Pinellas County Warrant Search

A warrant search involves checking resources provided by criminal justice agencies for active warrants. In Pinellas County, relevant sources of information for a warrant search are the county sheriff’s office and the court clerk’s office. Warrants can also be searched for online through official websites provided by these agencies. Information obtainable through a warrant search varies with the warrant type and availability.

For instance, while search warrants are generally non-public until executed, arrest warrants are public and contain details like the warrant subject’s name, date of issuance, case number, issuance jurisdiction, the warrant’s status, and the nature of the offense.

Why Conduct a Warrant Search in Pinellas County?

A preemptive warrant search can help concerned persons find and resolve a warrant before law enforcement officers execute the warrant. In addition, it gives the involved person a chance to gain better control of the situation, prepare for legal proceedings, and avoid the unpleasant circumstances associated with a surprise arrest. However, this is not possible in every case. For instance, Pinellas County search warrants are confidential to preserve the integrity of an investigation. If a warrant is discovered, seek legal counsel or hire a defense attorney, as their involvement may potentially lead to more favorable outcomes, like a lower bond or the warrant being recalled. Additional steps may include gathering relevant documents, informing one’s employer, and securing one’s home.

How to Perform a Pinellas County Warrant Search Online

The warrants section of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s website is the county’s official online resource for searching for warrants issued in the county. For a statewide search, interested persons should visit the Public Access System (PAS). PAS requires the first, middle, and last name of a wanted individual to perform a search. Additional relevant information includes the person’s date of birth (or age), nickname, race, and sex. Note that these websites are mostly useful for searching arrest warrants.

Searching a person’s name on the county’s circuit court clerk’s website generally returns all available court records on the searched name. If there are any warrants on the person’s records, they will be returned during the search. General search criteria are the full name and date of birth of the person of interest.

How to Check for Outstanding Warrants in Pinellas County by Phone or In Person

In-person warrant searches are available with the Pinellas County Clerk of Court’s and the sheriff’s offices. At the clerk’s office, request criteria include the name/alias to be searched, the maiden name (if applicable), the date of birth, and the last digits of the social security number (optional). The charge per name for record searches is $7.00 (standard charges apply for each requested copy). Record requests can be made at any of the following office locations:

For phone inquiries, contact the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court at (724) 464-7000.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Search Process

Residents of Pinellas County can request any record, including warrants, maintained by the county sheriff’s office through the Public Records Request Center. This platform enables users to send and track the status of online requests. For further information, contact:

The following general information is obtainable through a Pinellas County warrant search: the name of the warrant’s subject, the type of warrant, the issuing court, the reason for the warrant, the case number, and the date the warrant was issued.

Accessing Public Records Related to Warrants in Pinellas County

Common public records associated with warrants include charge sheets, arrest logs, bail applications, and a copy of the warrant itself. These records are maintained by the courts and law enforcement agencies. Warrants maintained by the court clerk’s office are generally categorized under Pinellas County court records and can be retrieved through a normal court record search using the full name of the person to be searched (or any known aliases), their date of birth, and the case number (if known).

Note that warrant-related details/records, such as witness statements, identifying witness information, and supporting affidavits, are not public. Also, warrants and related records about juvenile offenders are not public. Furthermore, unexecuted warrants and related records are largely restricted from public access. Note that requests are subject to agency regulations and may include processing times (may be up to several days) and standard search/copy fees.

Types of Warrants Issued in Pinellas County

The following are common types of warrants issued in Pinellas County:

• Arrest Warrant: They are issued based on probable cause that the individual named in the warrant is responsible for a crime that has been committed. This warrant authorizes the police to arrest and detain such a person (Florida Statutes, Section 901).
• Search Warrant: This warrant authorizes the police to search a specified location for evidence related to a crime (Florida Statutes, Section 933).
• Bench Warrant: A court order authorizing law enforcement to arrest someone for missing a mandatory court hearing, violating bond conditions, or disobeying a court order.
• Fugitive/Extradition Warrant: Issued for the arrest of suspects who have fled the state or jurisdiction, commanding law enforcement in the suspect’s most recent location to arrest them.
• Probation Violation Warrant: This warrant is issued when evidence before a judge shows that an individual has violated the terms of a court-ordered probation. Probation violation warrants are often without bond.

The most common and popular types of warrants are arrest, bench, and search warrants. Bench warrants are similar to arrest warrants in that they order the arrest of the warrant’s subject. However, while arrest warrants (and search warrants) are issued in relation to criminal investigations, bench warrants are issued for the enforcement of a court order. Arrest and bench warrants usually have longer statute of limitations than search warrants.

How Long Warrants Remain Active in Pinellas County

Different time limits apply to various types of warrants, and these durations are largely subject to the judge’s discretion. Other determining factors depend on the reason for issuance, the type of warrant, law enforcement procedures, local court rules, the severity of the underlying offense, the defendant’s actions, and the statute of limitations. Note that sometimes, a court may recall or quash a warrant. The following are general time limitations on different categories of Pinellas County warrants:

• Arrest warrants remain active indefinitely until the suspect is arrested, the charges are dismissed or resolved, or the issuing court terminates, quashes, or recalls the warrant.
• Bench warrants remain active indefinitely as they do not expire under Florida law.
• Search warrants have the shortest validity duration of 10 days, after which they can not be executed (Florida Statutes, Section 933.05).

What To Do if You Find an Outstanding Warrant in Pinellas County

If a person finds an active Pinellas County warrant in their name, it is important to take immediate steps to address the situation because simply ignoring it may lead to unpleasant outcomes. However, it is important to first verify the information through official sources like the sheriff’s office or the courthouse, as certain sources may contain errors or outdated information.

Once the authenticity of the warrant has been verified, it is important to understand the type and context of the warrant, e.g., for failure to pay a fine or a criminal charge. Whatever the case, consulting an attorney is always advised, as they may be able to resolve the warrant without an arrest or negotiate terms of surrender. Another line of action may be turning oneself in, as courts often regard this as a good-faith action.