail or at Florida Highway Patrol stations near Suwannee County.
Note: Crash reports may take up to 10 days to appear in the system after the crash occurs in Suwannee County.
Types of Records Available in Suwannee County
Police records in Suwannee County come in several forms. Incident reports document crimes, accidents, and calls for service. These reports include basic facts about what happened, who was involved, and what the deputy observed. Most incident reports are public once the case is no longer under active investigation in Suwannee County.
Arrest records show when deputies take someone into custody. The Suwannee County jail creates a booking record for each arrest. This includes a photo, fingerprints, the charges filed, and the bond amount set by a judge. Booking logs are often posted online and updated daily. You can search by name to find recent arrests in Suwannee County.
Case files may include multiple documents. An investigation might produce witness statements, evidence logs, photos, and supplemental reports. Not all of this material is public. Active investigative files are exempt until the case closes. Once an investigation ends, most records become available with some redactions for protected information in Suwannee County.
Police records in Suwannee County typically show:
- Report number and filing date
- Incident type and classification
- Date, time, and location of event
- People involved and their roles
- Deputy observations and actions
- Witness accounts
- Evidence collected at the scene
Some details are redacted from public copies. Victim names in certain crimes like sexual offenses are kept confidential. Social security numbers, bank account info, and other personal data are removed to prevent identity theft. Juvenile names are often protected as well in Suwannee County records.
Fees for Police Records
Suwannee County charges fees based on Florida law. Agencies can bill up to 15 cents per page for standard copies and up to $1 per page for certified copies. If a request takes more than 15 minutes of staff time, the agency may charge for labor at the actual hourly cost of the employee handling the request in Suwannee County.
Simple requests often have minimal fees. If you ask for one police report and it is easy to locate, you might only pay for a few pages of copies. Larger requests or those needing extensive searching, redaction, or review can result in higher costs. The Sheriff's Office will give you an estimate before processing a complex request in Suwannee County.
Payment is usually required before you get the records. Most offices accept cash, checks, or money orders. Some may take credit cards with a service fee added. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods at the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office. Fees must be paid in full before records are released to you.
Public Records Law in Florida
Florida's public records law is among the most open in the country. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes establishes the right to inspect and copy government records. This includes police records in Suwannee County. The law presumes that all records are public unless a specific exemption applies. Agencies must release records or explain why they cannot.
Active criminal investigative information is exempt while an investigation is ongoing. This means police reports for open cases may be withheld or heavily redacted until the case closes. Once the investigation becomes inactive, the records must be released with only necessary redactions in Suwannee County. The law defines "active" as having a reasonable expectation of making an arrest or filing charges soon.
Other exemptions protect victim privacy, confidential informants, and sensitive law enforcement methods. Body camera footage from inside private homes is confidential under Florida law. Personal information about officers and their families is also exempt. Read Chapter 119 for the complete list of exemptions that may apply to police records in Suwannee County.
If you believe your records request has been wrongly denied, you can file a lawsuit to enforce your rights. Florida courts have consistently upheld the public's right to access government records. Agencies that improperly withhold records may face penalties and have to pay your attorney fees in Suwannee County cases.
Other Records in Suwannee County
The Clerk of Court in Suwannee County maintains criminal case files once charges are filed. After an arrest, the State Attorney decides whether to prosecute. If charges move forward, the case file is kept by the Clerk. Court records include charging documents, motions, orders, and judgments. You can search court records online or request copies from the Clerk's office in Live Oak.
The Suwannee County jail posts inmate information online. These rosters show who is in custody, their charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. Jail records update frequently. You can search by name to find current detainees. For information about past inmates, contact the jail records office in Suwannee County directly.
The Florida Department of Corrections keeps records for state prison inmates. If someone was convicted of a felony in Suwannee County and sent to prison, their records transfer to DOC. The DOC inmate database is searchable online. You can find details about offenses, sentences, and release dates for people convicted in Suwannee County and sent to state prison.
Cities in Suwannee County
Suwannee County has several small cities and towns. Live Oak is the county seat and largest city. Law enforcement throughout the county is handled by the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office. There are no municipal police departments in this rural county. All police records for incidents anywhere in Suwannee County are kept by the Sheriff's Office in Live Oak.
Communities in Suwannee County include Live Oak, Branford, McAlpin, and Dowling Park. For police records from any of these locations, contact the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office. Deputies patrol all areas of the county and respond to calls throughout the region.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Suwannee County. If you need police records from another area, contact the sheriff's office for that county. Make sure you know which county had jurisdiction over the incident before requesting records.