Escambia County criminal records are public court papers that show criminal cases filed in Pensacola, Florida, and across the county. Anyone can look up felony charges, misdemeanor charges, traffic crimes, and arrest records through the Clerk of Court office or the Sheriff’s Office.
These records show the defendant’s full legal name, date of birth, charges, court dates, plea deals, verdicts, and sentences. Florida state law makes these records open to the public at no cost for basic online viewing. This page explains how to search the records, what you can find, and what it costs.
What Appears in Escambia County Criminal Case Files
Each criminal case file holds specific details about the case and the people tied to it. The Clerk of Court office stores these files and updates them as the case moves through the court system. Records stay on file for many years, even after the case ends. Some details get sealed by court order, but most data stays open to the public forever.
Basic Case Details
The top of every criminal record shows the case number, the court where the case was filed, and the filing date. You will see the defendant’s full legal name, date of birth, and address on record. The charges section lists each criminal count with the Florida statute number. Bond amounts and bond conditions appear when the court sets them at the first court hearing.
Disposition and Sentence Data
The middle section of the file shows the case outcome. This includes any plea entered by the defendant, the verdict reached at trial, or a dismissal order. The sentence section shows jail time, probation terms, fines, and court costs. Restitution payments to victims appear in this part of the file. The judge who signed each order is named in the record.
Court Action History
A docket list runs down one side of the file showing every event in the case. Each entry has the date, the type of hearing, and a short note about what happened. Arraignments, motions, plea talks, and trial dates all show up in this list. Skipped court dates and bench warrants appear as new entries when they occur.
How to Look Up Escambia County Criminal Records Online
The Escambia County Clerk of Court runs a free public search tool on its website. You do not need an account or login to view basic case details. The tool works on phones, tablets, and computers with internet. Most people finish a name search in less than two minutes.
Using the Clerk’s Court Records Search
Go to the Clerk website at escambiaclerk.com and click the Court Records link on the main page. A new window opens with the search portal. Type the person’s last name first, then the first name. You can narrow the search by adding a date of birth or case number if you have them. The results page lists every case that matches the name.
Search Filters and Options
The search tool lets you sort results by filing date, case type, or court division. A dropdown menu lets you pick felony, misdemeanor, traffic, or civil cases. You can set a date range to limit results to a certain time span. Each result links to the full case file with all public documents.
Free Versus Paid Records
Basic case details are free to view on the website. You can read the docket, see charges, and check court dates at no cost. Printed copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies with the court seal cost $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee per document. These certified copies work for court filings, job applications, and immigration cases.
Escambia County Clerk of Court Office Details
The Clerk of Court is the main office that holds every criminal case file in Escambia County. The main office sits in downtown Pensacola on West Government Street. Visitors can search records on public computers inside the lobby. Staff can help you find cases when you give them a name or case number.
Location and Office Hours
The Clerk’s main office address is 190 West Government Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Free parking is available in the lot behind the building.
Phone and Contact Methods
You can call the Clerk’s main phone line at (850) 595-4310 during office hours. The official website at escambiaclerk.com lists phone numbers for each office division. Email contact works for some record requests through the website’s contact form. Mail requests work for records that can be sent by postal mail.
In-Person Visit Steps
Walk in and tell the front desk staff what you need. Show a photo ID if you ask for certified copies. Staff will pull up the case on a public computer or pull the paper file from storage. Pay the copy fee by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the cashier window.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Sheriff’s Office handles all arrests and runs the county jail in Escambia County. The main office sits on West Leonard Street in Pensacola. Deputies patrol the whole county and file reports on every call. The Sheriff also holds arrest records and inmate records for people booked into jail.
Sheriff’s Office Address
The main Sheriff’s Office building sits at 1700 West Leonard Street, Pensacola, Florida 32501. The office opens to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can call the main line at (850) 436-9630 for general questions. The Sheriff’s website at escambiaso.com lists jail info and report request forms.
Current Inmate Lookup
The Sheriff’s website runs a free inmate search tool that updates every few hours. Search by last name, first name, or booking date. Each result shows the inmate’s photo, booking date, current charges, and bond amount. The tool covers current inmates and people released in the past 30 days.
Police Report Requests
Police reports cost $1 per page at the Sheriff’s Records Division. Email requests work for simple reports with no attached media. Reports with photos or video take longer to process and may cost extra. Some active investigation reports stay sealed until the case closes.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history database. This tool covers arrest records from every county in Florida. The search costs $25 per name and works for background checks, job applications, and licensing needs.
FDLE CCHInet System
The CCHInet system at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You need the full name, date of birth, and a credit or debit card to run a search. Results show up right after payment. Each report lists arrests, charges, and outcomes from every Florida county.
Florida Department of Corrections Lookup
The Department of Corrections tracks every person in state prison. Their offender search at fdc.myflorida.com is free to use. You can search by name or DC number. Each result shows the prison location, sentence length, release date, and supervision status.
Out-of-State and Federal Limits
The Florida FDLE database only covers crimes committed in Florida. Arrests in other states do not show up in this search. Federal crimes handled by federal courts do not appear in the state system. For full national checks, use the FBI’s federal background check service.
Felony and Misdemeanor Cases in Escambia County
Florida splits criminal cases into felony, misdemeanor, and traffic crime levels. Each level has its own court and its own record files. The Clerk stores all of these cases in the same online search tool. The case type shows up at the top of every record.
Felony Case Records
Felony charges include murder, robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, and most sex crimes. These cases go to the Circuit Court in Pensacola. Felony sentences can run more than one year in state prison. Felony records stay on file for life unless sealed by court order.
Misdemeanor Case Records
Misdemeanor charges include petty theft, simple assault, DUI, and most drug possession crimes. These cases go to the County Court in Escambia County. Misdemeanor sentences run less than one year in county jail. Misdemeanor records also stay on file for life without a seal.
Traffic Criminal Cases
Traffic crimes include DUI, driving with a suspended license, and leaving the scene of a crash. These cases go to the Traffic Division of the County Court. Fines, license suspensions, and short jail terms are common punishments. Records show up in the same search tool as other criminal cases.
How to Seal or Expunge Records in Escambia County
Florida law lets some people hide old criminal records from public view. Sealed records stay in the system but cannot be seen by the public. Expunged records get destroyed by the agencies that hold them. Not every case qualifies for sealing or expungement.
Florida Eligibility Rules
You can only seal or expunge one case in your lifetime in most situations. You cannot have any prior sealed or expunged records. The case must end in a dismissal, acquittal, or a withhold of adjudication. Murder, sex crimes, and most violent felonies cannot be sealed. You must finish all sentences, fines, and probation before you apply.
Application Steps and Costs
Step one: Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. The application fee is $75. Processing takes about 12 weeks. Step two: After you get the certificate, file a petition with the Escambia County court that handled your case. Step three: The judge reviews your petition and decides whether to grant sealing or expungement. Court filing fees add up to about $200 to $300 in Escambia County.
Florida Public Records Laws for Court Files
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Section 119.07 of the Florida Statutes guarantees public access to government papers. The Clerk of Court must let you see and copy most criminal case files. The office cannot ask why you want the records.
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes
The public records law covers every document made or received by a government office. This includes criminal case files held by the Clerk. The law says government offices must provide records promptly during business hours. You can ask for records in person, by mail, by email, or by phone.
Records Exempt from Public View
Some records stay sealed under Florida law. Active investigation files stay sealed until the case ends. Juvenile records are sealed to protect minors. Sealed and expunged records disappear from public view by court order. Victim details may be redacted to protect identity and safety.
Escambia County Court System Structure
Escambia County uses two court systems for criminal cases. The Circuit Court handles felony cases. The County Court handles misdemeanor and traffic cases. Both courts sit in the same courthouse area in downtown Pensacola.
Circuit Court Division
The Circuit Court is the higher court in the county. It handles all felony cases and family law matters. Circuit Court judges serve six-year terms. Appeals from County Court go to the Circuit Court. The First Judicial Circuit covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties.
County Court Division
The County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic crimes, and small civil cases. County Court judges serve six-year terms. Cases here move faster than in Circuit Court. Most first-time criminal cases start and end in County Court.
Escambia County Official Contact Details
This section lists the main offices you may need for criminal records in Escambia County. All contact details below are current as of 2026. Call the offices before you visit to confirm hours and fees.
Clerk of Court Contact Card
The Clerk of Court keeps every criminal case file in the county. Use these details to reach the main office.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Street Address | 190 West Government Street, Pensacola, FL 32502 |
| Phone Number | (850) 595-4310 |
| Website | escambiaclerk.com |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Sheriff’s Office Contact Card
The Sheriff’s Office handles arrests, jail records, and police reports. Use these details to reach the main office.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Escambia County Sheriff’s Office |
| Street Address | 1700 West Leonard Street, Pensacola, FL 32501 |
| Phone Number | (850) 436-9630 |
| Website | escambiaso.com |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Escambia County Criminal Records
This section answers common questions about criminal records, court files, and background checks in Escambia County. The answers below cover search methods, fees, eligibility rules, and common mistakes. Each answer pulls from Florida state law, Escambia County court rules, and FDLE records procedures current as of 2026.
How much does it cost to look up criminal records in Escambia County?
The Clerk of Court website offers free access to basic case details at escambiaclerk.com. You can see charges, court dates, and verdicts at no cost through the public search tool. Printed copies cost $1 per page when you pick them up at the Clerk’s office. Certified copies with the court seal cost $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee per document. The FDLE statewide criminal history search costs $25 per name paid by credit or debit card. Inmate searches through the Sheriff’s Office are free on escambiaso.com at all hours. Police reports cost $1 per page at the Records Division for simple paper files. Third-party background check companies charge $30 to $100 per full report. The total cost depends on how many records you need and what type of copy you want. Most people spend less than $30 for a single name search.
Can I check Escambia County criminal records for free?
Yes. The Clerk of Court runs a free search tool on its website at escambiaclerk.com. You can look up case numbers, charges, court dates, and dispositions at no cost. The Sheriff’s website at escambiaso.com offers free inmate searches of people currently in jail. FDLE offers free public access to view basic criminal history records at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us, but the full report costs $25. You can visit the Clerk’s office in person and use public computers in the lobby to search records at no cost. Staff at the front desk can help you find cases when you give them a name. The only cost comes when you need printed copies or certified documents. Most casual searches cost nothing at all.
How long do criminal records stay on file in Escambia County?
Criminal records stay on file forever unless a court orders them sealed or expunged. Even old cases from the 1980s still appear in the Clerk’s online search tool today. Florida does not have a legal time limit for keeping criminal case files on public view. Sealed records stay in the system but disappear from public search results. Expunged records get destroyed by the agencies that held them by court order. Some agencies may keep a hidden copy for law enforcement use after expungement. Juvenile records follow different rules and may be sealed automatically at age 21. The only way to remove a record from public view is through the formal sealing or expungement process.
What is the difference between felony and misdemeanor records in Escambia County?
Felony records cover serious crimes that can lead to prison time of more than one year. Examples include murder, robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, and most sex crimes. These cases go to the Circuit Court in Pensacola for trial. Misdemeanor records cover less serious crimes with sentences of less than one year. Examples include petty theft, simple assault, DUI, and minor drug possession. These cases go to the County Court in Escambia County. Both types show up in the same online search tool at escambiaclerk.com. The case type appears at the top of every record file. Felony cases take longer to resolve than misdemeanor cases in most situations.
Can employers run background checks on Escambia County criminal records?
Yes. Florida employers have the legal right to run background checks through FDLE and the Clerk of Court. The FDLE statewide search costs $25 per name. Many private background check companies pull data directly from the Escambia County Clerk’s database. Employers must follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act when using third-party screeners. They must get written permission from the job applicant before running the check. Certain jobs require fingerprint-based FBI checks instead of public records. These include childcare, healthcare, law enforcement, and government security positions. Job applicants can order their own FDLE records to check for errors before applying for work.
How do I find someone in the Escambia County jail right now?
Use the Sheriff’s inmate search tool at escambiaso.com. Search by last name, first name, or booking date. The tool updates every few hours with new bookings and releases. Each result shows the inmate’s photo, age, booking date, current charges, and bond amount. You can also call the jail information line at (850) 436-9630 during business hours. The main jail sits at 1700 West Leonard Street in Pensacola. Visitors must bring a photo ID to enter the lobby area. Inmate mail must follow strict rules listed on the Sheriff’s website. Money for inmate accounts can be added online or at the jail kiosk in the lobby.
Can I remove an arrest record from public view in Escambia County?
Yes, in some cases. Florida law allows sealing or expungement for certain arrest records. You must first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. The application costs $75 and takes about 12 weeks to process. The certificate stays valid for 12 months from the date it issues. You then file a petition with the court that handled your case. Court filing fees add up to $200 to $300 in Escambia County. A judge decides whether to grant the request. Murder, sex crimes, and most violent felonies cannot be sealed. You can only seal or expunge one case in your lifetime in most situations. Talk to a local attorney for help with the paperwork and court process.