How can I acquire one of the unclaimed bicycles held
by the Sheriff's Office?
As stated in F.S.S. 705.103, if the owner of found property cannot be
located and if the finder does not elect to take ownership of the property,
the agency has the option of donating the property to a "charitable
organization" as a means of disbursement. Bicycles may only be
released as the 90 day time schedule required by state statute allows;
therefore, only those bicycles ready to be released can be donated.
Interested charitable organizations must complete and return a Bicycle
Donation Request form indicating their interest in acquiring donated
bicycles. This form can be obtained from the Property Office
at 861-4170 or by written request. Eligible agencies will then be
placed on a waiting list.
The Sheriff's Office will prepare the bicycles as they are ready to be
donated and donations will be made to the next qualifying agency on the
waiting list when ten bicycles are available. If that agency has no
need for the bicycles at that time, the next qualifying agency on the list
will be contacted.
Each organization receiving bicycles will be responsible for picking up and
transporting the bicycles that they are receiving within one week.
Each organization is responsible for dispersing of the bicycles as they see
fit.
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How can I compliment the Sheriff's Office and/or
an employee?
If you would like to compliment the Sheriff's Office and/or a specific
employee you can send a letter addressed to Sheriff William Balkwill at:
P.O. Box 4115, Sarasota, Florida 34230-4115. You may also bring the
letter in person to the Sheriff to 2071 Ringling Boulevard in downtown
Sarasota. It is recommended that you call ahead and make an
appointment to save time.
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I received a
traffic ticket - where do I go to pay it?
You must contact the Clerk of the Circuit Courts in the county in which
you received the ticket. For Sarasota county contact Karen E. Rushing, Clerk
of the Circuit Court at (941) 861-7400 or online at
www.sarasotaclerk.com or
www.myfloridacounty.com
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How do I contest a traffic ticket?
You must request a court hearing by calling the Clerk of the Court at
(941) 861-7400. If the Judge at the hearing determines that you did commit
the violation, the Judge may impose a penalty not to exceed $500 or require
you to complete a driver improvement school or both and points will be
assessed as applicable. If the judge determines that no violation was
committed, no cost or penalties will be imposed.
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How can I find out if someone got arrested?
To find out if someone has been arrested you can either check the arrest
log, a link can be found on the home page of this website which shows those
arrested in the last 24-48 hours, or by contacting our Booking Office at
(941) 861-4601.
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How can I find out what the charges are for someone who was arrested?
To find out what the charges are for someone has been arrested you can
either check the arrest log, a link can be found on the home page of this
website which shows those arrested in the last 24-48 hours, or by contacting
our Booking Office at (941) 861-4601.
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How can I find out if there's a
warrant for someone?
All Warrants are considered to be on-going investigations and you can
only obtain information from the Sheriff's Office regarding possible
outstanding warrants on yourself. You must come in person to the Corrections
Front Desk at 2020 Main Street in Sarasota and produce a valid ID to receive
any information.
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How can I find out the status of my case?
Contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau at (941) 861-4900. It
is recommended that you have your case number to save time.
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How can I find out what the bail or bond is for
someone?
To find out the bail or bond amount contact our Booking Office at
(941) 861-4601.
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How can I get a records check on someone I want
to hire?
A check for arrests made in Sarasota County only can be
handled by telephone (941) 861-4025, by fax 861-4039, by mail, or in
person at the Records Section in our Sarasota office at 2071 Ringling
Boulevard in the first floor lobby. We require the name (including middle
initial), date of birth, race, sex, and any other identifying information.
There is no charge for this information.
For a State-wide check, you must
contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, User Services Bureau, at
P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302 (850/488-7651). Your request must
include the name, race, sex, date of birth, and any other identifying
characteristics. A $23 fee (check or
money order payable to FDLE) must accompany each individual request. This
information is obtainable as a public record request, Chapter 119, F.S.
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How do I report a boating infraction?
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has established (941) 861-SINK (7465)
as a boating infraction hotline. All unsafe boating practices should
be reported. Callers will be asked to leave a detailed message along
with the name and/or identification number of the boat committing the
infraction. A letter will be sent from the Sheriff's Office to the
registered owner of the boat stating the date, time, location and nature of
the infraction.
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How do I report a driving infraction?
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has established 365-TAGS (8247)
as a driving infraction hotline. All unsafe driving practices such as
speeding, reckless driving, careless driving and other moving violations
should be reported to this hotline. However, drunk drivers or vehicle
crashes should be reported to 9-1-1 directly. Callers will be asked to
leave a detailed message of the infraction along with a vehicle description
and a license plate number. A letter will be sent from the Sheriff's
Office to the registered owner of the vehicle stating the date, time,
location and the nature of the infraction.
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How do I file a complaint about the Sheriff's
Office and/or an employee?
To register a complaint about an employee you may contact the person's
supervisor directly, if known, or call the Internal Affairs Department at
861-5800. To register a complaint about the Sheriff's Office
contact the Internal Affairs Department at 861-5800.
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How do I get a concealed weapons permit?
The application kit for a concealed weapons permit is only available
from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division
of Licensing. Application procedures, including an online Request
for Application can be found at the following website:
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html
Please note that applications are NOT available from the Sheriff's Office.
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How do I get a copy of a report?
Report requests can be handled over the telephone by contacting (941)
861-4025 or in person at our Records Department at 2071 Ringling Blvd in the
first floor lobby. It is recommended that you have your case number to
save time. Copies of reports are 15 cents per single-sided page or 20
cents per double-sided page. All photographs are 10 cents per copy.
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How do I report a crime or an accident?
You should report any accident or incident where injuries have been
received, someone's personal safety is at risk, violence has been committed,
or a weapon is involved by calling 911. Other incidents which occurred
in the past or which do not require the immediate response of an
emergency unit should be reported by calling 316-1201. That operator will
then connect you to the Communications Center for a unit to be dispatched or
to the Front Desk to speak with a Deputy.
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What is required in order for me to retrieve my
property?
The Property/Evidence Section requires that you provide proof of ownership,
if applicable, and a driver's license as personal identification when
picking up any property that is being held by the Sheriff's Office. If
possible, please bring the Sheriff's Office Case Number relating to your
case as this will assist us in expediting your request.
Please keep in mind that the Evidence Section is merely a holding facility
and Property personnel do not make the sole decision of whether or nor your
property can be released. Releases are based on various levels of
authorization and property will only be released with the required
authorization.
The property section is open
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information contact 861-4170.
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What should I do if a deputy is trying to pull me
over at night in an unmarked car and I am frightened?
It is important that you acknowledge to the deputy that you see him/her
by waving your hands or turning on your emergency 4-way flashers and
reducing the speed of your vehicle. Begin looking for a safe (and at
night a well-lighted) area to stop. The best place, if possible, is a
location with other people around such as a shopping center or convenience
store. Once you have stopped, keep your doors locked and roll your
window down just enough to converse with the deputy until the situation is
comfortable. In most cases, deputies in unmarked cars will contact a
uniformed officer for assistance with a traffic stop. If one is not
available, deputies should understand your concern for safety. Ask to see a
badge and department photo identification.
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