Pinellas County felony records are official court files that document serious criminal cases across Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, and every other city within the county.
These files include charges, hearings, motions, plea deals, trial outcomes, and sentencing details. The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court holds these records under the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Most files are public under Florida law, and anyone can search them online or visit the courthouse in person.
What Pinellas County Felony Records Contain
Felony records cover criminal charges that carry a potential sentence of more than one year in state prison. They do not include minor traffic tickets or county-level misdemeanors. Each record shows the full life of a case from filing to final resolution.
Types of Felony Cases Tracked
Pinellas County felony records include cases such as drug trafficking, burglary, aggravated assault, robbery, fraud, sexual battery, and homicide. They also include white-collar crimes, firearm offenses, and violations of probation that started as felonies. Every felony case receives a unique case number in the Uniform Case Number system.
Agencies That Maintain These Files
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court holds the main court files. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office holds arrest reports. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps statewide criminal history records. The Florida Department of Corrections tracks inmate status for anyone sentenced to state prison from a Pinellas case.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida’s Public Records Act, Chapter 119, gives citizens the right to view most government records. Court files are part of this law. A requestor does not need to give a reason for the search. Some limits exist for sealed records, juvenile cases, and sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers.
How to Search Pinellas County Felony Records Online
The fastest way to search is through the Pinellas County Clerk’s online portal. The portal is free to use for basic searches. Users can look up cases by name, case number, or party type.
Pinellas County Clerk Portal
The official site is mypinellasclerk.gov. From the home page, click on “Court Records Search” or “Official Records Search.” The portal links to a system called CourtView. CourtView shows active and closed cases from the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Users can view the case docket, party list, and charge details without creating an account.
Search by Case Number
Each Pinellas County felony case has a unique number that starts with the year, followed by a sequence code. For example, a case from 2025 might read 2025-CF-001234. Type the full case number into the search bar for the fastest results. The system will pull up the exact file.
Search by Name
For a name search, enter the last name first, then the first name in the party search section. Results will show all matching cases. Users can filter results by case type, date, and party role. Common names may return many results, so adding a middle name or date of birth helps narrow the list.
Statewide FDLE Criminal Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history search. The cost is $24 for the search plus a $1 processing fee. The service covers all 67 Florida counties. Users enter a full name and date of birth. The system returns arrests, dispositions, and charges across the state. Visit web.fdle.state.fl.us to start the search.
Visiting the Pinellas County Courthouse
Some records are not fully online. Older files may be on paper or in microfilm. Some sealed or restricted files require a courthouse visit. The main courthouse for felony cases sits in Clearwater.
Main Office Address and Hours
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court main office is at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. The Criminal Court Records department handles felony file requests. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Most offices close for state holidays. The phone number for the main line is (727) 464-7000.
Branch Locations
The Clerk runs branch offices in St. Petersburg, Largo, and Palm Harbor. The St. Petersburg branch sits at 545 First Avenue North. Branch offices can search cases filed in those locations but may redirect complex felony searches to the main Clearwater office. Call ahead to confirm the right branch holds the file you need.
Public Terminals
Each courthouse lobby has free public access terminals. Users can search CourtView on these machines. Printing costs $0.15 per page for standard copies and $1.00 per page for certified copies. Some courthouses allow USB drives for free digital copies. Bring a photo ID to clear the security checkpoint at the door.
Fees for Felony Records and Certified Copies
Online searches of public docket data are free. Charges apply only for printed, certified, or mailed copies. The Clerk sets the fee schedule under Florida statutes.
Standard Copy Charges
Standard printed copies cost $0.15 per page. Non-certified prints from the public terminal fall in this group. The fee covers paper, toner, and machine time. Some documents over 50 pages may require a written request instead of a walk-up print job.
Certified Copy Charges
Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee per document. A certified copy carries a court seal and is valid for legal use. Most employers, licensing boards, and immigration cases require certified copies, not regular prints.
Fee Waivers
Indigent defendants with a court-ordered waiver can request free certified copies. Government agencies also get free copies during official duties. Anyone with a valid court order for a fee waiver should bring the order to the Records department.
Sealed and Expunged Felony Records
Florida law allows some people to seal or expunge felony records. A sealed record stays in the system but is hidden from public view. An expunged record is physically destroyed, with only a few agencies keeping a backup copy.
Florida Sealing Process
Sealing hides a record from public portals and clerk searches. Law enforcement agencies can still see the file. To seal a record, the applicant must first get a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE. The certificate costs $75. Once the court receives the certificate, a judge signs a final sealing order.
Expungement Rules
Expungement removes the record from public access. Only one sealing or expungement is allowed per person under Florida law. Some felony charges never qualify, including sexual offenses, child abuse, and certain violent crimes. The FDLE reviews every application to confirm eligibility.
Certificate of Eligibility Process
Applicants must apply through the FDLE Seal and Expunge Section. Processing takes up to 12 weeks from the date of a complete application. The certificate lasts 12 months from the stamp date. After 12 months, the applicant must reapply and pay the fee again.
Felony Case Stages in Pinellas County
Every felony case follows a legal path. Each stage produces its own set of records. Knowing the stages helps locate the right file at the right time.
Filing and Arraignment
The State Attorney files a felony charge through an Information or Grand Indictment. The clerk assigns the case number at filing. The arraignment is the first court appearance. The defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Arraignment records show the plea and the assigned judge.
Pretrial Motions
Both sides file motions before trial. Common motions include motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, and discovery requests. Each filing adds a new entry to the docket. Pretrial hearings may address bond changes, plea offers, or case management deadlines.
Trial and Sentencing
If the case goes to trial, the docket shows jury selection, witness lists, and verdict entries. After a guilty verdict or plea, the court holds a sentencing hearing. The docket records the sentence, fines, probation terms, and any credit for time served.
Appeals
A defendant can appeal a conviction to the Florida District Court of Appeal. Appeals create a separate case with its own docket. The appellate court may affirm, reverse, or send the case back to Pinellas County for a new trial. Post-conviction relief motions also create new docket entries.
Checking Felony Case Status and Dockets
Case status tells the user where the case stands right now. Dockets list every paper filed and every hearing held. Both are public on the Clerk portal.
What Case Status Shows
Case status fields include Active, Closed, Pending, On Appeal, and Sealed. An Active case is still moving through the court. A Closed case has a final judgment. A Pending case waits for the next hearing date. Sealed cases show only the case number and a sealed flag with no party details.
Reading a Felony Docket
Docket entries list the date, the filing party, the document type, and a link to the actual file. Common codes include “AFF” for affidavit, “MOT” for motion, “ORD” for order, and “JUDG” for judgment. Each entry is a timestamp of what happened in the case.
Hearing and Event Notifications
The Pinellas County Clerk offers optional case alerts by email. Users can sign up through the portal by entering a case number and an email address. Alerts can be set for new docket entries, hearing schedule changes, and final dispositions. The service is free.
Nearby County Felony Records
Some people need felony records from more than one county. The Tampa Bay area has several county systems. Each county keeps its own records.
Pasco County Felony Records
Pasco County sits north of Pinellas. The Pasco County Clerk of Court holds felony files for that county. The main office is in New Port Richey. The online portal is at pascoclerk.com.
Hillsborough County Felony Records
Hillsborough County covers Tampa. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court runs the Hillsborough County Court Records search at hillsclerk.com. Hillsborough has its own separate docket system.
Manatee County Felony Records
Manatee County sits south of Pinellas. The Manatee County Clerk of Court in Bradenton holds felony files. The portal is at manateeclerk.com.
Sarasota County Felony Records
Sarasota County sits south of Manatee. The Sarasota County Clerk of Court in Sarasota keeps felony records. The portal is at sarasotaclerk.com.
Contact Information for Pinellas County Felony Records
For direct help with felony record searches, contact the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The main office handles walk-in requests, phone support, and mail-in requests. Staff can guide users through the search process and explain how to read specific records.
Official Website: mypinellasclerk.gov
Phone: (727) 464-7000
Main Office Address: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Branch Locations: St. Petersburg, Largo, Palm Harbor
Frequently Asked Questions About Pinellas County Felony Records
Below are answers to common questions about felony records, public access, and the Clerk’s office. Each answer covers what most people actually need to know.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a felony record?
A certified copy of a Pinellas County felony record takes the same day at the courthouse in most cases. Walk-in requests at the Clearwater Records window usually finish within 30 minutes for simple files. Mail-in requests through the U.S. Postal Service take 5 to 7 business days from the date the clerk receives the request. Online certified copy requests through the Clerk portal also process within 1 to 3 business days. Rush options are not officially offered, but staff will mark requests as urgent when the court order allows it. The fee is $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee per document. Bring a photo ID for in-person pickup. The clerk will not release certified copies to anyone other than the requester or a person with a valid notarized authorization.
Can I view felony records for free in Pinellas County?
Yes, basic felony record searches are free in Pinellas County. The Clerk’s online portal at mypinellasclerk.gov does not charge for searches. Public terminals at the courthouse also run searches at no cost. The fee structure only applies to printed pages, certified copies, or mailed copies. Anyone can sit at a public terminal and view the full docket for any non-sealed felony case. The free search includes case number, party names, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. There is no daily limit on free searches. The clerk does not require a login or account for the basic search. Users who need many records often plan their visit around the free terminal access before paying for any printed copies.
What felony cases are not open to the public in Pinellas County?
Sealed cases, expunged cases, and juvenile cases are the main closed categories. Florida law allows first-time offenders to seal or expunge eligible felony records. Once a judge signs a sealing order, the case disappears from the public portal. Cases involving sexual battery on a minor, child abuse, or certain violent offenses do not qualify for sealing. Ongoing grand jury proceedings are also closed to the public until the grand jury returns a decision. Active warrant searches may be limited to law enforcement only. The Clerk keeps a private internal index for sealed cases so the court can confirm the case exists without revealing the file. Anyone who needs access to a sealed file must file a motion with the court that issued the sealing order.
How do I find out if someone is in prison from a Pinellas County felony case?
The Florida Department of Corrections inmate search is the best tool. The public search at dc.state.fl.us covers every state prison inmate. Users enter a first name, last name, and optional Department of Corrections number. The system returns a photo, current facility, projected release date, and a link to the original Pinellas County case number. The search is free and runs 24 hours a day. For federal inmates, the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov covers federal cases. Local county jail inmates are held by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, which runs its own inmate search at pcsoweb.com. Federal sentences are rare for state felony cases, but the BOP tool helps when the case crossed into federal charges.
Can employers in Pinellas County use felony records for hiring decisions?
Yes, Florida law allows employers to consider felony records in hiring decisions. The Florida Fair Hiring Act restricts the use of sealed or expunged records. Employers cannot ask about sealed or expunged cases on a job application. For unsealed records, employers may ask about felony convictions but must follow the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rules. Some industries have stricter rules. Healthcare employers, childcare providers, and law enforcement agencies can run full background checks. The ban-the-box rules in Pinellas County cover public sector jobs. Private employers have more flexibility. Job seekers with a felony record may seek an FCCR certificate from the FDLE for use in pre-employment applications. The certificate confirms the record exists and lists the disposition.
How do I correct a mistake on a Pinellas County felony record?
The correction process depends on the type of mistake. For a clerical error in the court file, the requester files a motion to correct with the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The judge signs an order, and the clerk updates the docket. For a criminal history error on the FDLE record, the requester submits a review packet to the FDLE with proof of the mistake. The FDLE responds within 30 to 60 days. Common errors include misspellings, wrong charge codes, or a disposition that does not match the court order. The clerk recommends bringing the original court order as proof. There is no fee for correction motions. The clerk does not handle appeals of the correction. A separate appeal is filed through the District Court of Appeal when the State Attorney disagrees with the proposed correction.
Does Pinellas County share felony records with other Florida counties?
Yes, through the FDLE statewide system. The FDLE collects arrest and disposition data from every Florida county. The Clerk sends case disposition data to the FDLE within a set time after the case closes. This data flow lets a Hillsborough County background check show a Pinellas County felony conviction. The state courts also run a shared portal called the Florida Courts E-Portal. The portal allows judges and clerks across counties to view case files for legal purposes. Members of the public do not access the E-Portal directly. Most users use the FDLE search instead. The shared system helps courts catch repeat offenders and follow Florida’s rules for sentencing in cases with prior felony convictions.