How to Request Public Records from Hamilton County Jail (step-by-step)

Under Florida law, records held by Hamilton County Jail are open to anyone for inspection and copying. You can ask to see records, and you can ask for copies - just do it during reasonable hours and follow the conditions set by the records custodian. Staff may supervise the process, but supervision isn't the same as denial. Inspection and copying are part of the agency's duty to provide access.

Before you write your request, decide how you want to access the records. You can inspect them in person and photograph them while they stay in the custodian's possession. Photographing is allowed, but expect staff to control the setting and how documents are handled.

You can also request copies instead of - or in addition to - inspection. If the jail keeps records electronically, you can ask for a copy in that format. The jail may charge fees allowed under Florida law, whether you get paper or electronic copies.

Write a request that's easy to fulfill. Describe the records clearly enough that staff can identify them, and specify whether you want to inspect, photograph during inspection, or receive copies (and in what format). The custodian must acknowledge your request promptly and respond in good faith. If you don't hear back after a reasonable amount of time, follow up and ask for a status update.

If you choose inspection, expect it to happen at a reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, with staff supervision. You may photograph records while they remain in the custodian's possession, but that's supervised too. Plan around it - move slowly, keep your materials organized, and be ready to follow directions about where and how the review happens.

If you want copies, ask for "a copy" (or "a certified copy" if you need it for court, benefits, or other official use) and be prepared to pay the fee prescribed by law. For electronic records, the jail must provide a copy in the format you request if it maintains the record that way. Fees follow Florida's public-records rules.

• ✓ Up to $0.15 per one-sided copy for pages not more than 8.5" x 14"
• ✓ Up to an additional $0.05 for each two-sided copy
• ✓ For other copy formats, the actual cost of duplication

If the jail says part of what you requested is exempt from disclosure, that's not a reason to hold back everything. The custodian must redact only the exempt portion and release the rest for inspection and copying. When the jail claims an exemption, it must explain the basis and cite the statute it's relying on.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Find the correct public-records custodian contact for Hamilton County Jail before you submit (phone, email, mailing address, or an online form, if offered)
• ✓ Put your request in writing when you can, and save a copy of exactly what you sent
• ✓ Track dates: when you submitted the request, when it was acknowledged, and any follow-up messages
• ✓ Ask for the records in the format you prefer (inspection, photos during inspection, paper copies, or an electronic medium)
• ✓ If anything is withheld or redacted, ask for the written basis and the statutory citation
• ✓ Keep receipts and fee quotes so you can reconcile what you were charged with what you received