Is the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater?

Yes. Unlike most Pinellas County cities, Clearwater is actually the city where the Pinellas County Jail is located, at 14400 49th Street North. If someone is arrested anywhere in Pinellas County, from St. Petersburg to Dunedin to the beaches, they are brought to the jail here in Clearwater.

What is the difference between Clearwater and St. Pete for bail?

There is no difference in the bail process. Both cities are in Pinellas County and use the same jail in Clearwater. The 6th Judicial Circuit covers both. The only practical difference is that Clearwater residents have a shorter drive to the jail for pickup and in-person visits.

Bail Bonds in Clearwater, Florida — 24/7 Licensed Agents

Verified by Licensed Bail Bond Professionals•Last updated: May 2026

The Jail Is in Clearwater

Clearwater has something most Pinellas County cities do not: the actual jail. The Pinellas County Jail sits at 14400 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762, and it is the only booking facility for the entire county. Whether someone is arrested in St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Indian Rocks Beach, or Clearwater itself, they are transported to this facility.

This matters for Clearwater residents because you are the closest to the pickup location. When someone is released, they walk out of the jail in Clearwater, not wherever they were arrested.

Pinellas County Jail: 727-464-6415
Sheriff's Office: 727-582-6200
Use "Who's in Jail" to search current inmates and recent releases.

Clearwater Police vs. Sheriff's Office

Clearwater has its own police department (CPD), separate from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO). However, regardless of which agency makes the arrest, the person goes to the same county jail on 49th Street. The Clearwater PD does not operate its own jail for anything beyond very short-term holding during processing.

If you are trying to find out about an arrest, check both the CPD arrest log and the PCSO "Who's in Jail" database. Once someone is booked into the county jail, the Sheriff's Office system is the authoritative source.

The 6th Judicial Circuit

Clearwater is in the 6th Judicial Circuit, which covers both Pinellas and Pasco counties. First appearance hearings happen within 24 hours at the jail. The Clearwater courthouse handles criminal cases for the northern part of the county, while the St. Petersburg courthouse handles the southern portion. Which courthouse a case is assigned to depends on where the offense occurred.

For Clearwater arrests, criminal cases are typically heard at the Clearwater Courthouse at 315 Court Street. The Clerk of Court at 727-464-7000 handles court records, case lookups, and scheduled hearings.

Posting Bail

Surety bond (10%) — Non-refundable premium paid to a licensed bondsman. Works 24/7. Call (941) 477-6888.
Cash bond — Full amount through the Clerk of Court during business hours.

Release takes 6 to 10 hours after bail is posted. Weekend nights are the slowest due to high booking volume from the beaches and entertainment districts.