Criminal records in Broward County, Florida, are accessible through several channels. BrowardCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Broward County Clerk of Courts online case search system, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the clerk's office at the courthouse. Under the Florida Public Records Act, most criminal court records are generally available to the public, though certain records may be sealed or expunged.
How to Search Criminal Records in Broward
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Broward County. What you need to get started depends on the method you choose.
Search Online Through BrowardCourt.us
BrowardCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Broward County. You can search by name or case number to find case details, charges, and disposition information.
Search Through the Broward County Clerk of Courts
The clerk's public case search portal is the county's official tool for looking up criminal cases filed in Broward County Circuit and County Courts. To search, you can use:
- Defendant's last name and first name
- Case number
- Court type (felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic, warrant)
Results are limited to the first 200 matches, so narrowing your search by court type or adding a date range helps. Not all older cases have electronic docket records.
Search State and Federal Databases
- FDLE Criminal History Records: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains statewide criminal history information. You can request a background check through FDLE for a fee.
- Wanted Persons: FDLE's Wanted Persons search lists individuals with active Florida warrants, including those in Broward County.
- Sex Offender Registry: The FDLE Sexual Offenders and Predators search covers registered offenders statewide.
- State Inmates: The Florida Department of Corrections offers an inmate locator for individuals in state prison or on community supervision.
- Federal Cases: For federal criminal cases in Broward County, search through PACER or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Search In Person
Visit the Broward County Courthouse to use public access terminals or request assistance from the clerk's office. Staff can help locate cases that may not appear in the online system, including older paper records.
Broward County Clerk of Courts — Main Courthouse
Search by Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written records request to the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The clerk's records request page outlines the options for purchasing electronic or hard-copy court documents. For statewide criminal history checks, submit a request directly to FDLE, which may require fingerprinting.
Search Broward Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Florida uses a uniform case numbering system. A typical Broward County case number looks like this:
Example: 2024-CF-012345
- 2024 — The year the case was filed
- CF — The case type code. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Circuit Felony
- MM — County Misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal Traffic
- TI — Traffic Infraction
- 012345 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk
Enter the full case number into the clerk's online case search. The case type prefix tells you which court division handled the matter — circuit court for felonies and county court for misdemeanors.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Broward
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Florida statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., F.S. 893.13 for drug possession) |
| Charge Description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree, life, capital), misdemeanor (1st or 2nd degree), or infraction |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the State Attorney — reduced, added, or modified before or during trial |
Case Status
- Pending / Open: The case is active and awaiting resolution
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed: All proceedings and obligations are complete
- Reopened: A previously closed case has been reopened for further action
Hearing Types
- First Appearance / Bond Hearing: Initial hearing, usually within 24 hours of arrest
- Arraignment: Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-Trial Conference: Scheduling and negotiation hearing before trial
- Motion Hearing: Arguments on specific legal motions
- Trial: Jury or bench trial on the merits
- Sentencing: Judge imposes sentence after conviction or plea
- Violation of Probation Hearing: Hearing on alleged probation violations
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty: Convicted at trial or by plea
- Not Guilty: Acquitted at trial
- Nolle Prosequi / Dismissed: State dropped the charges
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere): Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Adjudication Withheld: Found guilty but the court withholds a formal conviction — this is common in Florida and may allow the defendant to avoid certain collateral consequences
- Pretrial Diversion Completed: Charges dismissed after successful completion of a diversion program
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Broward
From the Broward County Clerk of Courts
The clerk's office is the custodian of court records for criminal cases filed in Broward County. You can request certified copies of court documents in three ways:
- Online: Use the clerk's electronic certified documents service to order certified copies of recently filed electronic court records.
- In Person: Visit the clerk's office at the main courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You can request copies at the records window.
- By Mail: Send a written request to the clerk specifying the case number, document name, and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy. Include payment by check or money order.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
From FDLE (Statewide Criminal History)
For an official Florida criminal history report, submit a request to the FDLE Criminal History Records section. Requests typically require fingerprint submission and a processing fee. This provides a statewide record rather than just Broward County cases.
Sealed or Expunged Records
If a record has been sealed or expunged under Florida law, it will not appear in standard public searches. Information about eligibility and the application process is available through FDLE's seal and expunge process page.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Broward
Fees for criminal record copies in Broward County are set by Florida statute (F.S. § 28.24) and the clerk's fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $2.00 |
| Electronic certified document | Varies — check the clerk's online portal |
| FDLE state criminal history check | $24.00 (standard processing) |
| FDLE fingerprint-based background check | Varies by submission method |
Processing Times
- Online case search: Immediate results for electronic records
- In-person copy requests: Usually same day, depending on volume
- Mail requests to the clerk: Allow 5–10 business days
- FDLE criminal history requests: Electronic results typically within 1–3 business days; mailed results may take longer
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Broward County Clerk of Courts or the applicable state agency before submitting your request.