Monroe County, Florida Keys · Arrests, inmates, warrants, court cases and jail services
Search a Florida Keys Arrest and Verify What Happened in Court
Monroe County has separate official tools for current arrests, historical arrest records, current jail inmates, active warrants and criminal court cases.
Use this guide to move from the Sheriff record to the court disposition, then handle reports, release conditions, visitation, jail communication, statewide criminal history and record sealing without guessing which office controls the next step.
FLORIDA KEYS RECORD ROUTER
VERIFYING
MONROE CRIMINAL CASE
DISPOSITION
ARREST + COURT OUTCOME MATCHED
Arrest is not conviction. The Sheriff record describes an arrest, booking, warrant or custody event. The prosecutor may file different charges, decline prosecution or dismiss counts, so the criminal court file must be checked before treating an allegation as a final result.
Current arrests
MCSO publishes a live arrests-by-date feed.
Older arrests
Use the separate historical Arrest Search.
Current inmates
Separate Sheriff jail roster.
Court coverage
Most online dockets from about 1990 forward.
FDLE public check
$24 Florida criminal-history search.
Record router
Choose the record that answers the actual question
CURRENT ARRESTS
Who was arrested recently?
Use the Sheriff’s arrests-by-date page for the newest publicly displayed Monroe County arrest activity.
Best for recent arrests—not historical research.
ARREST SEARCH
Was the person arrested before?
Search older Sheriff arrest records by full or partial name.
Best for a historical MCSO arrest search.
CURRENT INMATES
Is the person in jail now?
Use the separate jail roster to confirm current detention status.
Best for custody and inmate services.
MONROE CLERK
What happened to the case?
Search formal criminal cases, docket entries and available court documents.
Best for final charge and disposition.
FDLE
What appears statewide?
Use Florida’s criminal-history repository for a state-level public check or personal fingerprint review.
Different scope from the Monroe Sheriff database.
Live Sheriff arrest feed
Check the newest Monroe County arrests by date
Open the official Current Arrests page
The Sheriff page loads the latest arrest activity by date.
View Current Arrests
Check the arrest date first
Make sure the listed event falls within the period you are researching.
Open the matching person
Do not assume a name match is enough.
Compare date of birth or physical identifiers when displayed
Similar-name records are common.
Save the arrest or booking identifier
Use official numbers rather than screenshots to connect later records.
Read every listed charge and bond entry
One arrest can contain multiple counts.
Check the current jail roster next
A recent arrest page does not prove the person remains incarcerated.
Search the Clerk’s criminal case afterward
The booking allegations can change after prosecutor review.
Historical Sheriff lookup
Search Monroe County arrest history by partial or full name
The Sheriff provides a separate historical Arrest Search instead of forcing users to browse the live Current Arrests feed.
Use a full or partial last name
The Sheriff requires at least three characters for the last-name-only search.
Or combine first and last name
The alternate search requires at least two characters of the first name and four characters of the last name.
Do not over-narrow too early
Try a broader surname search when an exact spelling produces no record.
Review multiple arrest events separately
One person can appear under several arrest numbers over different years.
Connect each arrest to the matching criminal case
Use the arrest date and charges to identify the correct Clerk file.
Historical arrest information can remain visible even when a criminal case later ended in dismissal or another non-conviction disposition. Always add the court outcome.
Current jail roster
Check whether the person is currently in Monroe County custody
Main detention facility
5501 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
Jail information:
305-293-7300
Locate the correct person
Match the full name and available identifying details.
Save the inmate identification number
This is important for mail, phone, visitation and account transactions.
Confirm the actual detention facility
Monroe County operates correctional facilities in the Lower, Middle and Upper Keys.
Recheck custody before sending money
A transfer or release can change the correct facility or account.
Continue to the court case
Jail custody status does not explain whether the person was convicted.
Record decoder
Understand Monroe arrest, warrant and court fields
What each field tells you—and what it cannot prove
| Field |
What it identifies |
What it does not prove |
What to do next |
| Arrest number |
A specific MCSO arrest event. |
It does not prove the final filed charge. |
Use it to connect Sheriff and court records. |
| Arrest date |
When the arrest was recorded. |
It may differ from the offense date. |
Compare with the incident and court filing. |
| Charge |
The allegation recorded at arrest or warrant stage. |
It does not prove guilt. |
Find the formal court charge. |
| Bond |
A stated release amount or condition. |
Another case or hold can still prevent release. |
Confirm every charge and warrant. |
| Warrant number |
Identifies an active warrant entry. |
A screenshot does not prove current status later. |
Verify newest court and Sheriff status. |
| Court case number |
Identifies the prosecution in the Clerk system. |
The number alone does not show disposition. |
Read docket and judgment entries. |
| Dismissed |
A charge ended without conviction on that count. |
Other counts may have different outcomes. |
Review every count separately. |
| Sealed / expunged |
Public access has been legally restricted. |
Some authorized entities may still have lawful access. |
Use FDLE and court relief rules. |
Identity safeguard
Verify the correct person before relying on the record
Full name matches
Middle name or suffix is consistent
Date of birth or age matches
Arrest date fits the known incident
Address or Keys location is consistent
Arrest or warrant number matches
Court case follows the same event
Current custody matches the expected facility
Do not identify a person from a name or mugshot alone. Match multiple official identifiers before publishing an allegation, sending money or making an important decision.
No-result troubleshooting
No Monroe County arrest record found?
The arrest is extremely recent
The newest booking may still be processing before public display.
You searched Current Arrests instead of history
Switch to MCSO Arrest Search for an older event.
The name spelling differs
Use the partial-name requirements in the historical Arrest Search.
Another agency made the arrest
Key West Police, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife or another agency can create the incident report.
The person is no longer in jail
A missing Current Inmates result does not erase the prior arrest.
The court case uses a different spelling
Search first and last name plus a narrower date range.
The record is confidential
Juvenile and legally protected cases may not be returned publicly.
The record was sealed or expunged
Public access can disappear after legal relief.
Incident discovery
Use the 7-day service-call log when the arrest number is unknown
The Sheriff’s Calls for Service Log makes seven days of call activity available and can show the incident number, date, time, location, complaint and disposition.
Open the Sheriff’s Calls & Traffic area
Use the seven-day service log for a recent event.
Open service-call log
Choose the correct date
The log is divided by day.
Scan the approximate location
Locations can include Key Largo, Plantation Key, Marathon, Stock Island and other Keys areas.
Save the incident number
MCSO CAD incident numbers are useful when requesting a report.
Read the disposition
Examples can include arrest, citation, written warning, report written or assignment completed.
Submit a report request when more detail is required
The call log is a summary—not the full incident narrative.
Arrest-to-court path
Follow a Monroe County arrest through the justice system
Incident or investigation
MCSO or another law-enforcement agency creates an incident report and supporting records.
Arrest and jail processing
The Sheriff records custody, identity, allegations, warrants and bond information.
First appearance
The court considers the charges, counsel and release conditions.
State Attorney review
Prosecutors determine what charges to pursue.
Arraignment
The accused enters a plea to the charging document.
Pretrial proceedings
The case can include discovery, motions, bond hearings and amended charges.
Plea or trial
The case may resolve through negotiated plea, dismissal or trial.
Disposition and sentence
Review each count for the actual final result.
Record correction or relief
An eligible person can later pursue FDLE correction, automatic sealing or court-ordered sealing or expungement.
Sheriff public records
Request the actual Monroe County Sheriff arrest or incident report
Confirm MCSO is the record custodian
A person may enter Monroe County jail even when another police agency created the arrest report.
Identify the exact report
Ask for the arrest report, incident report, probable-cause material or specific supplement you need.
Add the MCSO incident or arrest number
Use the service-call log or arrest search when available.
Add the arrest date and location
Narrow details reduce delays and same-name problems.
Include the related court case number
This helps connect the requested Sheriff record to the prosecution.
Ask for electronic delivery when practical
Specify exactly what you need instead of requesting an undefined complete history.
Copy-ready Monroe County records request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable arrest report, incident report and identified supplements concerning [full legal name] for the incident on or about [date] at [location]. Known identifiers are MCSO arrest or incident number [number] and court case number [number]. Please advise me of any estimated cost before processing if the total will exceed $[amount], and identify the legal basis for material that is withheld or redacted.
Sheriff active warrants
Search Monroe County warrants alphabetically
Never attempt to apprehend someone yourself. The Sheriff’s active-warrant pages specifically warn the public not to make arrests based on the online information.
Select the person’s last-name letter
Each letter has a separate warrant page.
Use browser Find on Page
On desktop, Ctrl+F can locate the surname quickly.
Compare date of birth and physical description
Do not rely only on the displayed name.
Read every charge
Warrant pages can display misdemeanor, felony, probation violation or other entries.
Save the warrant number and issue date
The page also displays the listed bond when applicable.
Check the criminal court case
The Clerk docket may show later activity affecting the warrant.
Confirm before taking action
Contact MCSO or the court when current status matters.
A bond amount of $0 or no listed bond can indicate that release requires judicial review or another condition. Do not assume money can be posted without confirming the current warrant.
Monroe Clerk criminal records
Search the filed criminal charges and final disposition
The Clerk’s online criminal docket covers most Monroe County cases filed from approximately 1990 to the present. Document images are available for most case types from 2007 forward.
Enter both first and last name
The Clerk requires both fields for a name search.
Use the case number when known
This is safer than a common-name search.
Use a narrow date range when searching by date
Date searches require both a From and To value.
Refine broad searches
The online system returns no more than the first 500 results.
Match the location code
Monroe case numbers can contain location codes connected with Key West, Plantation Key or Marathon.
Open the charging document
Compare the formal court charge with the Sheriff arrest charge.
Review later amendments
Charges can be changed after initial filing.
Read all docket entries chronologically
Check warrants, motions, pleas, dismissals and sentencing events.
Find the final result for every count
Do not stop at the general case-status field.
Mental-health, juvenile and guardianship cases do not return public results in the same way. A missing public search result does not necessarily prove that no protected case exists.
Court copies and criminal search letter
Get official Monroe County court records instead of relying on screenshots
Current Clerk charges for a Monroe County criminal-record search letter
| Service |
Published charge |
Important limitation |
| Criminal record search |
$2 per year searched |
Covers Monroe County only. |
| Court copy |
$1 per page |
Specify the exact document whenever possible. |
| Certification |
$2 per document |
Certification is separate from copying. |
Certified copies cannot be ordered through the Clerk’s public online case-search interface. The Clerk directs certified-copy requests to its physical office locations.
Identify the exact case number
Use the online docket before requesting copies.
Choose the document you need
Examples include complaint, dismissal, judgment, sentence or other court order.
Ask whether certification is required
Employment, licensing or another agency may require an authenticated copy.
Calculate the search period
A criminal search letter is charged per year searched.
Pay before the record search is conducted
The Clerk states that payment must be received first.
Bond and release
Confirm every Monroe County charge before arranging bond
Monetary bond
The court may set a monetary amount as part of pretrial release.
Pretrial release
A qualifying defendant may be released under supervision and court-ordered conditions.
No-bond status
Certain warrants or charges require a judge before release.
Outside hold
Another jurisdiction or case can continue detention after a local bond is addressed.
Confirm the correct person
Match the arrest or inmate number before discussing payment.
List every active charge
Do not rely on the first bond amount shown.
Check every active warrant
One unresolved warrant can prevent release.
Confirm the newest court order
Bond can change after first appearance or another judicial hearing.
Ask whether Pretrial Services is involved
Supervision conditions can continue after release.
Keep the release paperwork
It contains court dates and conditions that must be followed.
Failure to appear can result in a bench warrant and bond forfeiture. The Monroe Clerk cannot recall or reinstate a bench warrant; only the court has that authority.
16th Judicial Circuit Pretrial Services
Understand Monroe County pretrial supervision after release
Monroe County Pretrial Services interviews and investigates defendants arrested in the county, makes release recommendations at first appearance and bond-reduction hearings, and supervises defendants when the court orders pretrial conditions.
Contact Pretrial Services after release
Main line:
305-295-3900.
Review every release condition
Ask questions immediately when a condition is unclear.
Appear at every required hearing
A waiver of appearance must come through the legal process.
Complete weekly telephone reporting
Monroe Pretrial publishes weekly reporting at
786-292-1406.
Complete random drug or alcohol testing when ordered
Testing instructions are sent by text or email.
Keep contact information current
Notify the assigned officer of address, phone and email changes.
Maintain contact with defense counsel
Pretrial staff provide supervision information but do not provide legal advice.
Florida Keys drug-testing detail
When random testing is ordered in the Florida Keys, the 16th Judicial Circuit currently publishes a charge of $10 per test, payable by money order or cashier’s check to Monroe County Clerk of Courts. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
Requesting a bond study
The Pretrial Services page states that a bond-study request for a bond-reduction hearing must be submitted at least five business days before the hearing, excluding the submission day and weekends.
Public Defender
Apply for appointed criminal defense in Monroe County
A public defender is for qualifying criminal defendants who cannot afford private counsel. The Clerk states that the service can apply to felony, misdemeanor and criminal-traffic cases carrying possible jail exposure.
Ask for appointed counsel in the criminal case
Do not wait until the case is near trial.
Complete the indigency application truthfully
The application is a sworn court document.
Prepare the current application charge
The Monroe Clerk currently publishes a state-mandated $50 application fee.
Confirm the assigned Public Defender office
Monroe Pretrial currently publishes Public Defender contacts by Keys location.
Do not discuss detailed defense strategy on ordinary jail calls or social video visits. Use confidential attorney-client communication.
Crime victim help
Get Monroe County court notifications and victim assistance
The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office provides victim/witness coordination, court information, criminal-justice support, referrals, restitution assistance and help with victim impact statements.
Identify the criminal case
Have the defendant name and case number when known.
Contact the State Attorney office serving the courthouse
Monroe County has offices in Key West, Marathon and Plantation Key.
Ask for the Victim/Witness Coordinator
Request help understanding hearings and expected court events.
Keep your contact information updated
The State Attorney warns that victims and witnesses should report address and telephone changes.
Document financial losses
Restitution can involve losses directly caused by the crime.
Prepare a Victim Impact Statement before sentencing
Relevant effects can include medical expenses, mental anguish, lost wages and mobility impacts.
Video visitation
Visit a Monroe County Detention Center inmate correctly
Monroe County uses video visitation only for social visits. Visits can be conducted onsite at detention facilities or remotely from a compatible computer or handheld device.
Confirm the person remains in custody
Recheck Current Inmates before creating or funding a visit.
Create the required visitation account
The Sheriff’s current visitation program uses IC Solutions.
Add the correct Monroe County facility
Do not choose another Monroe County in another state.
Select the correct inmate
Match the inmate identification information.
Schedule in advance
Current Sheriff visitation guidance requires advance scheduling rather than an unscheduled walk-in.
Choose onsite, site-to-site or home visitation
The cost depends on the visit type.
Be ready before the appointment begins
Late arrival can shorten or cancel a scheduled video session.
Current Monroe County Sheriff visitation basics
| Visit type |
Published charge |
Duration |
| Onsite video visit |
Free |
30 minutes |
| Site-to-site video visit |
Free |
30 minutes |
| Visit from home |
$9.95 per visit |
30 minutes |
Visitation safety
Avoid a canceled or suspended Monroe County jail visit
Use the exact approved inmate identity
Schedule before the required cutoff
Use valid identification when required
Dress appropriately for a monitored visit
Do not display contraband or weapons
Do not allow unauthorized participants
Do not violate a no-contact order
Follow staff instructions immediately
Video visitation is subject to monitoring and recording. A person who is the protected victim in a no-contact order or injunction should not attempt contact that violates the court order.
Inmate correspondence
Address Monroe County jail mail so it reaches the right person
The Sheriff’s inmate guidelines state that inmates may send and receive correspondence. Incoming mail must identify the inmate and include a complete return address with the sender’s full name.
Confirm the inmate is still housed in Monroe County
Do this immediately before mailing.
Write the inmate’s full name
Use the name shown in the current jail roster.
Add the inmate identification number
Place it above or below the mailing address as required by the Sheriff.
Write your complete return address
Include the sender’s full name.
Use the current facility mailing address
Monroe County has multiple detention locations; use the facility identified in the current inmate record.
Do not mail cash, contraband, medication, weapons or items that violate jail security rules.
Calls and inmate accounts
Set up Monroe County jail telephone and account services
Ordinary incoming telephone calls to inmates are not permitted. Emergency messages are handled through facility staff after the emergency is verified.
Confirm current custody
Do not fund an account until the inmate and facility are verified.
Create the approved provider account
Use the vendor linked by the Sheriff rather than a search-engine advertisement.
Add the correct inmate
Match the identification number and current facility.
Review the fee before funding
Telephone, remote visitation and other communication services can use different balances.
Keep the confirmation number
Save the transaction amount, date, inmate and account type.
Phone-account customer service, including blocking or unblocking inmate calls:
888-506-8407
Florida state prison
Use Florida DOC only after transfer into state correctional custody
Use Monroe County Jail search for
- A new Monroe County arrest.
- A pretrial detainee.
- A county jail inmate.
- Local visitation and jail account services.
Use Florida DOC search for
- A person transferred to Florida state prison.
- A state DC number.
- Current Florida prison location.
- State correctional custody information.
Do not search Florida DOC first for a recent arrest
The person may still be in local Monroe custody.
Save the state DC number
It becomes an important identifier for prison services.
Return to the Monroe court judgment for conviction proof
A state inmate locator is not the official judgment document.
Florida statewide criminal history
Choose the correct FDLE criminal-history product
Public name-based search
- Searches public Florida criminal-history information.
- Current statutory fee: $24 per search.
- Instant option adds a $1 credit-card processing charge.
- Instant results are not certified.
Your Personal Review
- Fingerprint based.
- Used to review your own Florida history.
- No FDLE processing charge.
- Allows a challenge to inaccurate or incomplete information.
Run a public Florida check
Choose Instant Search when immediate non-certified results are enough
Enter accurate demographic information to reduce false matches.
Pay the $24 search charge
The instant system also adds a $1 card-processing charge.
Choose Certified/Non-Certified Search when a mailed staff search is required
FDLE currently lists about five business days for non-certified processing and six to seven business days for certified processing, excluding mail delivery.
Review your own record free
Complete the Personal Review application
The request must be for your own Florida criminal history.
Have fingerprints taken
A law-enforcement or criminal-justice agency must provide the fingerprints.
Mail the application and fingerprint card
FDLE does not charge for Personal Review processing.
Compare Monroe arrests with Clerk dispositions
Look for missing or inaccurate final outcomes.
Record correction
Fix an inaccurate Monroe County or Florida criminal-history record
Identify which record is wrong
Compare the Sheriff arrest entry, jail record, Monroe court case and FDLE history.
Save the official identifiers
Record the MCSO arrest number, incident number and court case number.
Obtain the controlling court disposition
Use a certified document when the final case result is disputed.
Correct the local source when appropriate
Sheriff’s data issues go to MCSO; court-file issues go to the Clerk or court.
Complete FDLE Personal Review
This shows what Florida’s central repository currently reports.
Challenge inaccurate or incomplete FDLE information
Attach the supporting official documentation.
Verify the result after correction
One update may not immediately change every connected system.
Correction is different from expungement. Correct a record when the information is factually wrong. Use sealing or expungement when the record is accurate but legally eligible for restricted public access.
Florida record relief
Seal or expunge an eligible Monroe County arrest record
A dismissal or decision not to prosecute does not automatically erase every Florida arrest record. Standard court-ordered sealing or expungement requires an FDLE eligibility process followed by a court petition.
Court-ordered sealing
Public access is restricted, but certain authorized entities retain legal access.
Court-ordered expungement
Most public access is eliminated and access by government entities is more restricted.
Automatic sealing
FDLE automatically seals qualifying records when it receives an eligible certified disposition electronically from the Clerk.
Administrative expungement
Applies to certain arrests made contrary to law or by mistake.
Juvenile relief
Florida has separate juvenile expungement processes with different eligibility rules.
Other specialized relief
Separate statutes can apply to lawful self-defense, human trafficking and other circumstances.
Standard Certificate of Eligibility packet
Completed FDLE application
Application signed before notary or deputy clerk
Arresting agency and arrest date
All charges listed accurately
Certified disposition for each listed case
Proof of probation termination when applicable
Diversion completion document when applicable
Completed fingerprint card
State Attorney certified statement for expunction applications
$75 FDLE processing payment
Obtain all Monroe records before sealing anything
FDLE recommends keeping the arrest report, certified disposition and later court order because an expunged record may become difficult or impossible to obtain afterward.
Get your certified disposition from the Monroe Clerk
You need the official final outcome for each listed charge.
Have the fingerprint card completed
It must contain the required applicant and fingerprinting-agency information.
Obtain prosecutor certification when seeking expungement
This extra certified statement is required for expunction applications.
Pay the $75 FDLE eligibility fee
FDLE accepts the payment methods listed in its current application instructions.
Allow for FDLE eligibility processing
FDLE currently states typical processing takes approximately 12 weeks from receipt of a complete packet and does not offer expedited processing.
Do not mistake the certificate for final relief
A Certificate of Eligibility only permits the next step; it does not seal or expunge the record.
File the petition in the court with jurisdiction over the Monroe arrest
Submit the certificate, petition and required affidavit.
Wait for the judge’s decision
FDLE emphasizes that eligibility does not guarantee that a judge will grant relief.
Have the certified order distributed to record agencies
The Clerk sends certified copies so agencies can process the sealing or expungement.
Verify MCSO, Clerk and FDLE after processing
Check each public source after enough time has passed for compliance.
Current Monroe / FDLE record-relief charges and timing
| Item |
Current information |
| FDLE Certificate of Eligibility |
$75 nonrefundable processing fee |
| Typical FDLE eligibility processing |
Approximately 12 weeks after a complete packet is received |
| Monroe Clerk order distribution |
Clerk FAQ currently publishes a $42 service charge for certified order distribution to record agencies |
Under the standard Florida court-ordered sealing and expungement statutes, FDLE states that an eligible person is generally entitled to one court-ordered sealing or expungement in a lifetime. Specialized statutory relief can follow different rules.
Important Monroe County distinctions
Details that prevent the most common Florida Keys search mistakes
Current Arrests ≠ Arrest Search
Use Current Arrests for the newest activity and Arrest Search for older historical records.
Current Inmates ≠ arrest history
Someone released from jail can disappear from current custody while the arrest and criminal case remain.
Calls log lasts seven days
Use it quickly to capture an incident number for a recent law-enforcement event.
Warrants are alphabetized
The Sheriff publishes separate A–Z pages with charges, issue information and bond fields.
Clerk docket extends much farther back
Most Monroe online docket information begins around 1990; most document images begin around 2007.
Certified copies are not ordered online
Use one of the Clerk’s physical offices when certification is required.
FDLE public check and Personal Review are different
The public search costs $24; your fingerprint-based Personal Review is free.
Pretrial Services screens every Monroe arrestee
The program interviews and investigates arrested defendants for court release decisions.
Sealing is not automatic after dismissal
Some dispositions qualify for automatic relief, but many records require a separate legal process.
Title-related questions
Monroe County Florida arrest-record questions answered
How do I search Monroe County Florida arrest records?
Use the Sheriff’s Current Arrests page for recent activity or the separate historical Arrest Search for older events. Then verify the criminal case through the Monroe Clerk.
How do I search older Monroe County arrests?
The MCSO historical Arrest Search accepts a full or partial last name of at least three characters or a first name of at least two characters plus a last name of at least four characters.
How do I find someone currently in Monroe County Jail?
Use the Sheriff’s Current Inmates page and verify the person and inmate identifier before using jail services.
How do I search Monroe County active warrants?
Open the Sheriff’s active-warrant directory, choose the first letter of the surname and compare identity, charges, warrant number, issue date and bond.
How do I find the final court outcome?
Search Monroe Clerk Criminal Case Records. Review the formal charges, amendments, dismissals, pleas, judgments and sentence for each count.
How far back do Monroe online court records go?
The Clerk states that online docket information is available for most cases from approximately 1990 forward and document images for most case types from 2007 forward.
How do I request a Monroe County Sheriff arrest report?
Submit the Sheriff’s official public-record request with the incident or arrest number, person, date, location and related court case number when known.
How much does the Clerk charge for a Monroe criminal-record search?
The Clerk currently publishes $2 per year searched, $1 per page for copies and $2 per document for certification.
How much does an FDLE Florida criminal-history search cost?
The public search is $24. The instant search also adds a $1 credit-card processing fee. A Personal Review of your own record is free through FDLE.
Can I seal or expunge a Monroe County arrest?
Some records qualify. Standard court-ordered relief starts with an FDLE Certificate of Eligibility, certified dispositions, fingerprints and the current $75 FDLE processing fee, followed by a petition to the court.