Warrants are public records in Lee County, Florida, pursuant to Florida's Public Records Act (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This comprehensive legislation establishes that most governmental records, including arrest warrants, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provision. The Florida Constitution and state law create a presumption of openness regarding public records.
In Lee County, warrant information is maintained by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts. These records are made available to promote governmental transparency and public safety. Members of the public may access warrant information through various official channels established by county agencies. The accessibility of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining public safety while upholding the principles of open government mandated by Florida law.
Certain warrant information may be temporarily exempt from public disclosure during active criminal investigations, as provided in § 119.071, Florida Statutes. Additionally, warrants related to juvenile offenders may have restricted access in accordance with Chapter 985, Florida Statutes, which governs juvenile justice proceedings.
Warrant records maintained by Lee County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information:
The specificity of information contained in warrant records is designed to facilitate proper identification of the named individual and prevent misidentification. All warrant information is entered into the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases for law enforcement reference.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Lee County through several no-cost methods:
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide the full name and date of birth of the person in question. For in-person inquiries, valid government-issued identification is required in accordance with Florida Administrative Code Rule 11C-4.006.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff's warrants are official court documents that authorize specific law enforcement actions, including:
The Sheriff's Warrants Division operates under the authority granted by Florida Statute § 30.15, which delineates the powers, duties, and obligations of county sheriffs. The division maintains a dedicated fugitive apprehension unit that works in coordination with state and federal agencies to locate and apprehend individuals with active warrants.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains a public database of wanted fugitives that is updated regularly. This resource allows community members to assist law enforcement by providing information regarding the whereabouts of wanted individuals.
Lee County Sheriff's Office
14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33912
(239) 477-1000
Official Website
Individuals seeking to determine if a warrant exists in their name in Lee County may utilize several official verification methods:
Persons with active warrants are advised that appearing at law enforcement facilities may result in immediate arrest. Florida Statute § 901.15 authorizes law enforcement officers to make warrantless arrests when they have knowledge that a warrant for the person's arrest has been issued in this state.
For individuals concerned about potential warrants, the Lee County Clerk of Courts provides a confidential inquiry service by telephone at (239) 533-5000 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
The verification process for outstanding warrants in Lee County involves accessing official records maintained by county judicial and law enforcement agencies. Members of the public may:
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain warrant information may be subject to confidentiality provisions, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations or juvenile offenders. The Lee County Sheriff's Office maintains compliance with all applicable state and federal privacy regulations while fulfilling its obligation to provide public access to records.
Lee County Clerk of Courts
2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 533-5000
Official Website