Public Records Requests

The primary responsibility of the Records Unit is to store, maintain and make available various types of reports generated by departmental personnel and to oversee the retention and disposal of records. Other functions include greeting persons who come into the office, answering telephone requests, and assisting the public with local criminal background checks, copies of reports, fingerprinting, registering of felons, registering of sexual offenders/predators, data entry of tickets, distribution and posting of agency mail and assisting the public in seeking information. Our records section is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays (excluding holidays). Records kept by this office are available for public view as specified in Ch. 119, Florida’s Public Records Law. There are a few legal exceptions however, copies of all other records may be obtained upon request.

WHAT IS PUBLIC RECORD? The Florida Statute 119.00 outlines the criteria of what is considered as public record; Bradford County Sheriff’s Office is required to release information according to the public record law. Note – There are special exemption provisions for Florida Traffic Crash Reports.

To review the Public Records Laws, click here.

For information and assistance regarding making a public record request, contact the BCSO Records Unit at 904.966.6380 or stop by the Records Unit office located in the Sheriff’s Office building. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office in person, by phone, or in writing.

In order to expedite your request, it will be helpful if you could provide any of the following information: Case number, Date & Time, Location of Incident, the Name of the Deputy, or the Name of the person or persons involved.

NOTE: Members of the media are asked to contact the Public Information Officer.

What Fees may lawfully be imposed for inspecting and copying public records?

In accordance with Section 119.07, F.S.:

Copies: $ .15 each page

Traffic Crash Reports: $2.00      To access your crash reports, please click here.

Homicide Reports: $25.00 (Copies of photos are extra and depend upon quantity and size)

Certified copy: $1.00 each document, in addition to duplication costs

Extensive Research: Deposit required according to the nature of the request. (A special service charge when the nature or volume of public records to be inspected is such as to require extensive use of information technology resources, or extensive clerical assistance or supervisory assistance or both.)

There are additional fees for postage, or other reasonable costs incurred. You will be provided with a good faith estimate for the cost of research/duplication/redaction of protected information of the public record and must approve this estimate before fulfillment of the records request can take place. Payment can be made in advance or upon pick-up of the record. While there are minor fees for copying, requests requiring extensive research or copying may involve additional costs. Prior to the copying and/or release of requested information, payment must be received payable to the BradfordCounty Sheriff’s Office in the form of a Check, Cashiers Check, Money Order or Cash.

As required by Florida Law, files must be redacted to remove certain exempt information. Therefore, the copy you receive may have certain information blacked out.

HOW TO OBTAIN INFORMATION:

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Friday (Excluding Holidays), 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

LOCATION: Sheriff’s Office, 945-B N. Temple Avenue Starke, FL,

Bradford County Sheriff’s Office Mailing Address: P.O. Box 400 Starke, Florida 32091

(A mail request must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage to cover mailing and a check to cover the necessary copying fees)

TELEPHONE NUMBER: 904.966.6312

RELEASE OF FLORIDA TRAFFIC CRASH REPORTS:

Per Florida Statute Section 316.066, effective June 5, 2001, traffic crash reports are no longer public records under the provisions of Florida Statute Section 119.07 for a period of 60 days after the date the report is filed. However, they can be made available immediately to the following:

Who can get a traffic crash report before the 60 days is up?

1. The parties involved;
2. Their legal representatives;
3. Their licensed insurance agents;
4. Their insurers;
5. Persons under contract with such insurer to provide claims or underwriting information;
6. Prosecutorial authorities;
7. Radio and television stations licensed by the FCC;
8. Newspapers qualified to publish legal notices and free newspapers of general circulation, published once a week or more often, available and of interest to the public generally for the dissemination of news. For the purpose of Florida Statute Section 316.066, the following products are NOT qualifying newspapers: those intended primarily for members of a particular profession or occupational group; those with the primary purpose of distributing advertising; those with the primary purpose of publishing names and other personally identifying information concerning parties to motor vehicle crashes;
9. State and Federal Agencies authorized to have access to such reports by any provision of the law.

Per Florida Statute Section 316.066, any person attempting to access accident reports within 60 days after the date the report is filed must present legitimate credentials or identification that demonstrates their qualifications to access the report. Any person, knowing that he or she is not entitled to obtain information made confidential by this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in Florida Statute Section 775.082, 775.083 or 775.084.

What must you show to be authorized to receive a copy before the 60 days?

When making a request for an accident report which falls within the 60 days time period, one of the following types of credentials and/or identification must be provided in support of any claim for access to the requested report:

1. Drivers license or other governmental issued picture ID, identifying the requester as a party involved in the accident;
2. Signed and notarized letter from an involved party authorizing the pickup of the report on their behalf;
3. Letter from an attorney stating they represent a party involved;
4. Formal written request from an insurance company on company letterhead or otherwise clearly identifiable request form for each report identifying the parties they insure;
5. Written proof demonstrating one is under contract with an insurer for the specific report requested and identifying the insured parties;
6. State or Federal Credentials and/or licenses;
7. As approved by a Supervisor in the Records Section.