St Johns County police blotter records are public documents that show daily police activity across the county. These records come from the St.
Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Augustine Police Department. Residents, journalists, attorneys, and other parties can request these records under Florida public records law. The records include incident reports, arrest logs, traffic crash reports, and call logs. Each document shows what happened, when it happened, and who was involved. This page explains how to get these records, what they contain, and what Florida law allows the public to see.
Where to Get St Johns County Police Blotter Records
St Johns County police blotter records are kept by two main agencies. The Sheriff’s Office covers most of the county. The St. Augustine Police Department covers the city. Knowing which agency handled an incident helps you send your request to the right place. Both agencies follow the same Florida public records law. Both charge the same copy fees. Both have staff ready to help you locate the records you need.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is the main police agency in the county. Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick leads the office. The headquarters sits at 4015 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine, Florida 32084. The office handles calls for service, arrests, traffic stops, and other police activity in unincorporated parts of the county. The office also serves some smaller towns through contracts. All reports filed by sheriff’s deputies go into the county records system. You can call the main office at (904) 824-8304 for general questions. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and federal holidays.
St. Augustine Police Department Records
The St. Augustine Police Department handles police work inside the city limits of St. Augustine. The department is separate from the Sheriff’s Office. Their headquarters is at 151 King Street in St. Augustine, Florida 32084. You can reach them by phone at (904) 825-1070. The department keeps its own records for incidents that happen inside the city. If an incident took place within St. Augustine city limits, you need to contact the city police. The Sheriff’s Office will not have those records. The department office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. You can visit in person or call during those hours.
Online Public Records Portal
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office runs a public website at sjso.org. The site lets you submit records requests online. You fill out a form with details about the records you need. Add the date, location, names, and case numbers when you have them. Online requests save time and let staff handle your request faster. The site also has contact details for each department. You can see office hours, phone numbers, and mailing addresses. The website does not host a full search database for past records. You still need to submit a request to get copies of specific reports. The portal works on phones, tablets, and computers.
Types of Police Blotter Records Available
St Johns County police blotter records cover many types of police activity. Each record type contains different facts. Reports show what officers saw, what witnesses said, and what actions were taken. Some records are open to the public right away. Other records have waiting periods or limits on what can be shared. The list below shows the main record types you can request.
Incident and Case Reports
Incident reports document calls for service across the county. Each report has a case number, date, time, and location. Reports cover crimes, disturbances, traffic stops, welfare checks, and other police responses. Reports list names of people involved, witness statements, and officer narratives. You can see the type of crime, the items involved, and the outcome of the call. Most incident reports become public after the investigation closes. Reports tied to active investigations may be kept private for a time. You can request a copy of any closed incident report.
Arrest and Booking Records
Arrest records show who was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Office. Each record has the arrest date, charges, and arresting officer. Booking records add booking photos, fingerprints, and bond amounts. Records show the person’s name, date of birth, and the facility where they were booked. Arrest records become public once the booking is done. Parts of the record tied to an open case may be removed under Florida law. You can ask for a copy of an arrest record by name, date, or case number. The Sheriff’s Office also posts recent arrests on its website.
Traffic Crash Reports
Traffic crash reports show the facts of car accidents in the county. Each report has driver names, vehicle details, and insurance data. Reports include a diagram of the crash, contributing factors, and witness statements. Officers file a long-form report for crashes that meet Florida rules. Under Florida Statute 316.066, crash reports with injuries stay private for 60 days. After 60 days, anyone can buy a copy through the Florida Crash Portal at services.flhsmv.gov. Crash reports without injuries are often public sooner. You can also request a copy from the Sheriff’s Office or the city police.
Warrant and Call Log Records
Warrant records show active warrants issued by county courts. Each warrant has the person’s name, charges, and bond amount. Call logs show when people contacted the Sheriff’s Office and what they asked for. Call logs cover 911 calls, non-emergency calls, and walk-in reports. These records are open to the public. Active warrants may have limits on what details can be shared. You can ask the Records Department for warrant checks on named persons. The Records Department runs checks during normal office hours.
How to Request Police Blotter Records
You can request St Johns County police blotter records in three ways. You can go in person, submit a request online, or call the office. Each method works for different types of requests. Complex searches that cover many records work better in writing. Simple questions work well over the phone. You do not need to give a reason for your request. You only need to describe the records you want.
Submit a Request in Person
You can visit the Sheriff’s Office at 4015 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. Bring a photo ID. Tell the front desk staff what records you need. Give them the date, location, and names connected to the incident. Staff will search the system and print copies for you. You pay the copy fee at the time of pickup. In-person requests let you ask questions and fix issues on the spot. For city incidents, visit the St. Augustine Police Department at 151 King Street. Both offices have staff ready to help.
Submit a Request Online
The Sheriff’s Office has an online request form on sjso.org. Fill in your contact details. Describe the records you need. Add the date, location, and case number when you have them. Click submit and wait for a response. Staff reply by email or phone. They tell you the cost and how to pay. Electronic records are often sent by email. Paper records are mailed or held for pickup. Online requests are handled in the order they are received. You can check the status by calling the office.
Request Records by Phone or Mail
You can call the Records Department at (904) 824-8304. Staff can answer simple questions and pull up basic records. For full copies, they may ask you to send a written request. Mail your request to the Sheriff’s Office at 4015 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Add your name, address, phone number, and a description of the records. Add a daytime phone number so staff can reach you. Mail requests take longer to handle. Phone requests work best for date and name checks.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida law gives the public the right to see most government records. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes sets the rules. The Sheriff’s Office and the city police must follow this law. You do not need to be a resident to ask for records. You do not need to show why you want them. The law favors open access over secrecy.
What Records Are Open to the Public
Florida law makes most police records open to the public. This includes incident reports, arrest records, booking logs, call logs, and traffic crash reports. You can see the names of people arrested and the charges they face. You can see the date, time, and location of incidents. You can read officer narratives in most cases. You can ask for copies for a small fee. The law favors open access over secrecy. You can ask for records from past years.
Common Exemptions to Disclosure
Some records stay private under Florida law. Active criminal investigation records are exempt until the case closes. Victim names in sex crime cases are protected. The home addresses and phone numbers of police officers are exempt. Social Security numbers, bank account data, and medical records are removed. Juvenile records are exempt in most cases. Body camera footage has special rules. The agency must tell you in writing if a record is exempt. They explain the legal reason for the denial.
Fees, Costs, and Processing Time
Copy fees are set by Florida law. A single-sided page costs $0.15. A double-sided page costs $0.20. Electronic copies may cost less. Complex requests that need lots of staff time are billed at the actual labor cost. You pay the fee before records are released. Simple requests are often filled the same day. Large searches can take several days or weeks. The agency gives you a cost estimate before they start the work. You can ask for a status update at any time.
Daily Activity and Recent Police Reports
St Johns County police blotter records include daily activity reports. These reports show what deputies and officers did each shift. The Sheriff’s Office and the city police post some activity online. You can also request recent records by date. Daily reports are a quick way to see police activity in your neighborhood.
Daily Police Blotter
The daily police blotter is a log of calls for service. It lists the date, time, and type of call. It covers traffic stops, arrests, disturbances, and other events. The blotter does not list names in most cases. The Sheriff’s Office posts daily blotter summaries on its website. You can also ask for a copy of the blotter for a specific date. The blotter is a quick way to see what happened in your area. The blotter updates each business day.
Recent Arrests and Bookings
The Sheriff’s Office posts recent arrest records on its website. The list shows the person’s name, charges, and booking date. Photos may be included. The list updates each day. You can search the list by date or name. The booking log covers all arrests in the county jail. Records stay on the website for a set time. Older records need a written request. You can also call the jail to check on a current inmate.
Searchable Records Archive
Old police blotter records are kept in the Sheriff’s Office archive. The archive has reports going back many years. You can ask for records from a specific date or case. The archive also has historical arrest data. Staff search the archive by hand. Archive requests take longer to fill. You may need to pay extra for large searches. The archive also holds old booking photos and case files.
Contact Details and Office Hours
You can reach the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office at the address and phone number below. The office handles all public records requests for incidents outside St. Augustine city limits. For city incidents, contact the St. Augustine Police Department at the second address listed. Both offices are open during normal business hours on weekdays.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
4015 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 824-8304
Website: sjso.org
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=4015+Lewis+Speedway+St+Augustine+FL+32084
St. Augustine Police Department
151 King Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 825-1070
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=151+King+Street+St+Augustine+FL+32084
The Sheriff’s Office website is the best place to start a records request. You can also visit in person or call during office hours. Both agencies follow the same Florida public records law. Both charge the same copy fees. Both have staff ready to help you find the records you need. You can also mail written requests to either office. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for faster replies.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often ask questions about St Johns County police blotter records. The questions below cover common issues, costs, waiting times, and legal limits. Each answer gives you clear facts you can use. The answers are based on Florida law and current Sheriff’s Office policy as of August 2026.
How long does it take to get police blotter records?
Simple requests for one report are often filled the same day. You can get a copy within a few hours if you visit in person. Phone requests for date and name checks take a few minutes. Online requests take one to three business days. Mail requests take longer, often one to two weeks. Large searches that cover many records or long time periods take more time. The Sheriff’s Office gives you an estimate when you submit your request. Active investigations may add delays. You can ask for a status update at any time.
Can I get police blotter records for free?
Florida law lets the agency charge for copies. A single-sided page costs $0.15. A double-sided page costs $0.20. Most small requests cost less than $5.00. You pay before you get the records. Electronic records sent by email are often free. View-only access in person is free. You only pay for copies. The agency cannot charge for the time it takes to find the records. They can only charge for copies and large research projects. You can ask for a cost estimate first.
What if my request is denied?
The Sheriff’s Office must give you a written reason for any denial. The reason cites the Florida law that allows the denial. You can challenge the denial in court. Florida courts side with the public in most cases. You can also contact a lawyer for help. The First Amendment Foundation offers free help to people denied records. The agency must show a real legal reason to keep records private. Vague reasons are not enough under Florida law.
Are juvenile records open to the public?
Most juvenile records stay private under Florida law. You cannot get the name of a minor arrested in most cases. Parents and guardians can get some records about their own children. The State Attorney’s Office can release records in some cases. Schools can get records for students who face expulsion. Media access to juvenile records is limited. The law protects minors from public exposure. Some juvenile arrest data is posted on the Sheriff’s website.
Can I search for arrests by name?
Yes. The Sheriff’s Office posts a daily arrest log on its website. The log shows the name, charges, and booking date. You can scroll through past days. You can also call the Records Department and ask for a name check. Staff search the system for recent arrests. For older arrests, you need to submit a written request. The booking log covers all arrests in the county jail. You can also check the county jail roster online.
Difference Between a Blotter and Incident Report
The blotter is a short list of calls for service. It shows the date, time, type of call, and general location. The blotter does not have names or full details. An incident report is a full document. It has the case number, officer narrative, witness statements, and evidence list. The blotter gives you a quick look at activity. The incident report gives you full facts about one event. You need the report for legal or insurance matters. The blotter is enough for general awareness.
How far back do the records go?
The Sheriff’s Office keeps records going back many decades. Paper records are stored in the county archive. Digital records go back to the 1990s for most types. You can request records from any year. Very old records may need extra time to find. The archive staff can pull records for a small fee. You can also visit the St. Johns County Clerk of Court for older court records. Court records go back to the founding of the county.
Can I get a copy of a 911 call recording?
911 call recordings are public records in Florida. You can request a copy of a 911 call by date, time, and location. The Sheriff’s Office handles requests for 911 calls in the county. The St. Augustine Police Department handles calls inside the city. Some parts of the call may be redacted. The caller’s name and personal data are often removed. There is a small copy fee for audio recordings. You may need to bring a USB drive for electronic copies.