St Petersburg City Florida DUI records include arrest reports, court case files, conviction records, and license actions tied to driving under the influence charges filed inside the city. The Pinellas County court system holds most case records because St Petersburg sits inside Pinellas County.
State agencies, including the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), track DUI events tied to driver licenses. Together, these sources build a clear record of any DUI matter tied to a person, vehicle, or case in St Petersburg. This page covers each step needed to locate, request, and clear DUI records connected to St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and the rest of Florida.
What St Petersburg DUI Records Contain
St Petersburg DUI records cover three layers of data. County courts hold the case file, the Florida Highway Patrol and St Petersburg Police Department hold the arrest file, and FLHSMV holds the license file. Each layer shows a different part of the same DUI event. When a person pulls records from all three layers, the full timeline of an arrest, court outcome, and license action becomes clear.
Types of DUI Records Filed in St Petersburg
Four main record types come up when a person searches for DUI history tied to St Petersburg. The first type is the arrest record, created by the officer who stops the driver. The second type is the court case file, created when the State Attorney files formal charges. The third type is the conviction or disposition record, created when the judge issues a sentence. The fourth type is the driver license record, created by FLHSMV when a suspension, revocation, or restriction is added to a license.
- Arrest reports from the St Petersburg Police Department or Florida Highway Patrol
- Court case files filed in Pinellas County Court or Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court
- Conviction and disposition records showing plea, verdict, and sentence
- Driver license records showing administrative actions and reinstatement status
Details Found in Each DUI Case Record
A single DUI case record in St Petersburg contains a case number, the filing date, the court division, the arresting agency, the charge level, and the final disposition. The record shows the statute the state filed under, such as Florida Statute 316.193 for driving under the influence. Sentencing details, fines, probation terms, and any court-ordered treatment programs also appear in the final case record. License-related entries may show dates of suspension, revocation, or ignition interlock order.
Agencies That Hold St Petersburg DUI Data
Three main agencies hold DUI data tied to St Petersburg. The Pinellas County Clerk of Court holds every case file at the county courthouse. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) holds statewide criminal history data. FLHSMV holds driver license data and links each DUI event to the person whose license was affected. Searchers should know which agency holds which data so the right office is contacted for each type of request.
How to Search St Petersburg DUI Records
Most St Petersburg DUI searches start at the Pinellas County Clerk of Court online portal. The portal lets users search by name, date of birth, case number, or citation number. Statewide DUI history checks go through FLHSMV and FDLE. Each search tool returns a different kind of result, so a full DUI search often uses two or three tools at once.
Pinellas County Clerk DUI Search
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court runs the official court records portal that holds St Petersburg DUI case files. Users can search the portal at https://www.mypinellasclerk.gov/. The portal covers civil, criminal, traffic, and probate cases filed in Pinellas County. To narrow a DUI search, enter the full legal name and date of birth, then filter by case type for criminal or traffic. A second filter for case year helps cut down on matching cases that share a common name.
Source: https://www.mypinellasclerk.gov/
FLHSMV Driver History DUI Lookup
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles runs the driver history search tool. Users order a certified or three-year driver history report that lists every DUI event tied to a license. The report includes the date of each DUI arrest, the BAC reading recorded by the officer, the court outcome, and any license action taken by FLHSMV. Driver history reports cost a small fee and arrive in PDF form once payment clears.
Name and Date of Birth Search Method
Name and date of birth is the most used search method for St Petersburg DUI records. The Pinellas County portal accepts both fields. Users with a common name should add a date of birth and a case year range to reduce duplicate matches. The portal returns a list of matching cases with case numbers, filing dates, and charge types. Each result links to the full case docket and the final disposition entry.
Using a DUI Case Number for Lookup
A DUI case number gives the fastest, cleanest search result. A case number follows a fixed format that includes the county code, the year, the case type, and a six-digit sequence. A user who already has a case number from a citation, court notice, or arrest report can type the number straight into the Pinellas County portal. The portal jumps straight to the docket without showing other matching cases.
Florida DUI Laws That Apply in St Petersburg
Florida DUI laws apply the same way across every city, so St Petersburg uses the same statutes as the rest of the state. The main DUI statute sits at Florida Statute 316.193, with the administrative license statute at Florida Statute 322.2615. Court penalties grow harsher with each new DUI conviction, and a third or later DUI within ten years becomes a felony.
BAC Limits for Florida DUI Charges
Florida sets three BAC limits based on driver status. The standard limit for drivers 21 and over is 0.08 percent. The limit for commercial drivers is 0.04 percent. The limit for drivers under 21 is 0.02 percent. A breath or blood test reading above the right limit creates the basis for a DUI charge under Florida Statute 316.193. A driver can still face a DUI charge below the BAC limit if an officer shows the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Penalties for a First Florida DUI
A first DUI conviction in Florida brings fines from $500 to $1,000. Jail time can reach six months. The court orders a license suspension that runs 180 days to one year. The court also orders 50 hours of community service and attendance at a DUI school. Probation can run up to one year. Many judges order an ignition interlock device for six months to one year on a first conviction.
Second and Third DUI Sentence Rules
A second DUI conviction within ten years brings fines from $1,000 to $2,000 and up to nine months in jail. The court orders a license revocation of at least five years. The court orders an ignition interlock device for at least one year after the revocation period ends. A third DUI conviction within ten years becomes a third-degree felony. Fines reach $5,000, prison time reaches five years, and the license revocation runs ten years.
| DUI Level | Max Fine | Max Jail or Prison | License Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| First DUI | $1,000 | 6 months jail | 180 days to 1 year suspension |
| Second DUI (within 10 years) | $2,000 | 9 months jail | 5 year revocation |
| Third DUI (within 10 years) | $5,000 | 5 years prison | 10 year revocation |
| Fourth or Later DUI | $5,000 | 5 years prison | Permanent revocation possible |
DUI Cases Involving Injury or Death
A DUI that causes serious bodily injury becomes a third-degree felony under Florida Statute 316.193. Prison time can reach five years. A DUI that causes death becomes DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony under Florida Statute 316.193. Prison time can reach fifteen years. A driver who leaves the scene of a DUI crash that causes death faces a first-degree felony with prison time up to thirty years.
Driver License Actions After a DUI
A DUI arrest in St Petersburg triggers two separate license tracks. The criminal case runs through Pinellas County Court. The administrative license case runs through FLHSMV under Florida Statute 322.2615. Both tracks can suspend or revoke the license. The criminal track applies after conviction. The administrative track applies within ten days of the arrest, based on the officer report and breath or blood test result.
Administrative License Suspension Rules
FLHSMV issues an administrative suspension when a driver refuses a breath or blood test, or fails a test at or above the legal BAC limit. The suspension starts on the arrest date. A driver has ten days to request a formal review hearing with FLHSMV to challenge the suspension. A hardship license request follows the hearing. A driver who wins the hearing gets the suspension set aside. A driver who loses must serve the suspension and follow reinstatement steps.
Hard Suspension Period Lengths
Hard suspension periods depend on BAC level and prior refusals. A first DUI failure with a BAC at or above 0.08 brings a six-month hard suspension. A first refusal brings a twelve-month hard suspension. A second or later failure with a BAC at or above 0.08 brings an eighteen-month hard suspension. The hard period runs before any hardship license becomes available.
- First failure BAC 0.08 or higher: six month hard suspension
- First refusal of breath or blood test: twelve month hard suspension
- Second or later failure BAC 0.08 or higher: eighteen month hard suspension
- Second or later refusal: eighteen month hard suspension
Ignition Interlock Device Requirements
Florida courts order an ignition interlock device (IID) for many DUI convictions. A first DUI conviction triggers a six-month IID order when the BAC reading was 0.15 or higher, or when a minor was in the vehicle. A second DUI conviction triggers a one-year IID order. A third DUI conviction triggers a two-year IID order. FLHSMV requires proof of IID installation before issuing a hardship license or reinstating a full license.
Steps to Reinstate a Suspended License
License reinstatement starts with serving the hard suspension period. After the hard period ends, the driver pays a reinstatement fee, files proof of insurance (an FR-44 form for high-risk coverage), and completes any required DUI school. The driver installs an ignition interlock device if the court ordered one. The driver then applies for reinstatement online through the FLHSMV portal or in person at a driver license office.
How to Get Certified DUI Court Copies
Certified DUI court copies come from the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. A certified copy carries the court seal and signature of the clerk, which makes it valid for court filings, immigration cases, and license hearings. A plain copy works for personal reference but does not carry legal weight. Most agencies that ask for DUI records require a certified copy.
Items Needed for a Records Request
The records desk at the Pinellas County Clerk needs three items to process a request. The first item is the full legal name of the person named in the case. The second item is the date of birth or case number to confirm the right file. The third item is a signed request form or written request that lists the case number, the document type, and the delivery method.
Certified Versus Plain Copy Options
A plain copy costs less and arrives faster. A certified copy costs more and carries the official seal. A searcher who needs a DUI record for personal use can order a plain copy. A searcher who needs the record for a court filing, license hearing, or government agency should order a certified copy. The Pinellas County Clerk can certify a copy the same day if the request is made in person.
Turnaround Time and Cost Details
Turnaround time depends on the request method. In-person requests at the Clearwater courthouse often finish the same day. Mail requests take seven to ten business days. Online requests through the Pinellas County portal return a digital copy within minutes for plain copies and within one business day for certified copies. Cost per page is set by Florida law and posted on the Pinellas County Clerk fee schedule.
DUI Records From Other Florida Counties
Florida does not keep DUI records in one statewide court system. Each county clerk holds the case files for DUI events that happened inside that county. A driver with a DUI history in more than one county must check each county clerk where an arrest or case was filed. The Florida DHSMV report ties every Florida DUI to one driver license record, which makes the state report the easiest check for multi-county DUI history.
Major Florida Counties With DUI Files
Florida has 67 counties, each with its own clerk of court portal. The largest counties by population include Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Orange, and Pinellas. A driver who lived in any of these counties before moving to St Petersburg should check the prior county for past DUI cases. Each county portal uses the same search fields: name, date of birth, and case year.
| County | Primary City | Clerk Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Pinellas | St Petersburg / Clearwater | mypinellasclerk.gov |
| Hillsborough | Tampa | hillsclerk.com |
| Orange | Orlando | myorangeclerk.com |
| Miami-Dade | Miami | miami-dadeclerk.com |
| Broward | Fort Lauderdale | web.browardclerk.org |
| Palm Beach | West Palm Beach | pbclerk.org |
Tampa Bay Region DUI Record Sources
The Tampa Bay region covers Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties. A driver who lived across the bay should check Hillsborough County records at hillsclerk.com and Pasco County records at pascoclerk.com. A DUI arrest that happened in Tampa shows up at the Hillsborough portal. A DUI arrest that happened in New Port Richey shows up at the Pasco portal. Each county clerk uses its own docket format.
Sealing or Expunging a Florida DUI Record
Florida law does not allow a person to expunge a DUI conviction. A person who received a withhold of adjudication on a first DUI may qualify to seal the record under Florida Statute 943.059. A person whose DUI case was dropped or dismissed may qualify for full expungement. Each path needs a certificate of eligibility from FDLE before a court order can be entered.
Who Can Seal a Florida DUI Record
A person who received a withhold of adjudication on a first DUI conviction may apply to seal that record. The applicant must wait ten years from the date the case ended. The applicant must not have any other criminal record. The applicant must get a certificate of eligibility from FDLE. The applicant must file a petition with the Pinellas County Court that handled the case.
Florida DUI Expungement Eligibility
A person whose DUI case was dropped, dismissed, or no-filed may apply for expungement. The applicant must not have been found guilty of any other criminal offense. The applicant must wait one year from the date the case ended. The applicant must get a certificate of eligibility from FDLE. The applicant must file a petition with the court that handled the case. A second expungement in Florida is not allowed.
St Petersburg DUI Records Official Resources
The main offices and tools used to check St Petersburg DUI records sit in Pinellas County and Tallahassee. The Pinellas County Clerk of Court at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, handles all court records tied to St Petersburg. The phone number for the Pinellas County Clerk is (727) 464-7000. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles sits at 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32301. The FLHSMV phone number is (850) 617-2000. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Useful links for St Petersburg DUI record searches:
- Pinellas County Clerk of Court: https://www.mypinellasclerk.gov/
- Pinellas County Court Public Access: https://ccmspa.pinellascounty.org/PublicAccess/default.aspx
- Pinellas County Court Records Portal: https://pinellascountycourt.org/
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: https://www.flhsmv.gov/
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal History: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records
- Florida Courts Information: http://www.flcourts.org/
- Florida Statute 316.193 (DUI): https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.1933.html
- Florida Statute 322.2615 (Administrative Suspension): https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0322/Sections/0322.2615.html
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida DUI
The questions below cover the most common points people ask about St Petersburg DUI records. Each answer gives a direct, practical response based on Florida law, Pinellas County court rules, and FLHSMV procedures. The answers also reflect updates through 2026, including the 2024 ignition interlock expansion and the 2025 administrative rule changes from FLHSMV. Readers who need legal advice for a specific case should still speak with a licensed Florida attorney.
How long do DUI records stay on file in Florida?
DUI records stay on file for life in Florida. A DUI conviction does not fall off a criminal record at any fixed point. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps criminal history data permanently, and the FLHSMV keeps driver history data for at least the past ten years on the standard three-year report, with older entries available through an extended report. Court records held by the Pinellas County Clerk also stay on file permanently. A person who wants the record hidden from public view must follow the sealing or expungement process under Florida Statute 943.059, which has strict rules for DUI cases. A sealed record still exists in the system but does not show up on most background checks.
Can a first DUI be expunged in Florida?
A first DUI conviction cannot be expunged in Florida. A person who received a withhold of adjudication on a first DUI conviction can apply to seal the record ten years after the case ends. A person whose DUI case was dropped, dismissed, or no-filed may apply for full expungement one year after the case ends. Both paths start with a certificate of eligibility from FDLE, followed by a court petition to the Pinellas County Court that handled the case. A second expungement in Florida is not allowed. A record that was sealed but later unsealed does not qualify for expungement. An attorney who handles Florida record sealing can confirm eligibility before filing.
What is the difference between a DUI arrest record and a conviction record?
A DUI arrest record shows the arrest event: the officer name, the arrest date, the agency, the BAC reading, and the location. A DUI conviction record shows the court outcome: the charge, the plea, the verdict, the sentence, and the probation terms. The arrest record comes from the police agency. The conviction record comes from the court. FLHSMV links both into the driver history report. A case can have an arrest record with no conviction record if the state dropped the charges or the court dismissed the case. A conviction record always follows a guilty plea, a no contest plea with adjudication, or a trial verdict.
How do I check if someone has a DUI in St Petersburg?
A person can check DUI history in St Petersburg through three channels. The first channel is the Pinellas County Clerk portal at mypinellasclerk.gov, which shows court cases by name and date of birth. The second channel is FLHSMV, which sells certified driver history reports tied to a Florida license number. The third channel is FDLE, which provides statewide criminal history reports for a fee. A complete search uses all three tools, since each one covers a different slice of the DUI record. Florida law restricts some record types, so the requester may need the written consent of the person named in the record for a certified report.
What happens to a Florida license after a DUI arrest?
A DUI arrest in Florida triggers an automatic ten-day review period. The arresting officer takes the license at the scene and issues a temporary permit that runs seven days. FLHSMV then issues an administrative suspension that begins on the arrest date. The driver has ten days from the arrest to request a formal review hearing. A driver who wins the hearing keeps the license. A driver who loses the hearing serves the suspension, pays a reinstatement fee, and may need to install an ignition interlock device before any hardship license becomes available. A separate criminal case outcome can add a longer court-ordered suspension or revocation.
Do out-of-state DUI convictions show on Florida records?
Florida treats out-of-state DUI convictions as prior convictions for sentencing purposes. A driver who moves to Florida with a prior DUI conviction from another state faces enhanced penalties on the next Florida DUI. FLHSMV adds the out-of-state conviction to the Florida driver record under the interstate compact rules. The conviction also shows up on the Florida criminal history report if the reporting state shared the data with the FBI and FDLE. A driver with an out-of-state DUI should pull a Florida driver history report before any new DUI case to see how the prior conviction is recorded.
How much does it cost to get a certified DUI record in Pinellas County?
The Pinellas County Clerk charges by page for certified copies. As of 2026, the fee per certified page is $1.00, with a $2.00 minimum and additional fees for special handling. A standard one- or two-page DUI disposition certificate runs between $2.00 and $5.00. Mailing fees, if requested, add a flat charge posted on the clerk fee schedule. Online requests through the Pinellas County portal show the exact fee before payment. Payment by credit card adds a small processing fee. A searcher who needs a large record set should call the clerk records desk at (727) 464-7000 for a quote before submitting the request.