Broward Public Records Criminal Data: View Local Case Files.

Broward public records criminal data shows what happens in local courts and police stations. Florida law says these files must stay open for people to see. This law is Chapter 119. People call it the Sunshine Law. It makes sure government work stays clear. You can see arrest reports. You can see court dates. You can see what a judge decided. These files help people stay safe. They help people know who they hire. They help people know their neighbors. You do not need a special reason to look at these files. You just need to know where to look. This page tells you how to get those files. It shows you the costs. It shows you the offices to visit. It uses simple words so you can get the data you need fast.

Broward County Clerk of the Courts Criminal Search

The Clerk of the Courts keeps all the court papers. When a person goes to court, the Clerk writes it down. They put it in a file. These files show the charge. They show the name of the lawyer. They show the name of the judge. You can search these files by name. You can search by the case number. The online tool stays open all day and night. You can see cases from 1978 until today. If you need older files, you must ask in person. Some files stay private. This happens with kids or victims of certain crimes. The Clerk must follow state rules to hide that data. Most other data stays public for everyone. You can print a copy at home. If you need a stamp on the paper, you must pay. The stamp makes it official. Many jobs ask for these stamped papers.

The Clerk has a main office in Fort Lauderdale. They have smaller offices too. You can go to the North Regional Office in Hollywood. You can go to the West Regional Office in Plantation. You can go to the South Regional Office in Hollywood. Each place has computers for you to use. You can look at the files for free on those computers. If you want the Clerk to do the search for you, they charge a fee. This fee is usually $2 per year for each name. It adds up fast if you search many years. It is better to do the search yourself. You can save money that way. The online portal shows a list of every paper filed in the case. You can click on the paper to see it. Some papers have a lock icon. That means they are private. You cannot see those without a court order.

Broward Sheriff Office Arrest Logs

The Broward Sheriff Office is the BSO. They run the jails. They catch people who break the law. When they catch someone, they make a report. This report is an arrest log. It shows the person’s name. It shows their age. It shows their picture. These pictures are mugshots. The log shows why the police caught them. It shows the time and the place. The BSO website updates these logs every day. You can see who went to jail in the last 24 hours. This data is very fresh. It is helpful if someone you know did not come home. You can check if they are in jail. The log also shows the bond amount. This is the money needed to get out of jail. If the bond says “No Bond,” the person must stay in jail. A judge must see them first. This usually happens within 24 hours.

The BSO keeps reports for five to seven days online. After that, they move them to a different file. You can still get them. You have to ask the Records Unit. You can use their online portal to ask. You need the date of the event. You need the names of the people. They charge money for paper copies. They charge 15 cents for a one-sided page. They charge 20 cents for a two-sided page. If the search takes a long time, they charge for the worker’s time. This is part of the state law. Most small requests do not cost much. You can get the report sent to your email. This saves you a trip to the office. It also saves you money on stamps. The BSO Records Unit works Monday through Friday. They close on holidays.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Background Checks

The FDLE is the state police. they have a big database. It shows criminal history for all of Florida. Broward records go into this state system. If someone lived in Miami and then moved to Broward, the FDLE sees both. This is a better search for jobs. It costs $24 for each search. You can do this online with a credit card. The results come back right away. You see every arrest in the state. You see if a person went to prison. You see if they are on probation. Probation means they must follow rules or go back to jail. The FDLE record is very trusted. Banks and schools use it. They want to be sure a person has a clean past. You can also get a certified search from them. This costs more and takes more time. It comes by mail with a seal.

Some people want to clear their name. They use the FDLE to seal a record. This means the public cannot see it anymore. You can only do this if you meet certain rules. You must have a clean record for a long time. You can only do it once. The FDLE checks your history. If you qualify, they give you a certificate. You take that to the judge in Broward. The judge makes the final choice. If the judge says yes, the Broward records criminal file goes away from public view. It is still there for the police to see. It is just hidden from everyone else. This helps people get better jobs. It helps them move on with their life. The process takes many months. It costs money for the fees and the forms. Many people hire a lawyer to help. You can do it yourself to save money.

Types of Broward Criminal Records

There are two main types of criminal cases in Broward. These are felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are big crimes. They mean a person could go to prison for a long time. These include things like robbery or very bad fights. Misdemeanors are smaller crimes. They mean a person might go to jail for a short time. This includes things like petty theft or some traffic crimes. The court handles these in different rooms. The Clerk keeps them in different files. You need to know which one you want. Most online searches show both at once. Felony cases stay on a person’s record forever. They stay there even if the person finishes their punishment. They affect things like voting and owning a gun. Misdemeanors also stay forever but have fewer rules later.

The files also show “ordinance violations.” These are very small. They are like city rules. Maybe someone had a dog off a leash. Maybe they made too much noise. These are not always criminal. They still show up in public files. You can see the fine the person paid. You can see the date it happened. Traffic crimes also show up. Driving without a license is a crime. Driving drunk is a big crime. These appear in the criminal dockets. The dockets list every step. They show when the police gave the papers to the court. They show when the person said they were not guilty. They show the date of the trial. If there is a plea deal, it shows that too. A plea deal is when the person agrees to a punishment to skip a trial.

Fees for Getting Broward Records

Getting data is not always free. The law says the county can charge for the work. If you want a paper copy, you must pay. The price is $1 per page for most court papers. If you want a certified copy, it is $2 extra for the stamp. This is for each document. If you have a 10-page paper, it costs $12 to get it certified. You can pay with cash if you go to the courthouse. You can use a credit card online. There is a small fee to use a card. This is about 3 percent. If you send a request by mail, you should send a check. You should also send a stamped envelope with your address. This helps them send the papers back to you fast. They do not send papers for free.

How to Search by Name

Searching by name is the most common way. You need the right spelling. If the name is common, you need more data. A middle name helps a lot. A birth date helps even more. The search tool lets you put in these details. If you just type “John Smith,” you will see hundreds of names. You will not know which one is yours. Try to find the birth year first. This narrows the list down. The results show the case number first. Then they show the name and the date of birth. Look for the “Status” column. It tells you if the case is open or closed. “Closed” means the case is over. “Pending” means the case is still going. “Warrant” means the person is in trouble and the police are looking for them.

Sometimes names change. People get married. People use nicknames. The system might not show these. You should search for every name the person uses. Some people use a “DBA” name. This means “doing business as.” This is rare for criminal files. Most criminal files use the legal name from an ID card. If you find the wrong person, it can be a problem. Always check the physical traits. The files show height and weight. They show hair and eye color. They show scars or tattoos. These help you be sure you have the right person. You do not want to mix up a neighbor with a criminal. That causes big mistakes. Take your time to read all the data on the screen.

Requesting Records by Mail

You can get files without leaving your house. You write a letter to the Clerk of the Courts. In the letter, tell them what you need. Write the full name and the birth date. If you have the case number, write that too. Tell them if you want plain copies or certified copies. You must include a check or a money order. Do not send cash in the mail. It might get lost or stolen. The address is 201 SE 6th Street. The zip code is 33301. Address it to the Criminal Division. They get many letters every day. It might take a week for them to see yours. Then it takes a few days to mail it back. Be patient. Mail is slower than the internet.

The Sheriff also takes mail requests. Their office is on Broward Boulevard. You must be specific about what police report you want. Give them the address where the crime happened. Give them the time. If you have the case number from the police officer, use it. This makes their job easy. They will look through their files and find the report. They will count the pages. Then they will tell you the cost. You can pay and they will send the report. If you want a background check for a local job, ask for a “Letter of Good Conduct.” This shows you have no local crimes. It is a simple paper that many local bosses like to see. It is cheaper than the state FDLE search.

Understanding Court Dockets

A court docket is like a calendar. It lists every event in a case. It starts with the arrest. It ends with the final judgment. Each line has a date. Each line has a code. The code tells you what happened. “ARST” means arrest. “NOTG” means the person said they were not guilty. “HRNG” means a hearing. A hearing is a short meeting with the judge. You can see what the judge ordered at each meeting. You can see if the person had to pay money. You can see if they had to go to jail. The docket is the best way to see the whole story. It shows if the case moved fast or slow. Sometimes cases take years to finish. The docket shows why. Maybe the lawyer was sick. Maybe they needed more evidence.

Evidence is the proof in a case. The docket shows when the police turned over the proof. This is called “discovery.” You cannot always see the proof itself online. You can see the list of what it is. You might see “Video” or “Lab Report.” To see the actual video, you must ask the Clerk. You might have to watch it at the courthouse. They do not put everything on the web for safety. The docket also shows the name of the jury members sometimes. But mostly, it shows the judge and the lawyers. If a person misses court, the docket shows a “Failure to Appear.” This is a big deal. It usually leads to a warrant. The judge wants the person caught right away. You can see this on the docket in red or bold letters.

Sealing and Expunging Records

A criminal record can hurt your life. It can stop you from getting a house. It can stop you from getting a job. Florida law allows some records to be hidden. This is “sealing.” It also allows some to be destroyed. This is “expunging.” You can only do this if the court dropped the charges. Or if you were found not guilty. If you went to prison, you cannot usually do this. You have to wait for the case to be over. You have to finish all your court rules. Then you apply to the FDLE. They give you a paper. You take that paper to the Broward court. You file a motion. A motion is a formal request. Then you go to a hearing. The judge decides if your record can be hidden.

If the judge says yes, the record is sealed. This means the public cannot see it. If someone searches your name, nothing shows up. This is great for job hunts. Most bosses will not see the old mistake. You can even say “no” if a boss asks if you have a record. There are some exceptions. If you want to work at a school or a bank, they can still see it. If you want to work for the police, they can see it. If you want a gun permit, the state can see it. But for most regular jobs, you are safe. It gives people a fresh start. It is a long process. It takes six to nine months. It costs about $75 to the FDLE and more to the court. It is a good investment for your future.

Searching for Warrants in Broward

A warrant is a paper signed by a judge. It tells the police to catch someone. This happens if someone is a suspect in a crime. It also happens if they miss court. You can search for these in Broward. The Sheriff Office has a search tool for this. You type in a name. If there is a warrant, it shows up. It tells you the charge. It tells you the bond. Checking this is a good idea if you think you missed a court date. It is better to know before the police stop your car. If you have a warrant, you can call a lawyer. You can turn yourself in. This looks better to the judge than running away. It might help you get a lower bond.

Warrants do not expire. They stay active until the person is caught or the judge cancels it. Some warrants are very old. They can be from ten or twenty years ago. The police still use them. If you move to another state, the warrant stays in the computer. If a police officer in another state stops you, they see the Broward warrant. They can put you in jail there. Then they wait for Broward to come and get you. This is called “extradition.” It is a big mess and costs a lot of money. It is much easier to fix the warrant in Broward. The Clerk can tell you if a warrant is active. You can call them and give your name. They will look it up in seconds. They are there to help with public data.

Contact Data and Locations

You can visit the offices to get help. The workers there know the laws. They can show you how to use the computers. They cannot give you legal advice. They cannot tell you what to do with your case. They can only help you get the papers. Here is where to go.

Broward County Clerk of the Courts
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Hours: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Broward Sheriff’s Office Records Unit
Address: 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Phone: (954) 831-8700
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Website: www.fdle.state.fl.us
Phone: (850) 410-7000

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do criminal records stay in the Broward system?
Criminal records in Broward County stay in the system forever. Florida does not have a law that deletes them after a certain number of years. Even if the crime was small, it stays on the list. The only way to remove it is through sealing or expunging. This requires a court order and meeting specific legal rules. If you do nothing, the record will show up fifty years from now. This is why many people try to hide their records. They want to make sure an old mistake does not stop them from living a good life. The electronic files go back to 1978. Files older than that are kept in big books or on film. You can still get those, but you have to visit the courthouse in person. The workers will help you find the old books. It takes more time than a computer search. But the data is still there for anyone who wants to see it. It is part of the history of the county.

Can I see someone’s mugshot for free online?
Yes, you can see mugshots for free on the Broward Sheriff Office website. When the police arrest someone, they take a photo. They put this photo in the arrest log. This log is open to the public. You can search by the person’s name to see the photo. The photo shows what the person looked like when they went to jail. Some other websites also take these photos and put them on their own pages. You should be careful with those sites. They might not have the latest data. The official BSO site is the best place to look. If a record is sealed, the mugshot must come down from the official site. It might still be on other private sites. This is a common problem. You might have to ask those sites to take it down. The official county records will be hidden once the judge signs the order. It is a good way to see if you have the right person during a search. Mugshots help tell people apart when they have the same name.

What is the difference between a certified copy and a regular copy?
A regular copy is just a printout of the court file. It shows the data, but it has no official proof. A certified copy has a special stamp from the Clerk of the Courts. This stamp says the paper is a true copy of the real file. The Clerk signs it and puts a seal on it. Many official places require this seal. If you are applying for a job with the government, they want a certified copy. If you are going to another court, they want a certified copy. If you want to change your name or get a passport, you need the seal. Regular copies are good for your own files at home. They are cheap. Certified copies cost more money because a worker must check the paper and stamp it. You usually have to pay $2 for each document you want certified. It is important to know which one you need before you pay. It saves you time and money if you get the right one the first time.

How do I find out if a case is a felony or a misdemeanor?
You can tell by the case number or the charge code. Felony cases in Broward usually start with “CF.” This stands for “Criminal Felony.” Misdemeanor cases start with “MM.” This stands for “Misdemeanor.” You can also look at the charge description. Felonies have degrees. A first-degree felony is the worst. A third-degree felony is the least bad. Misdemeanors also have degrees. A first-degree misdemeanor can lead to one year in jail. A second-degree misdemeanor can lead to 60 days in jail. The court dockets will clearly state the type of case at the top of the page. This tells you how serious the crime is. It also tells you which judge will hear the case. Felony cases go to the Circuit Court. Misdemeanor cases go to the County Court. Knowing the difference helps you know what kind of punishment a person might face. It also helps you know which office to contact if you have questions about the file.

Can I look up criminal records for someone in another county from Broward?
The Broward Clerk of Courts only has files for Broward County. If a person committed a crime in Miami or Palm Beach, it will not show up in the Broward search. To see those, you must visit the website for that specific county. Each county in Florida has its own Clerk. Most have their own search tools. If you want to see all of Florida at once, you should use the FDLE website. The FDLE search shows every county in the state. It is not free, but it is very fast. It is the best way to see a person’s whole history if they move around a lot. Many people in South Florida live in one county and work in another. They might have records in both places. It is smart to check the neighboring counties if you are doing a deep search. This gives you the full picture of a person’s criminal past. It is a more thorough way to stay safe and informed.

What should I do if I find an error in my criminal record?
Errors can happen. A worker might type the wrong name. A police officer might write the wrong date. If you see a mistake, you must act fast. You should contact the Clerk of the Courts first. Show them the proof of the error. If they made a typo, they can fix it. If the error is in the police report, you must contact the police department. They have to file a corrected report. This can be hard to do. Sometimes you need a lawyer to help. You can also file a motion with the court. Tell the judge about the error. The judge can order the Clerk to change the file. It is very important to have the right data on your record. A small mistake can make a crime look worse than it was. It can stop you from getting a job. Always check your own record to make sure it is right. It is your right to have a correct file under Florida law.

Are juvenile criminal records public in Broward?
Most records for kids are not public. Florida law protects the privacy of people under 18. These files are “confidential.” This means only the kid, their parents, and their lawyers can see them. The police and the schools can also see them. But a regular person cannot see them online. They will not show up in a name search. There is one big exception. If a kid commits a very serious crime, the record might become public. This happens with “adult” crimes like murder or using a gun. In those cases, the court treats the kid like an adult. Then the files go into the regular system. For most other things, the records stay hidden. This is to help kids grow up and have a future without a mistake following them. Once they turn 18, new crimes go on the public record. Their old kid records stay hidden unless a judge says otherwise.