The Melbourne City Jail Roster is the public list of people who are currently held in jail after being arrested in Melbourne, Florida. Melbourne does not run its own jail.
The city sends all arrested people to the Brevard County Jail. This jail is run by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone who is arrested in Melbourne will show up on the Brevard County inmate list, not a separate Melbourne list. The roster shows the person’s name, booking date, charges, and bond amount. You can look at this list online for free. The roster changes every day as new people are booked and others are released.
How Melbourne Handles Arrested People
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida. The city has its own police force called the Melbourne Police Department. This police force makes arrests for local crimes. After an arrest, the police take the person to the county jail. The county jail is the only place that holds people who are waiting for court. The Melbourne Police Department does not hold people for long. They process the arrest and then transfer the person to the county. This system is common in Florida. Most small cities use the county jail for holding inmates.
The Brevard County Jail System
The Brevard County Jail is the main holding place for all inmates in the area. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office runs this jail. The Sheriff’s Office is in charge of booking, housing, and releasing inmates. The jail has space for over 1,800 inmates. It serves all cities in Brevard County, including Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville, Cocoa, and Rockledge. The jail address is 860 Camp Road, Cocoa, Florida 32927. This is where all Melbourne arrests end up. The jail staff process new arrivals, assign housing, and manage visits.
Why Melbourne Has No City Jail
Melbourne does not have a city jail for two main reasons. First, building and running a jail costs a lot of money. Small cities save money by using the county jail. Second, most arrests in Melbourne are handled at the county level anyway. The county has the staff, space, and systems to manage inmates. So the city police focus on making arrests and the county handles the jail side. This split keeps the system simple and low-cost. The public can see who is in jail by checking the county roster online.
How to Search the Melbourne City Jail Roster
You can search the Melbourne City Jail Roster through the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office website. The website has a free inmate search tool. This tool shows current inmates in the county jail. Since Melbourne arrests go to the county jail, the same tool works for both. You can search by name or booking date. The search results show the inmate’s full name, booking number, charges, and bond. The roster updates every few hours. New bookings appear within a short time after arrest.
Step-by-Step Search Process
You can find an inmate from Melbourne in a few simple steps. The process is fast and free. Here is how to do it:
- Go to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office website at brevardsheriff.com.
- Look for the “Inmate Search” or “Bookings” link on the main page.
- Type the person’s full name in the search box.
- Press the search button to see the results.
- Look through the list to find the right person.
- Click on the name to see more details like charges and bond.
If you do not know the full name, you can try the last name only. You can also call the jail to ask for help with a search. The jail staff can help you find someone by phone if the online tool does not work. They answer calls during business hours.
What to Do If You Cannot Find Someone
Sometimes a person does not show up in the search. This can happen for a few reasons. The booking may be very new and not yet in the system. The person may have been released already. The spelling of the name may be wrong. Try these tips if your search does not work:
- Wait a few hours and search again for new bookings.
- Try a different spelling of the last name.
- Call the Brevard County Jail at 321-690-1500 to ask.
- Check the release list for people who left jail recently.
- Try a statewide search if the person may be in another county.
The jail booking process takes time. It can take 1 to 4 hours for a new inmate to show up in the online roster. If the person was just arrested, you may need to wait. The system updates throughout the day and night. New bookings from Melbourne appear in the same Brevard County list.
What Information Shows on the Roster
The Melbourne City Jail Roster shows key facts about each inmate. The list gives enough details to identify a person and know why they are in jail. Most public rosters show the same basic items. You do not need an account or fee to see this data. The information comes straight from the county jail records. All details are kept up to date as changes happen.
Basic Inmate Details
Each inmate entry on the roster shows the full name of the person. The name listed is the legal name on the arrest report. You will also see the booking date and time. This tells you when the person was put in jail. The entry shows the booking number, which is a unique ID for that arrest. You can use this number when calling the jail for more details. The list also shows the inmate’s age and gender.
Charges and Bond Amount
The roster lists the charges against the inmate. Each charge has a short description. Common charges include DUI, battery, theft, drug possession, and trespassing. The bond amount appears next to the charges. A bond is the money someone must pay to leave jail before trial. The judge sets this amount. If the bond is “no bond,” the person must stay in jail until the court says otherwise. Some charges like murder have no bond. The roster also shows the next court date if one is set.
Booking and Release Procedures
The booking process happens right after an arrest. The Melbourne police bring the person to the Brevard County Jail. At the jail, staff take the person’s photo and fingerprints. They also check the person’s ID and personal items. The person gets a health check and a shower. They get a jail uniform and assigned bed. The whole process takes 2 to 6 hours. After booking, the inmate waits in a holding cell until they see a judge or post bond.
How Release Works
Release from jail happens in a few ways. The most common way is posting bond. A bondsman or family member pays the bond amount. The jail then releases the inmate. Some people are released on their own recognizance. This means the judge lets them go without payment. They promise to come back to court. Some inmates finish their sentence and are released. Others get time served and leave. The release time is logged in the system.
Recent Bookings List
The Brevard County website also shows recent bookings from the last 24 to 48 hours. This list helps you see who was just arrested. Recent bookings include people from Melbourne and all other cities in the county. The list shows the same details as the full roster. You can search it by date. This is useful if you want to know about new arrests in the area. The list updates often as the jail processes new people.
Visiting Inmates from Melbourne
Visits for Melbourne inmates happen at the Brevard County Jail. The city of Melbourne has no visiting room. All visits take place at the county jail location. Visits are done by video or in person. The jail uses a video visit system for most visits. In-person visits may be allowed for some inmates. You need to plan your visit ahead of time. Walk-in visits are not allowed at most Florida county jails.
Visit Rules and Hours
The Brevard County Jail has set rules for visits. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved list. The inmate adds names to the list. You need a valid photo ID to visit. No cell phones are allowed in the visit area. Dress code is strict. No see-through clothes, shorts above the knee, or tank tops. Visit times vary by housing unit. Most visits last 30 to 60 minutes. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes early to check in.
Video Visit Setup
Video visits are the main way to see an inmate. You can do video visits from home using a computer or phone. The jail uses a service called Securus or a similar provider. You set up an account on the visit website. You pick a time slot and pay a small fee. The fee is usually $0.25 per minute. The inmate joins the call from a kiosk in the jail. This system lets families stay in touch without traveling to the jail.
Bail and Bond for Melbourne Arrests
Bail is the money paid to release someone from jail before trial. The judge sets the bail amount at the first court hearing. This hearing happens within 24 hours of arrest for most people. The amount depends on the charges. Minor charges have low bail. Serious charges have high bail or no bond. The bail amount appears on the jail roster next to the inmate’s name. You can pay bail in cash, with a bond, or through a bondsman.
Types of Bonds
There are different kinds of bonds in Florida. A cash bond means you pay the full amount in cash. The money is returned when the case ends, minus court fees. A surety bond uses a bondsman. You pay the bondsman a fee, usually 10% of the bond. The bondsman pays the full bond to the jail. You do not get this fee back. A PR bond means release on personal recognizance. The judge trusts the person to come back to court without payment.
How to Post Bond
You can post bond at the Brevard County Jail any time of day. The jail accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards for some bonds. For surety bonds, you work with a licensed bondsman. The bondsman handles the paperwork and pays the jail. After payment, the jail processes the release. This takes 1 to 4 hours. The person is free to leave after release. They must follow all court rules and appear at all hearings.
Sending Money to Inmates
Inmates in the Brevard County Jail can buy items at the commissary. Commissary is the store inside the jail. Inmates buy snacks, hygiene items, and other goods. Family and friends can add money to an inmate’s account. There are several ways to send funds. The money helps the inmate buy what they need while in jail. It also helps them make phone calls to family.
Ways to Add Money
You can add money to an inmate’s account in a few ways. The fastest way is online through the jail’s payment partner. You need the inmate’s full name and booking number. Online payments post within 1 hour. You can also use the kiosk in the jail lobby. The kiosk takes cash and cards. Phone payments are another option. You call the payment line and use a card. Money orders by mail are also accepted but take longer.
What Not to Send
You should never mail cash to the jail. Cash gets lost in the mail and the jail does not accept it. Do not send personal checks. The jail only takes money orders from the post office. You cannot send packages with items inside. The jail will not accept food, clothes, or other goods from outside. All items must come from the commissary. Breaking these rules can cause delays or lost money. Stick to the approved payment methods.
Statewide and Federal Search Options
Sometimes a person from Melbourne is held in a different county. This can happen if they were arrested in another part of Florida. State and federal search tools help you find inmates in other places. These tools are free and easy to use. They cover the whole state or country. If you cannot find someone in Brevard County, try these other options.
Florida State Prison Search
The Florida Department of Corrections runs the state prison system. This system holds people who have been convicted and sentenced to over a year. If a Melbourne resident was sent to state prison, they will not show up on the county roster. You can search the Florida DOC website at dc.state.fl.us. The search shows the person’s name, ID number, facility, and release date. This covers state prisons only, not county jails.
Federal Inmate Search
Federal crimes are handled by the federal court system. If a person is in federal custody, they go to a federal prison. The Bureau of Prisons runs the federal system. You can search for federal inmates at bop.gov. The search shows the inmate’s name, register number, age, and where they are held. Federal inmates are different from county and state inmates. They serve time for federal crimes like drug trafficking or fraud across state lines.
VINE Service for Notifications
VINE is a free service that sends alerts about inmates. You can sign up at vine.link.com. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. You can register to get alerts when a person is booked, released, or moves to a new place. This service covers most Florida county jails. It also works for state prisons. It is a good tool for families who want to track a loved one’s case. You get alerts by phone, email, or text.
Important Contact Details
Below are the main contact points for Melbourne jail and inmate questions. Save these for quick use when you need them.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Brevard County Jail Address | 860 Camp Road, Cocoa, Florida 32927 |
| Main Jail Phone | 321-690-1500 |
| Brevard Sheriff Main Line | 321-264-5200 |
| Inmate Search Website | brevardsheriff.com |
| Melbourne Police Non-Emergency | 321-608-6731 |
| Visitation Hours | Daily 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (video visits scheduled) |
| Bail Payment Line | 321-690-1500 (ask for bond desk) |
| VINE Notification Service | vine.link.com or 1-866-277-7477 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are common questions about the Melbourne City Jail Roster and how it works. These cover the most searched topics about inmate lookups in Melbourne, Florida. Each answer gives clear, direct facts based on current jail procedures.
Does Melbourne Florida have its own jail?
No, Melbourne does not have a city jail. All arrests in Melbourne go to the Brevard County Jail. The county jail is run by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. The Melbourne Police Department makes arrests but does not hold inmates. The transfer to county happens within hours of arrest. The county jail is the only place to search for Melbourne inmates. The roster is shared across all cities in Brevard County.
How do I find out if someone is in jail in Melbourne FL?
You can check the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office website. The site has an inmate search tool. Enter the person’s full name to see if they are in custody. The tool shows current inmates and recent bookings. You can also call the jail at 321-690-1500 to ask about a specific person. The staff will help you with the search. The online tool is the fastest way to find someone.
How long does it take for a new arrest to show up online?
New bookings show up on the roster within 1 to 4 hours after arrest. The booking process takes time. Staff take photos, fingerprints, and personal details. After booking, the data goes into the system. The online roster updates regularly throughout the day. If you do not see someone right after their arrest, wait a few hours and check again. The system refreshes often.
Can I see Melbourne jail mugshots online?
Yes, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office posts inmate photos on the website. The mugshot appears in the inmate search results. You can see the photo next to the person’s name and charges. These photos are public records. They are taken at the time of booking. The photos help you confirm you have the right person. The images stay on the site while the person is in jail.
What is the difference between county jail and state prison?
County jails hold people who are waiting for trial or serving short sentences. The sentence is usually under one year. State prisons hold people who have been convicted of serious crimes. Their sentence is over one year. Melbourne arrests go to county jail first. If convicted of a felony with a long sentence, the person moves to state prison. The Brevard County Jail is for local inmates only.
How much does it cost to send money to an inmate in Melbourne?
Sending money online costs a small fee. The fee is usually between $2.95 and $6.95 based on the amount sent. Kiosk payments in the lobby cost $1.50 to $3.00. Money orders mailed to the jail are free to send but the money order itself has a small cost. The fees pay for the payment system. The inmate gets the full amount you send, minus the fee.
Can I visit an inmate from Melbourne at any time?
No, visits must be scheduled in advance. The Brevard County Jail uses a video visit system. You pick a time slot on the visit website. Walk-in visits are not allowed. You must be on the inmate’s visitor list. The inmate adds you to the list after booking. Once you are on the list, you can book video visits from home or in-person visits at the jail during set hours.