Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
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Find a St. Johns County Inmate and Verify Current Custody
If someone was recently arrested in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Hastings, St. Augustine Beach or another part of St. Johns County, start with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office rather than a commercial inmate directory. The county jail record is the most useful source for confirming whether the person is currently booked, reviewing available charge or bond information, and obtaining the inmate ID needed for mail, deposits and other jail services.
This guide also explains what to do when the online search does not return a result, how bond and first appearance work, where to check the criminal court case, and how visitation, calls, mail, commissary, property pickup and release are handled.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
How to Search the St. Johns County Jail Roster
The Sheriff’s online system is designed for current and recent booking information. SJSO notes that its active booking application may not yet contain every older booking record, so treat a missing result as a reason to check the person’s custody stage rather than immediate proof that no arrest occurred.
- Open the official SJSO inmate-search page. Start at St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search.
- If the normal search is unavailable, open the Sheriff’s applications system. Use the SJSO Online Applications page. The Sheriff’s instructions say to choose JAIL in the blue navigation ribbon and complete the CAPTCHA.
- Search the person’s name. Start with the correct legal spelling. If several people have similar names, compare additional identifiers such as booking date, date of birth or other information displayed by the system.
- Open the matching booking. Review current custody information and any available booking, charge or bond fields. Save the inmate or booking identifier because it may be needed for mail, deposits and communications.
- Verify court information separately. A jail record describes an arrest and custody status. It does not prove guilt and may not show the final filed charge or disposition. Use the Clerk of Court for the actual criminal case.
- If the system remains unavailable, call Booking. Contact 904-209-3125 with the person’s full name and, if known, date of birth or approximate arrest date.
What Information Can an Inmate or Booking Record Show?
The exact fields can change with the Sheriff’s software and the individual booking. Use the record to answer the immediate custody question first, then verify legal-case details with the court.
| Information | Why it matters | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Inmate name | Identifies the person listed in the booking system. | Compare spelling and identifying details before assuming it is the correct person. |
| Booking or inmate ID | Connects the person to that jail record. | Save it for mail, money deposits and communication services. |
| Booking date | Shows when jail intake occurred. | Useful when the arrest happened recently or several people share a name. |
| Charges | Shows charges associated with the booking record. | Check the Clerk record for charges formally filed in court and final disposition. |
| Bond information | May show an amount or bond status. | Call Booking at 904-209-3125 before paying money if anything is unclear. |
| Custody status | Helps determine whether the person remains in county custody. | If no longer held, check the court case, release status or Florida DOC search. |
An arrest or booking entry is not a conviction. SJSO specifically warns that people displayed in its system have been arrested but have not necessarily been found guilty in court.
If You Cannot Find the Person
A zero-result search can have several explanations. Work through them in this order so you do not spend time searching unrelated databases.
St. Johns County Detention Center and Work Release
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division operates two detention components. All offenders arrested in St. Johns County are processed through the Main Detention Unit before release, sentencing or another court-directed outcome.
| Facility | Official description | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Main Detention Unit | Houses male and female inmates, including people awaiting pretrial proceedings and other inmates assigned to the facility. | 664 beds |
| Community Work Release Center / Community Work Re-Entry Center | Used for eligible male inmates sentenced to the county jail for 364 days or less who may qualify for work release or county work squads. | 100 beds |
3955 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Detention Center: 904-209-1443
Booking: 904-209-3125
Nursing: 904-209-1986
Do not confuse the current detention center with St. Augustine’s historic Old Jail attraction. The operating county detention facility is the Lewis Speedway complex.
Bond, First Appearance and Release
After booking is completed, an arrestee who is eligible may post bond. If a person cannot post bond or does not qualify for bond at admission, the jail’s inmate handbook states that the person will receive a first appearance before a judge.
Before paying a bond
- Locate the current inmate or booking record.
- Review every listed charge because bond conditions can differ by charge.
- Call Booking at 904-209-3125 if the amount, hold or eligibility is unclear.
- If paying a cash bond, confirm the jail’s current payment instructions before traveling. SJSO notes that money orders used for cash bonds must be verified before the bond can be processed.
- If using a bail bond company, independently verify the business before sending money.
When does release happen?
The 2025 SJSO inmate handbook states that release occurs after bail or bond has been posted or after the jail receives the appropriate release authorization from the court or another agency when applicable. Do not assume that paying bond means the person will walk out immediately; the jail must complete its release process and resolve any other holds.
At release, the handbook states that remaining inmate-account funds are disbursed by debit card when money remains in the account. Booking staff provide the card instructions.
How to Check Court Dates, Charges and Case Disposition
The inmate roster answers a custody question. The St. Johns County Clerk Criminal Division answers the court-case question and handles felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic, county ordinance and municipal ordinance cases.
- Get the person’s name and case number. If a case number appears in the booking information, save it because it is more precise than a name-only search.
- Open the Clerk’s online research page. Use St. Johns County Court Records Search.
- Locate the criminal case. Compare the defendant, case number and case type before relying on a result.
- Review the docket and court date. Publicly available case documents can be viewed and printed online without charge according to the Clerk’s Criminal Division page.
- For certified records, use the Clerk’s certified-document process. Certification is different from simply viewing an online document and can involve fees.
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: 904-819-3600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Court dates can change. If an appearance matters, verify it through the current Clerk record rather than relying only on an older jail entry or third-party website.
St. Johns County Jail Visitation
SJSO currently offers remote video visitation, inmate-initiated visits on demand and free on-site video visitation. Visitors must create an account through the jail’s approved SmartJailMail system and be approved before scheduling or participating.
| Visit type | Current SJSO information |
|---|---|
| Remote scheduled video | 15- or 30-minute visits; available 7 days a week during 8:00-11:00 AM, 1:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-10:00 PM windows. |
| Visits on demand | Initiated by the inmate with an approved visitor; same listed daily time windows. |
| Remote/on-demand cost | $0.25 per minute according to the current SJSO inmate-communications page. |
| On-site video | 30 minutes; each inmate currently receives four free 30-minute visits per week. |
| On-site hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00-11:00 AM and 1:00-4:00 PM. |
Visit rules that matter before you schedule
- All visitors, including children, must be approved.
- A person subject to a no-contact order or injunction involving the inmate cannot visit.
- Visitors must be fully and appropriately dressed.
- Video visits cannot be recorded, photographed, livestreamed or rebroadcast.
- Do not display a second phone, tablet or computer during a video visit.
- Drug use, sexually suggestive behavior and disruptive conduct can result in termination or suspension.
- For on-site visits, secure personal property as instructed and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape in the visitation area.
Use the current SJSO visitation and inmate communications page immediately before scheduling because vendor details, hours and fees can change.
Inmate Phone Calls, Tablets and Electronic Messages
The current Sheriff’s inmate-contact page identifies Smart Communications/SmartJailMail as the communication provider. Friends and family can establish an account for phone or electronic communication with an inmate.
Electronic messaging requires an account and a connection with the inmate. SJSO says service credits are purchased through the provider, and messages may be subject to review. Jail communications, including phone and tablet use, are generally monitored or recorded subject to applicable legal protections.
How to Send Mail to a St. Johns County Jail Inmate
Do not send ordinary personal mail to the detention center’s street address. SJSO routes non-legal mail through Smart Communications, where correspondence is scanned for the inmate to view on a tablet or kiosk.
Smart Communications/St. Johns County Jail
Inmate Name and Inmate ID #
PO Box 9102
Seminole, FL 33775-9151
Regular mail is scanned into the system. SJSO states that original regular mail is destroyed after 30 days, so do not send original birth certificates, marriage licenses, Social Security cards or other irreplaceable documents.
Important mail rules from the current inmate handbook
- Mail is normally processed Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
- Mail is inspected for contraband, threats, escape plans, coded communications and other prohibited content.
- Sexually explicit images or material can be rejected.
- Unauthorized packages, CDs, DVDs and mailings larger than 10 by 13 inches are not accepted.
- Legal or privileged mail must be marked Legal Mail and follows separate handling procedures.
- Medication brought or mailed in by friends or family is not accepted for inmate use.
Because legal mail, publications and other special correspondence can follow different procedures, check the Sheriff’s current inmate-contact instructions before sending anything outside ordinary personal correspondence.
How to Add Money and How Commissary Works
During intake, the jail creates an inmate trust or commissary account. The 2025 inmate handbook says funds may be used for jail-related debts and approved commissary purchases.
| Deposit method | Official instructions |
|---|---|
| Detention Center lobby kiosk | Available 24/7 according to the current inmate handbook. |
| Video Visitation Center | Deposits may be made during its normal business hours. |
| Online | Use the approved JailATM deposit system linked through SJSO. |
| The handbook permits certain money orders, government checks and checks from other institutions through inmate mail. Cash, personal checks and payroll checks are not accepted through inmate mail. |
Confirm the inmate’s correct identification number before depositing funds. Older SJSO instructions identify the inmate’s MNI number as an important identifier for kiosk and online deposits.
Commissary details families often need
The inmate handbook says commissary is available for approved snacks, hygiene products, clothing and other listed items. Inmates generally place commissary orders once each week, and menus are available in the housing areas.
If an inmate owes jail debt, the handbook states that 40% of money received may be applied to the debt and 60% placed into the commissary account until the debt is paid. Therefore, do not assume the full amount of every deposit will immediately be available for purchases.
The handbook also lists a $20 admission processing fee, subject to stated exceptions. Necessary medical treatment is not denied based on inability to pay.
Arrest Reports, Mugshots and Other Sheriff’s Records
If you need an incident report, local records check, body-worn camera footage, crash report or another Sheriff’s record rather than current inmate status, use the SJSO Public Records Request system.
- Identify what record you need. Include the person’s name, case or report number, date, time and location when known.
- Submit the request online. SJSO says online requests can be tracked electronically and allow communication with the technician handling the request.
- Watch for a fee notice. Sheriff’s public-record requests can be subject to fees depending on the record and work required.
- If online submission is not practical, contact Records. Call 904-810-6610 or mail the Records Unit at 900 Law Enforcement Way, St. Augustine, FL 32092.
For a statewide criminal-history check, SJSO directs users to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement rather than the county Records Unit.
Inmate Property Pickup
For inmate property that has been authorized for release, call 904-209-1430 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. SJSO instructs callers to confirm that the receptionist has the necessary property-release form on file before traveling to the jail.
At the time of an inmate’s own release, the 2025 handbook says personal property held by the facility is returned through the Booking process.
If the Person Was Transferred or Sentenced to State Prison
A St. Johns County jail search covers county detention, not every correctional system. If the person was sentenced to Florida state prison or transferred into Florida Department of Corrections custody, search the Florida Department of Corrections offender system.
The SJSO handbook explains that inmates sentenced to Florida DOC may have to remove property that DOC will not accept before transfer. If the person is no longer in the county jail but the criminal case is still active, check the St. Johns County Clerk record as well.
| What you are trying to find | Best source |
|---|---|
| Current St. Johns County jail custody | St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office inmate/booking system |
| Bond or immediate booking question | SJSO Booking, 904-209-3125 |
| Filed criminal case or court date | St. Johns County Clerk of Court |
| Incident or arrest report | SJSO Public Records Unit |
| Florida state-prison custody | Florida Department of Corrections |
| Statewide criminal-history record | Florida Department of Law Enforcement |
Local Search Tips for St. Johns County Arrests
Someone arrested by the Sheriff’s Office or another law-enforcement agency within St. Johns County may still be processed through the county’s Main Detention Unit. Therefore, a search related to St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Hastings or another community in the county should normally begin with the county booking system.
If the person was actually arrested across a county line, however, the St. Johns roster will not solve the problem. Nearby-county custody systems are separate, which is why confirming the location of arrest can save significant time.
St. Johns County Jail Inmate Search FAQs
1. How do I search for a St. Johns County jail inmate?
Start with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office inmate-search page. If that page is unavailable, use the Sheriff’s Online Applications system, choose JAIL after the CAPTCHA, or call Booking at 904-209-3125.
2. Is the St. Johns County inmate search currently working?
As of this guide’s October 27, 2026 review, the SJSO inmate-search landing page displays a temporary outage notice. The Sheriff’s separate online applications page still describes its JAIL booking-list search, so try that system and call Booking if necessary.
3. Where is the St. Johns County Detention Center?
The detention center is at 3955 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. The main detention phone is 904-209-1443 and Booking is 904-209-3125.
4. Why can I not find someone who was just arrested?
The person may still be going through booking, the online system may be unavailable, the name may be entered differently, or the person may already have been released or transferred. Call Booking when a recent arrest cannot be confirmed online.
5. How do I find a St. Johns County inmate’s court date?
Search the criminal case through the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller. The Clerk’s online court-record system is better than a jail roster for hearings, filed charges and disposition information.
6. How do I find out an inmate’s bond?
Review the current booking record and then confirm unclear bond information with SJSO Booking at 904-209-3125. Check every charge because one case or hold can affect whether the inmate is actually eligible for release.
7. How do I visit an inmate in St. Johns County Jail?
Create an account with the approved SmartJailMail visitation system and obtain visitor approval. Current SJSO information lists free on-site 30-minute video visits Monday through Friday and paid remote video options during specified daily windows.
8. What address should I use for personal inmate mail?
Address non-legal mail to Smart Communications/St. Johns County Jail, the inmate’s name and inmate ID number, PO Box 9102, Seminole, FL 33775-9151. Do not send irreplaceable original documents because regular mail is scanned and originals are later destroyed.
9. How can I put money on a St. Johns County inmate’s account?
SJSO lists deposits through the detention-center lobby kiosk, the Video Visitation Center during business hours and its approved JailATM online deposit service. Verify the inmate’s identifying number before sending money.
10. Where do I search if the inmate was transferred to a Florida prison?
Use the Florida Department of Corrections offender search for a person who has moved from county custody into the Florida state-prison system. Continue using the St. Johns County Clerk record if you also need information about the underlying court case.
Official Resources Used for This Guide
- St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search
- SJSO Online Applications and Booking List
- SJSO Corrections Division
- SJSO Inmate Contact, Visitation, Phone and Mail Information
- St. Johns County Detention Center Inmate Handbook, revised February 7, 2025
- SJSO Public Records Requests
- St. Johns County Clerk Criminal Division
- St. Johns County Clerk Online Court Records
- Florida Department of State County Jail and Inmate Search Directory
Custody status, bond, court schedules, visitation providers, prices and jail procedures can change. Use the official live system for the final status before paying money, mailing property or traveling to the facility.
Best Next Step
If your goal is simply to find someone, start with the official SJSO booking system and save the inmate ID. From there, use Booking for bond or release questions and the Clerk of Court for the criminal case. That combination normally provides the information a family member needs without moving between multiple unofficial inmate-directory websites.