Tampa City Felony Records are public court files kept by Hillsborough County and the State of Florida. These records show felony charges, court dates, plea deals, trial results, and sentencing for people arrested in Tampa.
Anyone can look up these files online or in person under Florida’s public records law, also called the Sunshine Law. Tampa sits inside Hillsborough County, so most felony cases go through the 13th Judicial Circuit Court. This page shows how to search Tampa felony records using the police, the clerk’s office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
What Tampa City Felony Records Contain
A Tampa City Felony Record holds the full legal history of a serious criminal case. Felonies are crimes that can lead to more than one year in state prison. Common felony charges in Tampa include drug trafficking, burglary, aggravated assault, robbery, fraud, and DUI with injury. Each case file has several parts that track the life of the case from arrest to final judgment.
Arrest and Booking Data
The first part of a felony record is the arrest report. Tampa Police officers write this report after they make an arrest. It lists the suspect’s name, date of birth, the date and time of arrest, and the charges. The report also describes what the officer saw and what witnesses said. Booking data shows the booking photo, fingerprints, and physical details. This part of the record is created at the Hillsborough County Jail shortly after arrest.
Court Filings and Charges
After arrest, the State Attorney’s Office reviews the case. If the office files a formal charge, it submits an information document to the court. This document names each felony charge and the Florida statute the person broke. Court filings also include motions, witness lists, and evidence lists. Each filing gets a docket entry with a date and a short description.
Dispositions and Sentencing
The final part of the felony record shows the outcome. A disposition can be a guilty plea, a not guilty verdict, a dismissal, or a deferred judgment. Sentencing details list prison time, probation, fines, or court costs. If the person violated probation later, that hearing also appears in the file. Probation violation hearings happen at the Hillsborough County felony court in Tampa.
Where to Find Tampa City Felony Records
Three main sources hold Tampa felony records. The Tampa Police Department has arrest reports. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court has all court files and dockets. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide database called the Criminal History Search. Each source covers a different part of a felony case.
Tampa Police Department Records
The Tampa Police Department creates the arrest report at the start of a felony case. You can contact the police records section by phone at (813) 276-3200 or visit the main station in downtown Tampa. Some reports are open to the public right after the case ends. Reports for active investigations are not open. A small fee applies for printed copies.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court Felony Records
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court is the main keeper of Tampa felony court records. The clerk’s office is at 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602. You can search online, by phone, or in person. The online system is called the Hillsborough Court Public Access Portal. It is free to search. Printed copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost more.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide search tool. This tool shows felony arrests and convictions from all 67 Florida counties, including Hillsborough. Each search costs $24 plus a $1 processing fee. You can pay with a credit or debit card. Results print right after the search. The FDLE tool is the fastest way to check if someone has a felony record anywhere in Florida.
How to Search Hillsborough County Felony Case Search Online
The Hillsborough County felony case search starts on the clerk’s online portal. Anyone can use the portal from a phone or computer. The search works 24 hours a day. No account is needed for basic searches. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The portal also lets you view court dockets and filed documents.
Search by Name
To search by name, type the person’s last name and first name. The portal returns a list of matching cases. Each result shows the case number, the filing date, the charges, and the judge. Click on a case to see the full docket. The docket lists every event in the case. If the name is common, add a date of birth to narrow the list. Middle names also help filter results.
Search by Case Number
If you already have a case number, use it for a direct search. Tampa felony case numbers start with the year, then a court code, then a sequence number. For example, a 2024 Hillsborough County felony case might look like 24-CF-012345. Case numbers appear on court papers, arrest reports, and attorney correspondence. A case number search returns the exact file you need.
Search by Date Range
Date searches help when you only know when something happened. You can enter a start date and an end date. The portal returns all felony cases filed in that window. This method works for background checks, journalism research, and legal due diligence. Date searches also help when the person has a common name. A narrow date range cuts the result list fast.
Hillsborough County Court Felony Docket Search Features
The Hillsborough County court felony docket search gives more than a case list. Each docket entry shows the date of the event, the type of event, the parties involved, and the judge. You can also see bonds, pretrial orders, and sentencing notes. The docket updates the same day the clerk enters a new filing.
Viewing Court Documents
Many court documents are open for online viewing. These include the charging document, motions, orders, and sentencing papers. Some files are not online due to court rules. These include juvenile files, sealed records, and certain mental health records. To see a sealed record, you need a court order. Expunged records are destroyed and do not appear in any search.
Checking Felony Case Status
The online portal shows the current status of each case. Status options include open, pending, disposed, and on appeal. An open case is still moving. A pending case is waiting for a hearing. A disposed case has a final judgment. On appeal cases move to a higher court. The status changes as the case moves through the court system.
13th Judicial Circuit Felony Court Records Tampa
The 13th Judicial Circuit Court covers Hillsborough County. It handles all felony cases in Tampa. The main courthouse is at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. This courthouse hears felonies, major civil cases, and family matters. A second felony courthouse operates at 401 North Jefferson Street, Tampa, FL 33602 for pretrial and post-conviction hearings.
Criminal Division Operations
The Criminal Division runs felony cases from arraignment to sentencing. Arraignments happen within days of the charge. Pretrial conferences settle motions and plea offers. Trial calendars run each week. Sentencing follows a guilty plea or trial verdict. Each step creates a public record in the clerk’s system.
Felony Court Judges and Calendars
Each felony case gets assigned to one judge for the full life of the case. You can see the assigned judge on the docket. The clerk also posts daily court calendars online. The calendar shows the time, the courtroom, the case number, and the parties. Anyone can attend felony hearings in person. Courtrooms are open to the public under Florida law.
Tampa Florida Felony Case Lookup Step by Step
You can run a Tampa Florida felony case lookup in a few short steps. The process works the same for residents, employers, and attorneys. Gather the person’s full name and date of birth before you start. These details speed up the search and reduce wrong matches.
Step 1: Pick the Right Search Source
Start with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court if you only need Tampa records. Use the FDLE tool if you need records from other Florida counties too. Contact the Tampa Police Department if you need an arrest report. Each source serves a different purpose.
Step 2: Enter the Search Details
Type the name in the search box. Add a date of birth if you have one. Click search and review the list of results. Click the matching case to see the docket. Read the docket for charges, dates, and outcomes.
Step 3: Review the Court File
Open the court file to see all documents. Read the charging document for the exact charges. Check the motion list for defense filings. Look at the final judgment for the outcome. Print or save the page for your records. A printed copy works for most personal use. A certified copy is needed for court filings.
Hillsborough County Felony Conviction Records
Conviction records are part of every felony file. A conviction means the person pleaded guilty or was found guilty at trial. The conviction record shows the exact charge, the statute number, the date of conviction, and the sentence. You can see the sentence type, such as state prison, county jail, probation, or fines.
How Conviction Records Get Created
A conviction record starts when the judge accepts a plea or reads a jury verdict. The clerk enters the judgment into the court system. The Florida Department of Corrections also receives the record if prison time is part of the sentence. The FDLE database pulls the conviction from the clerk’s file within days.
Who Uses Felony Conviction Records
Employers, landlords, and licensing boards use conviction records for background checks. Attorneys use them for case research. Journalists use them for reporting. Family members use them for personal reasons. All these users can run a search online through the clerk’s portal or the FDLE tool.
Tampa Felony Court Documents Search Methods
You can search Tampa felony court documents three ways. The fastest method is the online portal. The most thorough method is an in-person visit. The third method is a mailed request. Each method has its own cost and wait time.
Online Document Search
The Hillsborough County clerk’s portal hosts most open documents. You can view PDF files of motions, orders, and judgments. You do not need an account. You only need a working internet connection. Documents are free to view. A small fee applies for downloading or printing.
In-Person Document Request
Visit the clerk’s office at 601 East Kennedy Boulevard during business hours. Staff can pull files from the public archives. Bring a photo ID and case details. Older paper files may take time to locate. Same-day service is normal for current cases. Copies cost $1 per page.
Mail and Email Requests
You can also request records by mail. Send a written request with the case number, the names, and your contact details. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk mails the records back. Email requests work for simple document lookups. The clerk responds within a few business days.
Florida Felony Case Number Search Hillsborough
A Florida felony case number search is the fastest way to find a specific record. Each felony case has a unique number. The number never changes. You can use it on the clerk’s portal, the FDLE tool, and court calendars. The number follows the case through appeals and post-conviction motions.
Reading a Hillsborough Case Number
A Hillsborough County felony case number has four parts. The first two digits show the year. The middle letters show the case type. CF means criminal felony. The last six digits are the sequence. For example, 24-CF-001234 means a 2024 felony case, number 1234. A 25-CF-000987 means a 2025 case, number 987.
Where to Find a Case Number
You can find a case number on a court summons, an arrest report, a bond receipt, or an attorney letter. The clerk’s office can also help you find a case number if you know the name. Call the clerk at (813) 276-8100 for case number help. Staff answer calls during business hours.
Hillsborough County Public Felony Records Search Rules
Florida’s Sunshine Law makes most felony records public. The law appears in Florida Statute Chapter 119. It gives anyone the right to see and copy public records. The law covers arrest reports, court filings, and conviction data. Some records are exempt by law.
Records Open to the Public
Open records include arrest reports, charging documents, court orders, judgments, and sentencing papers. Public dockets, calendars, and case searches are also open. Bond amounts and pretrial release conditions appear in the file. Plea agreements and verdict forms are part of the public record.
Records Closed by Law
Some records are not open. Sealed records require a court order. Expunged records are destroyed. Juvenile records are not open to the public. Mental health records and certain victim identities are also closed. Active investigation files at the Tampa Police Department may be closed until the case ends.
Tampa Felony Record Request Form and Process
You can file a Tampa felony record request form for in-depth record checks. The form is on the Hillsborough County clerk’s website. The form asks for the name, date of birth, and case details. You can also list the documents you need. A staff member processes the request within a few business days.
Fees and Processing Times
Standard record requests cost $1 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $7 each. Document searches without a case number cost $2 per name per year. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Most requests finish within three to five business days. Complex requests may take longer.
Record Request Denial Appeals
If the clerk denies a record request, you can appeal. The appeal goes to the clerk’s supervisor. If the appeal fails, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General. The Attorney General’s Office handles open records disputes. Most disputes end with the records being released.
Common Misconceptions About Tampa Felony Records
Many people hold wrong ideas about felony records in Tampa. Clearing up these ideas helps you run a better search and use the results the right way.
Misdemeanor vs Felony Confusion
Some users search the clerk’s portal and see only misdemeanor cases. Felonies and misdemeanors are separate systems in Florida. A felony case number starts with CF. A misdemeanor case number starts with MM. Make sure you search the right system for the charge level you need.
Sealed vs Expunged Records
People often mix up sealed and expunged records. A sealed record still exists but only a judge can open it. An expunged record is destroyed. The clerk can confirm if a record is sealed. The clerk cannot find an expunged record because it no longer exists.
Arrest vs Conviction Confusion
An arrest is not a conviction. Many people charged with a felony are never convicted. The record shows the arrest, the charge, and the outcome. Always check the final disposition. A not guilty verdict means the person was arrested but never convicted.
Official Contact Information for Tampa Felony Record Searches
Use these official contacts to search Tampa City Felony Records. Each office handles a different part of the search process. Calling ahead saves time. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
Main Address: 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602. Phone: (813) 276-8100. Website: hillsclerk.com. The clerk’s office runs the online portal for all court felony records in Tampa. You can search dockets, view documents, and request certified copies through the clerk’s site.
Tampa Police Department Records
Main Address: 411 North Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Phone: (813) 276-3200. Website: tampa.gov/police. The police records section handles arrest reports and incident reports. You can ask for a copy of a police report by phone, online, or in person. Reports cost a small fee per page.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Headquarters Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Phone: (850) 410-7000. Website: fdle.state.fl.us. The FDLE runs the statewide criminal history search. Each search costs $24 plus a $1 processing fee. The search covers all Florida counties at once.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tampa City Felony Records
These questions cover the most common search issues for Tampa felony records. The answers give clear, factual data to help you run a search, read a docket, and use the results the right way. Each question below addresses a specific search need in Hillsborough County court records.
How Do I Find Felony Records in Tampa for Free?
You can search felony records for free on the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court website. The site is called hillsclerk.com. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Viewing the docket and basic case data is free. Printed copies, certified copies, and detailed document searches cost a small fee per page. The online portal works 24 hours a day from any device with internet access.
Can I See a Tampa Felony Case Number Without a Lawyer?
Yes. You can call the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court at (813) 276-8100 and ask for a case number search. Staff can look up a case number if you give them the full name and date of birth. You can also visit the clerk’s office in person with a photo ID. The clerk will help you find the case number and pull up the docket. No attorney is needed for a public record search.
Are Sealed Felony Records Open in Tampa?
No. Sealed felony records are not open to the public in Tampa. Only a judge can order a sealed record opened. The person named in the case, their attorney, and certain law enforcement officers can ask the court to open the file. Once a record is sealed, it does not show up in any public search. You cannot get a sealed record from the clerk, the police, or the FDLE.
What Is the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor in Tampa?
A felony in Tampa is a crime that can lead to more than one year in state prison. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime that leads to up to one year in county jail. The Florida Statutes list each crime and its level. Felony cases go through the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa. Misdemeanor cases go through the Hillsborough County Court. The two courts have separate dockets and case numbers.
How Long Does a Tampa Felony Case Stay on the Record?
A felony case stays on the public record forever unless a court orders it sealed or expunged. Florida law allows some felonies to be sealed or expunged under Florida Statute 943.059. A person must file a petition with the court and meet the legal standards. If the court grants the petition, the record is sealed or destroyed. The standard public record search only shows records that are still open.
Can I Run a Tampa Felony Search on a Phone?
Yes. The Hillsborough County clerk’s online portal works on phones, tablets, and computers. You do not need to download an app. Open the site in your phone browser. Type the name or case number in the search box. The portal shows the docket and documents. You can view PDFs of open court papers right on your phone. A phone search works the same as a computer search.
What Charges Count as Felonies in Tampa?
Florida law lists dozens of felony charges. Common Tampa felonies include drug trafficking, burglary of a dwelling, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, robbery, carjacking, fraud over $20,000, grand theft, and DUI causing serious injury. Florida also lists some crimes as capital or life felonies. The clerk’s docket shows the exact charge and the statute number for each case. Each felony level carries its own maximum prison sentence.
Entity Expansion and Future Authority Topics
These topics build further authority on Tampa felony records and related court search issues in Hillsborough County. Adding any of these can improve topical depth and search coverage.
- How to read a Hillsborough County felony docket entry line by line
- Bond and pretrial release conditions in Tampa felony cases
- Florida felony expungement and sealing petition process in 2026
- Plea bargain rates and outcomes for Tampa felony defendants
- Sentencing guidelines and score sheets in Florida felony cases
- How to challenge an inaccurate felony record in Hillsborough County
- Public defender vs private attorney for Tampa felony cases
- Felony appeal process from 13th Circuit Court to Florida District Court of Appeal
- How to remove a Hillsborough County felony record from background check sites
- Differences between Florida felony statutes in 2024, 2025, and 2026
- Victim rights and access to felony case files in Hillsborough County
- How to attend a Tampa felony court hearing in person