St Johns County recent bookings list every person arrested and processed into the St. Johns County jail in Saint Augustine, Florida.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office runs the county’s single intake facility at 3955 Lewis Speedway. Records are open to the public under Florida law. Anyone can search these booking records online at no cost through the sheriff’s inmate lookup tool. This page explains how to search recent arrests in St. Johns County, what each booking record contains, and how the bail and release process works in 2026.
How St. Johns County Bookings Work
Booking in St. Johns County follows a set process that starts the moment a person arrives at the jail. The same rules apply for adults arrested anywhere in the county, including Saint Augustine, Saint Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and the unincorporated areas around Nocatee.
Arrest and Intake Process
After an arrest, the person is brought to the St. Johns County jail on Lewis Speedway. Staff check identity, take fingerprints, take a booking photo, and enter personal data into the jail computer system. Charges are added along with arrest reports from the agency that made the arrest. The full intake procedure follows Chapter 901 of Florida Statutes, which sets arrest and booking rules across the state.
St. Johns County Jail Location and Contact
The county jail sits at 3955 Lewis Speedway, Saint Augustine, FL 32084. The booking desk and inmate records office answer calls at 904.824.8304. The jail runs around the clock. Visiting hours and bond postings take place every day. The official website is www.sjso.org.
Agencies That Book at St. Johns Jail
Multiple agencies bring arrestees to the St. Johns County jail. The sheriff’s office covers unincorporated areas, which make up most of the county. Saint Augustine Police, Saint Augustine Beach Police, and the Florida Highway Patrol also book people into the same facility. All of these arrests show up in the same St Johns County recent bookings search.
Official Search for St Johns County Recent Bookings
The fastest way to look up recent arrests in St. Johns County is the online inmate search on the sheriff’s website. The tool is free and runs any time. Users only need a last name to begin. Results cover current inmates and recent bookings.
SJSO Online Inmate Search Tool
The inmate search lives on the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office website. Searchers type a first name, last name, or both. The tool returns booking dates, charges, bond amounts, housing info, and a booking photo for each person. Data comes straight from the jail system, so records update as new arrests happen.
Searching by Booking Number
If a booking number is already known, that number can pull up the exact record. St Johns County assigns a booking number during intake. This number stays with the person for the full time they are in custody and shows up on court paperwork too.
Searching by Name and Booking Date
The tool can filter by date range. Users pick a start and end date. The search returns all bookings within that window. This helps when a loved one was arrested on a specific day and the searcher wants a quick match.
What St Johns County Booking Records Include
Each booking record in St. Johns County has a fixed set of fields. The same fields appear on every record, so searchers know what to expect. Records come from the jail intake system and get updated as court dates are set.
Personal Details and Booking Photo
The full legal name appears at the top of each record. Date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, and eye color also show up. A booking photo, often called a mugshot, is taken at intake. This photo stays on the record for past bookings too.
Charges and Statute Numbers
Every charge is listed with its Florida statute number. Statute numbers are the law codes that define the offense. Each charge shows whether it is a misdemeanor or felony. A single booking can include several charges from a single arrest.
Bond Amounts and Court Dates
Bond amounts show next to each charge. The arrest date and booking date both appear. Once a judge sets a court date, that date is added to the record. Housing info, such as cell block or work release status, appears for people still in custody.
Bond, Bail, and Release in St. Johns County
Bond amounts and release rules in St. Johns County follow Chapter 903 of Florida Statutes. The jail uses a standard bond schedule. First appearance hearings take place within 24 hours of arrest. A judge makes the final bond call at that hearing.
First Appearance Hearings
The first appearance hearing happens by video or in person before a St. Johns County judge. The judge reads the charges, checks criminal history, and sets bond. Bond can be lower, higher, or denied based on the case. A no bond hold can be set for serious felony charges.
Cash Bond and Bail Bondsman Options
There are three main ways to post bond in St. Johns County. The first is cash bond paid at the jail. The second is through a licensed Florida bail bondsman who charges 10 percent of the bond. The third is release on recognizance, which the judge can grant for low-risk cases.
No Bond and Pre-Trial Release
Some charges carry a no bond status. These include violent felonies, certain sex offenses, and violations of pre-trial release. Conditions like GPS monitoring, no-contact orders, and travel limits can also be set. Pre-trial services may check in on the person while the case moves through court.
St Johns County vs Florida Statewide Booking Records
Booking records exist at both the county and state level in Florida. Each serves a different purpose. Knowing which one to search saves time.
Local SJSO vs FDLE Statewide Search
The SJSO tool covers people booked into the St. Johns County jail. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps arrest records from every county in the state. FDLE charges $25 per record check. Local search updates faster. State search covers Florida as a whole.
County Jail vs Florida Department of Corrections
People in the St. Johns County jail are mostly pre-trial or serving short county sentences. The Florida Department of Corrections covers people sentenced to state prison. The DOC search tool shows inmates who have been convicted and moved to a state facility. It does not list current county jail inmates.
Neighboring County Jail Searches
St. Johns County borders Clay, Duval, Flagler, and Putnam counties. If a person was arrested in a nearby area, the right county search is needed. Each neighboring sheriff’s office runs its own booking system.
| County | County Seat | Jail Phone | Search Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | Green Cove Springs | 904.213.6331 | claysheriffsoffice.com |
| Duval County | Jacksonville | 904.255.0500 | coj.net |
| Flagler County | Bunnell | 386.437.4116 | flaglersheriff.com |
| Putnam County | Palatka | 386.329.0804 | putnamsheriff.org |
Other Florida Counties with Recent Bookings
Florida keeps booking records in every county. Major counties run their own online search tools. Visitors and residents often need to check more than one county. The list below covers the largest booking hubs in the state.
- Broward County recent bookings ��� handled by the Broward Sheriff’s Office at the main jail in Fort Lauderdale. Search is online through the BSO inmate lookup.
- Miami-Dade County recent bookings ��� run by the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. The Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center processes bookings.
- Hillsborough County recent bookings ��� handled by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa. The Falkenburg Road Jail is the main intake site.
- Orange County Florida recent bookings ��� processed by the Orange County Corrections Department in Orlando. Records show up in the Orange County inmate search.
- Duval County recent bookings ��� handled by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The main jail sits on Montgomery Correctional Center property.
- Palm Beach County recent bookings ��� run by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The main jail is at the Belle Glade and West Palm Beach locations.
- Pinellas County recent bookings ��� handled by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Largo. The Central Booking facility handles all intake.
- Lee County recent bookings ��� run by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Myers. The main jail is off Ortiz Avenue.
Booking Charges and Offense Levels in St. Johns County
The charges on a St. Johns County booking record come straight from the arrest report. Each charge has its own statute number. Knowing the offense level helps understand bond range and court process.
Common Misdemeanor Charges
Misdemeanors in Florida carry up to one year in county jail. Common ones in St. Johns County include petty theft, simple battery, DUI first offense, and disorderly conduct. Bond amounts for these are set by the standard schedule and often lower than felony bonds.
Common Felony Charges
Felonies can carry prison sentences over one year. In St. Johns County, common felonies include aggravated battery, drug trafficking, burglary, and felony DUI. Bond for these is set by the judge at first appearance and often higher than the schedule.
Warrants and Failure to Appear
People can be booked for an active warrant. A warrant entry in the St. Johns County jail system will show the issuing agency and the underlying charge. Failure to appear in court can also lead to a new booking. Bonds for FTA cases vary based on the original case.
Public Records Law and Access Rules
Florida public records law is one of the strongest in the country. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes gives every person the right to see booking records. The rules apply to all Florida counties, including St. Johns.
Florida Chapter 119 Public Records
Chapter 119 says booking data, arrest reports, and inmate records belong to the public. Searchers do not need to share their name or explain why they are looking. Searchers do not need to live in Florida. Local law cannot block this right.
Fees and Copy Costs
Looking at records online is free. Printed copies cost 15 cents per single-sided page and 20 cents per double-sided page. Certified copies can cost more. The law caps fees and sets rules so agencies cannot block access with high charges.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Some booking records can be sealed or expunged by court order. Once a record is sealed, it is hidden from public search tools. Expungement means the record is destroyed. These orders come from a judge after a petition is filed.
Booking Photos and Mugshots in St. Johns County
Booking photos, often called mugshots, are public records in Florida. They appear on the SJSO inmate search. The photos show the person at the time of intake, with hair, clothing, and facial features as they looked at booking.
How Booking Photos Are Used
Family members use mugshots to confirm a loved one was booked. Lawyers use them to match clients. News outlets may publish them. Some private websites copy them and charge fees to remove them. Florida law does not require removal from these sites.
Removal of Mugshots from Third-Party Sites
Florida law does not require third-party booking sites to take down photos. Removal depends on each site’s own policy. Some sites remove photos on request. Others charge a fee. The original jail website is the public source and stays open.
Cities and Communities in St. Johns County
St. Johns County has grown fast over the past twenty years. New communities bring new arrests. All bookings across the county head to the Lewis Speedway jail.
St. Augustine Area Bookings
Saint Augustine is the county seat. Arrests in the historic district, Lincolnville, and surrounding neighborhoods flow into the St. Johns County jail. Saint Augustine Police makes many of these arrests.
St. Augustine Beach and Ponte Vedra Bookings
Saint Augustine Beach has its own police department. Ponte Vedra Beach sits in the northern part of the county. Both areas see tourism-related arrests. The same jail handles all bookings from these regions.
Nocatee and Unincorporated Areas
Nocatee is one of the fastest-growing communities in Florida. Most of the unincorporated county falls under the sheriff’s patrol. Domestic disputes, traffic stops, and other calls lead to bookings at the county jail.
Inmate Release Dates and Release Information
Release data shows up in the inmate search after a person leaves custody. The release date and time, plus the reason for release, appear on the record. Knowing these fields helps family plan pickup and court travel.
Types of Release
People in St. Johns County can be released by posting bond, ROR by a judge, time served, transfer to state prison, or court order. Each release type appears in the record. Bond releases happen after cash or bondsman action. ROR releases happen by judge order.
How to Find Active Inmates
The inmate search tool filters by status. Searchers can look at “in custody” only or check “released” records too. Active inmates show housing info and bond status. Released records show release date and method.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common user questions about booking records in St. Johns County and across Florida. Each answer uses plain language and cites real sources where helpful.
How can I check who was just booked in St. Johns County today?
Visit www.sjso.org and open the inmate search tool. Type the last name of the person. The tool lists current inmates and recent bookings. New bookings show up in the system as soon as intake ends, often within a few hours of arrest. The data is live and free to view around the clock. For cases outside St. Johns County, use the FDLE record check at $25 or the local sheriff’s website in that county.
Are St Johns County recent bookings free to look at?
Yes. The official SJSO inmate search tool is free. No account, sign-up, or payment is needed. Third-party websites may charge fees. The official sheriff site has the same records without the cost. Public terminals at the jail lobby also show booking data at no charge during lobby hours. Anyone can walk in and ask for inmate records help at the front desk.
How long do booking records stay online in St. Johns County?
Records often stay visible for weeks, months, or longer after a person is released. The SJSO tool does not list a fixed removal date. Sealed or expunged records drop off the public search. Expungement requires a court order. Sealing also requires court action under Florida law.
Can I look up booking photos in St. Johns County?
Yes. The SJSO inmate search shows booking photos for current and past inmates. Photos are public record under Chapter 119. They show the person at the time of booking. Private mugshot sites may copy these photos and charge a fee to remove them. The free source is the official sheriff website, which stays open.
What is the difference between a county booking and a state prison record?
County bookings cover people arrested in St. Johns County and held at the county jail. State prison records cover people convicted and moved to a Florida Department of Corrections facility. The county jail holds people pre-trial and those serving short county sentences. State prison holds felony sentences over one year. Searchers pick the right tool based on which stage of the case they are checking.
Can a booking record be removed from public view in Florida?
Yes, in some cases. A person can petition the court to seal or expunge a record. Sealing hides the record from public search tools but keeps it in the system. Expungement destroys the record for most public uses. Not every case qualifies. Eligibility depends on the charge, outcome, and prior record. A Florida criminal defense attorney can file the petition and explain the rules.
Where is the St. Johns County jail located and what are the hours?
The St. Johns County jail sits at 3955 Lewis Speedway, Saint Augustine, FL 32084. The main phone line is 904.824.8304. The jail runs every day, around the clock for booking and inmate processing. Lobby hours for inmate visits and bond payments typically run from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day, but times can change, so call ahead. The official website at www.sjso.org has the most current schedule.
St. Johns County Jail Contact Details
The St. Johns County jail processes every booking in the county. Records staff answer questions by phone and in person during lobby hours.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Jail Name | St. Johns County Detention Facility |
| Street Address | 3955 Lewis Speedway, Saint Augustine, FL 32084 |
| Main Phone | 904.824.8304 |
| Sheriff Website | www.sjso.org |
| Lobby Hours | Open daily, call to confirm times |
| County Seat | Saint Augustine |
| Booking Tool | Inmate Search (free, online) |
For state searches beyond St. Johns County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide record check at fdle.state.fl.us, and the Florida Department of Corrections runs an inmate search at fdc.myflorida.com. Both tools cover Florida arrest and prison records outside St. Johns County.