If someone you love was arrested in St. Johns County, the first thing you want to know is simple: Are they in jail, what are they charged with, and what's the bond?
St. Johns County offers a free public inmate search through the Sheriff's Office, and you can use it from your phone. Here's exactly how it works including the couple of quirks that trip people up.
Step 1: Go to the official search
Use the Sheriff's Office's own search, and only that one:
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Inmate/Jail Search
The page will first ask you to complete a quick "I'm not a robot" check. That's normal it keeps the site from being scraped by bots. Check the box and continue.
Step 2: Search by name you must enter something
This search is name-based. There is no list of everyone booked today, and a blank search won't run you have to enter at least part of a name.
Last name is the best place to start. Even a partial last name works.
Add a first name if you get too many results.
Under "Search For," choose Current Inmates if the person should be in jail right now.
You can sort results by Booking Date to see the most recent bookings first.
Can't find them? Try these before you panic:
- Different spelling. Names get entered the way they sound at booking. Try variations.
- They may still be in processing. A brand-new arrest can take a while to appear in the system.
- They may have already been released. Switch "Search For" to Released Inmates or Both and use today's date as the release date.
- They may be held for another county or agency. The record may show a hold, which changes how release works that's a good moment to call me and I'll walk you through it.
Step 3: Read the record
Opening a name shows the booking record, including:
- Booking number write this down. Everyone will ask for it.
- Charges each charge is listed separately.
- Bond amount for each charge the total bond is the amounts added together, unless a charge shows no bond or there's a hold from another court or agency.
- Booking date and time.
One important note: if your loved one hasn't seen a judge yet, they will have a first appearance hearing within 24 hours of arrest, and the judge can set or change bond amounts there. So a bond figure can change early on if the numbers move, that's the legal process working, not a mistake.
Step 4: What to do next
Once you can see the bond, you have what you need to act:
- Write down the booking number, charges, and total bond.
- Call or text me at (904) 417-8196 any time, day or night. I answer personally, and I can start the bond right away.
- Know the cost going in. Florida law sets the bail bond premium at 10% of the bond that's the regulated rate, and it's what I charge. No discount games and no surprise fees.
- Paperwork can be e-signed from your phone, and payment plans are available. Most families never need to come to an office.
- If you'd rather check with the jail directly, the Sheriff's booking and bond information line is (904) 209-3125.
One warning, because it matters right now
Everything in the inmate search is public which means scammers read it too. The Sheriff's Office is warning families that criminals pull real names, charges, and bond amounts from public records, then call pretending to be a bondsman or deputy and demand payment by Cash App, Zelle, or gift cards.
That is never how bail works. A legitimate bondsman will not cold-call your family demanding payment through an app. SheaBails is on the Sheriff's official list of registered bonding companies, and you can verify any bondsman's license with the Florida Department of Financial Services before you send anyone a dollar.
When in doubt, hang up and call a number you looked up yourself. Mine is (904) 417-8196 24/7, straight answers, no pressure.
Shea Candella, SheaBails LLC
190 Registry Blvd, Suite 105, St. Augustine, FL 32092