Highlands County Criminal Records
What Is Highlands County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Highlands County encompass official documentation of 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 as materials made or received in connection with official government business.
Criminal records in Highlands County include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Highlands County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments
- Court Records: Official proceedings and dispositions from the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida serving Highlands County
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in the Highlands County Jail or state correctional facilities
- Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervised release conditions and compliance
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody based on probable cause, while conviction records indicate that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Felony records pertain to more serious offenses potentially punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanor records document lesser offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail.
Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public, while juvenile records (individuals under 18) are typically sealed or have restricted access under Florida Statute § 985.04, with certain exceptions for serious offenses.
The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Highlands County include:
Highlands County Sheriff's Office
434 Fernleaf Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 402-7200
Highlands County Sheriff's Office
Highlands County Clerk of Courts
590 South Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 402-6565
Highlands County Clerk of Courts
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 410-7000
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Are Criminal Records Public In Highlands County
Criminal records in Highlands County are generally public documents subject to disclosure under Florida's Public Records Law, specifically Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This statute establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection, unless specifically exempted by law.
Florida Statute § 119.01(1) explicitly states: "It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Providing access to public records is a duty of each agency."
The following criminal record categories are typically accessible to the public:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and dispositions
- Incarceration records
- Criminal history information maintained by the Clerk of Courts
- Booking photos ("mugshots")
- Criminal court calendars and dockets
However, certain categories of criminal records have restricted access or are exempt from public disclosure:
- Active criminal investigations (temporarily exempt until case closure)
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Juvenile records (with exceptions for serious offenses)
- Information that would reveal the identity of victims of certain crimes
- Records containing confidential informant information
- Information that would compromise security systems
The Highlands County Clerk of Courts serves as the custodian of court records, including criminal case files, while the Highlands County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records. Both agencies are required to provide reasonable public access to non-exempt records during regular business hours.
Individuals seeking access to criminal records in Highlands County may be required to submit a formal public records request, particularly for records not available through online portals. Pursuant to Florida law, agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records but cannot charge for the inspection of records.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Highlands County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Highlands County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides multiple avenues for record retrieval, both in-person and through electronic means.
For in-person requests at the Highlands County Sheriff's Office:
- Visit the Public Records Unit at the Sheriff's Office headquarters
- Complete a public records request form specifying the information sought
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $0.15 per single-sided page)
- Allow processing time as required by law
Highlands County Sheriff's Office - Public Records Unit
434 Fernleaf Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 402-7200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Public Records Request
For court records at the Clerk of Courts:
- Visit the Criminal Division at the Highlands County Courthouse
- Provide case number or name of the individual (if known)
- Request access to view records or obtain copies
- Pay applicable fees for certified copies or extensive searches
- Review records on-site or receive copies as requested
Highlands County Clerk of Courts - Criminal Division
590 South Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 402-6565
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Court Records Search
For statewide criminal history information:
- Submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
- Provide complete name and date of birth of the subject
- Include fingerprints if requesting a comprehensive background check
- Pay the required fee (currently $24 per record check)
- Allow processing time as indicated by FDLE
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
User Services Bureau
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
FDLE Criminal History Information
Requests may also be submitted by mail or email to the respective agencies. When making written requests, individuals should include specific information about the records sought, contact information, and any applicable fees as prescribed by Florida Statute § 119.07(4).
How To Find Criminal Records in Highlands County Online?
Highlands County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, allowing for remote access to various types of criminal record information.
The Highlands County Clerk of Courts online records search serves as the primary portal for accessing court case information. This system allows users to:
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- View case summaries and docket information
- Access court calendars and scheduled hearings
- Review case dispositions and outcomes
- Download certain non-confidential court documents
The search interface requires users to acknowledge terms of use before proceeding. While basic case information is available to all users, access to certain documents may require registration and approval, particularly for attorneys seeking access to their clients' records.
For current inmate information, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides:
- Current booking information
- Charges and bond amounts
- Scheduled release dates (when available)
- Mugshots of currently incarcerated individuals
- Basic demographic information
This database is updated regularly but includes only current inmates, not historical incarceration records.
The Highlands County Sheriff's Office website also provides access to:
- Daily arrest reports
- Active warrants information
- Sex offender registry data
- Public safety announcements
For comprehensive criminal history information that spans multiple jurisdictions, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This statewide database requires:
- Registration and payment of applicable fees
- Subject's full name and date of birth
- Notarized release form for third-party requests
- Payment of $24 per record search
Users should note that online systems may not contain all available records, particularly older cases that have not been digitized. Additionally, sealed or expunged records will not appear in public online searches pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585.
Can You Search Highlands County Criminal Records for Free?
Highlands County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law. Florida Statute § 119.07(1)(a) establishes that "every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public records."
Free in-person inspection of criminal records is available at:
Highlands County Clerk of Courts
590 South Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 402-6565
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Highlands County Sheriff's Office
434 Fernleaf Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 402-7200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Several free online resources are also available to the public:
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The Highlands County Clerk of Courts records search provides free access to basic case information, including criminal cases. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number without incurring fees.
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The Highlands County Sheriff's Office inmate search allows free access to current jail population information, including booking details, charges, and mugshots.
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The Criminal Court Calendar provides free access to upcoming court dates for criminal proceedings in Highlands County.
While inspection of records is free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records. Current statutory fees include:
- $0.15 per one-sided copy (letter/legal size)
- $0.20 per two-sided copy (letter/legal size)
- $1.00 per certified copy
- Special service charges for extensive use of agency resources (typically when request requires more than 30 minutes of staff time)
These fees are established pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), which authorizes agencies to recover actual costs of duplication.
What's Included in a Highlands County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Highlands County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records varies based on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case, but generally includes several standard categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest with statutory citations
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Pre-trial detention information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and case type
- Formal charges filed by the prosecutor
- Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to the case
- Court appearances and hearing dates
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentence details including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The Highlands County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records, while the Highlands County Clerk of Courts serves as the official repository for court proceedings, case dispositions, and sentencing information.
Access to certain elements within criminal records may be restricted based on statutory exemptions, particularly information related to confidential informants, ongoing investigations, or protected victim information as outlined in Florida Statute § 119.071.
How Long Does Highlands County Keep Criminal Records?
Highlands County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services. These schedules, mandated under Florida Statute § 257.36, establish minimum timeframes for preserving various categories of public records.
Criminal records retention periods vary by document type and severity of offense:
- Felony Case Files: Retained for 75 years after case closure
- Capital Felony Case Files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 5 years after case closure
- Traffic Case Files: Retained for 5 years after case closure
- Arrest Records: Retained for 4 years after arrest
- Booking Records: Retained for 3 years after release from custody
- Criminal History Information: Permanent retention by FDLE
- Warrant Information: Until executed or recalled
- Jail Records: 5 years after inmate's release
These retention periods are outlined in the General Records Schedules published by the Florida Department of State, specifically GS2 for law enforcement agencies and GS11 for clerk of courts offices.
It is important to note that while records may be eligible for destruction after their retention period expires, many criminal records are maintained for longer periods or permanently, particularly those related to serious offenses. Additionally, even when physical records are destroyed, electronic indices or summary information may be retained indefinitely.
Criminal history information maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is generally permanent unless a court orders a record to be sealed or expunged pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585 or Florida Statute § 943.059.
The Highlands County Clerk of Courts and Sheriff's Office follow these state-mandated retention schedules while maintaining appropriate security measures for records during their lifecycle. Records management practices ensure that information remains accessible to authorized parties while protecting confidential or exempt information from improper disclosure.
Lookup Criminal Records in Highlands County
Highlands County Clerk of Courts