Criminal records in Pinellas County, Florida, are public documents according to the Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes §119. PinellasCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the official court case search system Clerk of the Circuit Court, tools from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, and by visiting the court clerk's office in person.
How to Search Criminal Records in Pinellas
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following identifiers:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Through PinellasCourt.us
Go to PinellasCourt.us and enter the name or case number in the search field. The system will display public data about criminal cases filed in Pinellas County.
Online through Official Portals
- Pinellas County Clerk — Public Access Records Search. On the View Records page of the county court clerk, you can search by name or case number. Note: Florida legislation has recently limited the amount of information displayed on clerks' websites.
- Sheriff's Office Arrest Inquiry. The Arrest Inquiry tool allows you to check information about individuals who are or have recently been in the county jail. Data on released individuals is retained for a limited period.
- Crime Viewer. The interactive map Pinellas County Crime Viewer displays registered crimes from several county law enforcement agencies.
- Warrant Search. The Warrants page on the sheriff's website does not cover local Pinellas County warrants — it redirects to FDLE databases and other sources.
In Person
Public access terminals are located at two main locations:
Pinellas County Courthouse (Civil & Family)
Pinellas County Justice Center (Criminal Court Records)
Refer to the clerk's contact page for office hours and available services.
By Mail or Written Request
Send a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller specifying the full name of the person, date of birth, and type of record. To obtain an official state-level criminal history, requests are submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Search Pinellas Criminal Cases by Case Number
A Florida case number has a standard format consisting of several parts:
- Year of filing — two digits (e.g., 24 for the year 2024)
- Case type code — a letter designation of the category: CF (circuit felony), MM (county misdemeanor), CT (circuit traffic), MO (county ordinance violation), etc.
- Sequential number — the consecutive case number within the year
Example: 24-CF-012345 indicates a felony case filed in 2024 with sequential number 012345. If you know this number, enter it in the search field on the clerk's website — this is the most accurate way to find a specific case. Searching by number eliminates errors associated with identical names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Pinellas
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Florida Statute number under which charges are filed (e.g., §893.13 — drugs) |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge to a lesser or more serious one during the proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are actively ongoing
- Disposed — the court has made a decision or the case has been closed otherwise
- Closed — all procedural actions have been completed
Hearings
A criminal case in Pinellas County typically goes through the following stages:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the charges are read to the defendant, and they plead guilty or not guilty
- Pre-trial conference — parties discuss evidence, possible agreements, and procedural issues
- Motion hearings — consideration of motions by the defense or prosecution
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — checking compliance with probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Nolle Prosequi / Dismissed | Charges dropped by the prosecutor or court |
| Withheld Adjudication | The court refrained from formal conviction — in Florida, this means the person is not considered convicted, although guilt may be acknowledged |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Pinellas
Certified copies are officially authenticated documents with the clerk's seal. They are often required by employers, attorneys, and government agencies.
Where to Apply
- Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller — for court records (sentences, charges, decisions). The Criminal Court Records department handles requests for felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile cases.
- FDLE — for a complete state-level criminal history in Florida. Requests are submitted through the FDLE portal or by mail.
- Sheriff's Office — for copies of arrest reports. Use the records request portal on the sheriff's website.
How to Submit a Request
- Online: register on the clerk's portal to receive court records by email
- In Person: visit the appropriate office with valid photo identification
- By Mail: send a written request specifying the name, date of birth, case number (if known), and return address
To request your own criminal history through FDLE, you need to submit fingerprints on the FDLE/CJIS form card.
Contact Information
Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Criminal Court Records (Justice Center)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Pinellas
Fees are regulated by Florida Statutes §28.24, which establishes a uniform fee schedule for county court clerks throughout Florida.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $1.00 per page |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document (in addition to copy costs) |
| Record search (upon clerk's request) | A fee may be charged for time spent — check with the office |
| Criminal history check through FDLE (state level) | Depends on the type of check; electronic check with fingerprints — usually from $24.00 |
Processing Times
- Online search — results are available instantly if records are in the electronic system
- Written request to the clerk — from several business days to two weeks
- Criminal history request through FDLE — electronic requests are processed faster; mail requests may take several weeks
Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or credit card. For clarification on acceptable payment methods, contact the clerk's office directly or check the Pinellas County public records page.