Criminal records in Hillsborough County, Florida, are generally accessible to the public under the state's broad public records laws. HillsboroughCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for this county. Additional access points include the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court's online systems, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Each source covers different types of records, from arrest logs to full case dockets.
How to Search Criminal Records in Hillsborough
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Hillsborough County. What you need to begin depends on the search method, but having a full legal name, date of birth, or case number will produce the most accurate results.
Online Search Options
- HillsboroughCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Hillsborough County.
- Clerk of Court HOVER Portal — The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller operates this electronic viewing system, authorized by the Florida Supreme Court, for searching circuit and county court case records. You can look up criminal cases by name or case number.
- HCSO Arrest Inquiry — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office maintains a public database of current jail inmates and recent arrests. Results include charges, bond amounts, and booking photos. An arrest listed here does not indicate a conviction.
- FDLE Criminal History Records — For statewide criminal history information, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides background check services and criminal history record requests.
- Florida Department of Corrections — Search for individuals currently or previously in state prison, on probation, or on parole.
- PACER — Federal criminal cases handled by the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (which serves Hillsborough County) can be searched through the federal PACER system.
In Person
Visit the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court's office at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. Public access terminals are available for searching court records during business hours. The James J. Lunsford Law Library also provides resources for legal research.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written public records request to the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). For statewide criminal history reports, contact FDLE directly at (850) 410-8109 or submit a request through their website.
Information Needed to Search
- Full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- Booking number (for jail/arrest inquiries)
Search Hillsborough Criminal Cases by Case Number
Florida courts use a standardized case number format. In Hillsborough County (part of the 13th Judicial Circuit), a typical case number looks like this:
Example: 13-CF-012345
- 13 — The judicial circuit number (Hillsborough County is in the 13th Circuit)
- CF — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Circuit Court felony
- MM — County Court misdemeanor
- CT — Circuit Court criminal traffic
- MO — County Court criminal traffic/ordinance violation
- 012345 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk
A two-digit year prefix may also appear before the case type code (e.g., 24-CF-012345 for a 2024 felony filing). Enter the full case number into the Clerk's HOVER portal to pull up charges, hearing dates, docket entries, and disposition information.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Hillsborough
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Florida Statute section cited (e.g., § 893.13 for drug offenses) |
| Charge Description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony (capital, life, 1st–3rd degree), misdemeanor (1st or 2nd degree), or noncriminal infraction |
| Amended Charges | The State Attorney may amend charges up or down; the docket will reflect any changes |
| Count Number | Multiple charges in one case are listed as separate counts |
Case Status
- Pending/Open — Case is active and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing (hearings, motions, trial scheduled)
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled; case is administratively closed
- Reopened — A previously closed case has been reopened for further proceedings
Hearing Types
- First Appearance — Initial hearing after arrest, usually within 24 hours; bond is set
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Status hearing to discuss plea negotiations, discovery, and trial readiness
- Motion Hearing — Arguments on specific legal motions (suppress evidence, dismiss charges, etc.)
- Trial — Bench or jury trial
- Sentencing — Court imposes sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Violation of Probation (VOP) Hearing — Hearing on alleged probation violations
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted of the charge
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charge; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Nolle Prosequi / Dismissed — State drops the charge; no conviction
- Adjudication Withheld — Court withholds a formal conviction, often paired with probation; the defendant is not formally adjudicated guilty
- Acquitted — Found not guilty
- Transferred — Case moved to another jurisdiction or division
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Hillsborough
From the Clerk of Court
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is the official custodian of court records for the 13th Judicial Circuit. Certified copies of criminal case documents — including judgments, sentences, and docket sheets — can be obtained from this office.
How to request:
- Online — Use the Clerk's court records search to identify the case, then contact the office to order certified copies.
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request with the case number, defendant's name, the specific documents needed, and a check or money order for fees.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
From FDLE (Statewide Criminal History)
For a comprehensive Florida criminal history report, submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE processes both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. Fingerprint submissions are required for certain employment and licensing purposes.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID)
- If requesting someone else's record, no special authorization is needed for public court records under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes — though sealed or expunged records are exempt from public disclosure
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Hillsborough
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 | Hillsborough County Clerk fee schedule |
| Certification fee (per document) | $2.00 (in addition to copy fees) | Hillsborough County Clerk fee schedule |
| FDLE name-based criminal history check | $24.00 | FDLE fee schedule; submitted online or by mail |
| FDLE fingerprint-based background check | $24.00+ | May include additional processing/livescan fees |
| HOVER online court record viewing | Free | Electronic viewing at no cost; printing/certified copies have separate fees |
| HCSO Arrest Inquiry search | Free | Online search of current inmates and recent arrests |
Processing Times
- Online searches — Immediate results for the Clerk's HOVER portal and HCSO Arrest Inquiry
- In-person certified copies — Typically available same day or within 1–2 business days
- Mail requests (Clerk) — Allow 5–10 business days after receipt of the request and payment
- FDLE name-based checks — Usually processed within 1–3 business days when submitted online
- FDLE fingerprint-based checks — May take 5–15 business days depending on submission method and processing volume
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court or FDLE before submitting payment.