Search Pinellas County Warrant Records

Pinellas County warrant records are managed by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Clearwater. With about 960,000 residents, Pinellas is one of the most densely populated counties in Florida. The sheriff's office directs people to the FDLE statewide database for warrant lookups rather than hosting its own search tool. Court case records that show bench warrants and capias entries are available through the clerk's online system. Most warrant data in Pinellas County is public under Florida's open records laws.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Warrants

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office handles warrant enforcement across the county. Their main office is at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo. The mailing address is P.O. Drawer 2500, Largo, FL 33779. You can call them at (727) 582-6200 for general questions about warrants or other law enforcement matters in Pinellas County.

The sheriff's office has a dedicated warrants page on their website. It does not have a local search tool though. Instead, the page tells visitors to use the FDLE system for warrant lookups.

The sheriff's warrants page states plainly: "You may search for wanted persons...by visiting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website." This means Pinellas County does not keep a separate public-facing warrant search. The FDLE database pulls from all 67 counties, so Pinellas warrants show up there once they are entered into the statewide system.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all Pinellas County warrants appear on FDLE. Minor local warrants like those tied to parking tickets or code violations may not get entered into the statewide database. Those are handled at the county level. For anything beyond minor infractions, the FDLE system is the place to look. Under Florida Statute 901.04, warrants in Florida are directed to all sheriffs in the state. A warrant from Pinellas can be served anywhere in Florida, and warrants from other counties can be served in Pinellas.

Note: Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County accepts anonymous tips about people with outstanding warrants in the area.

Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court

The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all court case records in the county. Their main office is at 315 Court Street in Clearwater. The phone number is (727) 464-7000. When a judge signs a bench warrant or capias in Pinellas County, it gets filed in the court case record through the clerk's system.

You can search case records online through the clerk's website. The system lets you look up cases by name, case number, or other identifiers. Warrant activity shows up in the case docket. If a bench warrant was issued because someone missed a court date, that will appear in the docket entries for that case. The clerk's online portal is free to use for basic searches.

Copies of specific documents may cost a small fee. The clerk charges per page for certified copies and a lesser amount for standard copies. You can request records in person at the Clearwater courthouse or by mail. The Pinellas County Clerk also handles civil cases, family law filings, and probate matters. All of these records are public under Florida Statute 119.07 unless a judge has sealed them.

How to Search Warrants in Pinellas County

The main way to search for active warrants in Pinellas County is through the FDLE Public Access System. Go to the Wanted Persons search and enter the name you want to check. The tool is free. You do not need an account. Results show active warrants from law enforcement agencies across all of Florida's 67 counties. Pinellas County warrants that have been entered into the statewide system will show up here.

For court-related warrant information, use the Pinellas County Clerk's online case search. This is useful for finding bench warrants and capias entries that are tied to specific court cases. The clerk's system shows docket entries that include warrant activity. You can search by defendant name or case number.

If you want to check warrants by phone, call the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at (727) 582-6200. They can direct you to the right unit. You can also reach out to Crime Stoppers of Pinellas if you have a tip about a wanted person. Tips can be made without giving your name.

Note: Minor warrants from Pinellas County, such as those for parking violations, may not appear in the FDLE database since they are handled locally.

Types of Warrants in Pinellas County

Pinellas County processes several types of warrants. Arrest warrants are the most common. A judge issues one after finding probable cause that a crime was committed, as laid out in Florida Statute 901.02. Bench warrants come from a judge when a person fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing. A capias is similar to a bench warrant and can be issued by the clerk of court. Violation of probation warrants are issued when someone breaks the terms of their probation in Pinellas County.

Search warrants are a different category. Under Florida Statute 933.07, a search warrant must be executed within 14 days of issuance. If it is not carried out in that time, it becomes void. Arrest warrants do not expire in Pinellas County. They stay active until the person is arrested or a judge recalls the warrant. Old warrants from years ago can still lead to an arrest during a traffic stop or any other law enforcement contact.

Public Access to Pinellas County Warrants

Warrant records in Pinellas County are public records. Florida Statute 119.07 gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records held by any state or local agency. You do not need to be the subject of the warrant. You do not need to explain why you are searching. The sheriff's office and the clerk of court must provide access to records that are not specifically exempt.

There are some exceptions. Active criminal investigation files can be withheld under Florida Statute 119.071. Search warrant affidavits stay sealed until the warrant is executed or the investigation concludes. Some warrants that have not yet been entered into any database (sometimes called pocket warrants) will not show up in any search. If you believe a warrant exists in Pinellas County but cannot find it in the FDLE system or the clerk's database, you may want to talk to a criminal defense lawyer who can make direct inquiries with the agency involved.

Under Florida Statute 901.07, an officer may break open a door or window to execute an arrest warrant if entry is refused after proper notice. This applies in Pinellas County just as it does across all of Florida.

What to Do If You Have a Warrant

Finding out you have a warrant in Pinellas County can be stressful. The best first step is to talk to a lawyer. Do not go to a police station or the jail without getting legal advice first. Under Florida law, turning yourself in on a warrant means you will be taken into custody before you can post bond. A bail bondsman can help with the process and may be able to speed things up.

Under Florida Statute 901.16, the arresting officer must tell you why you are being arrested and that a warrant has been issued. The officer does not need to have the physical warrant on hand at the time of arrest. They must show it to you as soon as possible if you ask. Warrants in Pinellas County do not go away on their own. They remain active indefinitely until resolved.

Cities in Pinellas County

Pinellas County includes several cities along the Gulf Coast. All warrant records in the county are processed through the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. City police departments handle local law enforcement, but warrants go through the county system.

Other cities in Pinellas County include Largo, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, and Pinellas Park. All warrant cases in these areas go through the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Pinellas County. If you are unsure which county handles a warrant, check the location where the offense took place. Warrants are filed in the county where the case originated.