Sumter County Arrest Records

Recent bookings in Sumter County are managed by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office in Bushnell. The sheriff runs the county detention facility at 219 East Anderson Avenue and handles all jail intake for the county. Under Florida's public records law, anyone can look up booking and arrest data from the Sumter County jail without giving a reason. The sheriff's office has an inmate search tool that shows who is in custody. You can also call 352.569.1700 to ask about a specific booking. Sumter County covers a large area in central Florida that includes parts of The Villages, one of the fastest growing retirement communities in the state.

Sumter County Inmate Search

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search. This tool lets you look up people booked into the county detention facility. Search by name to find booking dates, charges, and bond info. The tool is free and works at any time. It draws from the jail's booking system, so results reflect current data for Sumter County.

When you use the Sumter County inmate search, each record shows the booking number, arrest date, and charges listed with their statute numbers. Bond status and amounts appear for each charge. Mugshots are included for people in custody. The system keeps records for a time after release, so you may find recent bookings even if the person is no longer in the Sumter County jail. All of this information is public under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, which requires government agencies to make records available to anyone who asks.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office website provides access to the inmate search and jail information.

This is the main resource for checking who has been booked into the Sumter County jail.

How Sumter County Arrests Work

After an arrest in Sumter County, the person is transported to the detention facility at 219 East Anderson Avenue in Bushnell. Staff begin the booking process with a photo and fingerprints. Personal details and charges go into the system along with the arrest report. This follows Chapter 901 of the Florida Statutes, which lays out the rules for arrests statewide.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office handles most arrests in the county. Wildwood Police, Bushnell Police, Center Hill Police, and Coleman Police also operate in the area and bring arrests to the same jail. The Villages Public Safety Department covers the large retirement community that spans parts of Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. Arrests in the Sumter County portion of The Villages go through the Sumter County jail. The Florida Highway Patrol makes occasional arrests in the area as well. All bookings end up in the same county system regardless of which agency made the arrest.

Note: Arrests in The Villages that occur in the Lake County or Marion County portions go to those counties' jails, not the Sumter County facility.

Searching Sumter Booking Records

The online inmate search is the fastest way to find recent bookings in Sumter County. It costs nothing and runs around the clock. You just need a name to start. For records that go back further, file a public records request with the sheriff's office. Put it in writing and include the person's name and dates you have. The office must respond under Florida law.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps arrest records from all 67 counties. Their online record check costs $25 and covers a statewide database. This helps when you are not sure if an arrest was in Sumter County or a neighboring county. FDLE records may take a few extra days to show new arrests compared to the local inmate search.

The Florida Department of Corrections has a separate search for state prison inmates. This covers people who were convicted and sent to a state facility. It does not show people in the Sumter County jail awaiting trial. Use the county tools for local bookings and the state tools for broader searches.

Sumter County Booking Details

A booking record from Sumter County shows the person's full name, date of birth, and a booking photo. Charges are listed with statute numbers and offense levels. Bond amounts appear per charge. The record includes the booking date and time, the arresting agency, and housing info inside the detention facility.

Court dates get added to the record once they are scheduled. Release info shows up after the person leaves custody. Some records may show prior bookings for the same person. It is important to note that a booking record is not a conviction. It only means the person was arrested and processed at the Sumter County jail. The criminal case still has to go through the court system. Under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, this data is part of the public record.

Note: Juvenile booking records are not included in the public inmate search for Sumter County.

Bail and Bond in Sumter County

After booking in Sumter County, bond amounts are set based on Chapter 903 of Florida Statutes. The jail uses a standard bond schedule for common charges. Misdemeanors carry lower amounts. Felonies run higher. For serious offenses, bond may be denied. A judge can change the bond at the first appearance hearing, which happens within 24 hours of the arrest.

You can post bond in Sumter County by paying cash at the jail, using a bail bondsman, or getting released on your own recognizance. A bondsman charges about 10% of the bond as a non-refundable fee. Cash bonds are returned at the end of the case if the person appears for all court dates. The judge considers the charges, criminal history, and ties to the community when making bond decisions for Sumter County cases.

Public Records Law in Sumter County

Florida's Chapter 119 makes booking records in Sumter County open to everyone. You do not need to give your name or a reason. You do not have to live in Florida. Government records belong to the public, and the Sumter County Sheriff's Office must provide access when asked.

Copy fees follow state guidelines. Single-sided copies cost 15 cents per page. Double-sided are 20 cents. Viewing records online or in person is free. Most booking data from Sumter County is available through the inmate search without a formal written request. If you need certified copies or detailed arrest reports, contact the sheriff's office directly.

Sumter County Jail Contact

The Sumter County detention facility handles all bookings for the county. Call or visit in person for records and inmate questions.

The Florida Department of State also lists Sumter County in its statewide directory of county jails and inmate search tools. This directory covers all 67 Florida counties.

Cities in Sumter County

Sumter County includes the cities of Bushnell, Wildwood, Center Hill, and Coleman, plus parts of The Villages community. Bushnell is the county seat. All arrests in these areas go through the Sumter County detention facility on Anderson Avenue. No cities in Sumter County have individual booking pages, but all bookings are handled by the sheriff's office at the county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Sumter County. If an arrest took place in one of these areas, you need to search that county's booking records.