Brandon City felony records are public court documents that list felony charges, court actions, and final outcomes for cases filed in the Hillsborough County area. Brandon sits in unincorporated Hillsborough County, Florida, so all felony records fall under the Hillsborough County court system.
These records help residents, employers, and legal teams verify someone’s felony history in the local area. Anyone can search these records through official county and state websites. This page explains how to access Brandon City felony records, what each record type shows, and how to request copies.
What Are Brandon City Felony Records
Brandon City felony records are official documents that track felony charges from arrest to final resolution. They hold details about cases that go through the Hillsborough County court system. Felony cases involve serious crimes that carry penalties of more than one year in prison. These records serve many public safety, employment, and legal purposes across the Brandon community.
Definition and Purpose
A felony record is a written account of a serious criminal charge that went through the court system. Each record holds the defendant’s name, the charge, the court dates, and the final outcome. The main purpose of felony records is to give the public a clear view of felony cases. Employers use them for background checks. Courts use them for sentencing. Families use them for safety reasons. Landlords use them for tenant screening. Licensing boards use them for professional applications.
Types of Felony Records Available
Several types of felony records can be searched for in Brandon. Each type holds different facts about a case. The court system keeps all of them in one place, but each serves a unique purpose.
- Arrest records – show when and why a person was taken into custody
- Court docket records – list every hearing, motion, and filing in a case
- Final judgment records – show the verdict and sentence
- Probation records – track post-prison supervision
- Booking records – show the intake details at the county jail
- Warrant records – show active or cleared warrants for arrest
- Sentence records – detail prison time, fines, and conditions
Who Maintains These Records
Three main agencies hold and manage Brandon City felony records. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court holds court records. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office holds arrest and booking records. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, or FDLE, holds statewide criminal history records. Each agency plays a key role in keeping records current and complete. The 13th Judicial Circuit Court handles all felony trials in the county.
Official Sources for Brandon City Felony Records
Brandon City felony records come from three official sources. Each source covers a different part of the case lifecycle. Together, they give you a full picture of any felony in the area.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court is the main keeper of court records. The Clerk’s office is at 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602. The office phone number is (813) 276-8100. The website is hillsclerk.com. The Clerk stores all court filings, judgments, and dockets for felony cases in the county. This includes every case filed in Brandon. The Clerk also handles the 13th Judicial Circuit Court records.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office handles all police duties for Brandon. The Sheriff’s Office is at 2008 East 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. The main phone number is (813) 247-8200. The website is hcsso.tampa.fl.us. The Sheriff’s Office holds arrest reports, booking records, and incident reports. The Records Division can give you copies of these documents on request.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, or FDLE, runs the statewide criminal history database. FDLE is in Tallahassee. The website is fdle.state.fl.us. The main phone number is (850) 410-7000. FDLE keeps arrest records, charges, and dispositions from every Florida county. All Brandon felony arrests appear in this database. FDLE also offers a paid public search service.
How to Search Brandon City Felony Records Online
Online searches are the fastest way to look up Brandon City felony records. Two official websites give you free or low-cost access. You can search from home with just a name and date of birth. Both sites run day and night.
Hillsborough Clerk Online Portal
The Hillsborough Clerk online portal lets you search court records by name or case number. Go to hillsclerk.com and click on the Court Records search link. Enter the full legal name of the person you are searching for. Add a date of birth if you know it. The system shows all matching court cases. You can view case details, court dates, and final outcomes. Many records are free to view. Some documents cost a small fee to download as PDF files.
FDLE Criminal History Search
The FDLE criminal history search covers all of Florida. Go to web.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/default to start a search. The cost is twenty-five dollars per search. You need a credit card to pay. Provide the full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number if you have it. The report shows every arrest in Florida, including Hillsborough County. It also lists charges, dispositions, and sentences. Sealed and expunged records do not appear in this report.
Required Details for an Online Search
You need certain details to run a successful online search. The more details you have, the better your results will be. List the items you need before you start.
- Full legal name – first, middle, and last name
- Date of birth – month, day, and year
- Social Security Number – helps narrow results
- Case number – if you have it, search is faster
- Approximate year of arrest – helps narrow results
- Race and sex – helps narrow results in some cases
How to Request Records in Person
Some people prefer to visit offices in person to get copies of records. In-person visits give you full access to the files. You can also ask staff questions about the records. You can view documents that are not online.
Visiting the Clerk’s Office
The Hillsborough County Clerk’s office is at 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Public terminals let you search court records for free. Staff can help you locate case files. You can ask for printed copies of any document. Standard copies cost fifteen cents per page. Certified copies cost more and have a raised seal. The office is in the same building as the Edgecombe Courthouse.
Visiting the Sheriff’s Office
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Records Division is at 2008 East 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can ask for arrest reports and incident reports. Some reports need a written request. Bring a photo ID when you visit. Staff will help you locate the records you need. Reports may take a few days to process.
What to Bring
Bring the right items when you visit in person. These items help staff locate the records you need. Without them, your request may be delayed or denied.
- Photo ID – driver’s license, state ID, or passport
- Full name of the person you are searching for
- Date of birth of the person
- Case number if you have it
- Payment method – cash, check, or credit card
- Written request if you are asking for restricted records
- Proof of relationship for victim records
Fees and Copy Costs for Brandon Felony Records
Different agencies charge different fees for felony records. Knowing the costs ahead of time helps you plan your budget. Most fees are small, but some searches cost more.
Standard Copy Fees
The Hillsborough Clerk charges fifteen cents per page for standard copies. This fee covers most court documents. You pay the fee at the time of request. The office accepts cash, check, and credit card. Copies of large case files can add up quickly. Plan your budget if you need many pages. Most docket pages are one page per entry.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies cost more than standard copies. A certified copy has a raised seal from the court. It proves the document is a true copy of the original. The Clerk charges a few dollars per certified copy. The exact fee depends on the document type. Employers and courts often require certified copies for background checks. Some certified copies cost up to ten dollars per document.
FDLE Background Check Fee
The FDLE charges twenty-five dollars per criminal history search. This fee is paid online by credit card. The report is ready right away. You can print the report or save it as a PDF. The fee is the same for personal and employer requests. You do not get a refund if the search shows no results. Multiple name searches for the same person cost extra.
The Felony Case Process in Brandon City
Felony cases in Brandon follow a set of legal steps. Each step creates court records. Knowing the steps helps you understand the records you locate in the system.
Arrest and Booking Steps
A felony case often starts with an arrest. Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office make the arrest. The arrestee is taken to the Orient Road Jail. At the jail, staff record personal details, take fingerprints, and take a mugshot. They also do a health check. A booking report is created at this stage. This report lists the arrest date, charges, and arresting officer.
Court Hearings and Procedural Phases
After booking, the case moves to the court system. The first court event is a first appearance. The judge decides on bail at this hearing. The next step is an arraignment. The defendant enters a plea at the arraignment. Discovery happens after the arraignment. Both sides exchange evidence. Motions may be filed. Plea deals may close the case. If no plea deal is reached, the case goes to trial.
Sentencing and Final Records
The final step is sentencing. The judge issues a sentence after a guilty plea or a guilty verdict. Sentences can include prison time, fines, or probation. The Clerk records the sentence in the final judgment. This judgment is a permanent part of the felony record. It stays on file even after the sentence is served. Appeals can change the sentence but the original record stays in the system.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Some felony records are sealed or expunged. Sealed records are hidden from public view. Expunged records are destroyed in a legal sense. Both types of records are not shown in normal searches.
What Sealing Means
Sealing a record hides it from public searches. The record still exists in the court system. Only certain agencies can see sealed records. These agencies include police, courts, and some government offices. Most employers cannot see sealed records. You must ask the court to seal a record. The court will only seal records in certain cases.
What Expungement Means
Expungement is stronger than sealing. An expunged record is removed from public view. The court keeps the record in a private file. Most people and agencies cannot see an expunged record. Florida law has strict rules for expungement. You must meet eligibility rules. You must also file a petition with the court. A lawyer can help you with the petition.
Who Can Access Restricted Records
Some agencies can still see sealed and expunged records. Knowing which agencies can see them helps you understand who has access to your record.
- Police agencies – state, local, and federal
- Court system – for future criminal cases
- Florida Bar – for legal licensing
- Military recruiters – for enlistment decisions
- Government agencies – for security clearances
- School districts – for teacher background checks
Contact Details for Brandon City Felony Records
You can reach the agencies that hold Brandon City felony records through the contact details below. These details are current as of 2026. Always call ahead to confirm office hours before you visit. Office hours may change on holidays.
- Hillsborough County Clerk of Court – 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602 – Phone: (813) 276-8100 – Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM – Website: hillsclerk.com
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – 2008 East 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 – Phone: (813) 247-8200 – Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM – Website: hcsso.tampa.fl.us
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement – 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308 – Phone: (850) 410-7000 – Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM – Website: fdle.state.fl.us
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Brandon City felony records. The answers explain the rules, costs, and steps for getting records. Use these answers to plan your search or request. The rules change over time, so check the latest Florida statutes before you act.
How long does a felony stay on a record in Florida?
A felony stays on your Florida record for life unless it is sealed or expunged. Florida law does not allow for automatic removal of felony records after a set time. The only ways to remove a felony record are through a court-ordered sealing or expungement. You must meet strict eligibility rules to qualify. The rules depend on the type of felony, the sentence, and your full criminal history. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps all felony records, even very old ones. Some old records may show on FDLE searches across the state. You should talk to a lawyer if you want to seal or expunge a felony record in Florida.
Can I view Brandon felony records for free?
Yes, you can view many Brandon felony records for free through the Hillsborough Clerk online portal. The portal lets you search by name and see case details at no cost. You can also visit the Clerk’s office in Tampa and use public terminals for free. The FDLE criminal history search costs twenty-five dollars and is not free. Standard copies at the Clerk’s office cost fifteen cents per page. Certified copies cost more. Free searches are great for simple checks, but paid searches give you official documents you can use for legal purposes. The free searches are also slower than paid third-party services.
What is the difference between felony and misdemeanor records?
Felony records cover serious crimes that can lead to more than one year in prison. Misdemeanor records cover less serious crimes that lead to less than one year in jail. Felony cases go through the circuit court in Florida. Misdemeanor cases go through the county court. Both types of records are kept by the Hillsborough Clerk. The FDLE keeps both types in its statewide database. Felony records have a bigger effect on background checks for jobs, housing, and licenses. Misdemeanor records are often sealed more easily than felonies.
Can I remove a felony from my record?
You can remove a felony from your record in some cases through sealing or expungement. Florida law lets some people with felony records ask for these legal remedies. You must first finish your sentence, including probation. You cannot have any other open criminal cases. You must meet eligibility rules under Florida Statute 943.0585 or 943.059. Some felonies cannot be sealed or expunged, such as violent crimes and sex offenses. A lawyer can help you file the right petition with the court. The process takes several months to complete.
How do I check if someone has a felony in Brandon?
You can check if someone has a felony in Brandon by running a name search on the Hillsborough Clerk online portal. You can also run a statewide search on the FDLE website for a full criminal history. Start with the Clerk’s site if you only need local results. Use the FDLE site if you need results from all of Florida. Both searches need the full legal name and date of birth. Add a Social Security Number if you have it. The searches show charges, court dates, and outcomes. You can also hire a private investigator for hard cases.
Are out-of-state felony records shown in Florida searches?
No, Florida searches only show felony records within Florida. Florida law only requires state agencies to track arrests that happen in Florida. The FDLE database only has Florida arrests. To discover out-of-state felonies, you must search the other state’s database. The FBI also runs a national database called the National Crime Information Center, or NCIC. Only police agencies can use NCIC. Most employers use private background check companies that search many states at once. These private checks cost more than state searches.
What happens if I cannot locate the record I need?
If you cannot locate the record you need, try a different search approach. Start with the Clerk’s online portal and try several name variations. Use the FDLE search for a statewide check. If you still cannot locate the record, visit the Clerk’s office in person. Staff can help you with more advanced searches. You can also ask the Sheriff’s Office about arrest records. Old records may be on microfilm or in storage. Be ready to give more details such as the year of arrest or the exact charge. A lawyer can also help you with hard record searches that have no clear results.