Broward County criminal records are spread across several official systems. The Broward Clerk of Courts maintains felony, misdemeanor and criminal-traffic court cases; the Broward Sheriff’s Office maintains county arrest and jail information; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains Florida’s statewide criminal-history repository. This guide shows which database to use, how to search it, what it contains, and what to do when the record you need is not available online.
Which Broward County Criminal Record System Should You Use?
The phrase “criminal record” can refer to several completely different records. Broward County makes more sense once you match the record type to the agency that actually created or maintains it.
Criminal court case
Charges filed in court, court dates, docket activity, dispositions, sentencing information and eligible court documents.
Arrest / booking record
Booking information, current custody, jail location, arrest number, bond and booking photograph.
Local records check
Broward County arrest information reported to BSO. This is not a complete Florida criminal history.
Florida criminal history
Statewide Florida criminal-history information maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Incident / police report
Reports generated by Fort Lauderdale Police, Hollywood Police, BSO or another law-enforcement agency.
Federal criminal case
Federal cases in South Florida are separate from Broward state-court records and generally use PACER.
How to Search Broward County Criminal Court Cases Online
The official starting point is the Broward County Clerk of Courts Public Case Search .
The Clerk’s public portal supports several different search methods, including party name, business name, case number and traffic citation number.
Open the Broward Clerk Case Search
Use the Clerk’s official website rather than a third-party background-search website.
Select the correct court type
For criminal research, choose a felony or Traffic/Misdemeanor case type rather than leaving the search unnecessarily broad.
Enter the strongest identifier you know
A complete case number is usually best. If you only know a name, enter first and last name and narrow by filing dates or middle name when possible.
Open the case and review the docket
Check charges, court events, disposition and any available electronic documents.
Request the record when the image is unavailable
Older files or records not available electronically can be obtained through the appropriate Clerk division or Archives.
Searching Broward Criminal Records by Name
Broward’s public Case Search requires both a last name and first name for a party-name search. The Clerk applies exact-match behavior to very short name fields.
First + last name
Both fields are required in the public party-name search.
Add middle name
A middle name or initial can greatly reduce false matches for common names.
Add filing dates
Date From and Date To can narrow a search when you know approximately when the case was filed.
How Broward County Criminal Case Numbers Work
Broward criminal case numbers contain information about the year, sequence, division and location. The Clerk gives the following examples for criminal cases:
| Location | Record type | Example | Division code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Felony | 15011819CF10A | CF |
| North | Traffic | 14099608TI20A | TI |
| West | Misdemeanor | 13084596MM30A | MM |
| South | Municipal Ordinance | 12019695MO40A | MO |
Broward’s current Clerk search expects felony, misdemeanor and traffic case numbers in the specific Clerk format without spaces or dashes.
Criminal Felony
Misdemeanor
Traffic Criminal
Municipal Ordinance
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records in Broward County
Broward divides criminal court work between the Circuit Criminal and County Criminal divisions.
Felony cases
The Seventeenth Judicial Circuit’s Circuit Criminal Division handles felony matters. The Broward Clerk states that its Circuit Criminal division maintains felony case records.
Broward’s Circuit Criminal judges are located in the North Building of the Central Courthouse.
Misdemeanor and criminal traffic
The County Criminal division maintains misdemeanor, traffic-criminal, municipal-ordinance and county-ordinance case records.
Criminal traffic matters should not be confused with ordinary civil traffic infractions.
How Far Back Do Broward Criminal Court Documents Go Online?
Broward has a particularly useful cutoff date for electronic criminal documents.
Some earlier cases may also contain electronic images. However, the Clerk notes an important limitation for older Traffic/Misdemeanor cases:
This is why a missing image should not automatically be interpreted as a missing case.
How to Read a Broward Criminal Case Docket
| Item | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Charge | The offense alleged in the case. | Do not treat the charge itself as proof of conviction. |
| Arraignment | A court stage where charges and plea procedures are addressed. | It does not establish guilt. |
| Plea | The defendant’s formal response to the charge. | Review whether a later plea or disposition changed. |
| Adjudication | How the court treated guilt following the disposition. | Florida distinguishes adjudication of guilt from withheld adjudication. |
| Withhold adjudication | The court withheld formal adjudication under Florida law. | Do not describe it casually as identical to an adjudication of guilt. |
| Dismissed / nolle prosequi | The prosecution did not result in an ordinary conviction on that charge. | Review all counts because different charges can end differently. |
| Sentence | Court-ordered consequences after the relevant disposition. | Check incarceration, probation, fines, costs and restitution separately. |
How to Obtain Broward County Criminal Court Documents
Broward offers several ways to obtain criminal court documents depending on the age of the case, whether the image exists electronically, and whether you need certification.
View available documents
Many non-confidential electronic criminal documents can be viewed directly through Case Search.
Electronic certified document
Broward currently charges $8 per electronic certified court document.
Archives / records request
Use the Court Records Request process when an older paper record or unavailable electronic image is needed.
The Clerk states that documents exceeding 100 pages are not available for online certified-document purchase.
Broward Court Records RequestUnredacted copies
Broward’s electronic-access FAQ states that unredacted documents are not provided online. When an unredacted public document is legally available, the requester must go to the courthouse and present state-issued identification.
Older Broward Criminal Records and Archives
If an old case appears in the docket but the document image is unavailable—or the case predates Broward’s modern electronic coverage—use the Clerk’s Archives Division.
Broward Clerk Archives Division
Central Courthouse Judicial ComplexEast Building
201 S.E. 6th Street
3rd Floor, Room 03305
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-6565, option 3
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., excluding holidays
Collect these details
- full defendant name
- case number if known
- approximate filing year
- felony or misdemeanor
- specific document requested
A narrow request is easier to process than asking staff to locate every criminal record associated with a common name.
How to Search Broward County Warrants
The Broward Sheriff’s Office directs people looking for public outstanding-warrant information to the Broward County Clerk of Courts public website.
Search Broward Clerk RecordsThe Clerk’s search system includes a Traffic/Misdemeanor case category labeled Search Warrant Misdemeanor, but search-warrant material can be subject to confidentiality or other access restrictions depending on the record and stage of the matter.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Arrest Search
For current or recent booking information, use the official Broward Sheriff’s Office Arrest Search .
BSO states that arrest-search data are updated approximately every 15 minutes.
Search results can include:
- arrest number
- name
- sex
- current location
- booking photograph
- charges
- bond information
- custody information
Broward County Jail and Booking Records
The Broward Sheriff’s Office operates the county jail system and processes arrests from law-enforcement agencies throughout Broward County.
The Central Intake Bureau is responsible for booking, intake, release coordination, custody transfers and related operations.
Central Intake Bureau
555 SE 1st AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-5900
Charge and bond information
BSO makes charge and bond data available through Arrest Search and provides bond-information contacts through the Main Jail.
Switch to the Clerk after booking
Use BSO for custody and booking; use the Broward Clerk to track the filed criminal court case.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Local Records Check
BSO offers a local records-check service through its Public Records Unit. This can be useful when someone needs Broward County arrest-record information for a legitimate purpose.
A BSO local check:
- covers Broward County information only
- focuses on arrest records
- does not cover events outside Broward County
- does not replace an FDLE statewide search
How to Request Broward Arrest Reports and Police Incident Records
The Broward Sheriff’s Office accepts online public-record requests for records it maintains, including incident reports, accident reports and local records checks.
But Broward has many municipal police departments. If the incident was handled by a city police department rather than BSO, request the incident report from that agency.
BSO’s Public Records Unit currently lists:
Broward Sheriff’s Office Public Records Unit
Phone: 954-831-8700
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Public Records Unit
P.O. Box 9507
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310
Florida Statewide Criminal History Search
If your intent is broader than Broward County, use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE’s Division of Criminal Justice Information Services is the central repository for Florida criminal-history information.
The current public search fee is $24 per search. FDLE offers several search types.
| FDLE service | Current fee | What you receive |
|---|---|---|
| Instant Search | $24 + $1 card processing fee | Immediate online result; not certified. |
| Certified / Non-Certified Search | $24 | FDLE staff search; results returned by U.S. mail. |
| ORI Search | Varies | Used for authorized agency purposes with a valid ORI number. |
FDLE currently states that non-certified staff-processed requests generally take about 5 business days, while certified processing generally takes 6-7 business days, excluding mail delivery time.
Official FDLE Florida Record CheckHow to Review Your Own Florida Criminal History for Errors
If you are checking your own record because you believe something is incomplete or incorrect, FDLE provides a Personal Review process.
FDLE says the Personal Review allows an individual to examine their Florida criminal-history record for accuracy and challenge information believed to be inaccurate or incomplete.
A Personal Review application must include fingerprints taken by a law-enforcement or criminal-justice agency. Local fingerprinting agencies may charge their own fingerprint-rolling fee.
Sealing and Expunging a Broward County Criminal Record
Florida sealing and expungement is not accomplished simply by asking the Broward Clerk to remove a case. For the standard court-ordered process, FDLE must first determine statutory eligibility and issue a Certificate of Eligibility.
Obtain the case and disposition information
Use the Broward Clerk record to identify the case number, arrest date and final disposition.
Apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility
The application requires specific supporting materials and eligibility review.
File the petition in the proper court
An FDLE certificate does not itself seal or expunge the record. The court must grant the requested relief.
Wait for the agencies to process the order
After a qualifying court order is issued and received, the Clerk, FDLE and relevant agencies implement it under Florida law.
Florida automatic sealing is not the same as sealing every local record
FDLE explains that qualifying criminal-history information maintained by FDLE can be automatically sealed under Florida law when the Clerk electronically submits a qualifying disposition.
Broward Juvenile Criminal Records
Juvenile delinquency records have different access rules from ordinary adult criminal records. Broward’s electronic-record system identifies juvenile delinquency as a restricted category requiring a higher user-access level for electronic documents.
FDLE also explains that juvenile criminal-history records that have been sealed or expunged are not subject to public release.
Federal Criminal Records in Broward County
A federal criminal prosecution arising in Broward County is separate from a Broward state-court criminal case.
Federal cases in South Florida are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Federal docket information and documents are generally accessed through PACER.
PACER Federal Court RecordsA person seeking their own FBI Identity History Summary should instead use the FBI’s fingerprint-based Identity History Summary process.
When to Visit the Broward County Courthouse
Online Case Search is often enough for basic research, but an in-person visit is useful when:
- an older file is not available online
- you need an unredacted public copy
- you need a certified paper record
- a document image is missing
- you need Archives assistance
- you need to verify information from a court file directly
Felony Division
Broward County CourthouseNorth Building
201 S.E. 6th Street
1st Floor, Room 1882
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Traffic and Misdemeanor Division
Broward County CourthouseWest Building
201 S.E. 6th Street
1st Floor, Room 1130
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
The Clerk’s main courthouse business hours are generally Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Confirm the specific division’s hours before traveling.
Clerk phone: 954-831-6565
Broward County Courthouse Map
Main Judicial Complex: 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Felony functions are in the North Building; Traffic/Misdemeanor services are in the West Building. Check the Clerk’s current Hours and Locations page before visiting.
Practical Broward County Criminal Record Search Tips
Use case type before broad name search
Selecting Felony or Traffic/Misdemeanor can drastically reduce irrelevant results.
Remember the 200-result limit
If the Clerk stops at 200 results, narrow the filing dates or add a middle name.
Recent arrest? Search BSO first
BSO booking data may appear before you are able to easily locate the related court case.
Move from arrest to court case
Once you identify an arrestee and charges in BSO, search the Broward Clerk to see what was actually filed.
Check every count
A multi-count case can contain convictions, dismissals and withheld adjudications at the same time.
Older record? Try Archives
Missing online images can simply mean the file predates modern electronic-document coverage.
Don’t confuse BSO local checks with FDLE
BSO covers local Broward arrest records; FDLE provides the Florida statewide criminal-history service.
Police report goes to the police agency
A court file and the underlying incident report are maintained by different entities.
Federal case? Leave the county portal
Use PACER for federal prosecutions rather than searching Broward Clerk indefinitely.
Using Broward Criminal Records for Employment, Housing or Other Screening
A Broward Clerk search or BSO arrest lookup is a public-record research tool. It should not automatically be treated as a legally compliant employment, tenant, credit, insurance or licensing background check.
Consumer-reporting laws, authorization requirements and Florida or federal rules can apply depending on how criminal-history information is obtained and used.
Broward County Criminal Records: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Broward County criminal court search free?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk of Courts provides free public online Case Search access. Fees can apply when you order certified documents, copies or other Clerk services.
2. Can I search Broward criminal cases by name?
Yes. The public Case Search supports party-name searches using first and last name. Adding a middle name, court type and filing-date range can improve results.
3. Why can’t I find an old Broward misdemeanor record online?
The Clerk states that Traffic/Misdemeanor cases filed before 2011 were routinely purged from the main electronic system. Submit a Court Records Request or visit the appropriate Clerk division when an older record is unavailable online.
4. How far back are Broward criminal court documents available online?
The Clerk states that criminal court records filed on or after January 6, 2014 generally have electronic documents available online, subject to confidentiality and access restrictions. Some earlier cases also have electronic images.
5. Where can I find a recent Broward arrest?
Use the Broward Sheriff’s Office Arrest Search. BSO says the database is updated approximately every 15 minutes and can show booking and custody information.
6. Is a Broward Sheriff’s Office local records check a statewide background check?
No. BSO specifically states that its local records check covers Broward County arrest records only and does not include criminal-history information outside Broward County.
7. How much does a Florida statewide criminal-history search cost?
FDLE currently charges $24 for a public Florida criminal-history search. Its Instant Search also carries a $1 credit-card processing fee.
8. How can I obtain a certified Broward court document?
Broward offers electronic certified court documents for qualifying records. The current listed price is $8 per electronic certified document. Other copy and certification methods are available through the Clerk.
9. Can a dismissed Broward arrest still appear in Florida criminal history?
Yes. FDLE explains that an adult criminal-history record can include the disposition of charges stemming from an arrest even when a charge was dismissed, abandoned, acquitted or otherwise did not result in a traditional conviction, unless the record is sealed, expunged or subject to another restriction.
10. Are federal criminal cases included in Broward Clerk Case Search?
No. Federal criminal cases are maintained by the federal judiciary. Use PACER and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida for federal case research.
Official Sources for Broward County Criminal Record Research
- Broward County Clerk of Courts — Public Case Search
- Broward Clerk — Felony Division
- Broward Clerk — Court Records Request
- Broward Clerk — Electronic Certified Documents
- Broward Clerk — Hours and Locations
- Seventeenth Judicial Circuit — Circuit Criminal
- Broward Sheriff’s Office — Arrest Search
- Broward Sheriff’s Office — Public Records Requests
- Broward Sheriff’s Office — Inmate Information
- FDLE — Florida Criminal History Record Check
- FDLE — Personal Review
- FDLE — Seal and Expunge Process
- PACER — Federal Court Records