Hillsborough, Florida Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

Where Can I Search Hillsborough County Criminal Records Online?

Choose the official agency based on whether you need a criminal court docket, an arrest report, an inmate booking or a statewide criminal-history report.

How to Search Hillsborough County Criminal Court Records for Free Using HOVER

HOVER stands for Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records. The Hillsborough Clerk operates this system with electronic-access authorization from the Florida Supreme Court.

The portal provides public case indexes, docket histories and available nonconfidential document images. You can use its ordinary anonymous public-access features without registering.

Search Hillsborough criminal cases by a person’s name

1. Open the official HOVER homepage. Use hover.hillsclerk.com/html/home.html in a supported web browser.
2. Choose the party-name search option. The portal offers a Party or Business Name search for identifying available cases involving a person.
3. Enter the person’s legal name. Use the last name and first name as accurately as possible. Additional search criteria can help narrow common names.
4. Apply criminal court filters. Use the Court Type or Case Type options to narrow results to Circuit Criminal Felony, County Criminal Misdemeanor or criminal traffic records.
5. Run the search. Review the returned case numbers and filing information.
6. Compare matching records. Check available names, dates, court types and other case details to avoid confusing people with similar names.
7. Open the correct case. Review the case summary and available docket or progress entries.
8. Inspect case events and judgments. Look for charges, filed documents, hearing dates, court decisions and final dispositions.
9. View available public document images. Open nonconfidential PDFs or document images where the portal provides them.
10. Save or print the record. Available uncertified court documents can be viewed and printed without a copying charge. Request certification separately when necessary.

Other ways to search HOVER

The Clerk provides multiple search methods, including:

What information appears in a Hillsborough criminal case?

The information varies by court record and confidentiality status, but public cases may display:

• Case number and filing date
• Defendant and other case participants
• Felony or misdemeanor case classification
• Criminal charges and amendments
• Arraignment and other hearing events
• Prosecution filings and motions
• Public court orders and judgments
• Plea and trial results
• Sentencing and probation information
• Financial assessments when recorded

Do you need a HOVER account?

No account is generally required for ordinary anonymous access to public, nonconfidential case indexes, dockets and redacted document images.

The Clerk also offers registration for attorneys of record, self-represented parties and certain other authorized users. Their document access can differ from what a member of the public sees.

Hillsborough County Felony vs. Misdemeanor Criminal Records

Hillsborough County is part of Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court and County Court handle different criminal matters.

Both kinds of court records are maintained by the Hillsborough Clerk of Court & Comptroller, but you should choose the correct case category when searching HOVER.

Which court handles a Hillsborough felony arrest?

When a person is arrested on a felony allegation, the Hillsborough Clerk receives initial arrest paperwork from the jail and prepares the court file.

The case information is forwarded to the Office of the State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.

The prosecutor then reviews whether formal felony charges will be filed.

This distinction matters because a person can appear in an arrest or initial court record before a prosecutor has filed formal charges.

What about Tampa and Plant City misdemeanors?

County Court handles misdemeanor prosecutions within Hillsborough County, including qualifying cases filed at the Tampa and Plant City courthouse locations.

If you know where a case originated, use that information to narrow the relevant courthouse and case records.

For example, a criminal case originating in eastern Hillsborough County may have proceedings associated with Plant City rather than downtown Tampa.

However, courthouse assignment depends on judicial administration and the actual case, not merely the defendant’s home address.

Is a criminal traffic case the same as a civil traffic ticket?

No. Florida distinguishes criminal traffic allegations from civil traffic infractions.

Examples of potentially criminal traffic offenses include driving under the influence and certain license-related or reckless-driving offenses.

A civil traffic citation may have a separate payment or hearing process without constituting a criminal conviction.

Use the citation number and correct case type to avoid mixing the two.

How to Read Hillsborough County Criminal Dockets and Case Numbers

A criminal docket is the court’s record of case events. It provides a timeline of proceedings, but the meaning of each event must be considered carefully.

Common Hillsborough criminal case-number codes

A complete Florida case number may include the filing year, county code, case-type letters, sequence number and other identifiers.

Use the number printed on the original court document rather than constructing one from an assumed format.

What do criminal docket events mean?

Is adjudication withheld the same as having no criminal record?

No. A Florida court may withhold adjudication under certain legal circumstances, but the underlying arrest, prosecution, plea and disposition can remain part of publicly accessible criminal-history information unless another law restricts access.

The effect of a withheld adjudication differs depending on the law and the purpose of the inquiry.

For example, eligibility for Florida record sealing is governed by separate statutory rules.

Hillsborough County Criminal Courthouse Locations and Contacts

The Clerk provides criminal court customer-service options in Tampa, Plant City and Brandon.

For physical court records, certified documents or archived case-file inspection, confirm which location can handle your request before visiting.

Do all criminal court records have to be requested in Tampa?

No. The Clerk specifically lists Tampa and Plant City as locations where authorized visitors can view or pick up criminal case files.

However, the file’s format and location matter. Some electronic records can be viewed through HOVER, while older paper files may have to be retrieved before an in-person visit.

The Clerk recommends preordering some case files to allow staff time for retrieval and any necessary redactions.

How to Get Certified Hillsborough County Criminal Court Records

If you need an official criminal judgment, dismissal order, plea record or other court document for a legal or administrative purpose, the Hillsborough Clerk offers certified document services.

Its eCertify service provides electronic certification for many eligible court documents.

Available uncertified documents can be viewed and printed through HOVER at no charge.

How to order a certified criminal disposition

1. Find the criminal case in HOVER. Record its complete case number and court type.
2. Identify the relevant final disposition. Determine whether you need a judgment of conviction, dismissal, not-guilty ruling, withheld adjudication or sentencing order.
3. Check whether the document is available electronically. The HOVER case record may include a public judgment or order image.
4. Use eCertify when available. Choose the eligible document and follow the Clerk’s electronic certification workflow.
5. Provide your contact details. Electronically certified documents are delivered using the email address supplied during purchase.
6. Review the total price. The system may include copying charges, certification and a separate electronic service fee.
7. Complete payment. Use the authorized payment method and keep the confirmation.
8. Download the certified document. Save the delivered electronic file. Avoid modifying the certified PDF.
9. Verify the certificate when needed. Use the Clerk’s electronic document validation option if a recipient needs authentication.

Can you get a paper copy instead?

Yes. The Clerk has a separate Obtaining Copies of Court Documents request form for documents that are not imaged or otherwise available for viewing online.

Provide the case number, case style, document name and filing date when known.

The Clerk will determine the required copy cost and contact you through the selected method.

How to inspect an older paper criminal case file

The Clerk’s HOVER guidance explains that some electronic and paper case files may be viewed at Tampa and Plant City courthouse locations.

When a paper file needs to be retrieved, the Clerk advises allowing approximately four business days for certain requests requiring redaction.

Preordered paper files may be held for ten business days after they are received.

Hillsborough County Criminal Records Fees in 2026

Hillsborough County court searches, Sheriff’s arrest inquiries and FDLE statewide history searches have different costs.

Does eCertify cost more than an ordinary court copy?

It can. Hillsborough’s electronic certification system includes service charges in addition to underlying page-copy and court certification fees.

Review the actual eCertify shopping cart before submitting payment rather than assuming the ordinary $2 certification fee represents the entire electronic order.

Are these fees the same as Official Records fees?

Not necessarily. The Clerk maintains separate systems and schedules for court files and officially recorded documents.

A criminal court record request should be priced under the applicable court-record process rather than assuming all Official Records charges are interchangeable.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Records and Booking Search

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) operates an official Arrest Inquiry database.

The system contains information on available adult arrests, booking records and people currently held in jail.

It can include charges, bond amounts, booking photographs and release information.

How to search Hillsborough County arrest records

1. Open the HCSO Arrest Inquiry website. Use the Sheriff’s official arrest-search application.
2. Review the public notice. The Sheriff explains the coverage, update frequency and records-access restrictions.
3. Search by the person’s name. Enter the available first and last name details.
4. Use additional filters if necessary. The interface offers booking number, dates and other available identifying criteria.
5. Select current inmates only if needed. Use this filter when you specifically want people currently in custody.
6. Include arrest details. Enable the available arrest-details option when searching for associated charges or booking information.
7. Review possible matches. Compare names, booking dates and other relevant details.
8. Open the arrest entry. Examine the publicly displayed charges, bond information and custody status.
9. Find the criminal court case separately. Use HOVER for the final prosecution or disposition, because an arrest entry is not a conviction judgment.

How far back do Hillsborough arrest records go?

HCSO states that its online Arrest Inquiry includes adult arrests dating back to January 1, 1995, where the Sheriff’s Office has an electronic record.

This does not mean every arrest since that date is permanently displayed in the ordinary public search results.

How frequently does HCSO update its arrest database?

The Sheriff reports that arrest information is updated every 30 minutes after data is entered into its jail management system.

However, the public search has two important rules for recent and historical records.

Can you search an old Hillsborough arrest from 2005 or 2015?

The Sheriff’s database has electronic arrest coverage dating to 1995, but ordinary public entries are subject to its visibility limits.

When a record no longer appears online, ask HCSO how to request a historical arrest or booking report that remains legally available.

You can also check HOVER for a related criminal court case.

Does Hillsborough Arrest Inquiry show all Tampa Police arrests?

It may include arrests entered into the county jail management system, including individuals brought to the jail by other law-enforcement agencies.

However, the database should not be treated as a complete archive of every Tampa Police incident or arrest, including events that never produced an HCSO booking record.

For a specific Tampa Police report, contact Tampa Police separately.

How to Request Hillsborough County Police Reports and Arrest Documents

Police records are maintained by the agency responsible for the incident, not automatically by the court clerk.

In Hillsborough County, the correct agency may be HCSO, Tampa Police, Plant City Police, Temple Terrace Police or another agency with jurisdiction.

1. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office records

The Sheriff’s Office accepts public-records requests for qualifying incident reports, arrest documentation and other law-enforcement records.

The office provides a records-request service through its public website.

How to make an HCSO police record request

1. Open the Sheriff’s official website and locate Records and Reports Request.
2. Identify the specific report or incident.
3. Provide the approximate date, location and record number if known.
4. Explain which documents you need.
5. Submit using the Sheriff’s accepted request method.
6. Review any request for clarification or applicable fee estimate.
7. Receive the releasable records under Florida law.

2. City of Tampa Police Department arrest reports

The Tampa Police Department operates a separate police-records process.

Its website distinguishes incident reports, arrest name searches, crash reports, body-worn camera recordings and other records.

3. Plant City and Temple Terrace police records

Some communities within Hillsborough County have separate police departments and records custodians.

If the incident occurred inside Plant City or Temple Terrace, determine which department actually investigated it.

Hillsborough County Jail Inmate Records and Florida Prison Searches

HCSO Arrest Inquiry is the primary official starting point for available county jail booking and inmate information.

The county jail system and Florida state prison system are separate.

Hillsborough County jail

HCSO maintains local detention facilities, including the Orient Road Jail.

The inmate search may show current charges, custody status, booking number and bond amounts.

However, bond amounts and detention status can change. Contact the custodial authority or relevant court when current information is essential.

Florida Department of Corrections inmate search

If a person was transferred or sentenced to a Florida state correctional institution, use the Department of Corrections’ inmate population search.

A state prison record is not necessarily included in the Hillsborough County jail’s current inmate listing.

How to connect an inmate record with a criminal case

1. Find the individual in HCSO Arrest Inquiry or the Florida DOC system.
2. Record the available name, booking number or custody identifier.
3. Identify the related criminal charges and filing county.
4. Search the court’s criminal docket through HOVER when Hillsborough County handled the case.
5. Review the final sentencing order or other disposition.
6. Verify any current custody information with the responsible correctional agency.

Florida FDLE Criminal History Search for Hillsborough County Residents

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains the state’s central criminal-history repository.

Unlike HOVER, which searches Hillsborough court proceedings, FDLE’s public criminal-history service can search reportable Florida criminal-history information across the state.

How to search a Florida criminal history using FDLE

1. Open the FDLE criminal-history website. Select the public Florida criminal-history search option.
2. Choose the correct search product. Use Instant Search for an immediate noncertified result or the certified/noncertified staff-processed option when appropriate.
3. Enter identifying information. Provide the requested name and demographic details accurately.
4. Review the search fee. The public instant search costs $24 plus a $1 credit-card transaction fee.
5. Submit payment. Use the approved debit or credit card method.
6. Review the returned result. Compare the identifying information and reported criminal-history entries.
7. Save the available report. Instant-search results may be printed or emailed.
8. Verify consequential entries. For a court judgment or dismissal, obtain the underlying court record from the filing county.

FDLE instant versus certified criminal-history reports

Does FDLE include federal or out-of-state arrests?

The ordinary public FDLE Florida criminal-history check is a Florida state search, not a complete nationwide FBI criminal-history report.

For a federal court case, use the appropriate federal court system. For a fingerprint-based national record review, use the FBI’s Identity History Summary service when appropriate.

Does FDLE show arrests that did not lead to convictions?

Florida criminal-history information can include reportable arrests and their dispositions, subject to statutory disclosure rules and record accuracy.

A public criminal-history report is not equivalent to a criminal conviction list.

Pay particular attention to whether an arrest resulted in dismissal, acquittal, withheld adjudication or conviction.

How to Check Your Own Florida Criminal Record for Free

FDLE offers a separate Personal Review process under Florida Statute 943.056.

This process allows individuals to review their own Florida criminal-history information and challenge inaccuracies.

FDLE does not charge a fee for Personal Review. However, the law-enforcement or criminal justice agency taking your fingerprints may charge for fingerprinting.

How to request your own Florida criminal record

1. Open the FDLE Personal Review page. Read the official eligibility, identification and mailing instructions.
2. Download the Personal Review application. Use the form supplied through FDLE’s official website.
3. Complete the personal information. Provide the required identifying information and signature.
4. Have your fingerprints taken. The state requires fingerprints taken by an authorized law-enforcement or criminal justice agency.
5. Include the fingerprint card. Follow FDLE instructions for the applicant’s fingerprints and completed form.
6. Mail the packet to FDLE. Use the Criminal History Record Maintenance Section mailing address.
7. Review the returned criminal-history information. Check the reported arrests, dispositions and any potential errors.
8. Challenge inaccuracies if necessary. Contact the appropriate FDLE unit with supporting documentation.

Can you use a free Personal Review report for employment?

No. FDLE explains that Personal Review reports are not intended for employment, immigration, licensing or certification purposes.

If an institution requires a certified criminal-history report, follow its designated FDLE process rather than ordering the free personal review.

How to Seal or Expunge Hillsborough County Criminal Records

Florida allows certain qualifying criminal-history records to be sealed or expunged under specific statutory procedures.

For the ordinary court-ordered process under Florida Statutes 943.0585 and 943.059, an applicant generally must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE.

Hillsborough County’s Clerk has an Expungement and Sealing Unit (ESU) that assists with the local administrative process and publishes application forms.

Sealing versus expungement in Florida

Steps to seal or expunge a Hillsborough County criminal case

1. Locate your criminal court record. Use HOVER to find the relevant felony or misdemeanor case number and final disposition.
2. Check whether you qualify. Review the Florida sealing and expungement statutes and FDLE’s eligibility instructions. Eligibility depends on several factors, including the disposition and past record-clearing history.
3. Obtain a certified criminal disposition. FDLE’s application process requires applicable court and prosecutorial documentation. Hillsborough’s Clerk provides certified disposition copies.
4. Download the FDLE Certificate of Eligibility application. Complete the form and arrange the required fingerprints through an authorized agency.
5. Prepare the $75 FDLE fee. Submit the nonrefundable fee using an acceptable check or money order payable to FDLE, as instructed.
6. Complete prosecutor certification where required. Follow the statute and FDLE form instructions for the particular sealing or expungement request.
7. Submit the FDLE application packet. The Department reviews the request and determines statutory eligibility.
8. Receive the Certificate of Eligibility. Keep the original certificate and prepare the Hillsborough court filing forms.
9. Complete the local petition and sworn statement. Use the Hillsborough Clerk’s Petition to Seal/Expunge packet and proposed order.
10. Check all outstanding court costs. The Clerk’s local instructions require applicable costs, fines and fees to be addressed before the petition is considered.
11. File through the Clerk’s Expungement and Sealing Unit. Submit the original certificate, signed forms and the required local processing payment using the accepted method.
12. Send the required copies. The Clerk instructs applicants to provide a complete petition copy to the State Attorney’s Office and arresting agency.
13. Obtain the court’s decision. FDLE eligibility certification alone does not guarantee a judge will grant sealing or expungement.
14. Retain the signed final order. If the petition is granted, keep a secure copy and confirm that the required agencies process it.

How much does expungement cost in Hillsborough County?

Two verified government processing charges are especially important:

These fees do not necessarily include fingerprint collection, certified documents, additional court financial obligations or legal representation.

How long does FDLE sealing eligibility take?

FDLE currently states that Certificate of Eligibility processing typically takes approximately 12 weeks after receiving a completed packet.

The agency reviews applications in the order received and does not expedite them.

The court petition and final record implementation are separate stages after FDLE eligibility review.

Hillsborough Clerk Expungement and Sealing Unit contact

Does expungement remove your arrest from private websites?

Not automatically.

The Hillsborough Clerk specifically warns that expunging a criminal record from its public records does not necessarily remove copies already held by private third-party databases.

Those sites may require separate correction or removal requests, and consumer reporting laws may impose additional obligations on covered background-screening companies.

Hillsborough Criminal Record Search Troubleshooting

If you cannot find a criminal case or arrest, the problem may be related to the court category, the person’s name, record confidentiality or the timing of an arrest entry.

HOVER technical issues

The Clerk recommends trying basic browser troubleshooting, including clearing the browser cache, when HOVER is not functioning properly.

The HOVER FAQ identifies Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge as supported browser options, subject to current requirements.

The system can reset after a period of inactivity.

For assistance with HOVER registration or use, the Clerk lists 813-307-7180.

How do I correct an inaccurate Hillsborough court record?

Contact the Clerk responsible for the criminal case and provide the complete case number, the disputed entry and supporting documents.

For an incorrect statewide criminal-history entry, follow FDLE’s official Personal Review and challenge procedure.

Do not assume that modifying an arrest report automatically changes the formal court judgment or statewide criminal-history repository.

What if a court hearing date is wrong?

Search the available court calendar or case events through HOVER, but confirm any urgent hearing information with your attorney or the responsible court.

Do not assume a scheduled criminal appearance has been canceled merely because it temporarily disappears from an online calendar.

Other Official Hillsborough and Florida Criminal Records Resources

Do Florida appellate courts use HOVER?

HOVER primarily provides Hillsborough Circuit and County Court records.

Appeals may proceed through Florida’s District Courts of Appeal or Supreme Court under the applicable jurisdictional rules.

The Florida Appellate Courts Information System (ACIS) provides official appellate case information.

When reviewing a conviction that was appealed, examine the later appellate decision along with the original Hillsborough trial court judgment.

Official Hillsborough County Criminal Records Sources and Government Links

The following sources provide direct access to the criminal case search, records offices, arrest reports, background checks and sealing procedures discussed in this article.

Hillsborough court cases and records

• Hillsborough Clerk — HOVER Public Court Records Search
• HOVER — Official Search and Access FAQs
• HOVER — Anonymous, Registered and Authorized Access
• Hillsborough Clerk — Circuit Criminal Felony Records
• Hillsborough Clerk — County Criminal Misdemeanor Records
• Hillsborough Clerk — Request Criminal Court Document Copies
• Hillsborough Clerk — Court Records, eCertify and Reports
• Hillsborough Clerk — Courthouse Locations and Hours
• Hillsborough Clerk — Criminal Case Index and Self-Service Resources
• Hillsborough Clerk — Public Records Request Information
• Thirteenth Judicial Circuit — Hillsborough County Courts

Arrest, police and correctional records

• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office — Official Arrest Inquiry
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office — Records Requests and Contact
• Tampa Police Department — Public Records and Online Requests
• Tampa Police Department — Arrest Search and Incident Report Fees
• Hillsborough County — Public Records Custodian Guidance
• Hillsborough County — Police Agency and 911 Records Contacts
• Florida Department of Corrections — Inmate Population Search
• FDLE — Official Florida Sexual Offender and Predator Registry

FDLE background checks and record clearing

• FDLE — Florida State Criminal History Checks and Fees
• FDLE — Instant Florida Criminal History Search
• FDLE — Free Personal Criminal History Review
• FDLE — Seal and Expunge Process
• FDLE — $75 Certificate of Eligibility Requirements
• FDLE — Sealing and Expungement Eligibility FAQs
• Hillsborough Clerk — Expungement and Sealing Unit Procedures and Fees
• Hillsborough Clerk — Petition to Seal or Expunge Forms
• Florida Statute 943.0585 — Court-Ordered Expungement
• Florida Statute 943.059 — Court-Ordered Sealing
• Florida Courts — Appellate Case Information System
• PACER — Federal Criminal Court Case Search