St. Lucie County Criminal Records
What Is St. Lucie County Criminal Records
Criminal records in St. Lucie County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.011(3)(c), which defines public records to include "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material" made or received in connection with official business.
Criminal records in St. Lucie County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and local police departments
- Conviction Records: Official adjudications of guilt following court proceedings
- Court Case Files: Complete documentation of criminal proceedings from filing to disposition
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in county facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document instances where individuals were taken into custody based on probable cause, while conviction records indicate that legal proceedings resulted in a formal finding of guilt. Under Florida law, both types of records are generally accessible to the public, though with certain exceptions.
Criminal offenses in St. Lucie County are categorized as follows:
- Felonies: Serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail
- Infractions: Minor violations usually resulting in fines rather than incarceration
Several agencies maintain criminal records in St. Lucie County:
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-6900
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
4700 West Midway Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
(772) 462-7300
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 410-7000
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Juvenile records are subject to special protections under Florida Statute § 985.04, which generally restricts public access to criminal history information pertaining to minors.
Are Criminal Records Public In St. Lucie County
Criminal records in St. Lucie County are predominantly public pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This legislation establishes a presumption of openness for government records, including criminal justice documentation. Section 119.01(1) explicitly states that "all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person," establishing a broad right of access.
The Florida Constitution further reinforces this commitment to transparency through Article I, Section 24, which declares: "Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf."
In accordance with these provisions, the following criminal record categories are generally accessible to the public in St. Lucie County:
- Adult arrest records
- Criminal court proceedings and dockets
- Conviction records
- Incarceration information
- Probation and parole status
However, certain categories of criminal records are exempt from public disclosure or subject to restricted access:
- Active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information
- Information that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed or expunged pursuant to court order
- Information that would reveal the identity of victims of certain offenses
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations that could impede law enforcement efforts
The St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the official repository of criminal court records for the county. These records document formal charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.
Individuals seeking access to criminal records in St. Lucie County may do so through various methods, including in-person requests, online searches, and formal public records requests. The custodian agencies are required to respond to requests promptly and may only charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of duplication.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Lucie County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in St. Lucie County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each offering different types of information and search capabilities.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court - Criminal Division
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-6900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court
When conducting an in-person search, requestors should:
- Bring valid government-issued photo identification
- Complete a public records request form, available at the service counter
- Provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $1.00 per page for certified copies, $0.15 per page for uncertified copies)
For written requests, individuals may submit a formal public records request to the appropriate agency. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(1)(a), agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable timeframe. Written requests should include:
- Requestor's contact information
- Specific records being sought
- Date range of interest
- Subject's full name and, if available, date of birth
- Preferred delivery method for responsive records
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and jail information. Requests for these records may be directed to:
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office - Records Division
4700 West Midway Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
(772) 462-3213
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
For statewide criminal history information, individuals may contact:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement - Criminal History Services
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The FDLE provides criminal history record checks for a fee of $24.00 per name-based search. Fingerprint-based searches are also available for enhanced accuracy.
How To Find Criminal Records in St. Lucie County Online?
St. Lucie County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, allowing users to search for and retrieve information remotely.
The primary online resource for criminal court records in St. Lucie County is the Clerk of Circuit Court's Public Search portal. This comprehensive database allows users to search for:
- Court case information, including criminal cases
- Official records
- Traffic citations
- Court dockets and schedules
To conduct a search through this system:
- Navigate to the Court Case Search page
- Select the appropriate search parameters (case number, party name, etc.)
- Enter the required information
- Complete the CAPTCHA verification
- Review the search results
The system provides access to case summaries, including charges, court dates, and disposition information. Some documents may be available for viewing or download, though certain sensitive materials may be restricted.
For information regarding current inmates in the St. Lucie County Jail, the Sheriff's Office maintains an online Inmate Lookup tool. This database provides:
- Current booking information
- Charges
- Bond amounts
- Scheduled release dates
- Mugshots
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers the Florida Crime Information Center for statewide criminal history searches. This system requires registration and payment of applicable fees.
For sex offender information, the Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators Search provides a searchable database of registered individuals, including those residing in St. Lucie County.
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete criminal history information. Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear in public searches. Additionally, some older records may not be digitized and might require in-person requests.
When using online search tools, individuals should:
- Verify the identity of subjects carefully, as name-based searches may return records for multiple individuals with similar names
- Check multiple sources for comprehensive information
- Be aware of update frequencies, as online systems may not reflect the most recent case activities
- Understand that electronic access fees may apply for certain documents
Can You Search St. Lucie County Criminal Records for Free?
St. Lucie County provides several options for accessing criminal records without charge, in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law. Florida Statute § 119.07(4) establishes that agencies may charge only the actual cost of duplication for copies of records, but inspection of records at the custodian's office must be permitted without charge.
Free access options include:
In-Person Inspection
Members of the public may examine criminal records without charge at the following locations:
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court - Criminal Division
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-6900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office - Records Division
4700 West Midway Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
(772) 462-3213
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When conducting in-person inspections, individuals should:
- Bring valid identification
- Be prepared to complete a records request form
- Specify the records they wish to examine
- Note that while inspection is free, copying fees will apply if printed copies are requested
Online Resources
Several free online resources provide access to criminal record information:
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The St. Lucie County Clerk's Public Search portal offers free access to basic case information, including criminal cases. Users can search by name, case number, or other identifiers without charge.
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The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup provides free access to current jail population information.
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The Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search allows free searches for individuals currently under state supervision or previously incarcerated in state facilities.
-
The Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators Search provides free access to the registry of sexual offenders and predators, including those residing in St. Lucie County.
While basic searches are free, users should be aware that:
- Certified copies and extensive document reproduction will incur fees
- Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement require payment
- Some enhanced search features or document access may require subscription or per-use fees
- Commercial background check services that aggregate criminal record information typically charge for their services
What's Included in a St. Lucie County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in St. Lucie County typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content may vary depending on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency, but generally includes several categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Current and previous addresses
- State identification number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
- Photograph/mugshot
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Location of arrest
- Booking number
- Charges at time of arrest with corresponding Florida statute citations
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit or County)
- Filing date
- Formal charges filed by the State Attorney's Office
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned
- Court appearance dates
- Motion filings and rulings
Disposition Information:
- Final outcome of each charge (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
- Post-conviction proceedings
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Habitual offender designations
- Domestic violence indicators
- Driving under the influence (DUI) history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Criminal records maintained by the St. Lucie County Criminal Court Division are organized by case number and contain the official documentation of court proceedings. These records include charging documents, motions, orders, judgments, and sentencing information.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records. These documents contain details about the circumstances of arrest, booking photographs, and detention information.
How Long Does St. Lucie County Keep Criminal Records?
St. Lucie County retains criminal records in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules established by the Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Florida Statute § 257.36. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various categories of public records, including criminal justice documentation.
The retention periods for criminal records in St. Lucie County vary based on the record type and severity of the offense:
Court Records:
- Felony case files: 75 years from case closure
- Capital felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 5 years from case closure
- Traffic case files: 5 years from case closure
- Juvenile case files: Until subject reaches age 24 or 5 years after case closure, whichever is later
Law Enforcement Records:
- Arrest records: Retained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement indefinitely
- Incident/offense reports: 4 years from date of report
- Investigative case files (no arrest): 4 years from date case closed
- Investigative case files (resulting in arrest): Retained until final disposition of charges
- Homicide investigative records: Permanent retention
Corrections Records:
- Inmate files: 5 years after release from custody
- Jail booking records: 5 years
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after last entry
Probation Records:
- Probation case files: 5 years after termination of probation
- Probation violation records: 5 years after final disposition
It is important to note that while records may be retained according to these schedules, their accessibility to the public may be restricted by various statutory exemptions or court orders. Records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585 or § 943.059 are removed from public access, though they may still exist in confidential government archives.
Digital records maintained by the St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court are typically available online indefinitely, though the level of detail and document availability may vary for older cases. Physical records may be transferred to archival storage after a certain period, potentially affecting retrieval times for older documents.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a central repository of criminal history information that includes records from St. Lucie County. These records are retained permanently, though individuals may petition for sealing or expungement under qualifying circumstances.
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