Whether it is DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Paxton, or any one of the other communities in Walton County, any arrest can create immediate confusion and stress for the alleged offender. Flaherty & Merrifield fights to protect the rights of both residents and visitors who were arrested and charged with crimes in Walton County.
We understand that the criminal justice system can seem quite overwhelming to many people who are not accustomed to facing criminal charges, which is why our firm has compiled much of the frequently sought information about county offices and agencies here. Use this page to learn more about these different entities.
Were you or your loved one arrested in Miramar Beach, DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, or another area in Walton County? You will want to speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away to figure out how you can avoid any significant consequences.
Flaherty & Merrifield is exclusively dedicated to criminal defense and handles a wide variety of practice areas including driving under the influence (DUI), domestic violence, probation violations, and many other criminal matters. You can have our attorney answer all of your legal questions as soon as you call (850) 243-6097 or contact us online to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable member of our team.
Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller
The Office of the Clerk and Comptroller performs various kinds of information management, record keeping, and financial management for the judicial system and county government, including attending court hearings and trials, filing indictments, information, and verdicts, and processing all civil and criminal cases. The Clerk and Comptroller are also responsible for collecting and disbursing fines, court costs, forfeitures, fees, and service charges.
The Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller states that any written communication created or received by its officials and employees will be made available to the public and media unless it is otherwise exempt. The Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller is found in the South Walton Courthouse Annex:
Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller
South Walton Courthouse Annex
31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Suite 500
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-3066
Walton County Department of Juvenile Justice
Intake, assessment, and supervision of juveniles charged with crimes in Walton County are handled by the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The Okaloosa Regional Juvenile Detention Center is the primary detention center used for Walton County.
Okaloosa Regional Juvenile Detention Center
4448 Straight Line Rd.
Crestview, FL 32539
(850) 689-7800
Okaloosa County also has two prevention programs aimed at at-risk youths.
Hope House
5127 Eastland Street
Crestview, FL 32539
(850) 682-2374
Florida Youth Challenge Academy
5629 State Road 16 West
Building 3800
Starke, FL 32091
(904) 682-4031
The DJJ also lists one residential facility serving Walton County:
Walton Academy For Growth and Change
286 Gene Hurley Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 520-4642
Office of the State Attorney
Walton County is one of four counties served by the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, with the others being Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and Okaloosa County.
The Defuniak Springs Office serves all of Walton County.
Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit
Defuniak Springs Office
524 East Highway 90
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-8080
Walton County Court Services
Court Services refers to judicial programs that are intended to provide pretrial assessments and other court-related services to individuals as they process through the court system. Court Services includes Pretrial Services, the Forensic Mental Health Court Case Manager, Mental Health Court Case Manager, Drug Court Case Manager, and the Veterans Court Case Manager.
Walton County Court Services
400 N. Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, Florida 32539
(850) 689-5066
Pensacola Circuit Office, Florida Department of Corrections
Walton County as well as Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and Okaloosa County are served by the Pensacola Circuit Office. Probation officers supervise people on probation or community control and those who were released from prison with post-release supervision.
Pensacola Circuit Office, Florida Department of Corrections
2108 Douglas Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32504
(850) 595-8953
Walton County Law Enforcement Agencies and Facilities
Several local law enforcement agencies operate in Walton County. Police departments in this area include:
DeFuniak Springs Office of the City Marshal and Police Department
355 East Nelson Ave.
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-8513
Freeport Police Department
112 Hwy 20 West
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 835-2822
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office typically serves all communities in the area that do not have their own police departments. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has north and south locations:
Walton County Sheriff’s Office North Administration
752 Triple G Rd.
Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-8186
Walton County Sheriff’s Office South Administration
133 Sheriff Dr.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 267-2000
Walton County Department of Corrections
The Walton County Jail is an accredited 596-bed facility that has an average daily population of 500 inmates. Jail inmate programs include a GED program, welding program, heavy equipment operation program, parenting classes, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification, and a farming program.
Walton Correctional Institution
691 Institution Road
De Funiak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 951-1300
If you or a loved one have been accused of a crime in Fort Walton Beach, call Flaherty & Merrifield at (850) 243-6097 for a free, confidential case review.
