Fort Lauderdale Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Arrest records in Fort Lauderdale, Florida are public documents accessible to all citizens and interested parties. The Florida Public Records Act, specifically Florida Statutes Chapter 119, establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. This legislation, commonly known as Florida's "Sunshine Law," ensures government transparency by providing citizens with access to various public records, including arrest documentation. The Broward County Sheriff's Office and Fort Lauderdale Police Department maintain these records in compliance with state regulations.
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, any person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body. Certain exceptions exist for confidential information, such as ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases involving victims of specific crimes as outlined in Florida Statute § 119.071. These exemptions are designed to protect privacy rights while maintaining the overall principle of government transparency.
Records may be temporarily sealed during active investigations according to Florida Statute § 119.071(2)(c), which provides that active criminal intelligence information and active criminal investigative information are exempt from public disclosure until the investigation is no longer active.
How to Look Up Fort Lauderdale Arrest Records in 2025
The retrieval of Fort Lauderdale arrest records in 2025 can be accomplished through multiple official channels. Members of the public seeking this information have several options available:
• Broward County Sheriff's Office Records Division 2601 W. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Phone: (954) 831-8700 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Fort Lauderdale Police Department Records Unit 1300 W. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Phone: (954) 828-5465 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Broward County Clerk of Courts 201 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: (954) 831-6565 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors must provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth if available. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the duplication of records, typically $0.15 per one-sided page and $0.20 per two-sided page. Additional special service charges may apply for extensive use of agency resources as permitted under Florida Statute § 119.07(4)(d).
For electronic access, the Broward County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search database that provides information on current inmates and recent arrests. This system is updated regularly and offers a convenient alternative to in-person requests.
Contents of a Fort Lauderdale Arrest Record
Fort Lauderdale arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following components as mandated by Florida Statute § 119.011(3)(c):
• Full legal name of the arrested individual • Aliases or known nicknames • Date of birth and demographic information • Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks • Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot") • Fingerprint information • Date, time, and location of the arrest • Specific charges filed, including Florida Statute numbers • Arresting agency and officer information • Narrative description of the incident • Witness information (may be redacted in certain circumstances) • Property and evidence collected • Bail or bond amount set • Court case number and assigned court • Scheduled court appearance dates • Disposition of the case if resolved
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains standards for arrest record documentation through Administrative Code 11C-4, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for all law enforcement agencies in the state. These standards ensure consistency in record-keeping across jurisdictions.
Certain information within arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.071, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. Additionally, information related to victims of certain crimes may be redacted in accordance with Marsy's Law (Article I, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution).
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fort Lauderdale
The expungement process in Fort Lauderdale provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to remove arrest records from public access. Florida Statute § 943.0585 governs the expungement of criminal history records, establishing specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
To qualify for expungement in Fort Lauderdale, applicants must meet the following conditions:
• The arrest did not result in a conviction • The individual has not been adjudicated guilty of any criminal offense • The individual has not previously secured an expungement or sealing • The offense is not among those listed as ineligible under Florida Statute § 943.0584
The formal expungement procedure involves multiple steps:
Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement P.O. Box 1489 Tallahassee, FL 32302 Phone: (850) 410-7870
Filing a petition for expungement with the court that handled the case Broward County Courthouse 201 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Serving copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office and arresting agency Office of the State Attorney, 17th Judicial Circuit 201 SE 6th Street, Suite 655 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Phone: (954) 831-6955
Attending a scheduled hearing if required by the court
The filing fee for a Certificate of Eligibility is $75.00, payable to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Additional court filing fees may apply. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585(4), once an expungement order is issued, the arrest record is removed from public view, and the individual may legally deny the existence of the expunged arrest in most circumstances, with certain exceptions for specific employment categories as outlined in Florida Statute § 943.0585(4)(a).
Juvenile records are subject to different regulations under Florida Statute § 943.0515, which provides for automatic expungement of certain records when the individual reaches 21 years of age (or 26 for serious offenses).
Search Arrest Records in Fort Lauderdale
• Fort Lauderdale Police Department Most Wanted Persons • Fort Lauderdale Police Department Crime Reports • Broward County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search • Broward County Clerk of Courts Records Search • Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search
