Hillsborough County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Hillsborough County
Arrest records in Hillsborough County are classified as public records pursuant to Florida's Sunshine Law, also known as the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). Members of the public may access these records unless they have been specifically ordered sealed or expunged by a court of law. The Florida Constitution and state statutes establish a presumption of openness regarding government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within county jurisdiction.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes this information available through various platforms in accordance with § 119.01, which states that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any person. This transparency requirement applies to all agencies within Hillsborough County that process or maintain arrest information.
Exceptions to public access exist under § 119.071 for certain protected categories, including:
- Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (with limited exceptions)
- Information related to ongoing investigations
- Records that have been legally sealed or expunged
- Certain personal identifying information of specific protected classes
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 2008 E. 8th Avenue Tampa, FL 33605 Phone: (813) 247-8000 Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
What's in Hillsborough County Arrest Records
Hillsborough County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement at the time of apprehension. These records are maintained by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and typically include standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.021 regarding records management.
Standard information contained in Hillsborough County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Date and time of arrest
- Location where the arrest occurred
- Criminal charges filed, including Florida statute numbers
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Case or booking number
- Bond information and current custody status
- Court appearance dates
It should be noted that arrest records reflect the circumstances of an arrest and information available at the time of booking. As stated on the HCSO Arrest Inquiry portal, these records have "no connection to the findings of guilt or innocence" that may be determined through subsequent judicial proceedings.
Additional documentation that may be associated with arrest records includes:
- Arrest affidavits detailing probable cause
- Officer narrative reports
- Property and evidence inventories
- Medical screening information
- Fingerprint records
- Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Hillsborough County in 2025
Individuals seeking arrest records in Hillsborough County in 2025 have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has implemented several access points to facilitate public record requests in compliance with Florida Statute § 119.07, which governs the inspection and copying of public records.
To look up arrest records in person:
- Visit the Records Section at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office headquarters
- Present a valid government-issued photo identification
- Complete a public records request form specifying the information sought
- Pay applicable fees for copies ($1.00 per page, with certified copies requiring an additional $2.00 per document)
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Records Section 2008 E. 8th Avenue Tampa, FL 33605 Phone: (813) 247-8210 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
For electronic access, the Sheriff's Office maintains the HCSO Arrest Inquiry database, which allows searches by:
- Name (last name, first name)
- Date range of arrest
- Booking number (if known)
- Date of birth
Additional records may be available through the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court, which maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent case proceedings.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court George E. Edgecomb Courthouse 800 E. Twiggs Street Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 276-8100 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
How To Find Hillsborough County Arrest Records Online
Hillsborough County provides multiple online resources for accessing arrest records electronically. The primary portal for arrest information is maintained by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office through their Arrest Inquiry system. This database is updated regularly and allows public access to arrest information as permitted under Florida's Public Records Law.
To utilize the online arrest records system:
- Navigate to the HCSO Arrest Inquiry website
- Enter search criteria (name, date range, or booking number)
- Review search results showing basic arrest information
- Select specific records to view detailed information
- Print or save electronic copies as needed
For court records related to arrests, the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court electronic system provides access to case information. The Florida Supreme Court has authorized the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, 13th Judicial Circuit, to provide electronic viewing of many court records.
Additional online resources include:
- Calls For Service Search - Allows the public to query crimes and incidents reported to the Sheriff's Office
- Official Records Search - Provides access to various official records maintained by the county
Users should note that online systems may not contain complete arrest history information, particularly for older records that may not have been digitized or for records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order.
Can You Search Hillsborough County Arrest Records for Free?
Hillsborough County provides free access to basic arrest record information through several online platforms in accordance with Florida's commitment to government transparency. The primary free resource is the HCSO Arrest Inquiry database, which allows members of the public to search and view arrest records without charge.
Free search options include:
- Basic arrest information through the Sheriff's Office website
- Inmate custody status checks
- Court docket information through the Clerk of Court's public access system
- Calls for service data showing law enforcement responses
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies of records ($1.00 per page)
- Certified copies ($2.00 additional per document)
- Extensive research requests requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time
- Specialized reports or data compilations
As specified in Florida Statute § 119.07(4), agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the service of duplicating records. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court notes that "Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are an additional $2.00 per document."
Hillsborough County Records Center 419 N. Pierce Street Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 276-8100 Ext: 7805 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
How To Delete Arrest Records in Hillsborough County
Florida law provides specific mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public view through processes known as sealing and expungement. These procedures are governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059 and are administered through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) with local implementation by the Hillsborough County court system.
To initiate the process of sealing or expunging arrest records:
- Determine eligibility by reviewing statutory requirements
- Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE
- File a petition with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
- Attend any required court hearings
- If granted, ensure compliance with the court order by all relevant agencies
Eligibility criteria generally include:
- No prior sealing or expungement in Florida
- No adjudication of guilt for the offense in question
- No adjudication of guilt for certain disqualifying offenses
- Completion of all sentence requirements
The process requires submission of fingerprints, payment of processing fees, and may require legal representation. Applicants should note that certain agencies may retain sealed or expunged records for limited purposes as permitted by statute.
State Attorney's Office - 13th Judicial Circuit 419 N. Pierce Street Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 272-5400 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
What Happens After Arrest in Hillsborough County?
Following an arrest in Hillsborough County, individuals enter a standardized processing system that adheres to Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and local protocols. The post-arrest procedure typically follows a sequential process that creates the public records associated with the arrest.
The standard post-arrest procedure includes:
- Transportation to a booking facility operated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
- Initial booking procedures including fingerprinting, photographing, and personal property inventory
- Creation of arrest records in law enforcement databases
- First appearance hearing before a judge within 24 hours of arrest
- Determination of probable cause and setting of bail conditions
- Assignment of case to the appropriate court division
- Arraignment where formal charges are presented
- Pretrial proceedings, including discovery and motion hearings
- Case disposition through trial, plea agreement, or dismissal
During this process, various public records are generated and maintained by different agencies, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the State Attorney's Office, and the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
For juvenile arrests, different procedures apply in accordance with Chapter 985, Florida Statutes. Juvenile records are generally confidential, with processing occurring through the Hillsborough Juvenile Detention Center.
Hillsborough County Central Booking Facility 1201 Orient Road Tampa, FL 33619 Phone: (813) 247-8300 Hours: 24 hours daily
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Hillsborough County?
Arrest records in Hillsborough County are maintained in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules as established by the Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various categories of public records.
For arrest records, the standard retention periods include:
- Arrest reports and booking information: Permanent retention
- Arrest affidavits and probable cause documents: 75 years
- Fingerprint cards and identification records: 75 years from date of creation
- Misdemeanor arrest records: Minimum of 5 years after case disposition
- Felony arrest records: Minimum of 25 years after case disposition
- Juvenile arrest records: Until age 24 for most offenses, longer for serious offenses
These retention schedules apply unless records are legally sealed or expunged through court order. Even after expungement, certain agencies may maintain records for limited official purposes as permitted by Florida Statute § 943.0585.
Digital records maintained in the HCSO Arrest Inquiry system and other databases typically follow these same retention guidelines, though the public accessibility of older records may vary based on the status of digitization efforts.
How to Find Mugshots in Hillsborough County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records under Florida law and are maintained by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. These photographs are taken during the booking process and become part of the arrest record accessible to the public, subject to certain exemptions.
To locate mugshots in Hillsborough County:
- Search the HCSO Arrest Inquiry database, which includes booking photographs with arrest records
- Submit a public records request to the Sheriff's Office Records Section
- Visit the Sheriff's Office in person to request specific booking photographs
- Check the Hillsborough County jail inmate search for current inmates
Requestors should be aware that Florida Statute § 119.071 provides exemptions for certain categories of mugshots, including those of:
- Juvenile offenders (with limited exceptions)
- Victims of specific crimes
- Certain government employees in protected categories
- Individuals whose records have been sealed or expunged
The cost for printed copies of mugshots is $1.00 per page, consistent with standard public records fees. Digital copies may be available through the online system without charge.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Records Section 2008 E. 8th Avenue Tampa, FL 33605 Phone: (813) 247-8210 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Lookup Arrest Records in Hillsborough County
Search Hillsborough County arrest records online
Access official court records related to arrests
View Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office public information
Search calls for service and incident reports
Find inmate information through the Florida Department of State