Pinellas County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Pinellas County
Arrest records in Pinellas County are considered public records pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes §119 and §286 safeguard every Floridian's right to access government meetings and records. Under these provisions, members of the public may access, inspect, and obtain copies of arrest records maintained by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county.
The public nature of these records stems from Florida's strong commitment to government transparency. Email addresses and other information collected by county agencies are public record under Florida law and are not exempt from public records requirements, as noted by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
However, certain exceptions do exist. Records may be exempt from public disclosure if they:
- Relate to active criminal investigations
- Contain confidential informant information
- Involve juvenile offenders (in certain circumstances)
- Include personal identifying information protected by statute
- Are sealed or expunged pursuant to court order
Interested parties seeking arrest records may submit requests to:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office 10750 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33778 (727) 582-6200 Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
What's in Pinellas County Arrest Records
Pinellas County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county jurisdiction. These records generally include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and physical description
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency information
- Criminal charges filed
- Case/booking number
- Bond information and current custody status
- Court appearance dates
- Fingerprint information
- Personal property inventory at time of booking
The level of detail may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and any applicable exemptions under Florida law. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Arrest Inquiry system maintains these records and makes non-exempt information available to the public.
It should be noted that arrest records document only the fact that an individual was taken into custody and charged with an offense. They do not constitute proof of guilt, as all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To obtain the final disposition of any criminal charges, interested parties must contact the Pinellas Clerk of the Circuit Court.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Pinellas County in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Pinellas County in 2025 have several methods available to them. The county has maintained its commitment to public access while implementing technological improvements to facilitate record retrieval.
The primary methods for looking up arrest records include:
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Online Database Access: The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office maintains an Inmate Booking and Arrest Inquiry system that allows searches by name, booking number, or date range. This system has been upgraded in recent years to improve user experience.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Section at the Sheriff's Office headquarters to submit requests for arrest records.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Records Section 10750 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33778 (727) 582-6200 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the address above, including the subject's full name, date of birth, and specific information sought.
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Court Records: For case dispositions and court proceedings related to arrests, the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains searchable records.
Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court 315 Court Street Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 464-7000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Requestors should note that certain processing fees may apply, typically ranging from $0.15 per page for copies to $1.00 per certified copy. Additional special service charges may apply for extensive requests requiring significant staff time.
How To Find Pinellas County Arrest Records Online
Pinellas County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records electronically. These digital platforms have been developed to enhance public access while maintaining compliance with Florida's public records laws.
The following online resources are available to the public:
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Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Inmate Booking System: This database allows users to search for current and recently booked inmates. The Arrest Inquiry system provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and custody status.
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Clerk of Circuit Court Records: The Pinellas County Clerk's online records portal provides access to court cases resulting from arrests. Users should note that in recent years, the Florida Legislature has limited certain publicly available information on all Clerk's Office websites statewide.
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Pinellas County Crime Viewer: The Crime Viewer application provides geographic information about reported crimes and arrests throughout the county. This tool includes data from multiple law enforcement agencies including the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Pinellas County Schools Police Department, and municipal police departments.
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Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search: For individuals who have been transferred to state custody following conviction, the Florida Department of Corrections inmate database provides custody information.
When using these online systems, users should be aware that:
- Some records may have limited information due to statutory exemptions
- Recent arrests may not appear immediately in online systems
- Historical records may require additional research methods
- Technical assistance for online searches is available by contacting the respective agencies
Can You Search Pinellas County Arrest Records for Free?
Pinellas County residents and members of the public may access basic arrest record information at no cost through several channels. Florida's commitment to government transparency, as codified in Florida Statutes §119, generally supports free access to public records, though certain fees may apply for specialized services.
Free access options include:
- The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Arrest Inquiry system provides free online searches for current and recent booking information
- Basic case information through the Pinellas County Clerk of Court website is available without charge
- The Pinellas County Crime Viewer application offers free access to mapped crime and arrest data
- In-person inspection of public records during regular business hours at the Sheriff's Office or Clerk's Office
However, certain services related to arrest records do incur fees:
- Printed copies: $0.15 per one-sided page
- Certified copies: $1.00 per document
- Extensive research requests: Special service charge based on lowest paid employee capable of performing the work
- Background checks: Fees vary based on level of detail requested
- Expedited processing: Additional fees may apply
Pursuant to Florida Statutes §119.07, agencies may charge only the actual cost of duplication for standard document reproduction. Requests requiring extensive use of agency resources may incur additional reasonable charges based on labor costs.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Pinellas County
The process of removing arrest records from public view in Pinellas County follows specific statutory procedures established under Florida law. Individuals seeking to delete or restrict access to their arrest records must pursue either expungement or sealing through formal legal channels.
Pursuant to Florida Statutes §943.0585 (expungement) and §943.059 (sealing), eligible individuals may petition the court to remove or restrict access to arrest records under certain conditions:
Expungement Requirements:
- No prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
- No conviction for the arrest in question
- No current criminal proceedings
- Completion of all court-ordered sanctions
- Payment of all applicable fees
Sealing Requirements:
- No prior sealed or expunged records in Florida
- No conviction for disqualifying offenses listed in statute
- Completion of all court-ordered sanctions
- Payment of all applicable fees
The process involves these steps:
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Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Department of Law Enforcement P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 (850) 410-7000
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File a petition with the court that handled the original case
Pinellas County Courthouse 315 Court Street Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 464-7000
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Attend any required hearings as scheduled by the court
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If granted, provide copies of the court order to relevant agencies
Individuals should be aware that certain government agencies may still access sealed or expunged records for specific purposes, including law enforcement hiring, professional licensing, and immigration proceedings.
What Happens After Arrest in Pinellas County?
Following an arrest in Pinellas County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Florida law and local procedures. This process includes several key stages that occur in a prescribed sequence.
The post-arrest procedure typically follows this timeline:
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Booking Process: Upon arrival at the Pinellas County Jail, arrestees undergo fingerprinting, photographing, personal property inventory, and initial medical screening. This information becomes part of the arrest record accessible through the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
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First Appearance Hearing: Within 24 hours of arrest, defendants appear before a judge who:
- Reviews probable cause for the arrest
- Considers pretrial release conditions
- Appoints counsel for indigent defendants
- Sets preliminary hearing dates
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Charging Decision: The State Attorney's Office reviews the case and determines whether to:
- File formal charges
- Modify the charges
- Decline prosecution
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Arraignment: Defendants are formally presented with charges and enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
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Pretrial Proceedings: May include discovery, motion hearings, and plea negotiations.
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Trial or Plea Resolution: Cases proceed to trial or are resolved through plea agreements.
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Sentencing: If convicted, the court imposes penalties according to Florida sentencing guidelines.
Throughout this process, arrest records are updated to reflect the current status of the case. Complete case information becomes available through the Pinellas County Clerk of Court as the case progresses through the judicial system.
Pinellas County Jail 14400 49th Street North Clearwater, FL 33762 (727) 464-6415
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Pinellas County?
Arrest records in Pinellas County are maintained according to Florida's records retention schedules and applicable statutes. These records are typically preserved for extended periods, with specific retention timeframes varying based on the nature of the offense and case disposition.
The retention periods for various categories of arrest records are as follows:
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Felony Arrests: Records for felony arrests are permanently maintained by both the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
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Misdemeanor Arrests: Records are generally retained for a minimum of 5 years after the final disposition of the case, though many are kept longer based on agency policies.
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Juvenile Records: Subject to special provisions under Florida law, these records may be maintained until the subject reaches 24 years of age for most offenses, though serious offenses may be retained longer.
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Arrest Records Resulting in No Charges: Even when no formal charges are filed, basic arrest information is typically retained for a minimum of 3 years.
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Digital Booking Photos (Mugshots): These are generally maintained as permanent records unless specifically ordered removed by court action.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Florida Statutes §119.021, which requires public agencies to systematically maintain all public records. Additionally, the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services establishes retention schedules that county agencies must follow.
It should be noted that even after physical records might be purged according to retention schedules, information may persist in various databases and third-party systems that have previously obtained the records.
How to Find Mugshots in Pinellas County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records in Pinellas County pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law. These photographs are taken during the booking process at the Pinellas County Jail and become part of the official arrest record.
Members of the public seeking mugshots have several official channels through which these images may be obtained:
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Online Inmate Database: The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Arrest Inquiry system provides booking photos for current inmates and recent arrests. This searchable database is updated regularly and includes photographs alongside basic booking information.
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Public Records Request: For mugshots not available in the online system, individuals may submit a formal public records request to:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Records Section 10750 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33778 (727) 582-6200
Requests should include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth if known.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Sheriff's Office Records Section during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to request mugshot copies.
Standard fees apply for reproduction of mugshots:
- Digital copies: Varies based on delivery method
- Printed copies: $0.15 per page
- Certified copies: $1.00 per certification
Requestors should be aware that while mugshots are generally public record, certain exemptions may apply, particularly for:
- Juvenile offenders (in most circumstances)
- Victims of certain crimes
- Undercover law enforcement personnel
- Images specifically sealed or expunged by court order
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