Monroe County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Monroe County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Monroe County may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as MonroeCountyRecords.us. Monroe County maintains criminal record data across multiple agencies, and the information available may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and active warrant listings. Access to specific records depends on the nature of the case, the current status of the individual, and applicable state and federal law.
Record categories that may be available through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Sex offender registry entries
- Active warrant listings
- Protective and restraining orders
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary access points currently available.
1. County Court Records
The Monroe County Clerk of Courts maintains court case records for criminal proceedings filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse.
Monroe County Clerk of Courts
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (305) 292-3423
Monroe County Clerk of Courts
Public access terminals are available during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requestors should bring the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and a valid government-issued photo ID. Case numbers, if known, expedite the search process.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or by mail.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
5525 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (305) 292-7000
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster online. Fees for copies of arrest records are set pursuant to Florida law. Requestors should provide the subject's full name, date of birth, and the approximate date of arrest when submitting requests.
3. Online Court Search
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and the Florida Courts Online Case Search allow members of the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Monroe County. Users may search by name, case number, or date of birth. The portal returns case status, charge information, and disposition data. Note that not all historical records are digitized, and sealed or expunged cases do not appear in online results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission through the FDLE Criminal History Information portal. Fingerprint-based searches are available for employment and licensing purposes. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, a name-based search costs $24 and a fingerprint-based search costs $24 plus fingerprinting fees.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Monroe County Clerk of Courts at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, case number if known, and a description of the records sought. Under Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Monroe County Criminal Records
A criminal record is an official compilation of an individual's documented interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, convictions, and sentencing outcomes. In Florida, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult records are subject to public access under Florida law; juvenile records are confidential and sealed pursuant to Florida Statute § 985.04.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding court orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Monroe County include:
- Monroe County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Monroe County Clerk of Courts — court case files, charges, dispositions, sentencing records
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident reports, arrest records within their jurisdiction
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as cases progress through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or probation proceedings. The Monroe County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary repository for court-generated criminal records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Monroe County
Criminal records in Monroe County are public records under Florida law. The Florida Public Records Law, Chapter 119, establishes that all records made or received by a public agency in the course of official business are open for public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. As stated in Florida Statute § 119.01, "It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person."
Records that are publicly accessible include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing information, and booking records. Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Sealed criminal records (restricted by court order)
- Active criminal investigative information
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The Florida Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access and exemptions through the Florida Attorney General's Public Records resources. Federal records maintained by agencies such as the FBI operate under separate federal privacy statutes and are not subject to Florida's public records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Monroe County Online
Official County Resources
The Monroe County Clerk of Courts provides online access to court case records through the Official Records Search. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal returns case status, charge descriptions, and disposition information. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster at keysso.net, which is updated regularly with booking and release information.
State-Level Resources
The Florida Courts system provides statewide case search access through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The FDLE maintains a criminal history background check system accessible through the FDLE Criminal History portal, which allows name-based and fingerprint-based searches across all Florida jurisdictions.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases to obtain a complete picture
- Note that records older than approximately 20 years may not be fully digitized
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public online searches
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of 24 to 72 hours following a court event or booking. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may require in-person requests. Online results do not constitute an official background check and are not suitable for employment screening purposes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Can You Search Monroe County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Florida law mandates that public records be available for inspection free of charge. Under Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies must allow inspection of public records at no cost; fees apply only to duplication. In-person inspection is available at the Monroe County Clerk of Courts (500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040) and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office (5525 College Road, Key West, FL 33040).
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Monroe County Clerk of Courts case search — court case filings and dispositions
- Monroe County Sheriff's Office inmate roster — current jail population and booking information
- Florida Courts statewide case search — criminal case records across Florida jurisdictions
3. Sheriff's Logs
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office publishes daily arrest and booking reports, which are available for public inspection at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $1.00 per page (first page); $0.15 per page thereafter |
| Official FDLE name-based background check | $24.00 |
| Official FDLE fingerprint-based background check | $24.00 + fingerprinting fees |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Varies by agency |
| Expedited processing | Varies |
Fee schedules are established pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07 and applicable court administrative orders. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Monroe County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), photograph (mugshot), last known address, Florida State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number if applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records contain the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond amount, and the name of the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date if applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, probation conditions), any appeals filed, and current probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile records (sealed under Florida Statute § 985.04)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion program records (where sealing has been granted)
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal records may submit a correction request to the originating agency. The FDLE provides a formal challenge process through the FDLE Criminal History Records portal. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Monroe County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Florida's records retention schedules, established by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services, govern how long criminal records must be maintained. The Florida General Records Schedule GS1-SL sets minimum retention periods for state and local government agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 5 years |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18 or 21; destruction timelines vary by offense |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County courts: Court records are retained permanently pursuant to Florida court records retention rules.
- Sheriff/jail: Booking and arrest records are retained for a minimum period established by the General Records Schedule.
- State repository: The FDLE retains conviction records permanently; non-conviction records may be purged under specific circumstances.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for the full statutory period and frequently beyond it. Physical paper records may be destroyed after scanning and digitization, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing restricts public access to a record while preserving it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement results in the physical destruction of the record by the custodial agency, though the FDLE retains a confidential notation. Eligibility and procedures are governed by Florida Statute § 943.0585, and petition forms are available through the FDLE Expungement and Sealing portal.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from Florida state records.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on Florida criminal history records permanently unless expunged or sealed. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most adverse information to seven years; however, convictions may be reported indefinitely for positions with salaries above certain thresholds. Professional licensing boards in Florida may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585.