Pinellas County Criminal Records

What Is Pinellas County Criminal Records

Pinellas County criminal records are official documents that detail an individual's criminal history within Pinellas County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office and include information about arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions.

Criminal records serve as an important public resource, allowing citizens, employers, and law enforcement agencies to access information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The Pinellas County Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date criminal records for all cases processed through the county's court system.

Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Are Criminal Records Public In Pinellas County

Yes, criminal records in Pinellas County are considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This means that most criminal records are accessible to anyone who requests them, with certain exceptions for sealed or expunged records and cases involving juveniles or sensitive information.

The public nature of these records allows for transparency in the judicial system and enables citizens to access information about criminal proceedings in their community. However, it's important to note that while these records are public, there are proper channels through which they should be accessed to ensure accuracy and compliance with privacy laws.

Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Pinellas County in 2025

In 2025, there are several methods to look up criminal records in Pinellas County:

1. Online Portal: The Pinellas County Clerk's website offers a comprehensive online search system where users can access criminal records by name, case number, or other identifiers.

2. In-Person Requests: Visit the Pinellas County Courthouse or Clerk's office to request criminal records in person. Staff can assist with searches and provide printed copies for a fee.

3. Mail Requests: Submit a written request to the Clerk's office with specific information about the records you're seeking.

4. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office: For arrest records and booking information, the Sheriff's Office maintains a separate database that can be searched online or accessed through their records department.

5. Third-Party Services: Various commercial services aggregate public records and may offer criminal record searches, though these typically charge fees and may not have the most current information.

Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762

How To Find Criminal Records in Pinellas County Online?

Finding criminal records online in Pinellas County is straightforward through these official channels:

1. Clerk of Court Website: Visit the Pinellas County Clerk's official website and navigate to the "View Records" section. From there, select "Court Records" to search for criminal cases by name, case number, or date range.

2. Pinellas County Sheriff's Arrest Inquiry: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of arrest records and booking information that can be searched by name or booking number.

3. Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS): This statewide system requires registration but provides access to court records across Florida, including Pinellas County.

4. Odyssey Portal: The county's court management system allows public access to case information, including criminal proceedings.

When searching online, you'll need basic information such as the individual's full name and, ideally, their date of birth to ensure accurate results, as common names may return multiple records.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33778

Can You Search Pinellas County Criminal Records for Free?

Yes, you can search Pinellas County criminal records for free through several official channels:

1. Clerk's Office Online Portal: The Pinellas County Clerk of Court offers free online searches for criminal records through their public access system.

2. Sheriff's Office Arrest Inquiry: The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office provides free access to their arrest database online.

3. Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals available at the courthouse and clerk's office locations throughout the county offer free access to search criminal records.

While basic searches are free, there may be fees associated with:

• Obtaining certified copies of documents
• Printing records (typically $0.15-$1.00 per page)
• Requesting extensive research assistance from clerk staff
• Accessing certain specialized databases

These free resources ensure that public information remains accessible to all citizens regardless of financial means.

Pinellas County Clerk of Court, St. Petersburg Branch, 545 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

What's Included in a Pinellas County Criminal Record?

A typical Pinellas County criminal record contains comprehensive information about an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system, including:

1. Personal Information: Full name, date of birth, address, and sometimes physical descriptors of the individual.

2. Arrest Details: Date of arrest, arresting agency, booking information, and charges filed at the time of arrest.

3. Case Information: Court case numbers, filing dates, and the court division handling the case.

4. Charge Details: Specific criminal statutes violated, charge severity (felony, misdemeanor, etc.), and amendments to charges.

5. Court Proceedings: Hearing dates, appearance information, continuances, and other procedural events.

6. Case Disposition: The outcome of each charge (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.) and the date of disposition.

7. Sentencing Information: Details about penalties imposed, including incarceration, probation, fines, community service, or other sanctions.

8. Post-Conviction Activities: Information about appeals, probation violations, or modifications to sentences.

The comprehensiveness of records may vary depending on the case status and whether any information has been sealed or expunged by court order.

Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762

What Are the Penalties for a Pinellas County Criminal Trespass Charge?

In Pinellas County, criminal trespass charges are categorized based on severity and circumstances, with corresponding penalties:

Trespass on Property (Misdemeanor of the Second Degree)

• Up to 60 days in jail
• Up to $500 fine
• Up to 6 months probation
• Possible community service

Trespass on Property After Warning (Misdemeanor of the First Degree)

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Up to $1,000 fine
• Up to 1 year probation
• Possible restraining order

Trespass in Structure or Conveyance (Misdemeanor of the First Degree)

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Up to $1,000 fine
• Up to 1 year probation

Trespass in Structure or Conveyance with a Dangerous Weapon (Felony of the Third Degree)

• Up to 5 years in prison
• Up to $5,000 fine
• Up to 5 years probation

Factors that may influence sentencing include prior criminal history, whether the property was occupied, presence of warning signs, damage caused, and the defendant's intent. First-time offenders may be eligible for diversion programs or reduced penalties at the court's discretion.

Pinellas County State Attorney's Office, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762

How Long Does Pinellas County Keep Criminal Records?

Pinellas County maintains criminal records indefinitely in most cases, following Florida's record retention policies. These records become part of an individual's permanent criminal history unless specific legal actions are taken to remove them.

Key points about criminal record retention in Pinellas County:

1. Permanent Storage: Most criminal case files are digitized and stored permanently in the Clerk's record system.

2. Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order remain in existence but are removed from public view. Government agencies may still access these under certain circumstances.

3. Expunged Records: When records are expunged, physical documents are destroyed and digital records are removed from public databases. The arrest and court proceedings are treated as if they never occurred, though some agencies retain internal records.

4. Juvenile Records: Records for juvenile offenders may be automatically expunged when the individual reaches 24 or 26 years of age, depending on the offense and other factors.

5. Historical Records: Older records may be archived but remain accessible through special requests to the Clerk's office.

The permanent nature of criminal records underscores the importance of understanding one's rights regarding record sealing and expungement for eligible cases.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302

Lookup Criminal Records in Pinellas County

For comprehensive access to Pinellas County criminal records, the following official resources provide reliable information:

• View Records - mypinellasclerk - Access court records, official records, and hearing searches through the Clerk's official portal.

• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Arrest Inquiry - Search for arrest records and inmate booking information directly from the Sheriff's database.

• Criminal Court - mypinellasclerk - Find information on criminal court services, including felony and misdemeanor cases.

• Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller - Access a comprehensive list of services provided by the Clerk's office, including criminal records.

• Court Records - Pinellas County Court - Learn how to access criminal court records, including search options and viewing instructions.

These official sources ensure you receive accurate and up-to-date information when researching criminal records in Pinellas County.