Hillsborough County felony records are court files that track serious criminal cases in Tampa and nearby areas. These papers show what charge a person faced, when the case moved through court, and what the judge decided. They live at the Clerk of Court’s office under Florida’s open records law. Most files stay open for anyone to view, unless a judge orders them sealed.
Types of Felony Cases Filed in the County
Felony cases cover many kinds of serious crimes. The State Attorney’s Office files charges for drug trafficking, burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, sexual battery, and murder. White-collar crimes like fraud and embezzlement also fall under felony rules. DUI cases that cause death or repeat DUI charges count as felonies too. Every felony case gets tracked through the 13th Judicial Circuit Court system based in Tampa.
Who Files Felony Charges in the County
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office files most felony charges inside county lines. The Office of the State Attorney works under Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit. Federal agencies like the FBI or DEA file charges in federal court when crimes cross state lines or break federal law. Those federal felony records do not sit in the county clerk system.
How Long Felony Records Stay on File
Felony case files stay in the clerk’s system for many years after the case ends. Most adult felony files remain open to the public forever unless a judge seals them. There is no automatic deletion date for adult felony records in Florida. Juvenile felony records face tighter rules and often close off once the person turns 24.
How the 13th Judicial Circuit Handles Felony Cases
The 13th Judicial Circuit Court covers Hillsborough County. It hears all felony trials, pleas, and sentencings. The circuit follows Florida court rules set by the state Supreme Court.
Court Divisions That Hear Felony Cases
Felony cases move through three main court divisions. The County Criminal division handles early felony stages and bond hearings. The Circuit Criminal division hears felony trials and sentencings. The Appellate division reviews appeals from lower courts. Each division has its own judges and clerks who manage the docket.
Case Flow From Arrest to Sentencing
Most felony cases follow the same path in Hillsborough County. Law enforcement makes an arrest. The suspect goes before a judge within 24 hours for a first appearance. The State Attorney reviews the case and files formal charges. The defendant enters a plea at arraignment. The case then moves to discovery, motions, and finally trial or plea deal. A sentencing hearing follows any conviction.
The Clerk of Court and Felony Record Keeping
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court runs the record system for all felony cases. The office scans paper filings into a digital database. Staff members answer phone and walk-in questions during business hours.
Cindy Stuart and the Clerk’s Office Role
Clerk Cindy Stuart leads the office that holds every felony case file. Her team stores arrest reports, charging documents, motions, plea deals, and sentencing orders. They keep the public docket updated each business day. The office also issues certified copies of court records for a set fee.
Courthouse Location and Contact Details
The main clerk’s office sits at 800 East Twiggs Street in Tampa, Florida 33602. The Edgecomb Courthouse handles many criminal filings at 800 East Twiggs Street as well. You can call the clerk’s main line at (813) 276-8100. The office also runs a smaller location at 14102 North 30th Street for certain records requests.
Office Hours and How to Visit in Person
The clerk’s office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Walk-in visitors can use public terminals on site to search felony records. Staff can pull older paper files from storage if you give them a name or case number.
Online Search Tools for Hillsborough County Felony Records
The clerk’s online portal lets you search felony case files from any computer. The portal updates each night with new filings from the courts.
Hillsborough Clerk Online Portal
Visit hillsclerk.com to start an online search. The portal shows felony case dockets, hearings, and document images. Most cases from 1990 forward appear in the system. Some older files only exist on microfilm at the courthouse.
Search by Defendant Name
Type a full legal name into the name search box on the portal. Add a date of birth if you know it to narrow the list. The system shows every case tied to that name, both open and closed. Click any case number to see the full docket sheet.
Search by Case Number
Every felony case in Hillsborough County gets a unique number. The number looks like 23-CF-012345. The first two digits show the year the case started. The middle letters show the case type. The last digits make each case unique. Type the full number into the case search box for fast results.
Search by Date Range
The portal lets you pick a date range to see every felony filed in that window. Pick a start date and end date. The system lists all cases opened during that time. This helps researchers track filings by court division or judge.
| Search Method | What You Need | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Name Search | Full legal name + date of birth | Background checks |
| Case Number Search | Unique case number | Single case lookup |
| Date Range Search | Date range | Research and stats |
| Attorney Search | Attorney bar number or name | Tracking lawyer filings |
FDLE Statewide Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history search. This tool shows felony records from every county in Florida, not just Hillsborough.
What the Statewide Search Shows
The FDLE system lists arrests, dispositions, and sentences from all 67 Florida counties. It pulls data from clerks, sheriff’s offices, and the Department of Corrections. The report shows felony convictions, pending cases, and case outcomes going back decades.
Cost and Payment Process
A name-based statewide search costs $24.00 per person as of 2026. You pay by credit or debit card through the secure portal. The charge applies even if the system finds no records. Results show on screen within minutes for most requests.
Types of Documents Inside a Felony Case File
Each felony case file holds many kinds of court papers. These papers tell the full story of a case from start to finish.
Charging Documents and Arrest Reports
The State Attorney files a document called an Information to start a felony case. This paper lists each charge and the law it breaks. The arrest report from law enforcement also goes in the file. The report shows the officer’s account of the crime.
Plea Agreements and Motions
Many felony cases end with a plea deal. The written plea agreement sits in the file. Defense attorneys file motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or change venue. The judge signs orders on each motion. Those signed orders become part of the public record.
Sentencing Orders and Probation Terms
After a conviction, the judge signs a sentencing order. The order lists prison time, fines, restitution, and probation. Probation terms lay out rules the defendant must follow. Violation of probation charges go into a separate file tied to the original case number.
Requesting Copies and Certified Documents
You can get printed or certified copies of felony records. The clerk charges set fees for each copy type.
Standard Copy Fees
Regular copies cost $1.00 per page as of 2026. Most docket sheets run one to two pages. You can print from a public terminal at the courthouse for free in some cases.
Certified Copy Fees
A certified copy costs more because it carries the court seal. The fee is $2.00 per document plus the $1.00 per page charge. Many employers and government agencies ask for certified copies of felony records.
Payment Methods Accepted
The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. In-person payments happen at the cashier window. Online orders use credit or debit cards through the portal. The clerk does not accept personal checks for amounts over $500.
Sealed and Expunged Felony Records in Hillsborough County
Some people can ask the court to seal or expunge a felony record. Sealed records stay out of public view. Expunged records get destroyed in some ways but still show up to certain agencies.
Who Can Seal a Felony Record in Florida
Florida law lets some people seal felony records if they meet strict rules. The person must not have any prior convictions. They must not be on probation for the charge they want to seal. They must wait a set number of years after the case ends. Violent felonies like murder, sexual battery, and armed robbery cannot be sealed.
The Expungement Process Step by Step
The expungement process starts at the FDLE. You get a certificate of eligibility from FDLE. You take that certificate to the clerk’s office to file a petition. The judge reviews the petition at a court hearing. If the judge agrees, the clerk seals the record from public view.
Florida Public Records Law and Felony Files
Florida’s public records law makes most government files open to view. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes sets the rules. The law covers felony records held by the clerk’s office.
Your Right to View Felony Records
Any person can ask to see felony records held by the clerk. You do not need to give a reason for the request. The clerk must let you view the file or give you a copy for the set fee. The clerk cannot deny a request because of who you are.
Records That Stay Restricted
Some felony records stay sealed under Florida law. Active police investigation files often stay closed. Juvenile felony records face tighter rules than adult records. Mental health evidence and victim identity papers sometimes stay sealed to protect privacy. Federal felony cases follow federal rules, not Chapter 119.
Hillsborough County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and makes most felony arrests. Their arrest records connect to court records once charges get filed.
How Arrest Records Connect to Court Records
The sheriff’s office creates an arrest report when they take someone into custody. The State Attorney reviews the report and decides whether to file charges. If charges get filed, the clerk opens a new felony case file. The arrest report number and the case number then link to each other in both systems.
Felony Court Records From Neighboring Counties
Criminal cases sometimes touch more than one county. A defendant from one county may face charges in another. You may need to check nearby clerk offices for a full picture.
Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and Manatee County all border Hillsborough County. Each clerk runs a separate online portal. You can search felony records in each county through their own websites. Cases that cross county lines show up in both systems once charges get filed.
Official Contact and Location Summary
You can reach the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court for felony record questions in three ways. The main office sits at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, Florida 33602. The main phone line is (813) 276-8100. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The online portal runs 24 hours a day at hillsclerk.com. The official website is hillsclerk.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hillsborough County Felony Records
How Do I Search for a Felony Case in Hillsborough County for Free?
You can search felony cases for free using the Hillsborough County Clerk’s online portal at hillsclerk.com. The portal lets you search by name, case number, or date range. You do not need to pay to view the docket sheet or basic case details. You only pay if you want printed or certified copies of documents. The FDLE statewide search does charge a fee of $24.00 per name search. The free option works for most people who just want to check a case status or look at hearing dates.
What Is the Format of a Hillsborough County Felony Case Number?
A Hillsborough County felony case number follows a clear format. It looks like 23-CF-012345 or similar. The first two digits show the year the case started. The middle letters show the case type, such as CF for Circuit Felony. The last digits are a unique number for that case. Older case numbers may use different formats from past decades. You can search any format through the clerk’s online portal by typing the full number into the case search box.
Can I View Sealed Felony Records in Hillsborough County?
You cannot view most sealed felony records as a member of the public. Only the person named in the record, their attorney, and certain government agencies can access sealed files. Law enforcement agencies, the State Attorney’s Office, and the courts can see sealed records for legal reasons. Some sealed records become public again after a set number of years under Florida law. You can ask the clerk’s office if a specific case is sealed or open to the public.
How Far Back Do Online Felony Records Go in Hillsborough County?
Online felony records in Hillsborough County go back to about 1990 for most case types. Earlier cases may only exist on microfilm at the courthouse. You can ask the clerk’s office to pull microfilm records for older cases. The staff will need a name or case number to locate the right file. Some very old cases from the 1970s and 1980s may only exist in paper form at the records storage area.
What Happens If a Felony Charge Gets Dropped in Hillsborough County?
If the State Attorney drops a felony charge, the case moves to a closed status on the docket. The docket sheet shows the nolle prosequi filing that dropped the charge. Dropped charges still appear on public records unless a judge seals them. The person can ask the court to expunge a dropped charge if they meet Florida’s eligibility rules. The FDLE statewide search will still show the arrest even after a drop, so background checks may still flag the case.
Can I Get a Felony Record Removed From Public View in Hillsborough County?
You can ask the court to seal or expunge a felony record if Florida law allows it. You must first get a certificate of eligibility from FDLE. You then file a petition with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. A judge reviews the petition at a hearing. If the judge grants the request, the clerk seals the record from public view. Not all felonies qualify for sealing. Murder, sexual battery, and other violent crimes stay on the public record forever.
Are Federal Felony Cases Included in Hillsborough County Records?
Federal felony cases do not show up in Hillsborough County court records. Federal cases get filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Federal court records live in a separate system run by the federal courts. You can search federal felony cases through PACER, the federal court public access system. The Hillsborough County clerk’s office only holds records for cases filed in the 13th Judicial Circuit Court.