Walton County criminal records are public files that show every criminal case handled by courts in Walton County, Florida. These records include felony cases, misdemeanor cases, traffic crimes, and court actions for people charged with breaking the law in the county.
Walton County sits in the Florida Panhandle and covers cities like DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, and Santa Rosa Beach. The Clerk of Court keeps the official court files, while the Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest and inmate records. Anyone can search these records online or visit local offices to view them.
What Are Walton County Criminal Records?
Walton County criminal records are official documents created during criminal cases in the county. They show what charge a person faced, what happened in court, and what sentence was given. These records are open to the public under Florida law. People use them for background checks, court research, legal work, and personal reasons.
Who Maintains These Records
Two main offices keep criminal records in Walton County. The Clerk of Courts keeps all court records for cases that went through the county court system. The Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest reports, incident reports, and inmate records. State agencies like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also keep statewide criminal history files.
What Types of Cases Are Included
Walton County criminal records cover many types of cases. These include felony cases for serious crimes like burglary, drug trafficking, and assault. They also include misdemeanor cases for smaller crimes like petty theft, simple battery, and disorderly conduct. Traffic crimes that lead to criminal charges are also part of the record system.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has strong public records laws that make most government files open to view. Section 119.07 of Florida Statutes gives people the right to see and copy public records. Criminal court records fall under this law. Some records stay private, like sealed records, expunged records, and active juvenile cases.
Walton County Clerk of Court Criminal Records
The Walton County Clerk of Courts serves as the main keeper of court records for the county. This office handles all paperwork for criminal cases that move through the court system. People can search the Clerk’s database online or visit the office in person to look at records.
Physical Location and Hours
The Walton County Clerk’s office is located at 100 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. People can call the Clerk at (850) 892-8115 to ask questions before visiting.
Online Court Records Search
The Walton County Clerk offers an online search tool on their website at waltonclerk.com. This tool lets people search for criminal cases by name, case number, or date. The search is free to use and works any time of day. People can see case status, court dates, charges, and final results from past cases.
Case Number Search
Each criminal case in Walton County has a unique case number. People who know the case number can find records faster using the online search tool. The case number format usually includes the year, court type, and a sequence number. Court staff can help locate a case number if needed.
Fees for Certified Copies
Basic record searches on the Clerk’s website are free. Printed copies cost one dollar per page. Certified copies that include an official court seal cost more. As of 2026, the fee for a certified copy is two dollars per page plus a small service charge. People should call the Clerk’s office for exact current fees before requesting copies.
| Service Type | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online Basic Search | Free | Instant |
| Regular Printed Copy | $1.00 per page | Same day |
| Certified Copy | $2.00 per page + service fee | 1-3 business days |
| Document Authentication | $5.00 per document | 3-5 business days |
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement across the county. This office keeps records of arrests, incidents, and jail inmates. These records help people learn about police activity and find people who have been booked into jail.
Arrest Records and Inmate Data
The Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest records that show when and where someone was arrested. They also keep current inmate data that shows who is in the Walton County Jail right now. People can search the jail roster online through the Sheriff’s website. This search is free and shows the inmate’s name, booking date, and charges.
How to Request Police Reports
People can request copies of police reports from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. The office is located at 752 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. Requesters should bring a photo ID and details about the report, like the date and location of the incident. There is a small fee for copying police reports.
Sheriff Office Contact Details
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office main phone number is (850) 892-8111. This line is open 24 hours a day for emergencies and general questions. The office website is waltonsheriff.com. People can also email the records department for non-urgent requests about old cases.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Search
Some people need a statewide search that covers all of Florida, not just Walton County. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history system. This system includes arrests and convictions from every county in Florida.
FDLE CCHInet System
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the CCHInet system. People can search this database at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. The search costs twenty-four dollars per name plus a one dollar credit card fee, totaling twenty-five dollars. Searchers need the person’s full name and date of birth. Adding a Social Security Number makes the search more accurate. Results show up right away after payment.
Florida Department of Corrections
The Florida Department of Corrections keeps records of people in state prison. People can search the inmate database at fdc.myflorida.com. This free search shows current inmates and people on probation or parole. The database covers all Florida counties, including Walton County cases that led to state prison time.
What Records Are Included
The statewide search shows arrests, charges, court outcomes, and prison sentences. It includes adult records from all Florida counties. Some juvenile records appear if they were handled in adult court. Federal charges and out-of-state arrests do not show up in the Florida database.
How to Search Walton County Felony Records
Felony records are for serious crimes that can lead to prison time. Walton County felony cases are handled by the Circuit Court. People can search these records through the Clerk’s office or online tools.
Circuit Court Felony Cases
The Walton County Circuit Court handles all felony cases in the county. This court is part of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. Felony cases include crimes like murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and major theft. Records from these cases stay with the Circuit Court Clerk for the court process and appeals.
Online Felony Case Lookup
People can look up Walton County felony cases on the Clerk’s website. Searchers enter the last name and first name of the person. The system shows case numbers, charges, court dates, and final outcomes. Felony case records stay in the system even after the case is closed.
- Search by full legal name for best results
- Use date of birth to narrow down matches
- Check case numbers if known
- Look at both active and closed cases
- Contact the Clerk for help with complex searches
How to Search Walton County Misdemeanor Records
Misdemeanor records cover smaller crimes that usually result in fines or short jail time. Walton County handles these cases through County Court. People can search these records the same way they search for felony cases.
County Court Misdemeanor Cases
The Walton County Court handles all misdemeanor cases in the county. These cases include petty theft, simple assault, driving under the influence, and disorderly conduct. County Court records are kept by the same Clerk of Courts office that handles felony cases.
Online Misdemeanor Search
The Clerk’s online search tool covers both felony and misdemeanor cases. Searchers can filter results to show only misdemeanor cases. Each record shows the charge level, court dates, plea, and sentence. Basic case data is free, but copies cost money.
Sealing and Expungement in Walton County
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge their criminal records. This process hides records from public view. Walton County residents can apply for this relief through the court system.
Who Qualifies
People who were arrested but never charged may qualify. People who had charges dropped or dismissed may also qualify. Those who completed a diversion program can apply. People cannot seal records for serious crimes like murder, sexual offenses, or crimes against children. A person can only seal or expunge one record in their lifetime under most cases.
The Application Process
The first step is getting a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The application costs seventy-five dollars and takes about twelve weeks to process. After getting the certificate, the person files a petition with the Walton County court. A judge reviews the request and makes the final decision. If approved, all agencies that have the record must seal or destroy it.
Walton County Criminal Court Docket Search
Court dockets show the schedule and actions in each criminal case. These records help people find court dates and see what happened at past hearings. Walton County dockets are open to the public.
What Is a Court Docket
A court docket is a list of all events in a legal case. It shows filing dates, hearing dates, motions, and judge orders. Dockets help lawyers, parties, and the public track how a case moves through court. Each entry has a date, document type, and short description.
How to Access Dockets Online
Walton County court dockets are available through the Clerk’s online portal. Searchers can pull up a case and view its full docket sheet. The docket shows every filing and court action from start to finish. Dockets are free to view but cost money to print or download as certified documents.
Records Not Available to the Public
Some criminal records in Walton County stay private. Florida law protects certain records from public view. People should know which records they cannot get.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Once a record is sealed or expunged by court order, it is removed from public view. Only certain agencies can see these records. The person whose record was sealed does not need to disclose it in most cases. Background checks will not show sealed records.
Juvenile Records
Records for people under 18 who were charged with crimes have special protections. Most juvenile records stay private. They are kept in a separate system from adult records. Only certain officials can access juvenile case files.
Active Investigation Files
Police investigation files for crimes still being looked into stay confidential. This protects the integrity of the investigation. Once the case is closed, many of these records become public. Some investigation details may stay private even after a case ends.
How to Use Walton County Criminal Records
People search Walton County criminal records for many reasons. The records help with personal decisions, legal work, and safety checks. Each user has different needs, but the basic search process is the same.
Background Checks
Employers often run background checks on job applicants. Landlords may check tenant backgrounds. People dating someone new sometimes check criminal history. Background checks usually use the statewide FDLE system plus county court searches for full coverage.
Legal Research
Lawyers use criminal records to study past cases. They look at how judges ruled on similar charges. Legal researchers check past outcomes to help build their own cases. Public defenders search records to help their clients.
Personal Records
People sometimes need their own criminal records. They may need proof of a cleared charge for immigration, jobs, or housing. The Clerk’s office can provide copies of records for personal use. Certified copies work for legal and government needs.
Walton County Courthouse Location
The Walton County Courthouse and Clerk’s office sit at 100 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. Phone: (850) 892-8115. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office sits at 752 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. Phone: (850) 892-8111. Online resources: waltonclerk.com and waltonsheriff.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walton County Criminal Records
This section answers common questions people ask about Walton County criminal records. The answers cover search methods, record types, fees, and access rules. These questions match what real users search online.
How Do I Search for Criminal Records in Walton County Florida?
You can search Walton County criminal records online through the Clerk of Courts website at waltonclerk.com. The free search tool works with a person’s name, case number, or date range. You can also visit the Clerk’s office in person at 100 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. For statewide searches that cover all Florida counties, use the FDLE CCHInet system at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us for twenty-five dollars per name search.
Are Walton County Criminal Records Free to View?
Yes, basic online searches of Walton County criminal records are free. The Clerk’s online portal lets anyone view case data, court dates, charges, and outcomes without paying. Viewing records in person at the Clerk’s office is also free. You only pay when you need printed copies, certified copies, or authenticated documents for legal use. Regular copies cost one dollar per page, and certified copies cost two dollars per page plus a service fee.
What Is the Difference Between Felony and Misdemeanor Records in Walton County?
Felony records cover serious crimes like murder, burglary, drug trafficking, and major theft. These cases go through the Circuit Court and can lead to prison time over one year. Misdemeanor records cover smaller crimes like petty theft, simple battery, and disorderly conduct. These cases go through County Court and usually lead to fines or jail time under one year. Both record types are kept by the same Walton County Clerk of Courts and show up in the same online search tool.
Can I Find Out If Someone Is in Jail in Walton County?
Yes, you can search the current inmate list on the Walton County Sheriff’s Office website at waltonsheriff.com. The jail roster is free to view and shows current inmates, their booking dates, and charges. You can also call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 892-8111 to ask about inmate status. The jail roster updates regularly but may have a short delay between booking and the online listing.
How Long Does It Take to Expunge a Record in Walton County?
The full expungement process in Walton County takes several months to complete. The first step is getting a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE, which takes about twelve weeks. After you get the certificate, you file a petition with the Walton County court. A judge reviews the petition and sets a hearing date. The whole process usually takes four to six months from start to finish, depending on court schedules.
Can I Get Criminal Records Removed From Public View in Walton County?
Yes, you can apply to seal or expunge eligible criminal records under Florida law. You must first get a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE by filing an application and paying a seventy-five dollar fee. After getting the certificate, file a petition with the Walton County court. A judge decides whether to grant the request. Not all crimes qualify. Murder, sexual offenses, and crimes against children cannot be sealed or expunged.
What Information Do I Need to Search Walton County Criminal Records?
You need at least the person’s full legal name to search Walton County criminal records. Adding the date of birth helps narrow down results when many people share the same name. Knowing the case number gives you exact results. For statewide searches through FDLE, you need the full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number if possible. You do not need to give your own personal details to view public records in Florida.