Orange County Arrest Records

According to the Florida Statutes § 943.325(2)(a), a person is arrested in Orange County when they are apprehended or detained, and their fingerprints are submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Orange County arrest records comprise these fingerprints and other information captured by law enforcement agencies during the booking process. They also attest to the compliance of law enforcement agencies with the transparency of government operations demanded by Florida's Public Records Act, outlined in Florida Statutes § 119.

However, requesters should note that a separate legal provision under Florida Statutes § 943 governs the release of "criminal history information," which includes arrest records as nonjudicial data kept by criminal justice agencies.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Florida?

Yes. Florida law establishes a broad right of access to public records, including arrest records, as outlined in Florida Statutes § 119. This law states that all state, county, and municipal records must be open for personal inspection and copying by anyone. This general rule applies to law enforcement disclosures, with Florida Statutes § 119.01 emphasizing that government should be transparent in its operation to foster accountability.

Arrest records and other criminal justice information are further regulated by Florida Statute § 943.053. This law balances privacy protection with public access to arrest information through certain exemptions, allowing the public to request this information in exchange for the required fees. For instance, Florida Statute § 119.071 restricts information such as victim identities, medical records, and Social Security numbers from public access. Under Florida Statutes § 943.0585 or § 943.059, courts may also issue orders sealing or expunging records. These court decisions make the affected records inaccessible to the public and remove them from standard searches to protect individuals from ongoing stigma after their cases are resolved.

Orange County Arrest Search

The FDLE is the central repository for criminal history information and provides public access to individuals seeking arrest records in Orange County.

Instant Search

Interested individuals may use the Instant Search option on the FDLE's online platforms for immediate access. This method, which costs $24 plus a $1 credit card processing fee, gives users instant results that they can print or email as uncertified summaries of Florida criminal history.

Certified/Non-Certified Search

For more official purposes, requesters should use the Certified/Non-Certified Search. With this option, FDLE personnel search using the provided demographic information. After five to seven business days, the results are mailed to the requester. The fee for this service is $24, and certified copies are notarized for official use.

Personal Review

Individuals can also review their own criminal history for free. They must submit a Personal Review of Florida Criminal History Record form and fingerprints to the FDLE's Criminal History Record Maintenance Section at:

This process allows people to check the accuracy of their records. However, the results do not contain demographic information and are not suitable for employment or licensing purposes.

This state agency provides structured ways to access arrest information, serving those who need quick online results and those who require detailed, certified records. The following section will detail options for finding arrest records at the county level in Orange County.

Orange County Inmate Locator

The Orange County Corrections Department operates an online inmate locator tool that enables users to find arrest records by searching the inmate database. Visitors may access the system and enter the individual's last name, with the first name (optional for refinement). The tool shows information about people in jail, such as their charges, bond amounts, booking photos, and demographic information updated every 30 minutes.

However, the system includes only records of individuals presently in custody. Released inmates and historical arrest data do not appear. Officials caution that inclusion in the database does not imply guilt, since many inmates await trial. The department encourages the public to contact Inmate Records Management at (407) 836-3400 for additional support.

Active Warrant Search in Orange County

According to Florida Statutes § 901.02, an arrest warrant is a document signed and issued by a judge or magistrate who, after examining a complaint and supporting evidence presented by law enforcement agencies, finds probable cause to authorize a person's arrest for a crime committed. Each warrant typically identifies the suspect's name, the description of the offense, and the issuing authority's signature.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) manages warrant information through its Fugitive Unit, which locates and apprehends wanted persons in collaboration with agencies like the U.S. Marshals Service. The public can also inquire about active warrants by submitting anonymous tips through the OCSO mobile app, or visiting the Fugitive Unit at:

The OCSO confirms warrants 24/7 via its Criminal Process Warrants Unit, ensuring around-the-clock verification.

Online searches for warrants are also available through the FDLE's Florida Crime Information Center Public Access System, where people can query statewide warrants reported by law enforcement.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Orange

Residents can find arrest records for free in Orange County through several accessible avenues provided by local government entities. The Orange County Clerk of Courts offers a free online Court Records Search. Users can select case types like "criminal" and input names or dates on this site to view court-related arrest details for free. Similarly, the OCSO's inmate locator provides complimentary access to current arrest information, including charges and booking photos, which is updated frequently online.

These free tools have some practical limits. They don't always include older arrests before digital archives were available, and they don't always include supporting documents like complete reports. Turnaround times for verification can extend if in-person confirmation is needed, and some searches require identity proof to prevent misuse.

Orange Arrest Report

In Orange County, Law enforcement distinguishes between an arrest record and an arrest report based on purpose and content. An arrest record is a summary entry in custodial or case management systems that keeps track of basic information like the detainee's name, the date of their arrest, the charges against them, and the outcomes of their case for administrative purposes. On the other hand, an arrest report is a detailed account written by the officer who made the arrest. It includes information about the incident, witness statements, evidence collected, and a justification for probable cause to support prosecution. The record summarizes the event, while the report goes into more detail about the investigation. Public records laws often require that the two be released separately.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Orange

In Orange County, individuals seeking to expunge an arrest record must follow specific procedures outlined under Florida law. The FDLE and local courts oversee most of the process. Florida law generally limits a person to one expungement in a lifetime. The FDLE must first issue a Certificate of Eligibility for most forms requiring judicial review.

Administrative expungement

Florida Statutes § 943.0581 governs administrative expungement. This type of expungement is available for arrests made in error or in violation of the law. To facilitate this, applicants should send proof, such as court documents and fingerprints, to the FDLE that the arrest was invalid. If the FDLE confirms eligibility, it takes care of the expungement without going to court.

Court-ordered expungement

According to Florida Statutes § 943.0585, this applies when charges were never filed, were dismissed, or ended in an acquittal. This option excludes anyone previously convicted of a crime or specific misdemeanors. Petitioners must first request a Certificate of Eligibility by providing the FDLE with a notarized application, fingerprints, a certified case disposition, a written statement from the state attorney, and a $75 fee. Once issued, the certificate remains valid for twelve months. Petitioners then file the certificate, a sworn statement, and a petition with the Orange County Clerk of Courts, after which the court decides whether to grant expungement.

Juvenile expungement

There are a few routes to follow under this option, as seen below:

• Florida Statutes § 943.0582 allows minors who complete an approved diversion program for a nonviolent offense to apply for expungement. Applicants or guardians should submit proof of program completion and fingerprints to the FDLE, which processes the expungement without court action.
• Florida Statutes § 943.0515 provides for automatic expungement of nonviolent juvenile records at age 21, or 26 if the minor was placed in a facility, provided no adult forcible felony exists.
• Early juvenile expungement permits individuals between 18 and 20 to apply to the FDLE if they have remained offense-free for five years. This requires prosecutor approval and a $75 fee.

Self-defense expungement

Florida Statutes § 943.0578 authorizes lawful self-defense expungement. This is applicable when the state attorney confirms that an individual acted in self-defense and charges were dismissed or never filed. Petitioners must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE, paying a $75 fee, before seeking a final court order.

Human trafficking victims' expungement

Florida Statutes § 943.0583 and § 787.06 permit human trafficking victims to petition the court for expungement of offenses committed as a direct result of their exploitation. Unlike other processes, this procedure allows victims to proceed directly in court without an FDLE certificate.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Affected individuals in Florida may request a court-ordered seal or expungement of their arrest records, which will remove them from the internet. This requires government organizations to delete these arrest records from their online repositories.

FDLE clarifies, however, that third-party websites that obtain information from various sources are exempt from expungement orders. The affected individual should contact them directly to request that arrest records be removed from these websites. Florida Statutes § 540.08 allows victims to sue for damages or injunctions against sites that profit from images by making it illegal for businesses to use them without permission. Lawyers or professional services can help send takedown notices and use privacy laws to force compliance, but success varies because no state authority makes private removals happen.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Florida Statutes § 119.011(3)(c) specifies details not included in the restricted criminal intelligence and criminal investigative information. These details make up the content of arrest records, and they include the following:

• The time, date, location, and nature of the reported crime,
• The time, date, and location of the incident and the arrest
• The name, sex, age, and address of the arrested person
• The crime charged
• Any documents given or required by law or agency rule to be provided to the detained individual, subject to exemptions for sensitive information