If you are looking for someone arrested in Apalachicola, Eastpoint, Carrabelle, or St. George Island, you are dealing with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO).
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: Before you search, check the state.
“Franklin” is one of the most common county names in the U.S. If you are seeing search results for “Columbus, OH” or “Chambersburg, PA,” you are in the wrong place. You need Franklin County, FLORIDA (Area Code 850).
This is a small county system. They do not have a massive, high-tech database like Miami or Tampa.
Their online list is often just a simple PDF or blog post. If you need immediate answers, your best bet is often the phone.
Official Franklin County Inmate Search
Do not pay for a background check. Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith provides public access to arrest logs for free.
How to Find the Record:
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Go to the Official Site: Access the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Website.
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Find the List: Look for a tab labeled “Arrest Log,” “Inmate Roster,” or “Media Release” in the main menu.
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Note: In small counties like Franklin, the “roster” is sometimes just a weekly PDF upload or a list of recent bookings posted to their News page. It may not update instantly on weekends.
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Check Social Media: Sheriff Smith is very active on the FCSO Facebook Page. They frequently post “Arrest of the Week” or daily booking logs there before they hit the website.
“I Can’t Find Their Name!”
If the online list hasn’t updated (which happens often), you need to call.
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The Number: Call the Jail Administration/Dispatch at (850) 670-8500.
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What to Ask: “I’m checking to see if [Name] has been fully booked in yet.” Be polite; in a small county, the person answering the phone is likely the same person handling the booking.
Franklin County Jail Inmate Search Charges, Bond & First Appearance
Since the online information might be sparse, you will likely need to get these details over the phone or at the window.
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Charges: Ask for the specific statute numbers.
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Bond Amount:
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$ Amount: You can pay this to release them.
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“No Bond”: This is standard for domestic violence or serious felonies until they see a judge.
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First Appearance:
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This usually happens the morning after the arrest (including weekends) via video link with the judge.
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If you want to watch, contact the Franklin County Clerk of Court at (850) 653-8861 to find out where public viewing is held (usually the Courthouse in Apalachicola).
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Franklin County Jail Inmate Search Posting Bail
To get them released from the Eastpoint facility:
Option A: Cash Bond
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Cost: Full face value of the bond.
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Where: Pay at the Sheriff’s Office Lobby in Eastpoint (address below).
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Payment: Cashier’s Checks or Money Orders are preferred. Always call (850) 670-8500 first to confirm who to write the check to (usually “Franklin County Sheriff’s Office” or “Clerk of Court”).
Option B: Bail Bondsman
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Cost: You pay a 10% non-refundable fee.
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Process: Since Franklin is a small area, there may not be many bondsmen with offices right next door. You may need to call a bondsman from a neighboring county (like Gulf or Wakulla) who is licensed to write bonds in Franklin.
Franklin County Jail Inmate Search Visitation & Contact
Important: Visitation rules in small counties change frequently based on staffing.
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Method: Franklin County typically uses Video Visitation or non-contact glass partition visits.
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Scheduling: You generally must schedule at least 24 hours in advance.
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Contact: Call (850) 670-8500 and ask for “Visitation Scheduling.”
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Rules:
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Valid Photo ID is required.
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Strict Dress Code: No sleeveless shirts, no shorts above mid-thigh, no cleavage.
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Mail Policy:
Do not send cash or stamps. Use a standard postcard or letter.
Address format:
Franklin County Jail Inmate Name
Franklin County Jail
270 State Road 65
Eastpoint, FL 32328
Franklin County Jail Addresses & Contacts
Note that the Sheriff’s Office is in Eastpoint, not downtown Apalachicola.
Department |
Phone Number |
Purpose |
Jail / Dispatch |
(850) 670-8500 |
Main Line for everything. |
Sheriff’s Admin |
(850) 670-8519 |
Records / Reports. |
Clerk of Court |
(850) 653-8861 |
Court dates / Case lookup. |
Franklin County Jail Official Facility Address:
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office & Jail
270 State Road 65
Eastpoint, FL 32328
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the jail in Apalachicola?
A: No. It is located in Eastpoint, which is across the bridge. The physical address is on State Road 65.
Q: Can I bring them clothes?
A: Generally, no. They are issued a uniform. You can deposit money for them to buy hygiene items and snacks from the commissary.
Q: How do I find out their court date?
A: Check the Franklin County Clerk of Court website. Search the “Public Records” or “Court Records” section by name.