Holmes County criminal history records are public files that show arrests, court cases, and final outcomes for people processed through the county’s justice system. These records are kept by the Holmes County Clerk of Courts in Bonifay and by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Tallahassee.
Anyone can request a copy of these records for personal review, employment, housing, or legal reasons. The state of Florida treats criminal history as a public matter under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, with a few narrow exceptions for juveniles and sealed cases.
What Is Holmes County Criminal History
A Holmes County criminal history is a written log of every arrest, charge, and court outcome linked to one person inside the county. It shows the date of arrest, the agency that made the arrest, the charges filed, the court where the case was heard, and the final outcome. Final outcomes include guilty pleas, verdicts, dismissals, or no-file decisions. The record also lists sentences such as probation, fines, or jail time.
Records Maintained at the County Level
County records cover cases that started in Holmes County. The Holmes County Clerk of Courts stores paper and electronic files for every case filed in the county courthouse. These files stay at the county level unless a higher court takes the case on appeal. Most people searching for a local record will only need county-level data.
How Holmes County Fits Into Florida’s Statewide System
Holmes County sends case outcomes to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The FDLE keeps a statewide database known as the Florida Crime Information Center. The state system pulls together data from all 67 Florida counties. A statewide search will return records from Holmes County and every other county in Florida. The state system is the only place where a complete Florida criminal history can be reviewed in one search.
Who Maintains Holmes County Criminal History Records
Three agencies hold criminal history data for Holmes County. Each agency stores a different type of record. Knowing the right agency saves time and avoids extra fees.
Holmes County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts in Bonifay holds court records. These records include charging documents, motions, plea deals, trial notes, and sentencing orders. The Clerk also issues certified copies of court records for a small fee. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (850) 547-1100.
Holmes County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest reports and booking logs. These records show when a person was taken into custody, why, and what happened next. Arrest records are often the first document filed in a criminal case. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 1364 E. U.S. Highway 90 in Bonifay.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The FDLE runs the state repository. Every felony and many misdemeanor arrests in Florida are reported to the FDLE. The agency also stores out-of-state arrests when Florida learns about them. The FDLE is the only agency that can produce a complete statewide criminal history report.
How to Request a Holmes County Criminal History Record
There are three main ways to ask for a Holmes County criminal record. The method you pick depends on how fast you need the record and whether you need a certified copy.
Online Search Through the Clerk’s Website
The Holmes County Clerk of Courts website at www.holmesclerk.com offers an online search tool. Users can search by name, case number, or court date. Basic case data appears for free. Printed or certified copies cost an extra fee. The online tool works best for recent cases filed in the last 20 years.
In-Person Requests at the Bonifay Clerk’s Office
Walk-in requests are accepted at the Clerk’s Office at 201 N Oklahoma St, Bonifay, FL 32425. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will help locate the case and provide copies. Most in-person requests are filled the same day. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.
Mail-In Record Requests
Mail requests work for people who live outside the area. Send a written request that includes the full name, date of birth, and known case details. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the search fee. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days to process.
Certified Copy Requirements and Fees
A certified copy carries the Clerk’s official seal. Courts, employers, and licensing boards often require certified copies. The fee for a certified copy in Holmes County is $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Additional search fees may apply if staff must locate the case by name alone.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Search
A statewide search covers all of Florida, not just Holmes County. This is the best option for employment background checks or anyone who may have lived in more than one Florida county.
FDLE Public Access System
The FDLE runs a public access system at https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. Users can run a name-based search for a small fee. Results include arrests, charges, and dispositions from every Florida county. The system accepts online payment by credit card. Search results are available right away in most cases.
Name-Based vs Fingerprint-Based Checks
A name-based search uses only the person’s name and date of birth. It is faster and cheaper. A fingerprint-based check uses ink or live-scan prints. It is more accurate and catches records filed under name variations. Florida law requires fingerprint checks for certain jobs such as teachers, healthcare workers, and law enforcement officers.
Florida Criminal History Record Request Form
To get your own record, fill out the FDLE Personal Review Form. Mail the form with a check or money order to the FDLE in Tallahassee. The current fee for a personal record review is $24.00. Results arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Use this method when you need an official state report for immigration, adoption, or visa purposes.
Cost, Processing Time, and Accepted Payment Methods
Knowing the cost and timing helps plan a request. Fees change over time, so call the Clerk or check the FDLE website for the latest amounts before sending payment.
Standard Search Fees
Basic online case searches through the Clerk’s website are free to view. Printed pages cost $1.00 each. Certified pages add a $2.00 fee per document. FDLE name-based checks cost $24.00 plus a small processing fee. Fingerprint-based checks through a live-scan vendor cost between $50.00 and $75.00 statewide.
Expedited Service Options
The Clerk’s Office does not offer a formal expedited service. Walk-in requests during business hours are processed the same day. Mail requests cannot be rushed. The FDLE offers an expedited mail option for an extra fee, which cuts delivery time to about 3 business days.
What Payment Methods Are Accepted
The Holmes County Clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, Visa, and MasterCard for in-person requests. Mail requests require a check or money order made out to the Holmes County Clerk of Courts. The FDLE accepts credit cards, checks, and money orders for online and mail requests.
Sealing and Expungement in Holmes County
Florida law allows certain criminal records to be sealed or destroyed. A sealed record is hidden from public view. An expunged record is physically destroyed. The Clerk of Courts handles the local filing portion of these requests.
Who Qualifies for Record Sealing
A person may qualify for sealing if they were arrested but never charged, or if charges were dropped. A person who received a withhold of adjudication for most non-violent charges may also qualify. Certain offenses such as murder, sexual battery, and child abuse can never be sealed. Florida Statute 943.059 lists the full list of disqualifying offenses.
Step-by-Step Expungement Process
Step one is to get a certificate of eligibility from the FDLE. Step two is to file a signed petition with the Holmes County Clerk of Courts. Step three is to serve the petition on the State Attorney’s Office. Step four is to attend a court hearing. A judge makes the final call. Most expungement cases take 6 to 12 months from start to finish.
Where to File Sealing and Expungement Petitions
Petitions must be filed in the county where the arrest happened. For Holmes County arrests, file at the Holmes County Clerk of Courts at 201 N Oklahoma St, Bonifay, FL 32425. The filing fee is $42.00 for a sealing petition and $42.00 for an expungement petition. The State Attorney’s Office must sign off on the petition before a judge will review it.
Common Uses for Holmes County Criminal History Records
People request criminal history records for many reasons. The most common reasons involve work, housing, and personal review.
Employment Background Checks
Florida law allows most employers to run criminal background checks. Healthcare, education, finance, and government jobs often require a check. Florida Statute 943.053 lists the official rules for employer use of criminal records. An employer cannot reject a job applicant based only on an arrest without conviction.
Housing and Tenant Screening
Landlords often check criminal history before renting a home or apartment. Federal fair housing rules apply. A criminal record alone cannot be used to reject an applicant in a blanket way. Each case must be reviewed on its own facts under HUD guidance issued in 2016.
Personal Record Review
Anyone can ask for their own Florida criminal record. This is called a personal review. People request their own record to check for errors, prepare for a job application, or confirm that a sealed record is no longer showing up. The FDLE Personal Review process is the official way to do this.
What Appears on a Holmes County Criminal Record
A Holmes County criminal record contains several types of data. Each data point comes from a different stage of the criminal justice process.
Arrest and Booking Data
The arrest section shows the date, time, and place of arrest. It lists the arresting agency and the booking number. Booking data includes physical details such as height, weight, and date of birth. Mugshot photos are kept at the Sheriff’s Office and are not part of the public court file.
Court Disposition Information
Disposition data shows how the case ended. Possible outcomes include dismissed, acquitted, guilty, withheld adjudication, or no file. A disposition is added to the record after the case closes. Florida law requires that disposition data be reported to the FDLE within a set time frame.
Warrants and Active Cases
Active warrants appear on some record searches. Warrant data is held by the Sheriff’s Office. The Clerk’s Office can confirm whether a warrant has been served. Online warrant searches are available through the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office website for free.
How to Correct Errors on a Holmes County Criminal Record
Mistakes do happen on criminal records. Common errors include wrong charges, missing dispositions, and duplicate entries. Florida has a clear process to fix these issues.
FDLE Personal Review Process
Request your record from the FDLE. Review every line for accuracy. If you spot an error, fill out the FDLE Record Review Challenge form. Include court documents that prove the error. The FDLE has 30 days to review and correct valid challenges.
Court Ordered Corrections
Some errors must be fixed by a court order. This applies when the court file itself has the wrong information. File a motion to correct the record in the Holmes County courthouse. A judge will sign an order if the motion is valid. The corrected order is then sent to the FDLE so the state database is updated.
Legal Resources for Holmes County Residents
People who need legal help with criminal records have several options. Some resources are free. Others charge a small fee.
Public Defender’s Office
The Office of the Public Defender for the 14th Judicial Circuit handles criminal cases in Holmes County. The office is based in Bonifay and can be reached at (850) 547-1100. The Public Defender represents people charged with crimes who cannot afford a private lawyer.
Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Florida Bar runs a statewide lawyer referral line at 1-800-561-9690. Callers pay a $25.00 fee for a 30-minute consultation with a local attorney. The service covers sealing, expungement, and record review issues.
Local Legal Aid Providers
Florida Rural Legal Services covers Holmes County. The office helps low-income residents with civil legal matters including record sealing. Call 1-888-582-3413 for an intake screening. Income limits apply for free services.
Nearby Counties with Criminal Record Access
Holmes County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. Several nearby counties share similar record access systems. If a person lived in more than one county, each must be checked separately for complete local data.
Walton County
The Walton County Clerk of Courts in DeFuniak Springs holds local records. The Clerk’s website at www.clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us offers online search. The office phone number is (850) 892-8115.
Washington County
The Washington County Clerk of Courts is in Chipley. Records date back to the 1800s. Online access is available at www.washingtonclerk.com. The office phone number is (850) 638-6289.
Jackson County
The Jackson County Clerk of Courts is in Marianna. Online record search runs through the Clerk’s portal at www.jacksonclerk.com. The office phone number is (850) 482-9552.
Geneva County
Note that Geneva County listed in Holmes County’s neighbor data is actually in Alabama, not Florida. For Florida data on the eastern border, check Holmes County directly or Washington County. Alabama records are not part of the FDLE system.
Holmes County Clerk of Courts Contact Details
The Holmes County Clerk of Courts is the main point of contact for local criminal history records. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help with record searches, certified copies, sealing petitions, and expungement filings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holmes County Criminal History
These questions cover the most common issues people face when they try to get a Holmes County criminal history record. The answers are based on current Florida law and the actual rules of the Holmes County Clerk of Courts and the FDLE. Always call the office before sending payment or filing papers to confirm the latest fees and forms.
How long does it take to get a Holmes County criminal record?
A walk-in request at the Holmes County Clerk of Courts is usually filled the same day. Online searches return results right away for cases filed in the last 20 years. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. FDLE statewide checks take 7 to 10 business days by mail, or 24 hours when filed online. Plan ahead for jobs that have tight deadlines.
Can I check my own criminal record for free in Holmes County?
Yes. The Holmes County Clerk’s online search tool lets you view basic case data at no cost. You only pay if you want a printed or certified copy. The FDLE charges $24.00 for an official state record, but the FDLE does not waive this fee. A free option is to use the Clerk’s website first, then pay only for the documents you need.
What is the difference between a sealed and expunged record in Florida?
A sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists in the system. Government agencies and certain employers can still see it. An expunged record is physically destroyed by the FDLE. After expungement, you can legally say you were never arrested for that case. Both require a court order. Florida law allows only one sealing or expungement in a lifetime.
Does a dismissed charge show up on a Holmes County criminal record?
Yes, dismissed charges appear on the record. The disposition will say “dismissed” or “no file.” The arrest itself still shows up unless the record is sealed or expunged. Many employers treat dismissed charges differently from convictions. Florida law allows you to explain the outcome during a job application.
Can employers in Florida use arrest records without a conviction?
Florida law limits how employers can use arrest records. Under Florida Statute 943.053, an employer cannot reject a job applicant based only on an arrest that did not lead to a conviction. The EEOC also weighs in on this issue. An employer must look at the nature of the charge, the time passed, and the job duties before acting on a record.
How do I look up someone else’s criminal record in Holmes County?
You can search the Holmes County Clerk’s online database by name for free. You will see case numbers, charges, and dispositions. You can also visit the Clerk’s Office in Bonifay with the person’s full name and date of birth. Certified copies of another person’s record cost the same as your own record.
What if my Florida criminal record shows old information that is no longer accurate?
You can file a challenge with the FDLE using the Record Review process. Send a letter, court documents, and the FDLE form. The FDLE has 30 days to fix valid errors. If the error comes from the court file, you may also need a court order. The Holmes County Clerk can help you file the right motion in the local courthouse.