Pinellas County Court Records
As stated in Rule 2.420, Pinellas County court records are records generated to document activity in a court case. These records include transcripts, exhibits, electronic case records, and videotapes or stenographic tapes of depositions. Usually, court records are produced and maintained by the court where a case was filed. The official custodian of court records in Pinellas County is the Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts (also called the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller).
Court records provide detailed accounts of cases brought to the justice system. Members of the public can scrutinize these records to find out the processes and outcomes of cases. This, in turn, promotes fairness and transparency within the judiciary. In addition, court records serve as helpful resources to the judiciary staff, researchers, students, the press, and the public. For example, a record can be used to make a case for an appeal or find legal precedents. Consequently, court records are treated as part of Pinellas County Public Records.
Are Court Records Public in Pinellas County?
Yes. As stated in Chapter 119.01 of the Florida Statutes (Florida's public records law), every record produced at the state, county, or municipal level is open for public inspection or copying. Under this law, Pinellas County court records are considered public records and accessible to persons who require them.
Inquirers should note, however, that not all case files are open to the public. Some parts of a case file may be sealed or the entire record withheld from public disclosure due to a law, court rule, or court order. Documents considered confidential include expunged case records, juvenile case records, and sensitive personal information that may threaten the privacy or safety of a person.
What Do Pinellas County Court Records Contain?
Pinellas County court records contain data about proceedings held in a local court. Outlined below are some details featured in a Pinellas County court record.
- Case information (case type, filing date, judicial officer, court location, case number)
- Party information (details about the plaintiff, defendant, and attorneys involved in a case)
- Case documents (pleadings, paper exhibits, motions, answers, summonses, etc.)
- Orders and judgments of a court
- Appeal information
Where to Conduct a Pinellas County Case Lookup
Individuals looking to find where to conduct a Pinellas County case lookup can:
- Go to the Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts' website
- Visit the courthouse where a case was filed or one of the circuit court clerk's office locations.
Generally, requesters can access Pinellas County case records in digital and paper formats.
How to Conduct a Pinellas County Case Records Search
Mediums previously highlighted as being options for conducting a Pinellas County case records search are explained below.
Online Search via the Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts' Website
Under the open records law, the Clerk of Courts must provide case records to the public. One way this responsibility is met is by providing a case management system (called Court Records Public View) on the Clerk's website. Common keywords used to search the system are a case party's name, attorney of record's name, case number, or filing date. Users can view case records and download documents filed in a case at no cost.
However, those who want certified copies must submit a request to the Clerk's office through the Public Request Center. The Clerk also accepts name search requests for case records via the website. Requests can be submitted anonymously, although the Clerk urges users to create an account to order copies with a credit card. Requesters will need to provide the name/alias to be searched, maiden name (where it applies), date of birth, and the last four digits of social security number (if available).
In-Person Search at the Courthouse or Clerk's Office
Individuals can visit any courthouse or Clerk's office location having a public view terminal to view Pinellas County case records. One can also visit any of these locations to request a records search from Clerk's office staff:
Pinellas County Justice Center (Criminal Court Records)
14250 49th Street North
Clearwater, FL 33762
North County Branch
29582 U.S. 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33761
Clearwater Courthouse (Probate Court Records)
315 Court Street
Room 106
Clearwater, FL 33756
St. Petersburg Branch
545 1st Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
The Pinellas Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller can only conduct record searches for cases filed within the county. The fee to perform a record search is $7 for each name search. Persons who would like to get copies of documents should bear in mind that the standard copy fees apply.
Note: Some records (civil and family cases) are available in microfilm at the address below.
315 Court Street
Room 170
Clearwater, FL 33756
Persons seeking microfilm records are advised to call (727) 464-3904 or email_civilcert@mypinellasclerk.org_ ahead of time to give the office time to retrieve the files.
Also, inquirers who need to access confidential or older case records may visit the record center of the Clerk's office. Such persons are advised to call (727) 464-7000 to confirm record availability.
The Clerk's website has more information on viewing or copying Pinellas County case records.
Pinellas County Civil Court Case Records
Pinellas County civil case records include data about a civil case. The Pinellas Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller is responsible for preserving civil case records for the county's circuit and county courts.
Thus, individuals can access the Clerk's case management system—which has a Public, Attorney, and Registered User Login—to view or obtain copies of civil case records, including records from small claims, appeals, tenant/eviction, negligence, and divorce cases.
They can also visit certain locations to request civil case records searches from the Clerk's office staff or use a public terminal to search. In either case, getting copies of case records requires the payment of a fee.
Pinellas County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records refer to all paperwork pertaining to felony or misdemeanor proceedings tried by a criminal court. The Pinellas County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller preserves these records. As such, one has the following options to view or copy criminal case records in Pinellas County:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (727) 464-7000.
- Visit a courthouse to use a public kiosk or request records from the Clerk's office.
- Visit the Clerk's online Public Request Center.
- Search the Clerk's Criminal and Traffic public view system.
In any case, an inquirer will require at least a case number or case participant's name to retrieve records.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Pinellas County court records are available online for free through the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's case management system (available on the Clerk's website). One can search cases as well as download uncertified copies of case records from the system. Typically, requesting any certified record (or uncertified copies directly from the Clerk's office) attracts a fee.
Individuals can also visit third-party sites that provide Pinellas court records for free. One typically needs the name of one of the participants in the case or a case number (for some sites) to find record matches.
Courts in Pinellas County, Florida
Pinellas County has one circuit and county court that comprise Florida's 6th Judicial Circuit and consist of different court divisions (including civil, criminal, family, probate or guardianship, traffic, and small claims). Below are courthouse locations within Pinellas County, Florida.
Pinellas County Justice Center
14250 49th Street North
Clearwater, FL 33762
Clearwater Courthouse
315 Court Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
North County Traffic Court
29582 U.S. Highway 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33761
St. Petersburg Judicial Building
545 1st Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Clearwater Historic Courthouse
324 South Ft. Harrison Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
Contact numbers for the Pinellas County courts are available on the Pinellas County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller's Contact us page.
