Hernando County Public Records / Hernando County Arrest Records

Hernando County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hernando County

Arrest records in Hernando County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law, specifically Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This statute establishes that records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection, unless specifically exempted by law.

The Florida Constitution, under Article I, Section 24, further guarantees the public's right to access government records. Pursuant to § 119.01, Florida Statutes, it is the policy of the state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person.

Arrest records differ from conviction records in several important ways:

Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement
Conviction records indicate that a person was found guilty of a crime through legal proceedings
An arrest does not constitute proof of guilt
Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information, including arrest records. While most arrest records are public, certain exemptions exist under § 119.071, Florida Statutes, particularly for juvenile records, active criminal investigations, and records sealed or expunged by court order.

What's in Hernando County Arrest Records

Hernando County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been arrested within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and may include:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Home address
Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
Fingerprints
Photograph (mugshot)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Circumstances leading to arrest

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Statute numbers of alleged violations
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Charge description
Charge severity level

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing authority
Date issued
Warrant type

Booking Information:

Booking number
Date and time of booking
Processing officer information
Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond amount
Bond type
Bond status
Release conditions (if applicable)

Court Information:

Court case number
Assigned court
Scheduled court appearances
Judge assigned to case

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
Expected release date (if sentenced)

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Probation/parole status
Vehicle information (if relevant to arrest)
Victim information (often redacted in public records)
Witness information (often redacted in public records)

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Hernando County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Hernando County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains current systems for public access to these records.

In-Person Requests:

Individuals may visit the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Records Division to request arrest records:

Hernando County Sheriff's Office
18900 Cortez Boulevard
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-6830
Hernando County Sheriff's Office

The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requesters should:

Bring government-issued photo identification
Complete a public records request form
Provide as much identifying information as possible about the subject of the search
Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies (currently $0.15 per single-sided page)

By Mail:

Written requests may be submitted to the address above. Include:

Full name of the person whose records are being requested
Date of birth or approximate age
Date or approximate date of arrest (if known)
Your contact information
Check or money order for applicable fees

By Email:

Public records requests may be submitted via email to records@hernandosheriff.org. The request should include the same information as mail requests.

Through the Clerk of Court:

For case information after an arrest, contact:

Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court
20 N Main Street, Room 362
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4201
Hernando County Clerk of Court

Pursuant to § 119.07, Florida Statutes, agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable time. Fees may be charged for extensive research time or large volume requests in accordance with Florida law.

How To Find Hernando County Arrest Records Online

Hernando County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests.

The primary online resource is the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Detention Center Inmate Search, accessible through the Sheriff's Office website. This database provides:

Current inmate information
Booking details
Charges
Bond amounts
Court dates
Release information

For more comprehensive criminal history information, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a statewide criminal history search portal. Users can:

Search by name and date of birth
Purchase certified criminal history reports
View public criminal history information

The Hernando County Clerk of Court offers online access to court records related to arrests through their case search function. This system allows users to:

Search by name or case number
View case status and scheduled hearings
Access court documents (some may require in-person review)
Track case progression through the judicial system

When using these online systems, users should note:

Information is updated regularly but may not reflect real-time status
Some records may be restricted from public view due to statutory exemptions
Complete criminal history information may require additional verification
Fees may apply for certain detailed reports or certified copies

How To Search Hernando County Arrest Records for Free?

Hernando County residents and other interested parties can access arrest records without cost through several available channels. These free resources provide basic information about arrests and criminal cases.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search offers a no-cost method to view current and recently released inmates. This searchable database includes:

Inmate name and demographic information
Current charges
Booking date
Bond information
Housing location
Expected release date (when applicable)

The Hernando County Clerk of Court Public Records Search provides free access to basic case information, including:

Case numbers and filing dates
Charges filed
Case status
Upcoming court dates
Party names

For in-person research, public access terminals are available at:

Hernando County Law Library
20 N Main Street, Room 401
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-4970
Hernando County Law Library

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

While basic searches are free, pursuant to § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, fees may apply for:

Printed copies ($0.15 per page for single-sided copies)
Certified copies ($1.00 per document plus copy charges)
Extensive research requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time

How To Delete Arrest Records in Hernando County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by Chapter 943.0585 and 943.059, Florida Statutes.

Expungement vs. Sealing:

Expungement physically destroys the record, though certain government agencies maintain a confidential copy
Sealing removes records from public view but preserves them for certain government entities
Both processes allow individuals to legally deny the arrest in most circumstances

Eligibility for Expungement:

Charges were dismissed, dropped, or not filed
The individual was acquitted or found not guilty
The person has never been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense
No prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
Not seeking expungement for certain disqualifying offenses

Eligibility for Sealing:

The case resulted in withholding of adjudication
No prior convictions for criminal offenses
No prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
Not seeking sealing for certain disqualifying offenses

Application Process:

Obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Submit fingerprints through an approved provider
Pay the FDLE processing fee (currently $75)
Complete the application with required supporting documentation
File a petition with the Hernando County Clerk of Court
Attend any required court hearings
If granted, provide copies of the court order to relevant agencies

Pursuant to § 943.0585(4), Florida Statutes, expunged records remain available to criminal justice agencies for specific purposes, including determining eligibility for sealing or expungement of other records.

What Happens After Arrest in Hernando County?

Following an arrest in Hernando County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process with several key stages. This process ensures due process rights while moving cases toward resolution.

Booking Process: The initial post-arrest procedure involves:

Transportation to the Hernando County Detention Center
Fingerprinting and photographing
Personal property inventory
Medical screening
Background check
Initial charge documentation

First Appearance: Within 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a judge who:

Reviews probable cause for the arrest
Sets bail or conditions of release
Appoints a public defender if the defendant qualifies
Informs the defendant of the charges

Formal Charging Decision: The State Attorney's Office reviews the case and decides whether to:

File formal charges
Modify the charges
Decline prosecution

Arraignment: At this court hearing, the defendant:

Is formally informed of charges
Enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
May have trial dates set if pleading not guilty

Pre-Trial Proceedings: This phase may include:

Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
Filing of motions
Plea negotiations
Pre-trial conferences

Trial: If the case proceeds to trial:

A jury is selected (except in bench trials)
Evidence is presented by both sides
The jury or judge renders a verdict

Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing may involve:

Incarceration
Probation
Fines
Community service
Treatment programs
Restitution to victims

Throughout this process, defendants have constitutional rights under the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and the U.S. Constitution, including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, and the right to a speedy trial.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Hernando County?

Arrest records in Hernando County are maintained according to Florida's records retention requirements, primarily governed by Florida Statute § 119.021 and the General Records Schedule GS2 for Law Enforcement.

Under current Florida law, most arrest records are retained permanently. The specific retention periods include:

Arrest Reports: Permanently maintained by law enforcement agencies
Booking Information: Permanently maintained in criminal history files
Fingerprint Records: Permanently maintained by FDLE and local agencies
Photographs/Mugshots: Permanently maintained as part of the arrest record
Investigation Reports: Minimum of 4 years after case closure for misdemeanors; permanent retention for felonies
Criminal History Information: Permanently maintained by FDLE

Different agencies maintain separate retention schedules:

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records according to law enforcement schedules
The Clerk of Court maintains court records related to arrests permanently
The State Attorney's Office maintains prosecution records according to their retention schedule
The Florida Department of Corrections maintains records of sentenced individuals

Records retention serves several critical purposes:

Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
Ensures accountability within the criminal justice system
Provides historical documentation for statistical and research purposes
Supports public safety through access to criminal history information

Even when physical records reach their retention period, digital information is typically maintained indefinitely in state and federal databases.

How to Find Mugshots in Hernando County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images serve as visual identification records within the criminal justice system and typically include:

Front-facing (portrait) photograph
Side-profile photograph
Booking information board showing the arrestee's name and booking number
Date of arrest

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In Hernando County, mugshots are primarily maintained by:

Hernando County Sheriff's Office
18900 Cortez Boulevard
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-6830
Hernando County Sheriff's Office

These photographs become part of the official arrest record and are stored in both physical and digital formats within the agency's records management system.

Finding Mugshots

To obtain mugshots in Hernando County, individuals may:

Submit a public records request to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Records Division
Provide the name and date of birth of the person whose mugshot is being requested
Pay applicable fees for reproduction (typically $1.00 per photograph)
Present identification when picking up requested records

Can They Be Found Online

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search that includes mugshots of currently incarcerated individuals and those recently released. This database is updated regularly and provides:

Current mugshots
Booking information
Charges
Bond amounts

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

For official copies of mugshots, particularly for older arrests, individuals should:

Submit a written public records request
Provide specific identifying information
Allow 3-5 business days for processing
Pay applicable reproduction fees

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

While mugshots are generally public records in Florida, access may be restricted for:

Juvenile arrestees (under 18 years old)
Victims of certain crimes
Undercover law enforcement personnel
Individuals whose records have been sealed or expunged
Active criminal investigations

Florida Statute § 943.0585 provides that once a record is expunged, the person may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrests covered by the expunged record, except in specific circumstances outlined in the statute.