Warrants are public record in Washington County, Florida, pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This legislation establishes that records made or received by any public agency in the course of official business are available for public inspection. Warrant information, as part of the judicial record system maintained by Washington County, falls under this statutory requirement for transparency.
The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access by declaring that all persons have the right to inspect public records of governmental bodies. This constitutional provision ensures that warrant information remains accessible to members of the public, subject only to exemptions specifically established by law.
Public access to warrant records serves multiple governmental functions, including:
The Washington County Clerk of Court maintains these records in accordance with Florida Statutes § 28.13, which mandates the proper keeping of all papers filed in the office.
Warrant records maintained by Washington County authorities typically contain specific information as required by Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.121. Standard elements included in these official documents are:
These records are maintained in accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs public access to judicial branch records.
Members of the public may access warrant information in Washington County without charge through several official channels. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07, which establishes the right to inspect public records, the following methods are available:
In-person visits to the Washington County Clerk of Court 1850 Third Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 638-6285 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Direct inquiry with the Washington County Sheriff's Office 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 638-6111 Available 24 hours daily
Utilization of public access terminals located at the Washington County Courthouse 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Online search through the Washington County Sheriff's Office website, which provides limited public information regarding active warrants
Individuals seeking information should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate record retrieval.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are issued pursuant to Florida Statutes § 901.02, which authorizes a judge to issue arrest warrants when reasonable grounds exist that a crime has been committed.
The Sheriff's Office maintains a warrant division that:
The Washington County Sheriff's Office warrant division operates from:
Washington County Sheriff's Office 1293 Jackson Avenue Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 638-6111 Washington County Sheriff's Office
Florida law enforcement agencies, including the Washington County Sheriff's Office, report warrant information to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.053, which establishes a centralized criminal justice information system.
Individuals seeking to determine if a warrant exists for their arrest in Washington County may utilize several official verification methods established under Florida public records provisions. The following procedures are available:
Electronic verification through the Washington County Clerk of Court's online case search system, accessible 24 hours daily
Direct telephone inquiry to the Washington County Sheriff's Office warrant division at (850) 638-6111
In-person verification at the Washington County Sheriff's Office 1293 Jackson Avenue Chipley, FL 32428 Administrative Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Consultation with a licensed Florida attorney who can access court records on behalf of a client
Utilization of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's wanted persons database, which compiles warrant information from jurisdictions throughout the state
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.131, individuals with active warrants may, in certain circumstances, arrange for surrender and bond procedures through proper legal channels.
Outstanding warrants in Washington County may be verified through established procedures in accordance with Florida's public records provisions. The following official methods are available to members of the public:
Accessing the warrant search function through the Washington County Sheriff's Office records division 1293 Jackson Avenue Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 638-6111 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Submitting a public records request to the Washington County Clerk of Court 1293 Jackson Avenue Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 638-6285 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilizing the statewide warrant database maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.053
Contacting the Washington County Courthouse for judicial records 1293 Jackson Avenue Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 638-6289 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors should note that pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071, certain information within warrant records may be exempt from public disclosure if the warrant is part of an active criminal investigation.