FOIA Request to Baker County Sheriff’s Office regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.
The Sunshine Sentinel has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. The request seeks comprehensive data on all arrest records from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The information requested includes detailed data points such as the arrestee’s name, sex, race, age, date of birth, and citizenship status. Additionally, the request asks for booking IDs, dates of arrest, booking photos, names of arresting officers, types of crimes committed, locations of crimes, and dates when these crimes occurred.
The Sunshine Sentinel emphasizes its role as a media organization dedicated to providing accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The request is made under Article I, section 24 of the Florida Constitution and chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The organization has expressed a preference for receiving this information in electronic format to facilitate its reporting process.
As part of their professional responsibilities in gathering and disseminating news to the public while holding public institutions accountable, the Sunshine Sentinel has requested a fee waiver typically available to media professionals. This request aligns with their mission to ensure transparency and inform the public effectively.
The email also highlights that the requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy—a non-profit organization that assists media companies and advocacy groups in investigating government actions through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found at this link.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
