Hillsborough County Arrest Inquiry

This article explains how to use Hillsborough County’s official arrest inquiry tools to look up current inmates, recent bookings, and related court and custody details. It covers where the data comes from, how often it updates, what the records do—and do not—mean, and how to navigate connected services such as warrants, inmate contact, visitation, and posting bond. You’ll also find guidance on statewide background checks, sealing or expunging a record, and how to contact the correct government offices in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Understand What “Arrest Inquiry” Shows and What It Means

Arrest inquiry in Hillsborough County is a public-facing database that lists people currently in the county jail as well as individuals recently released. The listing is populated directly from the Sheriff’s Office Jail Management System and refreshes throughout the day. The database includes a person’s booking photo, charges, bond amount, booking number, and other standard jail data points. Critically, an arrest entry is not a conviction. It simply reflects that someone was booked into custody based on probable cause or a warrant.

Data refresh cadence: Information submitted to the jail system updates to the public listing in roughly 30-minute intervals.

Post-release visibility: A person typically remains visible in the public list for 90 days after release.

Record scope: Online arrest inquiries are available for adult arrests recorded electronically by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since January 1, 1995.

Legal reliance: The Sheriff’s Office warns that online information should not be used as the sole basis for legal action. Official certified records and court dockets are handled by the Clerk of Court.

To search the official database, use the HCSO Arrest Inquiry portal. You’ll be able to enter a booking number, name, or use filters for current inmates only and other details, then sort results by name, booking date, or booking number. Visit the HCSO Arrest Inquiry portal for real-time listings.

Access the official tool: HCSO Arrest Inquiry

Navigate the Arrest Inquiry Like a Pro

Identify the Right Person with Precision

Common names and similar identifiers make careful searching essential. Use these steps to refine results:

Start with a booking number when available; it’s unique to a particular intake.

Add date anchors such as an approximate booking date to differentiate between two people with similar names.

Use the “Current Inmates Only” filter to limit results to people still in custody if you’re coordinating a visit or checking jail status today.

Read the Booking Page Carefully

A single booking page typically contains:

Booking number and date: Confirms when the person entered custody.

Charge list: Shows statutes or charge descriptors; note that charges can be amended by the State Attorney or court.

Bond amount: Indicates whether a cash or surety bond could secure release (some offenses may be “no bond” until first appearance).

Release date (if applicable): Indicates when the person left custody.

Mugshot: Standard booking photograph, if available.

Use Sorting to Manage Larger Result Sets

The portal allows sorting by Booking Date, Booking #, or Name. Sorting by booking date is useful when you’re primarily interested in the most recent arrest inquiry data across Hillsborough County.

What You Can—and Can’t—Infer from an Arrest Listing

Arrest ≠ Conviction

An arrest is an accusation supported by probable cause or an outstanding warrant; it is not a determination of guilt. The person may later be not charged, have charges reduced, enter diversion, be acquitted, or have the case dismissed. Always review court dockets for definitive case status.

Release Does Not Erase the Listing Immediately

Because the system preserves entries for a period after release, you may see a person’s record for up to 90 days post-release. This is by design and helps the public verify past custody status during a reasonable window.

Adult Records Since 1995

Online inquiry covers adult arrests with electronic records beginning January 1, 1995. Older physical records or special case file types may exist outside the online index and would require formal records requests or Clerk of Court research.

Expand Your Search: When to Use Related Official Services

Hillsborough County’s justice system is interconnected. For a complete picture around an arrest, you may need to confirm warrants, court dates, or access certified records. The following official resources complement arrest inquiry:

Court records and certified copies: Use the Clerk’s web tools and service counters for official case files, dockets, and certified copies.

Warrants: Confirm if a warrant exists or was executed.

Records requests: Obtain police reports or incident documentation held by the Sheriff’s Office.

Visitation and inmate contact: If the person remains in custody, review rules and scheduling to connect properly.

Bonding information: Learn how cash or surety bonds are handled, where to pay, and what happens after disposition.

Visit Records and Reports for official Sheriff’s Office records requests and document services: Records and Reports

Hillsborough County Jail Facilities: Verify Locations, Phone Numbers, and Hours

If your arrest inquiry confirms that someone is in custody, it’s wise to confirm which detention facility holds them before you drive. Hillsborough County operates multiple jail divisions. Facility information, addresses, and the non-emergency contact numbers are published by the Sheriff’s Office here: Locations | HCSO, Tampa FL

Use the locations page to:

Identify Jail Division I (Orient Road Jail) and Jail Division II & III (Falkenburg Road Jail) addresses and main phone numbers.

Confirm the Sheriff’s Operations Center address and the primary administrative phone number.

Note the Non-Emergency and Emergency numbers published by the agency for the public.

Warrants and Arrest Inquiry: How They Interact

A warrant is a judicial order authorizing law enforcement to make an arrest, search, or seizure. When you see “warrant arrest” language in jail data, it usually means a judge had already issued a warrant and deputies executed it. To check for warrants maintained by the Sheriff’s Office, use the official portal:

Search the Warrants database by name to confirm the status and nature of any outstanding or served warrants tied to an individual.

Use exact spelling to reduce false matches; cross-match with date of birth where possible.

Check the current status through the Warrants portal: Warrants

Court Follow-Through: Dockets, Hearings, and Case Status

After an arrest, the court process begins to determine charges, bail, and next steps. For Hillsborough County court cases:

Docket lookups: The Clerk’s tools can help you view docket entries and settings.

Cash bond processing: Cash bonds collected by the Sheriff in Hillsborough County are transmitted to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for distribution after case disposition, with statutory costs deducted when applicable.

Bond forfeitures: Failure to appear may result in bond forfeiture per Florida statutes; always review case status to understand obligations.

For real-time docket research and case monitoring, consult HOVER: HOVER

Communicating with an Inmate: Rules and Channels

If your arrest inquiry shows someone is currently housed in a county facility, there are specific, published rules for mail and communication:

Mail: Incoming inmate mail—apart from privileged legal mail—must be in postcard format and will be scanned to the inmate’s tablet.

Content restrictions: The Sheriff’s Office publishes detailed prohibitions on contraband, coded messages, and inappropriate imagery or content.

Legal mail: Opened only in the inmate’s presence to preserve privilege.

Phone calls: Inmates cannot receive incoming calls; they may place outgoing collect calls during posted hours.

Review the step-by-step rules and formats on Contact an Inmate: Contact an Inmate

Visiting: Onsite and Remote Video Visitation Essentials

Hillsborough County operates a public video visitation center and supports remote visitation with scheduling rules and a published dress code. Core points include:

Onsite visitation hours: Offered seven days a week, including holidays, generally from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Scheduling requirement: Public visits must be scheduled in advance through the designated system.

Visitor limits: Up to three visitors per visit, with at least one adult.

Free time allotment: Inmates receive two hours of visitation per seven-day cycle at no charge; additional time may incur per-minute costs.

Dress code and security: Staff may cancel visits for improper attire or prohibited items; follow posted rules carefully.

Before you go, read the current rules on Jail Video Visitation: Jail Video Visitation

Posting Bond After an Arrest: Cash vs. Surety and Where to Pay

Bond is a financial assurance a defendant posts to secure release pending court. The Sheriff’s Office provides clear instructions:

Cash bonds and purges: Must be paid in the exact amount (cash or money order). Credit and debit cards are not accepted at the jail for cash bonds. Bring a valid ID and the inmate’s full name and date of birth.

Where to post: Orient Road Jail accepts cash bond payments on behalf of Hillsborough County cases.

Surety bonds: Only accepted from registered bail bond agents.

After disposition: The Sheriff transmits cash bonds to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for distribution. By statute, the Clerk withholds unpaid costs, public defender representation fees, court costs, and penalties before refunding any remaining amount to the depositor of record.

For complete, official instructions, visit Posting Bond: Posting Bond

Records Beyond the Jail Listing: Incident Reports and Public Records

The arrest inquiry is primarily a custody listing and booking snapshot. If you need reports such as incident narratives, traffic crash reports handled at the state level, or other documents, you must use official records channels:

Sheriff’s Office records: Submit public records requests through the Sheriff’s online Records and Reports portal.

Court records: File, view, or obtain certified copies via the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

First-appearance and victim notifications: The Sheriff’s site publishes notices and forms for specific processes; verify current guidance on their official pages.

Use the Records and Reports portal to request available documents: Records and Reports

Statewide Criminal History: When Your Search Goes Beyond Hillsborough County

If your inquiry spans multiple counties or you need a broader background check, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains statewide criminal history data and provides a separate workflow for sealing or expunging records.

Statewide criminal history: FDLE offers a centralized search for Florida criminal history. Use this for statewide checks rather than county-by-county browsing.

Sealing or expungement: If eligible under Florida law, you can pursue sealing or expunging a Florida arrest record through the FDLE process. The Sheriff’s Office explicitly refers residents to FDLE for these actions.

Explore FDLE’s official services here:

Statewide search: FDLE Criminal History Information
Sealing/expunging: FDLE Seal and Expunge Process

Practical Scenarios: How to Use Arrest Inquiry Effectively

Scenario 1: Confirming Same-Day Custody

You hear someone was arrested in Tampa today. Use the HCSO Arrest Inquiry and filter for Current Inmates Only. Because the system updates roughly every 30 minutes, a booking may appear soon after intake. If you cannot find the person immediately, try again after the next refresh cycle. Once you locate the entry, note the facility and booking date/time for planning a visit or bond posting.

Scenario 2: Verifying if Someone Was Released

If you previously saw a person listed but can’t find them now, consider that the listing retains entries for 90 days after release. Switch off Current Inmates Only and search the full 90-day window to locate a release date. For older entries beyond 90 days, pivot to Clerk of Court dockets for historical case status.

Scenario 3: Following Up on a Warrant-Driven Arrest

If the booking mentions an arrest on a warrant, visit the Warrants portal to understand the warrant’s nature. Then cross-reference the court file on HOVER to see upcoming hearings or if the State Attorney amended charges after arrest.

Scenario 4: Arranging a Jail Visit

After finding the person in the inmate listing, check the housing facility and head to Jail Video Visitation for dress code, scheduling, and limits. Confirm the visitation center location and any time-sensitive rules posted by the Sheriff.

Scenario 5: Posting a Cash Bond

From the booking page, note the bond amount. Take exact funds (or money order), a valid ID, and the inmate’s full name and date of birth to the Orient Road Jail. Later, monitor the case on HOVER. If the case closes and you posted the cash bond, the Clerk will process any refund in line with Florida statutes, deducting costs if applicable.

Arrest Inquiry Search Tips That Save Time

Match identifiers: Combine name with date of birth where possible.

Use name variations: Try maiden names, hyphenations, or common nicknames if you have trouble locating someone.

Prefer official sources: Do not rely on unofficial lists or third-party aggregators; Hillsborough County’s portals are the authoritative sources for custody and warrants.

Plan logistics: If the person is still in custody, confirm the correct jail and review visitation and contact rules before traveling.

Check repeatedly for updates: Because the system updates every 30 minutes, new bookings and changing bond statuses may appear as the day progresses.

When You Need Certified or Older Records

Arrest inquiry is not a substitute for a certified background check or a complete case record. For official use—employment verification, licensing, or court filings—go directly to:

Clerk of the Circuit Court for certified copies and complete case files.

FDLE for statewide criminal history, often required by employers and licensing agencies outside Hillsborough County.

Use the Clerk’s tools and counters after you’ve oriented yourself with the Sheriff’s arrest inquiry. Start your docket review in HOVER and then contact the Clerk for any certified copies you need.

Respecting Privacy, Accuracy, and Due Process

The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that arrest information is a public record under Florida law unless sealed or expunged, and the agency strictly prohibits unauthorized use of its data. When you view or share arrest entries:

Avoid mischaracterizing an arrest as proof of guilt.

Use the information responsibly and in compliance with posted terms of use and Florida public records statutes.

If you believe a record qualifies for sealing or expungement, initiate the process through FDLE’s official program.

For the most accurate and current case posture, consult the Clerk of Court.

Connect the Dots Across Official Government Touchpoints

To put everything together efficiently:

Confirm custody using HCSO Arrest Inquiry.

Verify warrants using the Warrants portal.

Check court status and hearing dates using HOVER (Clerk of Court).

Arrange contact or visitation directly through the Sheriff’s official rules.

Post bond according to the Sheriff’s instructions, then follow distribution status with the Clerk.

Request official records through Records and Reports or the Clerk for certified needs.

Expand to statewide via FDLE Criminal History Information when your inquiry spans Florida jurisdictions.

Pursue sealing/expungement through the FDLE Seal and Expunge Process if eligible.

All of these links are governmental and lead to official portals operated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court, or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Hillsborough County Florida Arrest Inquiry – Relevant Departments and Offices (Addresses and Phones)

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff’s Operations Center — 2008 E. 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 — (813) 247-8000

HCSO – Non-Emergency Line — (813) 247-8200

Jail Division I – Orient Road Jail — 1201 Orient Road, Tampa, FL 33619 — (813) 247-8300

Jail Division II – Falkenburg Road Jail — 520 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619 — (813) 247-8300

Jail Division III – Falkenburg Road Jail — 520 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619 — (813) 247-8300

HCSO – Inmate Records — (813) 247-8400

Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court — P.O. Box 3360, Tampa, FL 33601 — (813) 276-8100

Florida Department of Law Enforcement – Public Records/Criminal History — (850) 410-8109