Fort Lauderdale City Criminal Records are official court and law enforcement files that document criminal cases handled inside the city limits of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These records include felony charges, misdemeanor offenses, arrest reports, court dockets, and final case outcomes.
Anyone can look up these records because Florida law treats criminal court files as public records. The main record keeper for Fort Lauderdale criminal cases is the Broward County Clerk of Court, since Fort Lauderdale sits inside Broward County and all local criminal cases are filed at the county courthouse. State agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, also keep a complete history of criminal cases across the state.
What Fort Lauderdale City Criminal Records Include
Criminal records in Fort Lauderdale cover every stage of a case, from the first arrest to the final court ruling. Each file holds specific details about the people involved, the charges filed, and the legal actions taken by the court. These records help attorneys, employers, landlords, and the public verify someone’s criminal history in the city.
Core Components of a Criminal Record
A standard criminal record from Fort Lauderdale contains the defendant’s full legal name, date of birth, and identifying details. The record lists each charge filed, the date of the arrest, and the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. It also includes the case number assigned by the court, the name of the judge handling the case, and the final outcome. Outcomes can include dismissal, acquittal, conviction, probation, or jail time. Bond amounts, court dates, and attorney names also appear in the full file.
Categories of Cases on File
Fort Lauderdale criminal records fall into two main categories: felony and misdemeanor cases. Felony cases involve serious crimes such as burglary, drug trafficking, assault with a weapon, or fraud. Misdemeanor cases cover lesser offenses such as simple battery, petty theft, driving under the influence, or disorderly conduct. Both categories move through the Broward County court system, and both are open to public review unless sealed or expunged by court order.
Records Excluded From Public View
Some criminal records do not appear in public searches. Juvenile cases are private under Florida law and stay sealed even after the defendant turns 18. Records that receive a court order for sealing or expungement are also removed from public databases. Active investigation files held by police may remain closed until the investigation ends. Records that fall under Florida’s public records exemptions stay hidden from public access as well.
Official Agencies That Hold Fort Lauderdale Criminal Records
Three main agencies hold criminal records for Fort Lauderdale. Each agency keeps a different type of file, and users often need to check more than one source to build a full picture of a person’s criminal history.
Broward County Clerk of Court
The Broward County Clerk of Court serves as the official keeper of all criminal court records in Fort Lauderdale. The clerk’s office stores case dockets, charging documents, court orders, sentencing records, and final judgments. The clerk also maintains the online portal that allows people to search cases from any device with internet access. Most Fort Lauderdale criminal cases can be reviewed through the clerk’s database at no charge for basic case details.
Fort Lauderdale Police Department
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department keeps police reports, arrest records, and incident logs for crimes that happen inside city limits. The police department records division processes requests for copies of police reports. Some reports are available online, while others require a visit to the police station or a written request. Police records cover a different time frame than court records, since police files start at the moment of arrest or incident.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history database called CCHInet. This database collects arrest and conviction data from every county in Florida, including Broward County. The state database is useful when a search needs to cover multiple counties or confirm a person’s full Florida criminal history. A search through this system costs money and requires the subject’s name and date of birth.
How to Search Fort Lauderdale Criminal Court Records Online
The fastest way to look up Fort Lauderdale criminal court records is through the Broward County Clerk of Court’s online portal. The system works twenty-four hours a day and lets users search cases by name, case number, or court date. No account or login is needed for basic searches, and most results return within seconds.
Searching by Person’s Name
To search by name, visit the Broward County Clerk of Court website and open the case search tool. Type the person’s full legal name into the search field. Adding a date of birth helps narrow the results when several people share the same name. The system then returns a list of matching cases. Each case shows the case number, charge type, filing date, and current status. Clicking on a case opens the full docket, which lists every court action taken on the case.
Searching by Case Number
Searching by case number gives the most direct result. The case number appears on any court document, arrest report, or prior court notice. Enter the full case number in the search bar, including the year and court division code. The system pulls up the exact case file with no extra steps. This method works well when a person already has a court document in hand and needs the full file.
Searching by Date Range
The clerk’s portal also allows date-based searches. Users can select a start date and end date to view all cases filed in that window. This method helps employers, legal researchers, or news reporters who need to track criminal filings in a specific period. The results show case numbers, defendant names, and basic charge details for each case filed in the date range.
Reading a Case Docket
Once a case loads, the docket shows a timeline of court events. Each entry lists the date, the type of hearing, and the action taken. Entries can include arraignment, plea hearings, motion filings, trial dates, and sentencing. The docket also lists attorneys, bond conditions, and judge assignments. Many dockets include scanned copies of filed documents that can be viewed or downloaded.
Types of Criminal Records Available in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale offers several types of criminal records through different agencies. Each type covers a different part of the criminal justice process, and users often need to review more than one record type to get a complete history.
Felony Case Records
Felony case records cover the most serious crimes handled in Fort Lauderdale. These include charges such as homicide, sexual battery, armed robbery, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, and major fraud. Felony cases move through the circuit court division of the Broward County court system. Felony records stay open to the public unless sealed, and the clerk’s office indexes them under the circuit criminal division.
Misdemeanor Case Records
Misdemeanor case records cover lesser offenses that still carry potential jail time of less than one year. These include simple battery, petit theft, driving under the influence, trespassing, and some drug possession charges. Misdemeanor cases move through the county court division in Broward County. The clerk’s office indexes these records separately from felony cases, but the same online search system covers both.
Arrest Records
Arrest records show when a person was taken into custody by law enforcement. In Fort Lauderdale, arrests can be made by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, or state law enforcement officers. Arrest records list the date, time, location, arresting agency, and the charges that led to the arrest. These records are public but may have some personal details redacted under Florida law.
Police Incident Reports
Police incident reports document calls for service, criminal complaints, and officer responses. These reports come from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department records division. They include details about the incident, the people involved, witness statements, and officer observations. Some reports become part of the court case file, while others stay separate. Requests for these reports often require a small fee per copy.
Jail and Inmate Records
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail where most Fort Lauderdale arrestees are held. The jail roster shows current inmates, their charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. The sheriff’s office also provides information on release dates and court transport schedules. The inmate search tool works online and updates regularly throughout the day.
Court Docket Records
Court docket records list every action taken in a criminal case from filing to closure. The docket acts as a timeline of the case, showing each motion, hearing, and ruling. Dockets are part of the court file stored by the clerk. Most dockets in Fort Lauderdale are available online at no cost.
Fees and Processing Times for Fort Lauderdale Criminal Records
Fees for criminal records in Fort Lauderdale depend on the agency and the type of record requested. Some records are free for basic online viewing. Others require payment for copies or certified versions used in legal matters.
Clerk of Court Fees
The Broward County Clerk of Court charges a set fee per page for regular copies of court documents. Certified copies cost more because they include the official court seal. The clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards for in-person requests. Online payments through the clerk’s portal are also accepted for digital copies. The current fee schedule is posted on the clerk’s website and updated as fee laws change.
FDLE Statewide Search Fees
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement charges twenty-five dollars for a statewide criminal history search through the CCHInet system. The fee covers one name search and returns Florida arrest and conviction data. Users must register for an account, pay by credit card, and provide the subject’s full name and date of birth. Results return instantly for most searches and include details on each recorded arrest and disposition.
Police Report Fees
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department charges a fee for copies of police reports. The fee covers the cost of redacting exempt information and producing the copy. Some reports are available online for free download, while others require an in-person visit. Reports that involve active investigations may not be released until the case closes.
Standard Processing Times
Online searches through the clerk’s portal return results immediately. Certified copies requested online usually process within one to three business days. Mail requests for certified copies can take one to two weeks depending on mail volume. FDLE online searches return results within minutes. Police report requests through the Fort Lauderdale Police Department often process within three to five business days.
Sealing and Expunging Fort Lauderdale Criminal Records
Florida law gives people a path to seal or expunge certain criminal records. Sealing hides the record from public view but keeps it on file with the court and law enforcement. Expungement destroys the record so that no trace remains in public databases. Each path has strict rules about who can apply and which charges qualify.
Eligibility Requirements
A person can apply to seal or expunge a Fort Lauderdale criminal record if the case ended in a dismissal, acquittal, or a withholding of adjudication. The applicant must not have been convicted of any criminal offense. The applicant also cannot have already sealed or expunged a different record in Florida. All court-ordered obligations, such as fines, restitution, or probation, must be complete before the application moves forward.
The Application Process
The first step is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The FDLE reviews the request and confirms the applicant meets the legal requirements. Once the certificate is issued, the applicant files a petition with the Broward County Clerk of Court in the division where the original case was handled. A judge reviews the petition and signs a final order granting or denying the request. Approved orders are sent to every agency that holds a copy of the record.
Key Differences Between Sealing and Expungement
Sealing keeps the record alive but hides it from public searches. Law enforcement agencies and the court can still see a sealed record under certain conditions. Expungement goes further by ordering the physical destruction of the record in the custody of the clerk and arresting agencies. Florida law allows only one expungement in a person’s lifetime. Sealing has no lifetime limit but still requires a new court order for each case.
Official Contact Details for Fort Lauderdale Criminal Records
The following agencies handle Fort Lauderdale criminal records and case lookups. Office hours apply to in-person visits, while online portals stay open twenty-four hours a day.
Broward County Clerk of Court
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-6565
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: browardclerk.org
Fort Lauderdale Police Department Records Division
Address: 1300 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Phone: 954-764-4357
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Website: flpd.org
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Phone: 954-831-8900
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: browardsheriff.org
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 850-410-7000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: fdle.state.fl.us
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Lauderdale City Criminal Records
The questions below cover the most common concerns about Fort Lauderdale criminal records, court searches, and case details. Each answer gives clear, factual guidance based on current Florida law and Broward County procedures as of 2026.
How do I look up a criminal case in Fort Lauderdale by name?
To look up a Fort Lauderdale criminal case by name, visit the Broward County Clerk of Court website and open the online case search tool. Enter the person’s full legal name in the search field. Adding a date of birth helps narrow results when several people share the same name. The system shows a list of matching criminal cases with the case number, charge type, and current status. Click any case to view the full docket and court actions.
Are Fort Lauderdale criminal records free to view online?
Basic case details in Fort Lauderdale criminal records are free to view through the Broward County Clerk of Court online portal. Users can check case numbers, charges, court dates, and final outcomes without paying a fee. Certified copies and printed documents carry a fee per page. The fee for certified copies is set by Florida law and changes only when the state legislature updates the fee schedule.
What shows up on a Florida criminal history search from FDLE?
A Florida criminal history search from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows all arrests and convictions recorded in Florida. The report lists each arrest, the date, the arresting agency, the charge, and the final court outcome. The search covers all sixty-seven Florida counties. The report does not include federal charges, out-of-state arrests, or sealed or expunged records.
Can I remove a Fort Lauderdale criminal charge from my record?
A Fort Lauderdale criminal charge can be removed through a court order for sealing or expungement. The path depends on the case outcome. Dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and withholds of adjudication may qualify for relief. Convictions for most serious offenses do not qualify. The first step is a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE, followed by a court petition filed with the Broward County Clerk of Court.
How long does the Broward County Clerk take to process a record request?
The Broward County Clerk of Court processes most record requests within one to three business days for online orders. Mail requests take one to two weeks depending on postal delivery times and current workload. In-person requests at the courthouse can often be completed the same day. Certified copies may take an extra day for the official seal and signature.
Do I need a case number to search Fort Lauderdale court records?
A case number is not required to search Fort Lauderdale court records. The clerk’s online portal allows searches by name, date of birth, and date range. A case number simply makes the search faster and more precise. Anyone searching without a case number should use the person’s full legal name and any extra details such as date of birth or known court dates.
Are juvenile criminal records in Fort Lauderdale public?
Juvenile criminal records in Fort Lauderdale are not public under Florida law. These records stay confidential and can only be reviewed by the minor’s parents, legal guardians, defense attorneys, and the court. Juvenile records are not listed in the clerk’s online search system. The only path to remove a juvenile record is through a formal sealing process handled by the juvenile court.