Arrest records are public in Miami, Florida, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, commonly known as the Florida Public Records Act. 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, including those pertaining to arrests made within Miami-Dade County jurisdictions.
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts maintains these records in accordance with Florida Statute § 28.22205, which mandates the electronic filing and maintenance of court records. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these records through various authorized channels, subject to certain statutory exemptions designed to protect sensitive information as outlined in Florida Statute § 119.071.
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller serves as the official custodian of these public records, providing access to arrest information for the county's 2.7 million residents and other interested parties.
The retrieval of arrest records in Miami-Dade County may be accomplished through several official channels established by local authorities. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, which governs the inspection and copying of public records, individuals seeking arrest information have multiple options available:
Visit the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Public Records Counter located at 9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172. The counter operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by appointment only. For appointments or inquiries, call 305-476-5423.
Access the Criminal Records section of the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts website, which provides electronic access to arrest records and case information pursuant to Administrative Order No. 16-03.
Submit a written request for records to the Records Section of the Miami-Dade Police Department at 9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and case number (if known).
Utilize the Miami-Dade County Criminal Justice Online System through the E-Filing portal for access to felony, misdemeanor, and traffic case information.
Request certified copies of arrest records in person at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building located at 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125. The public counter operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Requestors should note that pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), a reasonable service charge may be imposed for the cost of providing arrest records, particularly for requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance.
Miami-Dade County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Florida Statute § 943.045 and maintained in accordance with Florida Department of Law Enforcement guidelines. These official documents typically include the following elements:
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts maintains these records in their original format as well as in electronic systems accessible through the Traffic and Criminal Records Search portal. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 28.24, certified copies of these records may be obtained for a statutory fee of $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification charge.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with exemptions provided in Florida Statute § 119.071, particularly for protected classes such as law enforcement officers, victims of certain crimes, and minors.
The expungement of arrest records in Miami-Dade County is governed by Florida Statute § 943.0585, which provides a legal mechanism for the court-ordered physical destruction of criminal history records. Individuals seeking expungement must meet specific statutory criteria and follow procedures established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
To qualify for expungement under Florida law, applicants must:
The expungement process requires:
Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE, which requires submission of:
Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Miami-Dade County Criminal Court located at 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125, along with the Certificate of Eligibility and required affidavits
Attending a hearing before a Circuit Court judge if required by the court
Upon approval, the court will issue an Order of Expungement directing all agencies possessing the criminal history record to physically destroy the information. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 943.0585(4), expunged records are not available to the general public, though certain government agencies retain access for specified purposes.
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts provides forms and information regarding expungement at the Criminal Records Division, located on the 9th floor of the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building. Telephone inquiries may be directed to 305-275-1155.