Plantation Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Plantation, Florida?
Arrest records are public documents in Plantation, Florida, accessible to all citizens under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This legislation, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," establishes Florida as one of the most transparent states regarding government records. The law mandates 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 statute. Arrest records fall within this category of public documents, allowing citizens to access information about law enforcement activities within their community.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains these records as part of their statutory responsibility. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including promoting governmental accountability, facilitating informed community awareness, and supporting public safety initiatives. Residents should note that while these records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.071, which outlines specific exemptions for sensitive personal information.
How to Look Up Plantation Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Plantation, Florida. The following methods are available pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Plantation Police Department Records Division, located at 451 NW 70th Terrace, Plantation, FL 33317. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
Online access is available through the Broward County Clerk of Courts portal, which maintains a searchable database of county-wide arrest records. This system allows for searches by name, case number, or date range.
Written requests may be submitted to the Plantation Police Department Records Custodian via mail or email. All requests must specify the information sought with reasonable particularity to facilitate efficient processing.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system, which contains arrest records from all Florida jurisdictions. Certified criminal history information can be requested through FDLE's public access system for a statutory fee of $24 per record check.
Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the duplication of records, not to exceed $0.15 per one-sided copy for duplicated copies of not more than 14 inches by 8½ inches. Additional charges may apply for certified copies or extensive research time.
Contents of a Plantation Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Plantation Police Department and Broward County authorities contain standardized information as required by Florida Statute § 119.021. These official documents typically include:
Demographic information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, address of residence, and any documented aliases or known identifiers.
Arrest details including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred, as well as the arresting agency and officer identification.
Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including the Florida Statute number, offense classification (misdemeanor or felony), and a brief description of the alleged criminal activity.
Case processing information such as booking number, fingerprint identification number, and inmate number if the individual was detained in a correctional facility.
Judicial proceedings documentation, including court case numbers, scheduled appearance dates, and disposition information if the case has been adjudicated.
Photographic evidence in the form of a booking photograph ("mugshot") taken during the arrest processing procedure.
Bond information detailing the type and amount of bail set, conditions of release, and whether the individual was released pending trial.
These records are maintained in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules as established by the Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 257, Florida Statutes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Plantation
The State of Florida provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. These procedures are governed by Florida Statutes § 943.0585 and § 943.059, which establish strict eligibility criteria and application processes.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Plantation must meet the following statutory requirements:
- The arrest must not have resulted in a conviction or adjudication of guilt.
- The applicant must not have been adjudicated guilty or delinquent for any criminal offense in any jurisdiction.
- The applicant must not have previously secured an expungement or sealing of another criminal history record.
- The offense in question must not be among those enumerated in Florida Statute § 943.0584 as ineligible for expungement.
The expungement process requires:
Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), located at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. This certificate requires submission of fingerprints, payment of a $75 processing fee, and completion of application form FDLE 40-021.
Filing a petition for expungement with the court in the judicial circuit where the arrest occurred, specifically the Broward County Courthouse at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Serving copies of the petition on the State Attorney's Office, the arresting agency, and any other agencies that may have records related to the arrest.
Upon court approval of an expungement petition, all agencies possessing the arrest record must physically destroy or obliterate it. After expungement, the individual may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrest covered by the expunged record, except in certain circumstances specified in Florida Statute § 943.0585(4).
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