Criminal records in Santa Rosa County, Florida, are public documents, access to which is regulated by Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. SantaRosaCourt.us allows searching for publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of Court's Office, which maintains materials for the county and district courts.
How to Search Criminal Records in Santa Rosa
To begin a search, you will need at least one of the following details:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- SantaRosaCourt.us — enter the name or case number to view publicly available information about criminal proceedings in the county.
- Florida Courts Portal — on the Florida Courts website, you can find registers and documents of the Supreme Court and district appellate courts. Santa Rosa County belongs to the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, which serves four counties: Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton.
- Jail View — the Sheriff's Office provides the Santa Rosa Jail View system for checking information about individuals in custody. You can also request a copy of the report there.
- Florida Department of Corrections — for searching inmates serving state-level sentences, use the Offender Information Search.
- Federal Cases — if the crime falls under federal jurisdiction, records are maintained by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida (Pensacola division). Access is through the PACER system.
In-Person Visit
The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains public terminals in the courthouse in Milton. Visit during business hours to view case registers or order document copies.
Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be sent by mail to the Clerk of Court's address. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. The county also accepts public records requests according to the Florida Public Records Act — by phone, letter, or email.
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which is the central repository for criminal records in Florida.
Search Santa Rosa Criminal Cases by Case Number
A Florida case number has a standard format consisting of several parts. Here's how to read it:
| Segment | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Year | Year the case was filed (two digits) | 24 |
| Case Type Code | Letter code indicating the category: CF — criminal felony, MM — misdemeanor, CT — civil case, etc. | CF |
| Sequential Number | Sequential number assigned by the clerk | 000123 |
The full number looks like this: 2024-CF-000123. A criminal felony filed in 2024 with the 123rd sequential number.
If you know the exact case number, searching through SantaRosaCourt.us or terminals in the courthouse will yield the most accurate result. Without the number, you will have to search by name, which sometimes returns multiple records for individuals with common surnames.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Santa Rosa
Charges
- Statute Code — each charge refers to a specific section of the Florida Statutes (e.g., §893.13 — illegal trafficking of controlled substances).
- Severity Level — felony is divided into degrees from capital to third; misdemeanor — first or second degree; infraction — usually traffic violations.
- Amended Charges — the prosecutor may change or drop individual charges at any stage before sentencing.
Case Status
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case is open, and a decision has not yet been made |
| Active | The case is under consideration, hearings are scheduled |
| Disposed | The court has made a final decision |
| Closed | All procedures are completed, the case is closed |
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant hears the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss procedural issues and the possibility of a plea deal.
- Sentencing — the judge announces the punishment after a guilty plea.
- Review Hearing — checks compliance with probation conditions or other court orders.
Court Results
| Result | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury did not establish guilt |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a decision on the merits |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Withheld Adjudication | The judge refrained from formal adjudication of guilt — in Florida, this means there is no formal conviction, although the charge remains on record |
| Acquitted | The defendant is acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Santa Rosa
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office. These documents have the official court seal and the clerk's signature, confirming their authenticity.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the courthouse in Milton. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID).
- By Mail — send a written request to the clerk's address. Include the full name of the party, case number (if known), type of document needed, and return address. Attach a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online — check on the Clerk of Court's page if electronic ordering of copies is available for your document type.
Contact Information:
State-Level Criminal History
A complete state criminal history record check is conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The request is submitted online or by mail and usually requires fingerprints for identification.
Sheriff's Records
Copies of arrest and incident reports can be requested through the records request portal on the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office website.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Santa Rosa
Fees for copies of court documents in Florida are set by Statute §28.24. Below are typical rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $1.00 for the first page, $0.15 for each additional page |
| Certification fee | $2.00 per document |
| Registry search fee | Up to $2.00 per name per year of search |
| Criminal history check through FDLE | Depends on the type of check; electronic checks usually cost from $24.00 |
Processing Times
- On-site Copies — usually issued within minutes if documents are available in the electronic system.
- Mail Requests — 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume of the request.
- Check through FDLE — electronic results usually arrive within 1–3 business days; paper requests may take several weeks.
Exact fee amounts should be confirmed directly with the Clerk's Office, as some fees may be adjusted. Requests for county public records are processed without a fee for the request itself, but a set rate is charged for document copying.