Hamilton County Police Blotter

Hamilton County police blotter records are maintained by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office located at 207 Northeast First Street in Jasper. The sheriff's office manages all incident reports, arrest records, traffic crash reports, and daily booking logs for law enforcement activity across the county. You can request police blotter information by visiting the sheriff's office in person or calling during regular business hours to speak with records staff. These records include deputy responses to calls, investigations conducted, arrests made, crash reports filed, and other public safety documentation from throughout Hamilton County. Florida public records law grants any person the right to inspect and copy these documents unless they contain information protected by a specific legal exemption.

How to Request Police Blotter Records

Call the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office at (386) 792-1277 to begin a public records request. Tell the staff member what type of record you need and provide all the details you have. Include the date of the incident, where it happened, names of people involved, and a case number if you know it. The more specific your request, the faster it can be processed.

Visit the sheriff's office at 207 Northeast First Street in Jasper to submit your request in person. Bring a photo ID and be ready to fill out a request form with all the information you have about the incident. Staff will review your request and give you an estimate of how long it will take to complete and what it will cost. Simple requests may be ready in a few days, but complex searches can take longer.

Processing takes time because staff must locate records, review them for exempt information, and redact confidential data before releasing them. The sheriff's office must comply with Florida public records law while also protecting information that is exempt from disclosure. You will be notified when records are ready for pickup and told the total cost.

For traffic crash reports less than 60 days old, only certain people can get copies. You must be involved in the crash, represent someone involved, work for an insurance company, or be a government official. After 60 days, crash reports become public and anyone can purchase them through the Florida Crash Portal for $10 per report plus a $2 online fee.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Details

The sheriff's office is located at 207 Northeast First Street in Jasper. This facility serves as the central hub for all law enforcement operations in Hamilton County. The office handles patrol, investigations, records management, and jail operations from this location. Deputies patrol unincorporated areas and respond to calls throughout the county.

Reach the main office at (386) 792-1277. This number connects to dispatch and administrative staff who can direct your call to the appropriate department. For public records requests, ask to speak with someone who handles records. For general questions about sheriff's office services, the front desk can assist.

The official website at hamiltoncountysheriff.org may provide contact information and agency updates. Check the website for office hours, services available, and any special instructions for public records requests. If the website is not available, calling the office directly is the best way to get current information.

What Information Is in Police Blotter Records

Police blotter records in Hamilton County document all law enforcement activity. Incident reports are the most common type of record. These reports detail calls for service, crimes reported, investigations, and arrests. Each report includes the date and time of the incident, location, names of people involved, witness statements, evidence collected, and the deputy's narrative description of what happened.

Arrest records are part of the police blotter system. When someone is arrested and booked into the Hamilton County Jail, a booking record is created. This record includes the person's name, date of birth, physical description, booking photo, charges filed, arresting officer, and bond amount. Booking records are public unless the arrest is part of an active criminal investigation.

Traffic crash reports filed by Hamilton County deputies contain detailed information about crashes investigated by the sheriff's office. The long-form crash report includes driver information, vehicle details, crash diagrams, contributing factors like weather and road conditions, injuries, property damage, and the deputy's analysis of what caused the crash. These reports are used by insurance companies, attorneys, and others involved in crash-related matters.

Note: Active criminal investigative information remains confidential until the investigation concludes or becomes inactive.

Types of Police Blotter Records Available

Daily booking logs show who was arrested and booked into the Hamilton County Jail. These logs include names, booking times, charges filed, and custody status. Booking logs are updated regularly and provide a current snapshot of recent arrests in the county. They are public records unless an arrest is part of an ongoing investigation.

Offense reports document specific crimes and incidents. Burglary reports, theft reports, battery reports, vandalism reports, and other crime documentation are maintained in the records system. Each offense report contains victim information, suspect descriptions, witness interviews, property descriptions, and investigative findings. Some information may be redacted to protect victim identities in sensitive cases.

Field interview reports and deputy activity logs show routine law enforcement work. These records document traffic stops, welfare checks, suspicious person contacts, and other interactions between deputies and the public. Not every interaction results in an arrest, but significant contacts are documented for accountability and training purposes. Activity logs help supervisors track deputy workload and deployment.

Public Records Fees

Hamilton County charges fees based on Florida public records law. Copy fees are $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. These are the statutory maximum rates allowed under state law. The sheriff's office cannot charge more than these amounts for standard paper copies of records.

Labor fees apply when requests require extensive staff time. The first 15 minutes of search and review time are typically free. Requests taking longer are charged at the hourly compensation rate of the employee performing the work. This includes time spent locating records, reviewing for exempt information, redacting confidential data, and preparing copies. You will receive an estimate before extensive work begins on your request.

Payment is required before records are released. Cash is usually accepted. Money orders and business checks may be accepted. Personal checks might not be taken. Some agencies accept credit cards but charge a processing fee to cover transaction costs. Ask about accepted payment methods when you submit your request so you are prepared when records are ready.

Florida Public Records Law

All police blotter records in Hamilton County are subject to Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes. This law establishes a strong presumption that government records are public. Every person has the right to inspect and copy public records. The sheriff's office must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith. Agencies cannot unreasonably delay or deny access to non-exempt records.

Exemptions exist for certain types of information. Florida Statutes Section 119.071 lists many exemptions including active criminal investigative information, social security numbers, bank account numbers, home addresses of law enforcement officers, and other sensitive data. The sheriff's office must identify the specific exemption that applies and redact only the exempt portions. The rest of the record must be released.

Traffic crash reports follow special rules under Florida Statute 316.066. Crash reports are confidential for 60 days after filing. Only authorized parties can access reports during this confidentiality period. Unauthorized disclosure is a third-degree felony. After 60 days, reports become public and can be purchased through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for $10 per report plus $2 online convenience fee.

Nearby Counties

Hamilton County borders several other Florida counties, each with their own sheriff's office and records systems: