Find Union County Bookings

Recent bookings in Union County are handled by the Union County Sheriff's Office in Lake Butler. The sheriff runs the county jail at 50 NW 1st Street and keeps booking records for all arrests in the county. Under Florida's public records law, anyone can look up arrest and booking data without providing a reason. Union County is one of the smallest counties in Florida by population, but the same open records rules apply here as they do everywhere in the state. You can reach the jail at 386.496.2501 to ask about someone who was recently arrested or booked in Union County.

Union County Booking Records

The Union County Sheriff's Office is the main source for booking records in the county. When someone is arrested in Union County, they are brought to the jail at 50 NW 1st Street in Lake Butler. Staff process the person through booking, which includes a photo, fingerprints, and entry of charges into the system. The record shows who was arrested, when, and for what charges. This is the standard process for all arrests in Union County.

To get booking information from Union County, the best option is to call the jail directly at 386.496.2501. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody, what their charges are, and what the bond amount is. For formal records, file a public records request with the Union County Sheriff's Office. Put it in writing and include the person's name and dates. The office must respond under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes. Being a small county, Union County may not have all the online tools that bigger counties offer, but phone and in-person access to records is always available.

Florida's Chapter 119 public records law requires all government agencies, including the Union County Sheriff's Office, to make records available to the public.

This statute is the legal basis for accessing booking records in Union County and every other county in Florida.

Note: Smaller counties like Union may have less online access to booking records, but phone and mail requests are always an option.

How Union County Arrests Work

Arrests in Union County follow Chapter 901 of Florida Statutes. An officer can arrest someone with a warrant or without one when a crime is committed in their presence, when there is probable cause for a felony, or in domestic violence cases. These rules are the same across all of Florida, including Union County.

After an arrest, the person is taken to the jail on NW 1st Street in Lake Butler. The booking process includes identification, fingerprinting, and a photo. Charges and personal details go into the system. The Union County Sheriff's Office handles most arrests in the county. Lake Butler Police also operates in the city, but all bookings go through the county jail. The Florida Highway Patrol makes arrests on the highways that run through Union County from time to time as well. All of these end up in the same booking system.

After booking, the person either posts bond or waits for a first appearance hearing within 24 hours. The judge reviews probable cause and sets bond at that hearing.

Searching Beyond Union County

Union County has something unique about it that affects records searches. The county is home to several state prisons, including Union Correctional Institution and the Reception and Medical Center. These are state facilities run by the Florida Department of Corrections. People held in those prisons are not in the Union County jail. Their records are in the state system, not the county system. It is important to know which facility you need to search.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps arrest records from all 67 Florida counties. Their online record check costs $25 and covers a statewide database. This can help when you are not sure where an arrest occurred or need to look beyond Union County.

The Florida Department of Corrections has its own search tool for state prison inmates. Given the state prisons in Union County, this tool is especially relevant here. It covers people in state custody but not those in the Union County jail awaiting trial on local charges.

Note: Do not confuse Union County jail records with state prison records. The county jail and the state prisons in Union County are separate systems.

Bond and Bail in Union County

Chapter 903 of Florida Statutes governs bail and bonds. The Union County jail uses a bond schedule that sets amounts for common charges. Misdemeanors carry lower bonds. Felonies are higher. For serious offenses, bond may be denied. A judge can adjust the amount at the first appearance hearing based on the charges, flight risk, and community ties.

You can post bond in Union County by paying cash at the jail or using a bail bondsman. A bondsman typically charges 10% of the bond amount as a non-refundable fee. Some people are released on their own recognizance, meaning no payment is needed. The judge decides this at first appearance. Cash bonds are refunded at the end of the case if the person shows up for all court dates. Being a small county, Union has limited bail bond companies compared to larger areas, but services are still available.

Union County Booking Details

A booking record from Union County shows the person's full name, date of birth, and a photo. Charges are listed with statute numbers and offense types. Bond amounts appear per charge. The booking date, time, and arresting agency are part of the record. Court dates get added once they are set. Release info appears when the person leaves custody.

Keep in mind that a booking is not the same as a conviction. It shows that the person was arrested and processed at the Union County jail. The case has to go through court before any finding of guilt. Under Florida's Chapter 119, all of this data is part of the public record and available to anyone who asks for it.

Public Records in Union County

Florida's public records law is one of the broadest in the nation. Chapter 119 says all records made by a government agency are open to the public. This includes booking data from the Union County Sheriff's Office. You do not need to give your name, and you do not need to explain why you want the records.

Copy fees follow state law. Single-sided copies are 15 cents per page. Double-sided are 20 cents. Viewing records at the office is free. To request records from Union County, contact the sheriff's office at 50 NW 1st Street in Lake Butler or call 386.496.2501. Written requests can be mailed or delivered in person. The sheriff's office must respond in a reasonable time.

Union County Jail Contact

The Union County jail handles all local bookings for the county. Call or visit for records requests and inmate questions.

The Florida Department of State lists Union County in its directory of county jails. This statewide directory covers all 67 counties and is a good starting point for searching across Florida.

Cities in Union County

Union County includes the city of Lake Butler, which is the county seat, along with the towns of Raiford and Worthington Springs. All arrests in these areas go through the Union County jail on NW 1st Street. No cities in Union 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 Union County. If an arrest took place in one of these areas, search that county's booking records instead.