Hernando County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Hernando County, Florida, are accessible through several channels. HernandoCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information tied to the county's courts. Beyond that resource, official court systems, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, and the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court each maintain searchable records and accept formal requests. The sections below explain how to search, interpret, and obtain certified copies of criminal records in Hernando County.

How to Search Criminal Records in Hernando County

Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.

Online Search Options

1. HernandoCourt.us — Search publicly available court record information for Hernando County criminal cases. You can look up cases by name or case number.
2. HCSO Public Records Inquiry — Search arrest records by last name. Note that this tool only covers arrests made by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. All bookings into the Hernando County Jail can also be searched through the Inmate Search tool.
3. HCSO Arrest Reports — View recent arrest reports published by the Sheriff's Office. These reflect arrests only and do not indicate final case outcomes.
4. Local Warrants Report — Check for active local warrants issued in Hernando County.
5. Florida Courts eFiling Portal — Hernando County's circuit and county courts are part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. Appellate case dockets are available through the Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS).
6. Federal cases — Hernando County falls within the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Federal criminal case records are available through PACER.

In Person

Visit the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller to search court records at public access terminals or request assistance from staff.

By Mail or Written Request

• Court records: Submit a written request to the Clerk of Circuit Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
• Sheriff's Office records: The HCSO Public Records Unit processes requests for incident reports, arrest reports, and other law enforcement records. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail to the Sheriff's Office.
• Statewide criminal history: For a comprehensive Florida criminal history, submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE accepts online requests through its website and requires fingerprint-based submissions for sealed or expunged record checks.

What You Need to Begin a Search

• Defendant's full legal name
• Date of birth (recommended)
• Case number (if searching a specific case)
• Approximate date range of the offense or arrest

Search Hernando County Criminal Cases by Case Number

Florida uses a standardized case number format across all counties. Understanding the structure helps you locate the right case quickly.

A typical Florida case number follows this pattern:

YYYY-CF-NNNNNN

• YYYY — The year the case was filed (e.g., 2024).
• CF — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
  • CF — Circuit felony
  • MM — County misdemeanor
  • CT — Circuit criminal traffic (felony DUI, etc.)
  • MO — County criminal traffic / ordinance violation
  • CFA — Felony appeal from county court
• NNNNNN — A sequential number assigned by the clerk's office.

When searching by case number through the clerk's system or HernandoCourt.us, enter the full case number exactly as it appears on court documents. If you only have a partial number, try searching by the defendant's name instead.

Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Hernando County

Charges

Case Status

• Pending / Open — The case is active and has not reached a final disposition.
• Active — Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial dates may be scheduled.
• Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
• Closed — All matters in the case are concluded, including any post-disposition requirements.

Hearing Types

• First appearance — Initial hearing after arrest, usually within 24 hours; bond is typically addressed.
• Arraignment — Defendant enters a formal plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest).
• Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible plea agreements, and scheduling.
• Motion hearings — Arguments on specific legal issues (suppression of evidence, discovery disputes, etc.).
• Trial — Jury or bench trial where guilt is determined.
• Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
• Review hearing — Follow-up to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders.

Court Results (Dispositions)

• Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict.
• Not guilty — Acquitted at trial.
• No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes.
• Nolle prosequi / Dismissed — The State Attorney dropped the charges.
• Adjudication withheld — The court finds sufficient evidence but does not formally convict. Common in Florida; the defendant may still be placed on probation.
• Acquitted — Found not guilty after trial.

How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Hernando County

From the Clerk of Circuit Court

The Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court is the custodian of all court case files. Certified copies of criminal case documents — including judgments, sentences, docket sheets, and case dispositions — can be requested in person or by mail.

To request certified copies:

1. Identify the case number or provide the defendant's full name and date of birth.
2. Specify which documents you need certified.
3. Present a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
4. Pay the applicable copy and certification fees (see fee table below).

From the Sheriff's Office

The HCSO Public Records Unit handles requests for arrest reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement records. These are not court records but may supplement case information.

From FDLE (Statewide Criminal History)

For a certified statewide criminal history record, submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Options include:

• Name-based search — Available online through FDLE's website.
• Fingerprint-based search — Required for employment, licensing, or sealed/expunged record inquiries. Fingerprinting is available at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all in-person requests.

Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Hernando County

Fees are established under Florida Statutes § 28.24 (clerk of court fees) and § 119.07 (public records inspection and copying costs).

Processing Times

• Online searches — Results are typically immediate for the sheriff's arrest and inmate tools.
• Clerk of Court requests — In-person requests are often processed the same day. Mail requests generally take 5–10 business days depending on volume.
• FDLE name-based searches — Usually processed within 1–3 business days when submitted online.
• FDLE fingerprint-based searches — May take 5–10 business days or longer.

Payment methods vary by office. The Clerk of Circuit Court typically accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person requests. Confirm accepted payment methods before visiting.