Lake County Jail Inmate Search & Arrest Records (FL)

If you are frantically searching for someone arrested in Tavares, Leesburg, Clermont, Mount Dora, or Eustis, you are dealing with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).

⚠️ LOCATION WARNING:

Before you start clicking, look at the area code.

“Lake County” is one of the most common names in America. If you see a website referencing “Waukegan” (Illinois) or “Lakeport” (California), you are in the wrong place.

You need Lake County, FLORIDA (Area Code 352).

The Sheriff operates one central facility: the Lake County Detention Center in downtown Tavares.

It doesn’t matter if the arrest happened in South Lake (Clermont) or North Lake (Umatilla)—everyone is transported to Tavares for booking. Let’s find them.

Official Lake County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search & Jail Roster Guide

Do not waste money on third-party “mugshot” sites that charge removal fees. Sheriff Peyton Grinnell’s office provides a live, 24/7 database that is completely free to the public.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Locate an Inmate:

Access the Official Portal: Go directly to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Website.
Navigate to Corrections: Look for the tab labeled “Corrections” or “Inmate Search” in the main menu.
Enter Inmate Details: Type the Last Name and First Initial.
- Expert Tip: The system is extremely precise. If “Matthews” returns zero results, try typing just “Math” to see a list of partial matches. This helps if the booking officer made a typo.
Verify the Status:
- “In Custody”: They are currently sitting in the jail.
- “Released”: They have already bonded out or were released on their own recognizance (ROR).

“Help! I Can’t Find Their Name Anywhere!”

If the arrest happened in Clermont (South Lake) or Leesburg within the last 3 hours, do not panic. They are likely stuck in Transport.

The Logistics: It is a 30–45 minute drive from the south end of the county to the jail in Tavares.
The Booking Lag: Once they arrive, fingerprinting and medical intake take another 2–4 hours.
Who to Call: You can verify a recent arrest by calling the Booking Desk directly at (352) 742-4000.

How to View Lake County Arrest Records, Mugshots & Charge Details Online

Once you find their name on the roster, click on the Booking Number to open the full Arrest Affidavit. This document is your roadmap to getting them out.

1. Viewing the Mugshot:

The booking photo is usually displayed at the top of the profile. Note: Under Florida law, mugshots for juveniles and certain law enforcement officers will be redacted (blacked out).

2. Reading the Charges:

This section lists the specific statutes they violated (e.g., DUI Impairment, Grand Theft, Simple Battery).

3. Checking the Bond Status:

$ Amount (e.g., $2,000): This is a “preset bond.” You can pay this cash immediately to release them.
“No Bond”: Do not freak out. This is standard for:
- Domestic Violence: FL law requires a “cooling off” period until they see a judge.
- Felonies: Pending First Appearance.
- Violation of Probation (VOP): Usually requires a hearing.

Posting Bail in Lake County: Cash Bonds, Bondsmen & First Appearance Court

To get them released, you must go to the Main Jail in downtown Tavares.

Option A: Cash Bond (The “Direct” Method)

Cost: You pay the full face value of the bond (e.g., if bail is $500, you pay $500).
Where: Go to the Main Jail Lobby (551 W. Main St, Tavares).
Payment: They generally accept Cash, Cashier’s Checks, or Money Orders.
- Payable To: “Clerk of Courts.”
- Warning: Do not bring personal checks. They will be rejected.

Option B: Hiring a Bail Bondsman (The “Finance” Method)

Cost: You pay a non-refundable fee (usually 10% of the bond amount).
Process: There is a row of bail bond offices located directly across the street from the jail on Main Street. They are open 24/7.

First Appearance Court:

If they have “No Bond,” they will see a judge the next morning via video.

When: Daily at 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM (7 days a week).
Where: The judge sits at the Lake County Judicial Center (Courthouse), while the inmate stays at the jail. You can attend the hearing at the Courthouse.

Lake County Jail Video Visitation Rules, Scheduling & Dress Code (Securus)

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: Lake County does not allow face-to-face visits. You cannot walk in and sit across a table from them. All contact is digital.

The Provider:

Visitation is managed by Securus Technologies. You must create an account at SecurusTech.net.

Two Ways to Visit:

Remote Visit (Paid): Video chat from your smartphone or laptop at home. (Fees apply per minute).
On-Site Visit (Free): Use the video kiosks at the Visitation Center.

The Location Trap (Don’t Miss This):

The Visitation Center is NOT at the jail. If you drive to the jail lobby expecting to visit, they will turn you away.

Jail Address: 551 W. Main St (Downtown Tavares).
Visitation Center Address: 28129 County Road 561 (Tavares – about 6 miles away).

Strict Dress Code (Even for Video):

Staff monitors these calls live. You will be banned if you wear:

Tank tops or spaghetti straps.
Low-cut tops (cleavage).
Short shorts (must be mid-thigh).
Hats or sunglasses.

Essential Contact Directory: Lake County Detention Center Address & Phone Numbers

Save these numbers. You will likely need them more than once today.

Department	Phone Number	Purpose
Main Jail (Booking Desk)	(352) 742-4000	Check Status / Post Bail
Visitation Center	(352) 742-4000	Scheduling / Kiosk Info
Sheriff’s Admin	(352) 343-2101	Records / Non-Emergency
Inmate Medical	(352) 742-4000	Family Medical Concerns
Clerk of Court	(352) 742-4100	Court Dates / Case Lookup

Physical Addresses for GPS:

1. For Bail & Release (Main Jail):

Lake County Detention Center

551 W. Main St

Tavares, FL 32778

2. For Free Video Visits (Visitation Center):

Lake County Visitation Center

28129 County Road 561

Tavares, FL 32778

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I drop off clothes for my loved one?

A: No. Inmates are issued jail uniforms (orange/stripes). However, if they have a Jury Trial, you can coordinate with their attorney to drop off “court clothes” at the lobby 24 hours in advance.

Q: How do I put money on their books (Commissary)?

A: You have three options:

Lobby Kiosk: Use the machine in the Main Jail lobby (Cash/Card).
Online: Use the provider listed on the LCSO website (typically Access Corrections or TouchPay).
Phone: Call the toll-free number listed on the website.

You will need the Inmate Booking Number.

Q: Is there a warrant search for Lake County?

A: Yes. You can search for active warrants using the Lake County Clerk of Courts Public Records website. Search by name under “Court Records.”