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:
These exemptions are narrowly construed to fulfill the law's purpose of government transparency while protecting sensitive information as required by statute.
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
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:
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.
Broward County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.071. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Demographic information:
Arrest details:
Case processing information:
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.
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:
The expungement process requires:
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.