Tampa Arrest Records

In Tampa, law enforcement officers can make an arrest when directed by an arrest warrant or without a warrant if permitted by Florida Law. According to Florida Statutes § 901.15, a law enforcement officer can arrest an individual without a warrant for committing a felony or misdemeanor or violating a municipal or county ordinance in their presence. The statute also states that a law enforcement officer can arrest an individual without a warrant when there is reasonable suspicion that the individual has committed a felony.

Most arrests in Tampa are made by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Following an arrest, the arresting agency typically creates and maintains an arrest record to document pertinent aspects of the incident. Furthermore, the arrestee may be booked in the Hillsborough County jail when required by law. Generally, criminal justice agencies use data found in arrest records in different capacities, including being featured in prosecutor dockets and statewide criminal history records compiled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Tampa arrest data are also included in the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Jail Management System, also known as the Hillsborough County arrest records database.

Are Tampa Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Florida Public Record Law, codified in Florida Statutes Chapter 119, states that all state, county, and municipal records, including arrest records, are open to the public for inspection and copying. However, Florida Statutes § 119.071 and other relevant state and federal laws exempt certain documents and information from being publicly accessible. These include, but are not limited to:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Sealed or expunged records
• Information regarding an active criminal investigation
• An arrestee's confession before the final judgment of their case
• Records that expose a confidential informant or source's identity

Tampa Crime Rate

Tampa experienced an 11.69% decrease in reported crime over the past two years (2023 and 2024), suggesting a potential continuing downward trend. According to the Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBRS), 21,611 offenses were recorded in Tampa in 2024. FIBRS categorizes these offenses into three groups: violent crimes (1,866), property crimes (6,113), and other crimes (13,632). Crimes with the highest number of incidents grouped in each category are detailed below:

Other crimes: simple assault (5,516), drug offenses (3,249), and destruction/damage/vandalism (1,704)

Property crimes: larceny-all other (1,900), larceny-motor vehicle (1,168), and larceny-shoplifting (963)

Violent crimes: aggravated assault (1,385), robbery (239), and forcible sex offenses (206)

Find Tampa Arrest Records

Interested persons can obtain Tampa Arrest records through the Tampa Police Department. The Tampa PD is responsible for most arrests within the city and typically generates and maintains arrest records for each incident.

Tampa PD offers different avenues for requesting arrest records: online, by mail, or in person. Regardless of the method of request a record seeker opts to use, they must provide sufficient information about the sought-after arrest record to assist the agency's staff in identifying it. This information includes the arrestee's complete name, date of birth, and current address.

Record seekers can request Tampa arrest records online using the Tampa PD's Internet Portal. For mail-in requests, they can draft a written request containing sufficient information about the sought-after record and mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope and a $3.00 fee to the Tampa Police Records Section. Meanwhile, in-person requests may be made during regular working hours (8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.) Monday to Friday at:

Tampa Police Headquarters, Records Section
411 N. Franklin Street,
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 276-3250

Sometimes, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) may conduct an arrest within Tampa. Record seekers must contact the HCSO to obtain arrest records in such cases. They can use the HCSO arrest inquiry portal to look up individuals who were arrested and booked in the county jail. Alternatively, they can request arrest records by contacting the agency directly at:

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
1201 N. Orient Road
Tampa, FL 33619
Phone: (813) 247-8200

Free Arrest Record Search in Tampa

The primary way to look up Tampa arrest records for free is through online resources provided by local law enforcement agencies, such as the HCSO arrest inquiry portal. This portal allows users to access information about individuals recently arrested within Tampa and other cities in Hillsborough County and booked in the county jail. It provides information on their charges, bond amount, and booking photo; its database is updated every 30 minutes. Interested persons can search the HCSO arrest inquiry portal by arrestee name or booking number.

Alternatively, record seekers can use the third-party aggregate website to look up arrest records. These websites usually provide basic arrest information for free, while accessing comprehensive information is typically subject to fees.

Criminal Background Check in Florida

In Florida, there are three (3) primary ways for conducting a criminal background check, depending on the scope of the search. These include:

• The Tampa Police Department: can provide a record of arrests and other interactions an individual has had with the agency within the City of Tampa. Interested persons request a criminal background check online, by mail, or in person through Tampa PD. They can use the Tampa PD's Internet Portal for online requests. On the other hand, they can draft a written request containing sufficient information about the record's subject, such as their full name, date, and current address, and submit it to Tampa PD in person or by mail. Note that requests may be subject to certain fees.
• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO): countywide criminal background checks may be conducted through the HCSO Identification Section in person at:

1238 Tech Blvd
Tampa, Florida 33619
Phone: (813) 247-0062

Respondents must provide the subject's name, date of birth, and social security number to conduct a background check through the HCSO.

• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): is Florida's central repository for criminal history information. The FDLE charges a $24 fee for a criminal history record check, and interested persons can conduct these checks through the agency's online resources. These include the FDLE Instant Florida Criminal History Search website and the FDLE SHIELD.

Tampa Inmate Search

Individuals who get arrested, booked, and detained in Tampa are usually held at one of two facilities (jails) overseen by the HCSO's Department of Detention Services:

• Orient Road Jail (Jail Division I)
• Falkenburg Road Jail (Jail Division II)

Interested persons can use the HCSO's arrest inquiry portal to find information about inmates of any of the facilities mentioned above. These facilities typically house those awaiting trial or serving short sentences (less than a year). If an individual gets convicted of a felony or is sentenced to more than a year in prison, they would be transported to a state-run facility overseen by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC). In such cases, interested persons can use the FDC's Corrections Offender Network Web Applications to look up the inmate's details.

Tampa Police Record Lookup

Record seekers can access and request copies of Tampa Police records through the Tampa PD Record Section. Requests may be made in person at Tampa Police Headquarters during regular work hours or remotely through the Tampa PD Internet Portal. Alternatively, interested persons can draft a written request containing sufficient information identifying the desired record and mail it to the Tampa PD. Note that requests are subject to minimal fees that vary depending on the type of police record being requested. For instance, arrest records cost $3 while traffic crash reports cost $2. More information about requesting Tampa police records is detailed on the Tampa PD's Record Section Services and Fees page.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Tampa?

An arrest usually remains on an individual's criminal history records indefinitely until it is expunged or sealed, provided it is an eligible record. Nonetheless, local criminal justice agencies use the Florida Department of State's General Records Schedule GS2 provisions to determine how long they retain arrest records locally. According to the Schedule, arrest records are retained until they become obsolete, superseded, or lose their administrative value.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Tampa?

In Tampa, when a record is expunged, public access is restricted, making it appear like it never existed. Under Florida law, there are different types of expungement. Two of the most common are:

• Administrative expungement: Records created as a result of an arrest made by mistake or contrary to the law are eligible for this type of expungement. The procedures for applying for an administrative expungement are governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0581 and Florida Administrative Code Rule 11C-7.008, and eligible persons can apply through the FDLE.
• Court-ordered expungement: This type of expungement requires applicants to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE for the record they want expunged. The certificate proves that the prospective record is eligible for expungement under relevant law (Fla. Stat. §§ 943.059 and 943.0585). Fortunately, the FDLE provides detailed instructions on how to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. Note that there is a $75.00 processing fee for the Certificate of Eligibility application, and applications may take up to 12 months to process. After receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, the applicant can use it to file a petition with the Hillsborough County Circuit Court for a court-order expungement.

It is worth noting that the FDLE's seal and expunge process page details other methods of expungement. Furthermore, individuals can email the FDLE with questions about the expungement processes at SEinfo@fdle.state.fl.us.

Tampa Warrant Search

An arrest warrant is a legal directive issued by a court ordering law enforcement officers to apprehend an individual due to a crime they are alleged to have committed. Meanwhile, a bench warrant is a legal document that authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest an individual for failing to appear in court or disobeying a court order.

The safest way to look up active warrants in Tampa is online through the HCSO Warrant Inquiry Portal. Users can search for warrants on the portal by the subject's name or warrant number. Alternatively, inquirers can visit the Tampa PD or the HCSO to inquire about active warrants in person. However, in-person inquirers risk being arrested if an active warrant against them is discovered.

Do Tampa Warrants Expire?

No, Tampa warrants do not expire and remain active until they are executed. However, the issuing court can recall or quash warrants it issues when the law permits.