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Warrants in Hillsborough County
Warrants are a necessary component of the criminal justice system in Hillsborough County. A warrant is a written order issued by a judicial official, such as a judge or magistrate, commanding the police to arrest an individual and bring them before the court.
In Hillsborough County, warrants can be issued for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to failing to appear in court, failing to pay fines, or commissioning a crime.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for serving warrants and making arrests in the county. When a warrant is issued for an individual’s arrest, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for taking the individual into custody and bringing them before the court.
Directory of Hillsborough County Sheriff and Court Offices and Public Records
| Agency | Address | Phone | Website | Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office | 2008 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 | (813) 247-8000 | teamhcso.com | ||
| Warrant Section | (813) 247-8460 | Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM | |||
| Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller | 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. 13th floor, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 276-8100 | publicrecords@hillsclerk.com | hillsclerk.com | |
| George E. Edgecomb Courthouse | 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 276-8100 | |||
| Plant City Courthouse | 301 North Michigan Avenue, Plant City, FL 33563 | (813) 276-8100 | |||
| Brandon Regional Service Center | 311 Pauls Drive, Suite 110, Brandon, FL 33511 | (813) 276-8100 | |||
| Southshore Regional Service Center | 410 30th Street South East, Ruskin, FL 33570 | (813) 276-8100 | |||
| Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Civil Process Section | 700 East Twiggs Street 3rd Floor, Tampa, FL 33602 | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | |||
| Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Records Section | records@hcso.tampa.fl.us | ||||
| Tampa Police Department | tampagov.net/police | ||||
| Plant City Police Department | plantcitygov.com/police | ||||
| Temple Terrace Police Department | templeterrace.com/police |
The steps to check for warrants in Hillsborough County, Florida:
Online Search Options
- Visit the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) website.
- Look for the “Warrant Inquiry” or “Public Records” section.
- Use the online search tool to check for active warrants by entering:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Warrant number (if known)
- The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court website also offers a court records search that may show warrant information.
In-Person Options
You can check for warrants in person at:
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
2008 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
More Methods
- Phone: Call the HCSO Warrant Section at (813) 247-8460.
- Email: Send a warrant inquiry to [email protected]
Notes
- There is no fee for accessing warrant information.
- Use accurate information to get correct results.
- Warrants may not be immediately published online and could be held as “pocket warrants” for several days or weeks.
- Consider hiring an attorney to help resolve outstanding warrants or missed court dates.
Arrest Process in Hillsborough County
Arrest and Booking
- Arrests can be made with or without a warrant. Police can arrest without a warrant for felonies, misdemeanors committed in their presence, or certain other misdemeanors like shoplifting.
- During booking, fingerprints and mugshots are taken and sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to check for outstanding warrants.
- For non-violent misdemeanors, you may be released on your own recognizance. Otherwise, you’ll be held up to 24 hours before a first appearance.
First Appearance and Arraignment
- Within 24 hours of arrest, you must be taken before a judicial officer for a first appearance, typically via closed-circuit TV.
- Formal charges are filed at the arraignment, and you enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).
Self-Arrest
- HCSO offers a Self-Arrest Program for certain charges with bondable amounts. Call (813) 247-8460 Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM for information.
- Self-arrest allows you to surrender at a more convenient time rather than being arrested unexpectedly.
Notes
- Warrant information may not be immediately published online. Some warrants are held as “pocket warrants” for days or weeks.
- If you missed a court date, a “no bond” failure to appear warrant may be issued. An attorney can help schedule an emergency hearing to address this.
- For legal advice or assistance with warrants, it’s recommended to contact a criminal defense attorney.
Public Records in Hillsborough County
Types of Public Records Available
Hillsborough County provides access to various public records, including:
How to Access Public Records Hillsborough County
- Online Databases:
- Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records (HOVER) for court records
- Official Records Search for property and other official documents
- BOCC Records Online for County Commissioner records
- In-Person:
- Visit the Clerk of Court & Comptroller’s office
- Go to the courthouse where the case was handled
- By Mail or Email:
- Send requests to the Clerk’s office
- By Phone:
- Contact the Public Records department at (813) 284-2131
More Info
- Many records are free online, but some may require fees for copies or certified documents.
- Florida’s Sunshine Law and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guarantee public access to most government records. Some records, like active search warrants or confidential family court records, may not be publicly accessible.
- The Clerk’s office typically responds to public records requests within 3-10 business days.
Requesting Removal or Addition of Information
- Individuals have the right to request the removal of certain exempt information from publicly available websites.
- Affected parties can also request the addition of information related to protection injunctions for minors.
Protecting Personal Information
The Clerk’s office provides guidance on protecting confidential information in various public records databases, including court records, property records, and tax records.
Featured image: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons