St Petersburg city public records include arrest reports, booking logs, mugshots, inmate rosters, court files, and police documents. Florida law makes these records open to any person.
You do not need to give your name or explain why you want them. This page explains how to get each type of record, who runs each database, what fees apply, and what stays sealed under state law.
St Petersburg sits in Pinellas County, Florida. Records about arrests and bookings come from three main offices: the St Petersburg Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts. Each office keeps a different slice of the public record. Knowing which office holds which record saves you time and money.
What Counts as a St Petersburg Public Record
Florida law defines a public record as any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photo, film, sound recording, or data record made or received by a government agency in the course of official business. Section 119.011 of the Florida Statutes sets this rule. The default rule is openness. The state lists a small number of exempt records, and agencies must cite the exact law when they withhold a record.
For St Petersburg, public records fall into four main groups:
- Police and arrest records held by the St Petersburg Police Department
- Sheriff and jail records held by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
- Court records held by the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts under the 6th Judicial Circuit
- City records held by the City of St Petersburg departments
Types of St Petersburg Arrest Records You Can Request
Arrest records in St Petersburg come in several forms. Each form tells a different part of the story. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right office to contact.
St Petersburg Arrest Reports
An arrest report is the full written account of one arrest. It lists the suspect’s name, date of birth, the charges, the arresting officer, the time and place of the arrest, and a short narrative of what happened. You can ask for a redacted copy of an arrest report from the St Petersburg Police Department Records Unit.
St Petersburg Booking Records
A booking record covers what happened after the suspect reached the jail. It includes the booking number, fingerprints, photos, personal property list, and the charges filed at intake. Booking records for St Petersburg arrests are kept by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office because the county runs the central booking facility.
St Petersburg Mugshots
A mugshot is the photo taken at booking. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office posts current inmate photos on its public roster. Older mugshots may sit inside the case file. Florida law lets agencies release mugshots, but some agencies limit access if the case ended in a dismissal or a not guilty verdict.
St Petersburg Arrest Logs and Daily Booking Blotters
An arrest log lists each person booked into the county jail on a given day. The log shows the booking time, charges, and bond amount. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office posts a daily booking blotter online.
St Petersburg Police Arrest Records vs Sheriff Arrest Records
St Petersburg city limits sit inside Pinellas County. Arrests made by the St Petersburg Police Department go to the Pinellas County Jail for booking. Both agencies hold different parts of the paper trail:
- St Petersburg Police Department: arrest reports, incident reports, offense reports, and investigative notes for arrests made inside city limits
- Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office: jail intake records, inmate rosters, mugshots, and bond data for everyone booked into the county jail
How to Search St Petersburg Arrest Records by Name
You can search St Petersburg arrest records by name through the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office inmate lookup tool. The tool is free. It shows current inmates, recent releases, and booking photos.
To run a name search:
- Go to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office website at pcsoweb.com
- Click on the Inmate Search or Corrections section
- Type the full legal name or the last name with the first initial
- Filter by booking date if you know the rough time of arrest
- Open the matching profile to see charges, bond amount, and next court date
The Sheriff’s database updates every few hours. New bookings usually appear the same day. Released inmates move to a separate archive after their release date.
St Petersburg Jail Records and Inmate Booking Lookup
All St Petersburg arrests end up at the Pinellas County Central Booking Facility. The facility sits at 14500 49th Street North in Clearwater, Florida 33762. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail under Florida state law.
You can look up an inmate three ways:
- Online: Use the Sheriff’s inmate search at pcsoweb.com
- By phone: Call the Pinellas County Jail Information Line at (727) 464-6415
- In person: Visit the Central Booking Facility lobby during public hours
The inmate record shows the booking date, current housing location, scheduled release date, court dates, and bond status. Phone records may run 10 to 15 minutes per call during peak hours. The online search gives you the same data without the wait.
St Petersburg Mugshots: Where to Find Them
Booking photos for St Petersburg arrests are public under Florida law. You can see them through the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office inmate search. The system displays a small photo on each inmate profile.
You can also request a copy of a specific mugshot by contacting the Sheriff’s Records Bureau. The standard fee is $0.15 per page for paper copies. A digital mugshot sent by email or CD costs more, based on the time it takes to pull and redact the file.
Some third-party sites post mugshots. Be careful with these sites. They often charge high fees, mix up data, and may show old or wrong photos. The Sheriff’s site is the trusted source.
St Petersburg Florida Recent Arrests and Arrest Log Access
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office posts a daily arrest log on its website. The log lists every person booked into the county jail in the past 24 to 72 hours. Each entry shows the arrestee’s name, age, city of residence, charges, and bond amount.
To see recent St Petersburg arrests, go to pcsoweb.com, open the Arrests or Daily Booking section, and filter by St Petersburg as the arresting city. You can also sort by date to see the past week, the past month, or a custom range.
The Sheriff’s arrest log covers all agencies in the county, not just St Petersburg Police Department arrests. The log updates once per day, usually in the morning. The data stays on the site for at least 90 days. After 90 days, older entries move to the archive section.
How to Request St Petersburg Arrest Records Step by Step
Florida law gives you the right to ask for any non-exempt arrest record. The St Petersburg Police Department handles arrest reports and incident reports. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office handles jail and booking records. The Pinellas County Clerk of Courts handles court case files.
Requesting Records from the St Petersburg Police Department
- Write a clear request that names the record you want, the case number if you have it, the date range, and the person’s name
- Send the request by email, mail, fax, or in person to the St Petersburg Police Department Records Unit at 1300 1st Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL 33705
- Wait for the department to respond. Simple requests take 3 to 5 business days
- Pay the fee when the record is ready. Most copies cost $0.15 per page
Requesting Records from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
- Visit pcsoweb.com and open the Records Request page
- Fill out the online form with the case number, names, and date range
- Submit the form. A staff member will reply by email or phone within a few business days
- Pay by credit card, check, or money order. Pick up the records at the Sheriff’s office or have them mailed to you
You can also call the Sheriff’s Records Bureau at (727) 582-6200 to check the status of a request.
St Petersburg Court Records and Case Files
Court records for St Petersburg cases are held by the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk serves the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Clerk keeps case files for criminal, civil, family, traffic, and probate cases filed in St Petersburg.
You can search court records two ways:
- Online: Use the Clerk’s View Records system at mypinellasclerk.gov
- In person: Visit the Clerk’s office at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
The online search is free. It shows case number, party names, charges, hearing dates, and the final judgment. To get a paper copy of a court document, you pay $0.15 per page. A certified copy costs $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
Court records become public once a case is filed. Sealed or expunged cases do not show up in the search. Juvenile records stay confidential under Florida law.
Exemptions and Sealed Arrest Records in St Petersburg
Florida law lists specific record types that stay exempt from public view. Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes is the main list. A few common exemptions in arrest cases:
- Active criminal investigation records that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant
- Surveillance videos and audio from a live operations center
- Personal data such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and bank account numbers
- Medical and mental health records collected during the booking process
- Juvenile arrest records and court files
- Records sealed or expunged by court order under Florida Statute 943.0585
If an agency denies your request, it must cite the exact law that allows the denial. The denial must come in writing. You have the right to challenge the denial in court or through the Florida Attorney General’s open government mediation program.
Fees and Processing Times for St Petersburg Records
Fees for St Petersburg public records follow state law. The standard rates are:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy | $0.15 per page, one-sided |
| Two-sided paper copy | $0.20 per page |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee |
| Digital copy on CD or flash drive | Actual cost of the media |
| Extensive staff time (over 30 minutes) | Hourly rate of the lowest-paid staff member who can do the work |
Simple requests cost almost nothing. A one-page arrest report runs $0.15. A certified copy of a court document runs $6.00 for a single page. Agencies cannot charge a fee just to process a request or to look up a record. They can only charge for copies and for the staff time needed to pull large or complex files.
Most simple requests take 3 to 10 business days. Large requests that need a wide search across many systems can take 30 days or more. The agency must tell you the expected time when you submit the request.
What to Do if Your Records Request Gets Denied
If a St Petersburg or Pinellas County agency denies your request for arrest records, you have three paths:
- Ask for the denial in writing with the specific exemption cited
- File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s open government mediation program at (850) 245-0140
- File a civil action in the local circuit court under Florida Statute 119.15
The Attorney General’s office offers free mediation for denied records requests. Many disputes resolve at this stage. If mediation fails, you can sue the agency. The court can order the agency to release the record and may award your attorney fees.
St Petersburg Police Department Contact Details
The St Petersburg Police Department runs its own records system for arrests made inside the city. Here are the key contact points:
- Address: 1300 1st Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL 33705
- Phone (Main): (727) 893-7780
- Records Unit Phone: (727) 893-7525
- Records Email: policerecords@stpete.org
- Website: police.stpete.org
- Records Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Public Lobby Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Jail Contact Details
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail and the booking system. Use these contacts for inmate searches, mugshots, and booking records:
- Sheriff’s Office Address: 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33778
- Jail Information Line: (727) 464-6415
- Records Bureau: (727) 582-6200
- Inmate Search: pcsoweb.com
- General Email: pcsorecords@pcsonet.com
- Lobby Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Central Booking Facility Address: 14500 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762
- Central Booking Lobby Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for inmate drop-off and public inquiries
Pinellas County Clerk of Court Contact Details
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court holds court records for St Petersburg cases. Contact the Clerk for case files, judgments, and official records:
- Clerk’s Office Address: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
- North County Branch: 29582 U.S. 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33761
- St Petersburg Branch: 545 1st Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL 33701
- Phone: (727) 464-7000
- Online Records: mypinellasclerk.gov
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
City of St Petersburg Hall and Government Records
For city-level records such as council minutes, permits, contracts, and code enforcement files, contact the City of St Petersburg:
- City Hall Address: 175 5th Street North, St Petersburg, FL 33701
- Main Phone: (727) 893-7171
- City Clerk’s Office: (727) 893-7488
- Records Request Email: cityclerk@stpete.org
- City Website: stpete.org
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Common Questions About St Petersburg Arrest Records
People often want to know if old arrests still show up, how long the Sheriff keeps booking photos, and what happens when a case ends in a dismissal. The next section answers these questions and other frequent search queries.
How long does the Pinellas County Sheriff keep arrest records?
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest and booking records for the life of the case. Records tied to active cases stay on the public roster until the case closes. Closed case files move to the Sheriff’s Records Bureau archive. Under Florida law, the Sheriff must keep adult arrest records for at least 5 years. Many older records stay on file for decades if the case ended in a conviction. You can ask the Records Bureau for an archived file by case number, full name, and date of birth.
Can I remove my mugshot from public view in St Petersburg?
You can ask a website to take down your mugshot, but the Sheriff’s Office must keep the booking photo in the official file. Under Florida Statute 943.0585, you can seal or expunge a record if the court grants a Certificate of Eligibility. A sealed record no longer shows up in public searches. An expunged record gets destroyed. Both options require a petition to the court and a judge’s order. The Pinellas County Clerk’s office can help you file the petition.
Are St Petersburg arrest records free to view?
Yes, viewing arrest records online is free. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s inmate search and the Pinellas County Clerk’s court records search do not charge a fee to look at the data. You only pay when you want a paper copy, a certified copy, or a printed record mailed to you.
Can I find out who got arrested today in St Petersburg?
Yes. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office posts a daily arrest log online. You can filter by St Petersburg as the arresting city. The log shows names, charges, and bond amounts for arrests made in the past 24 to 72 hours. The log updates each morning around 6:00 a.m.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a conviction record?
An arrest record shows that police took a person into custody and booked them on a charge. A conviction record shows that a court found the person guilty of the charge. Many people get arrested but never get convicted. The arrest record stays on file either way. The court record shows the final outcome.
Can I request records on behalf of someone else, like a family member or employer?
Yes. Florida law does not limit who can ask for a public record. You can request arrest records, booking photos, and court files for any person. Many employers, landlords, and background check companies do this every day. The agency will release the record to you as long as it is not exempt or sealed.
What should I do if I see wrong information in my St Petersburg arrest record?
You can ask the agency that posted the record to fix the error. For arrest reports, contact the St Petersburg Police Department Records Unit. For booking data, contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Records Bureau. For court data, contact the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts. You may need to show proof of the mistake, such as a court order or a signed correction form. The agency must respond within a reasonable time.
Quick Reference: Who to Call for Each Record Type
| Record Type | Agency | Phone | Online Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Petersburg arrest reports | St Petersburg Police Department | (727) 893-7525 | police.stpete.org |
| Booking records and mugshots | Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office | (727) 464-6415 | pcsoweb.com |
| Daily arrest log | Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office | (727) 582-6200 | pcsoweb.com |
| Court case files | Pinellas County Clerk of Courts | (727) 464-7000 | mypinellasclerk.gov |
| Official records (deeds, liens) | Pinellas County Clerk of Courts | (727) 464-7000 | mypinellasclerk.gov |
| City council and permits | City of St Petersburg | (727) 893-7171 | stpete.org |
Final Notes on St Petersburg Public Records
St Petersburg city public records stay open under Florida’s broad public records law. Arrest reports, booking logs, mugshots, inmate rosters, and court files all fall under this law. The St Petersburg Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts each run a separate database. Knowing which office holds the record you need saves you time and cuts down on fees.
Start with the online search tools for fast, free access. Reach out to the records unit by phone or email for archived files or certified copies. If a request gets denied, you have clear paths through the Florida Attorney General and the courts. Most disputes resolve with a phone call or a short email exchange once the agency cites the exact exemption.
Keep your request short and specific. Include the full name, date of birth, and date range whenever you can. The more detail you give, the faster the agency can pull the file. If you need a record for a legal case, ask for a certified copy and keep the receipt for your records.