Hillsborough County Criminal Court Statistics
Hillsborough County, anchored by Tampa, is one of Florida's largest and fastest-growing counties with over 1.5 million residents. The 13th Judicial Circuit operates one of the state's busiest criminal court systems. This guide analyzes outcomes from our FDLE Clerk Case database.
Court Structure
The 13th Judicial Circuit is based at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. It features criminal felony divisions, county criminal (misdemeanor) divisions, domestic violence division, drug court, veterans treatment court, and mental health court.
Case Volume and Trends
Hillsborough generates one of Florida's highest criminal caseloads, driven by the Tampa Bay area's growing population, active nightlife, and position as a major transportation hub.
Key Statistics
Our analysis shows distinctive patterns in conviction rates, dismissal rates, adjudication withheld usage, and sentencing that can be compared to other large counties and statewide averages.
The Tampa Bay Context
- Population growth — One of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.
- Tourism and entertainment — Raymond James Stadium, Amalie Arena, and Ybor City nightlife generate DUI and drug cases
- Military presence — MacDill Air Force Base contributes cases to veterans treatment court
- Interstate corridors — I-4, I-75, and I-275 generate traffic offenses and drug interdiction cases
- Multiple agencies — Tampa PD, Hillsborough County Sheriff, Temple Terrace PD, and Plant City PD all contribute cases
Hillsborough vs. Pinellas
Hillsborough and neighboring Pinellas County are in different judicial circuits (13th and 6th) despite being part of the same metro area. This creates a natural experiment in criminal justice outcomes. Compare them using our county comparison tool.
Facing Charges in Hillsborough County?
Visit our Hillsborough County page for charge-specific data and sentencing statistics.