Search Leon County Bookings

Recent bookings in Leon County are managed by the Leon County Sheriff's Office in Tallahassee, Florida's state capital. Sheriff Walter McNeil oversees the detention facility at 535 Appleyard Drive, which handles all booking and intake for the county. The sheriff's office provides an online inmate search tool and a mobile app for public access to booking records. Under Florida's public records law, anyone can look up arrest and booking info for people in Leon County custody without giving a reason.

Leon County Inmate Search

The Leon County Sheriff's Office runs an online inmate search tool. This system lets you look up people booked into the Leon County detention facility by name. You can find booking dates, charges, bond info, and mugshots. The tool is free and works from any device. It pulls data right from the jail's booking system, so results stay current.

To search, go to the inmate search page and type in a last name. You can add a first name to narrow down results. The system shows all matches in the Leon County jail. Each record displays the booking number, date booked, charges, and bond status. If the person has been released, the record may still appear for a short time. The Leon County Sheriff's Office keeps this data as part of its duties under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes.

The Leon County Sheriff's Office website is the main hub for jail and law enforcement info in the county.

From this site you can access the inmate search, submit records requests, and find other public safety tools for Leon County.

How Arrests Work in Leon County

When someone is arrested in Leon County, the booking process takes place at the detention facility on Appleyard Drive in Tallahassee. Staff photograph the person, take fingerprints, and log personal details into the system. The booking creates a record with the arrest date, charges, arresting agency, and bond amount. This follows Chapter 901 of Florida Statutes, which sets arrest rules across the state.

Several agencies make arrests in Leon County. The sheriff's office covers unincorporated areas. Tallahassee Police Department is the largest city agency. Florida State University Police and Florida A&M University Police also make arrests that lead to bookings at the Leon County jail. The Florida Capitol Police operate in the area too. All agencies bring arrested people to the same detention facility. After booking, the person posts bond, gets released on their own recognizance, or stays in custody for a first appearance in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

Note: Booking records in Leon County are public from the moment they are created under Florida law.

Leon County Inmate Search Tool

The Leon County Sheriff's inmate search page gives direct access to current and recent jail booking data.

This search tool is the quickest way to check bookings in Leon County without calling the jail.

The inmate search covers people currently in custody and recent releases. Each record has the person's name, booking date, charges, bond amounts, and a mugshot. You can search by last name or booking number. New bookings appear as they are processed. For older records, contact the Leon County Sheriff's Office directly or file a written public records request.

LCSO Connect Mobile App

The Leon County Sheriff's Office offers a mobile app called LCSO Connect. This app gives you access to booking info, inmate search, crime tips, and records requests from your phone. It is a convenient option if you want to check on Leon County bookings while on the go. The app is free to download and available for both major phone platforms.

Through LCSO Connect, you can search for inmates the same way you would on the website. The app also lets you submit tips about crimes and request public records. For people who need to check on bookings in Leon County regularly, the app can save time compared to using a browser each time.

Leon County Detention Facility

The Leon County detention facility is at 535 Appleyard Drive in Tallahassee. It serves the whole county. The jail phone is (850) 606-3500. The facility runs around the clock for intake and release. All visitation is remote. There is no on-site in-person visitation. Remote visits are available Monday through Friday. Check the sheriff's website for the current schedule and rules.

The sheriff's administrative office is at 2825 Municipal Way in Tallahassee. The main office phone is (850) 606-3300. Sheriff Walter McNeil leads the agency. For records requests, you can contact the Records Director, Karen Bodiford, at (850) 606-3317 or by email at lcso_public_records@leoncountyfl.gov. Copy fees are $0.15 per page for single-sided and $0.20 for double-sided copies.

Statewide Search Options

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps arrest records from all 67 counties. FDLE has a criminal history check for $25 through its online record check system. This covers all of Florida, not just Leon County. It helps when you are not sure which county an arrest was in. FDLE records may lag behind what the local Leon County system shows.

The Florida Department of Corrections has a search for state prison inmates. That covers people who have been sentenced to state prison. It does not show people at the Leon County detention facility awaiting trial. The Florida Department of State also keeps a directory of all county jails and inmate search tools in Florida.

Public Records in Leon County

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes all government records open to the public. This includes booking records, arrest reports, and jail logs in Leon County. You do not have to explain why you want the records. You do not have to be a Florida resident. The law applies the same across every county in the state.

For a formal request in Leon County, you can email Karen Bodiford at lcso_public_records@leoncountyfl.gov or call (850) 606-3317. State what records you need. Include names and dates. The agency must respond in a reasonable time. Copy fees are $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 for double-sided. Most booking info is free to view online. You only pay for printed or certified copies of Leon County records.

Note: The LCSO Connect app also lets you submit public records requests directly from your phone.

Bond and Bail Process

After booking in Leon County, the bond process begins. Florida's Chapter 903 governs bail and bonds. The bond amount depends on the charge. Some offenses have a set bond on the schedule. Others need a judge to set the amount at first appearance. Serious charges may result in bond being denied.

You can post bond in Leon County by paying the full cash amount. Bail bondsmen are available in the Tallahassee area and typically charge 10% of the bond as a non-refundable fee. Some people get released on their own recognizance without paying. The judge makes that call at the first appearance hearing. Cash bonds are returned at the end of the case if the person appeared at all court dates in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

Cities in Leon County

Leon County is home to Tallahassee, the state capital and the county seat. Tallahassee is the largest city in the county by a wide margin. The Tallahassee Police Department is a major arresting agency, but all bookings go through the Leon County detention facility on Appleyard Drive.

Other communities in Leon County include Woodville and Chaires. All bookings from these areas go through the Leon County detention facility.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Leon County. If an arrest happened in one of these areas, search that county's records instead.