Arrest records are public documents in Hillsborough County, Florida, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Act. This legislation establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for public inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access to public records.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and other law enforcement agencies within the county. These records are maintained as part of the county's commitment to transparency in governmental operations and to facilitate public oversight of law enforcement activities.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in specific circumstances as outlined in § 119.071, Florida Statutes, including:
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 2008 E. 8th Avenue Tampa, FL 33605 (813) 247-8000 HCSO Official Website
Hillsborough County provides comprehensive online access to arrest records through several official digital platforms. The HCSO Arrest Inquiry system serves as the primary online resource for accessing arrest information. This database is maintained pursuant to § 119.01(2)(f), Florida Statutes, which encourages agencies to provide remote electronic access to public records.
The online system allows users to search for arrest records using various criteria, including:
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court also maintains the Official Records Search portal, which includes court records related to criminal cases that may contain information about arrests.
Online access is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, subject to occasional maintenance periods. The information is updated regularly in accordance with § 119.021, which requires public agencies to maintain records in a manner that allows for efficient and timely retrieval.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court George E. Edgecomb Courthouse 800 E. Twiggs Street Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 276-8100 Hillsborough County Clerk Official Website
Multiple methods are available for accessing Hillsborough County arrest records in 2025, as prescribed by Florida's public records laws. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:
Online Access: The HCSO Arrest Inquiry system provides the most expedient method for searching arrest records. Users may conduct searches without creating an account, though certain detailed information may require additional verification.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Records Section of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to submit requests for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and fees may apply in accordance with § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes.
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to the Records Section. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought and appropriate payment for any applicable fees.
Court Records: The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains records of court proceedings related to arrests, which may be accessed through their public terminals or online system.
Third-Party Aggregators: Commercial services compile public records from various sources. Users should note that these services may not always contain the most current information and may charge additional fees.
Standard processing times for arrest record requests vary based on the method of request and the volume of requests being processed. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, and may include a charge per page for physical copies or a service charge for extensive use of agency resources.
Records Section - Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 2008 E. 8th Avenue Tampa, FL 33605 (813) 247-8210 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hillsborough County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Florida Statute § 119.021(2), which requires public agencies to maintain records in a manner that allows for efficient and timely retrieval. A typical arrest record in Hillsborough County includes the following components:
The level of detail provided in publicly accessible records may vary based on applicable exemptions under § 119.071, Florida Statutes. Certain information may be redacted from public view, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifying information.
Arrest records are maintained in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 257, Florida Statutes.
The expungement and sealing of arrest records in Hillsborough County is governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059. These statutes establish specific criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access. Individuals may be eligible for expungement or sealing if their case meets certain statutory requirements.
Eligibility criteria for expungement generally include:
The process for expungement in Hillsborough County requires:
Upon court approval of an expungement petition, the clerk will provide certified copies of the court order to all relevant agencies. These agencies are then required to remove the record from public access, though certain government entities may retain access to sealed or expunged records for specific purposes as outlined in § 943.0585(4) and § 943.059(4), Florida Statutes.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Expunge/Seal Section P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 (850) 410-8109 FDLE Official Website
State Attorney's Office - 13th Judicial Circuit 419 N. Pierce Street Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 272-5400 State Attorney's Office Official Website