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Tampa Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Tampa, Florida?

Arrest records in Tampa, Florida are public documents 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 inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Constitution and the Public Records Act create a right of access to records in the custody of public agencies, including those pertaining to arrests made by the Tampa Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within Tampa jurisdiction.

The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Ensures accountability of public officials
Facilitates public oversight of the criminal justice system
Provides citizens with information about potential public safety concerns

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida Statutes § 119.071, particularly for active criminal investigations, juvenile records, and cases where disclosure might compromise victim safety. However, the majority of adult arrest records remain accessible to the public through various official channels.

How to Look Up Tampa Arrest Records in 2025

The Tampa Police Department maintains comprehensive arrest records that members of the public may access through several official channels. Individuals seeking arrest information have multiple options available, each with specific procedures and requirements as established by municipal ordinance and state law.

In-Person Requests

Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Tampa Police Department Records Section in person:

Tampa Police Department Records Section
411 N. Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 276-3200
Police Records and Online Reporting
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Required documentation for in-person requests includes:

Government-issued photo identification
Completed records request form (available on-site)
Payment of applicable fees as outlined in the Records Section Services and Fees

Online Access Options

The Tampa Police Department offers digital access to certain arrest records through its official online portal. Users may search for arrest information using:

Name of arrested individual
Date range of arrest
Case number (if known)
Location of arrest

Digital requests are processed according to the same statutory guidelines as in-person requests, with applicable fees payable through secure online payment systems.

County Clerk Records

Comprehensive arrest records are also maintained by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court:

Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court
George E. Edgecomb Courthouse
800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 276-8100
County Public Records Search
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contents of a Tampa Arrest Record

Tampa arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statutes § 119.021 regarding records management and Florida Administrative Code Rule 1B-24.003(1)(b) for public records retention. These documents typically include comprehensive details about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody.

Standard information contained in Tampa arrest records includes:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Arrest event details:
- Date, time, and specific location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed, including Florida Statute citations
- Narrative description of the alleged criminal activity
- Booking number and facility information
Case processing information:
- Court case number (when assigned)
- Bond or bail amount established
- Initial appearance date
- Detention status
Photographic documentation:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Images of evidence (when applicable and not exempt)

The Tampa Police Department maintains these records in accordance with the City of Tampa Ethics Code and departmental policies governing records management and public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Tampa

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 (expungement) and § 943.059 (sealing) and requires compliance with strict statutory criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

Individuals may petition for expungement of Tampa arrest records if:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
Charges were dismissed or nolle prossed
The individual was acquitted or found not guilty
The case was dismissed by the court
The individual successfully completed a pretrial diversion program

Certain criminal offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including:

Sexual offenses
Violent felonies
Offenses involving minors
Domestic violence cases

Application Process

The expungement process involves multiple governmental agencies and requires:

Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Petition filed with the court of original jurisdiction
Supporting documentation including:
- Certified disposition of the case
- Completed application forms
- Fingerprint card processed by law enforcement
- Payment of all required fees

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an arrest record is expunged pursuant to Florida law:

The physical record is destroyed by all criminal justice agencies
The arrest is deemed not to have occurred
The individual may lawfully deny the arrest in most circumstances
The record becomes confidential and exempt from public records disclosure

Exceptions exist for certain licensing agencies, criminal justice employment, and subsequent criminal proceedings as specified in Florida Statutes § 943.0585(4).

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While Tampa arrest records are generally public, Florida law establishes specific exemptions and confidentiality provisions that limit access to certain records. These restrictions are codified in various sections of Florida Statutes and are strictly enforced by the Tampa Police Department and other custodians of public records.

Protected categories of arrest information include:

Juvenile arrest records (with limited exceptions)
Records related to active criminal intelligence or investigations
Information that would reveal the identity of victims of sexual offenses
Personal identifying information of law enforcement personnel
Records sealed or expunged pursuant to court order

The Tampa Police Department has implemented comprehensive Crime Prevention programs and the S.A.F.E. Program to address public safety concerns while balancing privacy interests and public information access.