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Broward County, Florida Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Broward County, Florida?

Arrest records are public documents in Broward County, Florida, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Law. This legislation establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for public inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this right of access to public records.

Members of the public may access these records regardless of citizenship status or purpose of inquiry. The Broward County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07, which mandates that custodians of public records shall permit records to be inspected and examined by any person desiring to do so.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under Florida law, including:

  • Active criminal intelligence information
  • Records pertaining to juvenile offenders in specific circumstances
  • Information that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant
  • Personal identifying information of certain public officials and their families

These exemptions are narrowly construed to fulfill the law's purpose of government transparency while protecting sensitive information as required by statute.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Broward County?

The Broward County Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive online database of arrest records that is accessible to the public. This digital repository is maintained pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.01(2)(a), which encourages agencies to provide reasonable public access to records through electronic means.

The Broward County Clerk of Courts also maintains the Broward County Court Records Search system, which provides access to court cases including those stemming from arrests. This system operates in accordance with Administrative Order 2.518, which governs electronic access to court records in Florida.

Digital access to these records is available 24 hours per day, with periodic maintenance outages announced on the respective websites. The online systems include records dating back to approximately 1990, with older records requiring in-person requests at the appropriate agency.

Broward County Sheriff's Office 2601 W. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Phone: (954) 831-8900 Broward Sheriff's Office Official Website

Broward County Clerk of Courts 201 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: (954) 831-6565 Broward County Clerk of Courts Official Website

How to Look Up Broward County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing Broward County arrest records in 2025. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(1)(a), which requires agencies to provide reasonable access to public records, the following methods are available:

The Broward County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides real-time information on currently detained individuals. This database includes booking information, charges, and custody status. Users must provide at least partial name information to conduct a search.

The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains the Court Records Search system for cases that have been filed with the court. This system includes:

  • Case numbers
  • Charges filed
  • Court dates
  • Disposition information
  • Bond status

In-person requests may be submitted at:

Broward County Sheriff's Office Records Division 2601 W. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (954) 831-8700

Broward County Clerk of Courts - Central Courthouse 201 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone: (954) 831-6565

Written requests for certified copies may be submitted by mail to either agency with the required statutory fee of $1.00 per page and $2.00 per certification, as established by Florida Statute § 28.24.

Contents of a Broward County Arrest Record

Broward County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.071. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Demographic information:

  • Full legal name and any known aliases
  • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
  • Gender and race
  • Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
  • Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
  • Residential address (may be redacted in certain circumstances)

Arrest details:

  • Date, time, and location of arrest
  • Arresting agency and officer identification
  • Booking number and facility
  • Enumeration of charges with Florida Statute references
  • Arrest narrative (may be limited in scope)
  • Weapon information, if applicable

Case processing information:

  • Booking photograph ("mugshot")
  • Fingerprint classification
  • Bond or bail amount and status
  • Court case number when assigned
  • Next scheduled court appearance
  • Current custody status

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.071(5), certain information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information is exempt from public disclosure and will be redacted from publicly available records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Broward County

Florida law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Chapter 943.0585 and 943.059, Florida Statutes, establish the legal framework for these procedures in Broward County.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

  • No prior adjudications of guilt for any criminal offense
  • No prior sealing or expungement of another criminal history record
  • No pending criminal charges
  • Case must have been dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in an acquittal

The expungement process requires:

  1. Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
  2. Filing a petition with the court of original jurisdiction
  3. Serving copies on the prosecuting attorney and arresting agency
  4. Attending a hearing if ordered by the court

The statutory filing fee for a petition to seal or expunge is $75.00, payable to the Clerk of Courts. Additional fees apply for fingerprinting and processing the Certificate of Eligibility application.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Expunge Section P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 Phone: (850) 410-7870

Applicants should note that pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585(4), expunged records remain available to criminal justice agencies for specific purposes, including determining eligibility for certain employment positions and professional licenses.

The Broward Sheriff's Office provides information regarding local procedures for record expungement applications, including required forms and submission protocols.

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