Run a Free Pinellas County Warrant Search (Lookup Tools)

Free Pinellas County Warrant Search
Find out if you or someone else has a warrant out for their arrest in Pinellas County, Florida, free of charge.

Perform a free Pinellas County warrant search to check if you or someone else in the community is wanted.

Warrant details are made available to the public thanks to the Florida Public Records Act and the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Using the guidance and links throughout this streamlined resource, inquirers will uncover what different types of warrants mean and how to look up who they’ve been issued for. The article will also explain how to resolve an outstanding warrant in Pinellas County.

Execute a Free Pinellas County Warrant Search (An Overview)

Citizens have the right to view public records for warrants or any other crime under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, which makes these records publicly available for them.1

Since there are various types of warrants issued in Pinellas, the method of obtaining information regarding different types may include:

  • searching online databases
  • search tools
  • Email
  • Call

More information about the types of warrants will be discussed in subsequent sections of this resource.

Moreover, requesters, at minimum, must know the last two characters of the victim’s last name or their nickname to get a successful search result – along with other information such as the first name, race, and date of birth to get a much more accurate result.

The information for wanted persons can be looked up through the Public Access System (PAS) managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), where inquirers can obtain records online and for more information on particular records or to find useful information on various types of warrants, individuals may contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.2, 3

For city and state information, the Florida Crime Information Center offers accessible information regarding warrant searches.

Find Out if You or Someone Else in Pinellas County Has an Active Warrant

Individuals might not be aware of the databases and resources used to perform a warrant search in Pinellas.

However, the best sources and tools have been penned down in this resource where requesters can get ahold of warrant information under their name or others since there are multiple government agencies that report data to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Florida Crime Information Center: The Florida Crime Information Center has official data provided by the FDLE that can help interested persons retrieve wanted persons’ search information where a search by name may be performed through the Public Access System (PAS) by entering the last name, first name, middle name, or nickname of the subject.2

Inquirers can get a more accurate search result by adding additional information such as:

  • Race
  • Sex
  • Date of Birth
  • Age

Note that the last two characters of the subject’s last name or their exact nickname is required for a successful search. Finally, clicking on “submit search” redirects parties to a page with all results where the name (multiple aliases), date of birth, race, sex, and reporting agency of the victim can be viewed.

A screenshot of the search results from the Department of Law Enforcement of Florida, listing the wanted persons' names, birthdates, races, sexes, and reporting agencies.
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement2

Clicking a result will open a more expanded view of the search, uncovering information such as height, weight, hair color, and more appearance details of the offender along with their last known address.

To get specific information regarding a search or any other information, interested persons can contact the FDLE as follows:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
(2331) Philips Rd
Tallahassee, Florida 32302-1489

Phone: (850)4107000
Email: [email protected]

In case citizens possess any extra information regarding a subject that they would like to report, they can use the “send a tip” button appearing in the extended search outcomes to convey it to FDLE.

Screenshot of the dialog for sending tips about a wanted person from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement2

Furthermore, it is highly requested by the authorities that individuals should not take any action based on the information obtained through the search results – citizens should always contact the department to report crucial information.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office: In order to search for warrants online, the sheriff’s office urges interested persons to use the FDLE website.

Additionally, the sheriff’s office assists individuals with any queries, so citizens are requested to contact the Sheriff’s Office Warrants Desk.4

Inquirers can contact the sheriff’s office to report information about a violent offender, to remain anonymous, and to be eligible for a cash reward through the following means:

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Ulmerton Rd (10750)
Largo, Florida 33779-2500

Phone: (727)5826149
Email: [email protected]

To submit any additional requests, inquirers may seek help from the request center of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office or directly call the above number.5 Individuals may also seek answers to more questions through the detailed FAQs provided on the website.6

Screenshot of the public records requests online form from the sheriff's office, which has fields for requestor and request information.
Source: Source: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office7

Interested parties should know that according to Section 01, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, it is the right of every citizen to access public records and details regarding government meetings unless a particular exemption has been set on the disclosure of any information.1 The Pinellas County government can be requested to attain public records, such as a wanted person’s search.

More details on the types of records under any particular government office, such as:

  • Parking Tickets
  • Divorce
  • Child Support

And more can be found via the official Pinellas County government.

Screenshot of the register of actions of a defendant with a warrant, which displays the name, case number and type, and other party information.
Source: Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller8

For more information, individuals may contact the authorities through the following details:

Pinellas County Government
333 Chestnut Street
Clearwater, Florida (33756)

Phone: (727)4644600
Email: [email protected]

How To Determine if Someone Has a Warrant Anywhere in Florida

Individuals who are interested in finding out any information about a warrant under a person living anywhere in Florida can do so by using the Wanted Persons Search to get statewide results.2

This search tool is endorsed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and compiles records from law enforcement agencies, making them available for interested persons. Inquirers can perform the wanted person search by entering at least the last 2 characters of the victim’s last name or their nickname.

To yield more accurate results, individuals should enter their first name, race, sex, date of birth, and age of the victim – then click on “submit search,” which redirects them to the results page that contains all state-wide results under the person searched in Florida. The reporting agency column shows which agency has recorded their name, and individual results also shed light on the current whereabouts of the victim.

People may also contact the FDLE for more information through their official email, [email protected].

Warrant Types & What They Mean

Citizens should be aware of the various warrant types issued by Pinellas County, what each type covers in the jurisdiction and the reason for them being issued as a responsible citizen. Remember that any of the below warrants are active warrants, also known as outstanding warrants meaning that they haven’t been resolved yet:

Arrest Warrants: An arrest warrant in Florida means that a judge has authorized law enforcement agencies with the right to arrest an offender for the probable cause of having committed a crime or felony. According to Section 02, Chapter 901 of the Florida Statutes, a judge may issue an arrest warrant if he/she is satisfied with the complaints and the proofs submitted.9

Traffic Warrants: A traffic warrant is issued by the state of Florida when a person has an outstanding traffic citation, such as a ticket issued for an expired license, hit and run, or other traffic misdemeanors. The Florida Highway Patrol Policy Manual states all traffic infractions under which a traffic warrant may be issued and the individual to be summoned in the court of law.10

Child Support Warrants: The state of Florida issues a child support warrant for the noncustodial parent(s) who refuse to pay child support. As per the law, if refusal is prolonged, the parent(s) may be sent to jail.

Bench Warrants: In Pinellas County and the whole of Florida, a bench warrant is issued by the judge when a person fails to appear in court upon summoning and these lie under the category of a minor violation or misdemeanor.

Fugitive Warrants: Fugitive warrants are specially issued for culprits who flee from the justice system or have escaped from confinement. Under Section 06, Chapter 941 of the Florida Statutes, a judge is authorized to issue a direct warrant against a fugitive, giving directions to the peace officer to apprehend the individual.11

Probation & Parole Violation Warrants: Violation of probation (VOP) in Florida may result in the risk of having probation revoked by the state. In case of more serious crimes, an individual may be sent back to prison to complete the leftover sentence. As per Section 22, Chapter 947 of the Florida Statutes, authorities hold the right to arrest parole violators with or without a warrant.12

Capias & Capias Pro Fine Warrants: A capias warrant is simply an arrest order by the state where an individual is ordered to appear in court before the judge. A capias pro fine warrant is issued by the judge when the person fails to comply with a court’s order to pay a fine. These lie under the category of felony warrants that do not have an expiration date.

Search Warrants: A search warrant is an enforcement that gives the right to an officer to conduct a search for evidence on a certain person. As per Section 01, Chapter 933 of the Florida Statutes, a judge is authorized to issue a search warrant for an individual under trial for searching of place, vehicle, or thing.13

Get Rid of an Outstanding Warrant in Pinellas County Florida

Since most warrants (mainly those for arrest) do not expire in Pinellas County, Florida, until they have been served or recalled by the judge, individuals must learn how to get rid of them. Warrants need to be addressed immediately once it’s realized that they have been issued, as avoiding them does not serve any purpose.

For individuals who are worried about their warrants or for someone they know, they may contact Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit through the County Sheriff’s Office by calling (727)4647000.3 Citizens can also notify the Crime Stoppers of Pinellas by contacting them through the tips helpline:

Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County
Ulmerton Road, 10750
Largo, Florida, USA

Phone: 1 800 873 TIPS (8477)
Email: [email protected]

If any person has an active warrant, they may turn themself into the Pinellas County Jail or contact a criminal defense attorney – who can then encourage the presiding judge to withdraw it or file a motion to vacate. Individuals may also provide evidence against the charges they are facing in a court of law or pay outstanding fines to lift the warrant.

Overall, individuals should perform Pinellas County warrant searches responsibly and through official sources to ensure authentic results; to obtain more details about wanted individuals, citizens may contact authorities using the information as mentioned earlier.


References

1The Florida Legislature. (n.d.). Title X – Public Officers, Employees, And Records Chapter 119 – Public Records Chapter 119 – Public Records. Online Sunshine. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0119/0119.html>

2Florida Department of Law Enforcement. (n.d.). Wanted Persons Search. Public Access System (PAS). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <http://pas.fdle.state.fl.us/pas/restricted/PAS/person/WantedPersons.jsf>

3Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Warrants. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://pcsoweb.com/warrants>

4Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Contact Us. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://pcsoweb.com/contact>

5Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Public Records Request Center. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://pcso.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(phykpexwq1u4g03q3rdihajq))/supporthome.aspx>

6Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). FAQs. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://pcso.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(op2gb5lx2oprrkfbomqrpts3))/FindAnswers.aspx>

7Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Submit A Request. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://pcso.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(cnqmisf2lr32qpneqbrlpkzf))/RequestOpen.aspx?sSessionID=1095082OPWQMHFENIFBMBZSHAAHKSZAMUHRGLRJC&rqst=1>

8Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. (n.d.). Register of Actions – Case No. 15-01780-MM. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://ccmspa.pinellascounty.org/PublicAccess/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=16888606>

9The Florida Senate. (n.d.). Title XLVII – Criminal Procedure and Corrections Chapter 901 – Arrest Section 02 – Issuance of arrest warrants. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/0901.02#:~:text=(1)%20A%20judge%2C%20upon,the%20judge's%20name%20of%20office.>

10Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. (n.d.). Florida Highway Patrol Policy Manual. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/fhp/policies/1103.pdf>

11The Florida Legislature. (n.d.). Title XLVII – Criminal Procedure And Corrections Chapter 941 – Corrections: Interstate Cooperation 941.13 Arrest Prior To Requisition. Online Sunshine. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0900-0999/0941/0941.html#:~:text=941.06%2C%20has%20fled%20from%20justice,commanding%20him%20or%20her%20to>

12The Florida Senate. (n.d.). Title XLVII – Criminal Procedure and Corrections Chapter 947 – Florida Commission On Offender Review; Conditional Release; Control Release; Parole – Section 2 Authority to arrest parole violators with or without warrant. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/947.22>

13The Florida Legislature. (n.d.). Title XLVII – Criminal Procedure And Corrections Chapter 933 – Search and Inspection Warrants 933.01 – Persons competent to issue search warrant. Online Sunshine. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from <http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0900-0999/0933/0933.html#:~:text=%E2%80%94A%20search%20warrant%20authorized%20by,3%2C%20ch.>