Miami City criminal records are court files that show criminal cases handled in Miami-Dade County. These files list charges, court dates, and case results.
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court handles most felony cases. County courts handle misdemeanor cases. Both courts keep their records with the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court. People search these records for many reasons. Some need a background check for a job. Others want to check a court case status. Lawyers look at past cases to help with new ones. You can search online or visit the courthouse in person. This page explains how the system works and how to use it.
How Miami Criminal Court Records Work
Criminal records in Miami go through a clear path. Police make an arrest. The state files charges. A court hears the case. The clerk saves the file. Each step creates a record you can search. Florida law makes most of these records open to the public. This rule helps keep the court system fair. Anyone can ask to see a case file. You do not need a lawyer. You do not need a reason. The court must give you access during business hours. Some records stay sealed. Juvenile cases often stay private. Active investigations also stay closed. Sealed and expunged records need a court order to open. This system balances public access with personal privacy.
Types of Cases in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County handles two main types of criminal cases. Felonies are serious crimes. They can mean time in state prison. Examples include robbery, drug trafficking, and assault. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes. They usually mean a fine or county jail time. Examples include petty theft and simple battery. Each case type has its own court process. Felony cases start in the circuit court. Misdemeanor cases go through county court. The clerk keeps files for both. Knowing the case type helps you find the right records.
Who Maintains the Records
Three main groups keep criminal records in Miami. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court keeps court files. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest and jail records. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) keeps statewide criminal history. Each group has its own search system. You may need to check more than one source. A full search covers all three. The clerk gives you court papers. The sheriff gives you arrest data. FDLE gives you a full state record. Together they show the full picture.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Records
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court is the main source for court records. The office is at 73 West Flagler Street, Suite 133, Miami, Florida 33130. You can call them at 305-275-1155. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk’s website is miamidadeclerk.gov. They handle thousands of new cases every year. Their office keeps files for circuit and county criminal cases. All files go through their system. You can search online or in person. Basic case data is free to view. Certified copies cost money.
What the Clerk Records Include
The clerk’s office saves many types of court papers. Each file has a case number. The file shows the charges filed. It lists the defendant and the attorney. It has court dates and hearing notes. It has the final result, called a disposition. If someone pleads guilty, the file shows that. If a case goes to trial, the file shows the verdict. Sentences are also in the file. The clerk keeps these papers for years. Older cases move to a storage site. You can still get them with a records request.
How to Visit the Clerk’s Office
You can visit the clerk’s office during business hours. No appointment is needed for basic searches. Bring a photo ID. Bring the full name and date of birth of the person you are searching. If you have a case number, bring that too. The staff can help you use the public computers. You can print files for a small fee. Certified copies cost more. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card. The office is in downtown Miami. Public parking is nearby. The courthouse is close to bus and train stops.
Online Search Tools for Miami Criminal Records
Online search tools let you look up records from home. The clerk’s website has a 24/7 portal. You can search by name. You can search by case number. You can search by date range. Results show basic case data. You see the case status. You see the next court date. You see the charges and the result. The system updates each day. New cases show up quickly. This is the fastest way to check a case.
Using the Clerk’s Online Portal
The clerk’s criminal records portal is at miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/criminal-records.page. You do not need to log in. You do not need to pay to view basic data. Type the last name in the search box. Add a first name to narrow the results. You can also enter a case number if you have one. Click search. The system shows matching cases. Click on a case to see full details. You can save or print the page. The portal works on phones and tablets. It works on any web browser. You can search any time, day or night.
Information You Can Find Online
Online records show key case details. You can see the case number. You can see the charges filed. You can see the defendant’s name. You can see the court division. You can see the judge assigned. You can see the next hearing date. You can see past hearing dates. You can see the final result. You can see sentence details. You can see bond amounts. The portal does not show sealed records. It does not show expunged records. It does not show full court papers. For those, you must visit the clerk in person.
Felony and Misdemeanor Records in Miami
Felony and misdemeanor records follow different paths. Felonies are more serious. They go to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court. The court handles cases in Miami-Dade County. Judges in this court hear felony trials. They handle sentencings. They handle appeals from county court. Misdemeanors are less serious. They go to the Miami-Dade County Court. This court handles smaller criminal cases. It also handles traffic offenses. It handles ordinance violations. The clerk keeps records for both courts. You can search both using the same online system.
Miami Felony Case Search
Felony cases in Miami go through the circuit court. You can search these cases on the clerk’s website. Use the criminal records portal. Look for the circuit criminal section. The case number starts with a “C” or “CF.” Enter the last name. Add the first name. Results show all felony cases. Each case shows the charges, the court date, and the result. Some cases take years to finish. The portal shows past and current cases. You can also search by attorney name. This helps lawyers check their case load.
Miami Misdemeanor Case Lookup
Misdemeanor cases go through the county court. You can search these on the same portal. Look for the county criminal section. The case number starts with “MM” or “MO.” Enter the person’s name. Results show all misdemeanor cases. These include petty theft, simple battery, and DUI. The system shows the case status. It shows the fine amount. It shows the court date. It shows the result. Misdemeanor cases move faster than felony cases. Many finish in a few months.
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court Records
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court serves Miami-Dade County. It is the main trial court for the area. It handles felony criminal cases. It handles family law cases. It handles civil cases over $50,000. It handles appeals from county court. The court covers the whole county. It has judges in many courthouses. The main courthouse is in downtown Miami. Other courthouses are in Hialeah, North Miami, and Miami Beach. Each courthouse keeps its own daily docket. The clerk keeps the main case files. You can search all cases through the clerk’s online portal.
Court Divisions in the Eleventh Circuit
The Eleventh Circuit has many divisions. The criminal division hears felony cases. It also hears violations of probation. The county criminal division hears misdemeanors. The juvenile division hears youth cases. The family division handles divorce and custody. The civil division handles lawsuits. The probate division handles wills and estates. Each division has its own judges and staff. Each one keeps its own docket. The clerk’s office works with all of them. One search on the clerk’s site can cover all divisions.
Searching the Criminal Docket
The criminal docket is a list of cases set for court. You can find the daily docket on the clerk’s site. The docket shows the time and courtroom for each case. It shows the defendant, the charges, and the lawyer. You can search the docket by date. You can search by judge. You can search by attorney. This helps people find when their case is next in court. It also helps lawyers plan their day. Members of the public can also use the docket. It is open to anyone with internet access.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs a statewide search system. The system is called CCHInet. It covers all Florida counties. It includes arrests and convictions. It includes cases from Miami-Dade County. It also includes data from all other Florida counties. The search costs $24 per name. There is a $1 credit card fee. So the total is $25 per search. You need the full name and date of birth. You can pay online with a credit card. Results show right away. The search is fast and easy.
How the FDLE Search Works
The FDLE search pulls data from many sources. It checks county records. It checks court records. It checks corrections records. It checks law enforcement records. The system puts all this data into one report. The report shows arrests in Florida. It shows the charges. It shows the outcome. It shows prison time. It shows probation. The report covers adult records. Some juvenile records also show up. The report is not perfect. Some counties update faster than others. Federal charges are not in the report. Out-of-state charges are not in the report.
FDLE Search vs. Local Court Search
The FDLE search and the local court search give different data. The local court search shows the court file. It shows all the court papers. It shows each hearing and order. The FDLE search shows the criminal history. It shows arrests across the state. It shows all convictions. For a job background check, the FDLE search is better. For checking a court case, the local search is better. For a full picture, you may need both. Many employers ask for both. Lawyers often run both for their cases.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Inmate Search
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail. They also keep arrest records. Their main office is at 9105 NW 25th St., Miami, FL 33172. The general phone line is 305-471-2400. The office runs the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. This department manages the jail. It manages inmate records. It manages release data. You can search for current inmates online. You can also visit the jail in person. Some records cost money to copy. Florida law sets the fees.
Online Inmate Search Tool
The sheriff’s inmate search is at miamidade.gov/corrections/InmateSearch.asp. The site is free to use. You can search by name. You can search by booking number. Results show the inmate’s photo. Results show the booking date. Results show the charges. Results show the bond amount. Results show the next court date. The system updates each day. New bookings show up fast. Releases also show up fast. The search works on any device. You do not need to log in. You do not need to pay.
What Inmate Records Show
Inmate records show key data about people in jail. Each record has the booking number. It has the inmate’s full name. It has the date of birth. It has the booking date. It has the current charges. It has the bond amount. It has the housing location. It has the release date, if known. The record also shows the arresting agency. It shows the next court date. The data comes from the jail management system. It updates in real time. The public can see most of this data. Some data is hidden for safety reasons.
Sealing and Expunging Criminal Records in Miami
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge their records. Sealing hides the record from the public. Expungement destroys the record. Not everyone qualifies. You cannot have a prior sealing or expungement. You cannot have been found guilty of certain crimes. Murder and sex crimes cannot be sealed. You must complete your sentence first. You must wait a set time. After that, you can apply. The process takes months. The court must approve the final step.
Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE
The first step is to apply to FDLE. You fill out an application. You pay a $75 fee. You send in fingerprints. FDLE reviews your record. They check if you qualify. The process takes about 12 weeks. If you qualify, FDLE sends a Certificate of Eligibility. The certificate is good for 12 months. You must file your court case in that time. If you wait longer, the certificate expires. You would need to apply again. The fee is non-refundable.
Filing a Petition with the Court
After FDLE approves you, file a petition with the court. The petition asks the judge to seal or expunge your case. You must serve the petition on the state attorney. They can object. A judge reviews your case. The judge can grant or deny the petition. If granted, the court sends an order to all agencies. They must seal or destroy their records. The FDLE fee for a court-ordered sealing is usually $75. The clerk charges a fee to file the petition. The cost adds up. Plan for the expense.
Florida Public Records Law for Criminal Cases
Florida has a strong public records law. The law is in Florida Statute Chapter 119. The law says government records are open to the public. This includes criminal court records. The law also sets limits. Some records are exempt. Active investigation files are exempt. Sealed and expunged records are exempt. Juvenile records are exempt. Victim information is often redacted. Personal data like Social Security numbers is also redacted. The law applies to all state and local agencies in Florida.
What Records Are Public
Most criminal court records are public. You can see the case number. You can see the charges. You can see the defendant’s name. You can see the attorney’s name. You can see the judge. You can see the court dates. You can see the outcome. You can see the sentence. You can see the bond. You can see motions filed. You can see orders signed by the judge. Court hearings are also public. You can sit in and watch. You can take notes. Some hearings are closed to the public. These include juvenile cases and some family cases.
Costs for Copies and Certified Copies
Florida law sets fees for copies. The standard fee is $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk charges a $7 fee for certification. The clerk also charges $2 per page for certified copies. Some documents have other fees. Court orders may have higher fees. Long documents can cost more. You can pay at the clerk’s office. You can pay online for some services. The fees help pay for the clerk’s office. They help pay for record storage. The fees are the same across Florida.
Official Contact Information for Miami-Dade Clerk of Court
You can reach the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court in several ways. The main office is in downtown Miami. You can visit, call, or go online. The office is open Monday through Friday. Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and holidays. Plan your visit during business hours. The online portal is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can search any time online.
Address and Phone
The main clerk’s office is at 73 West Flagler Street, Suite 133, Miami, Florida 33130. The main phone number is 305-275-1155. You can also find a list of branch offices on the clerk’s website. Each branch handles some records. The main office handles the most. For criminal records questions, call the main office first. They can help you or send you to the right place.
Online Resources
The clerk’s website is miamidadeclerk.gov. The criminal records portal is at miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/criminal-records.page. You can search the docket. You can search court records. You can pay fees online. You can file some documents online. You can also sign up for case alerts. The alerts send you emails when a case moves. This helps lawyers and people with cases. The site also has forms you can download. The site is mobile friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami City Criminal Records
Many people have questions about Miami criminal records. They want to know how to search. They want to know what shows up. They want to know about costs. They want to know about privacy. The answers below cover the most common questions. Each answer gives you real facts. The answers help you make better choices. The answers also help you avoid common mistakes. Read them before you start your search.
Can I search Miami criminal records for free?
Yes, you can search Miami criminal records for free using the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court’s online portal at miamidadeclerk.gov. The basic case data is free to view. You do not need to pay to see charges, court dates, or outcomes. You also do not need to register or log in. The only costs are for printed copies or certified copies. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also offers a free inmate search tool. It shows current inmates and recent bookings. The FDLE charges $25 per name for a statewide search, but local court searches through the clerk remain free for basic viewing. Most people do not need to pay anything to get the data they need.
How long does it take to get certified copies of court records?
Certified copies usually take 1 to 3 business days to process. You can request them in person at the clerk’s office. You can also mail in a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Some records are ready the same day if you go in person. The clerk charges $2 per page plus a $7 certification fee. Older records stored off-site may take longer. You can also order certified copies online for some case types. The online fee is the same as in person. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Plan ahead if you need the copies for a court deadline.
What is the difference between sealed and expunged records?
Sealed records are hidden from the public but still exist in the system. Government agencies can still see them in some cases. Law enforcement can see sealed records. The courts can see them. Expunged records are destroyed by the agencies that have them. After expungement, the record is gone for most purposes. You can legally say you do not have a record in most situations. The process for both starts with FDLE. You need a Certificate of Eligibility first. The court makes the final decision. Not everyone qualifies for either option. Serious crimes cannot be sealed or expunged.
Are juvenile criminal records available to the public in Miami?
No, juvenile criminal records are not public in Florida. The law protects the identity of minors. The records are kept by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. They are not in the regular court system. You cannot search juvenile records through the clerk’s website. The records are sealed. Only the minor, parents, lawyers, and judges can see them. When a minor turns 18, they can ask the court to seal or expunge their record. The process is similar to adult expungement. Juvenile records do not show up on FDLE background checks for most purposes. The law treats them as private.
Can I remove incorrect information from my Miami criminal record?
Yes, you can ask the court to correct mistakes in your criminal record. The first step is to contact the clerk’s office. Tell them what is wrong. Bring proof of the error. The proof can be a court order, a dismissal paper, or other official records. The clerk will review the request. If the error is clear, they can fix it. If not, you may need a court order. A lawyer can help you with this process. Errors can happen with names, dates, and charges. You can also ask FDLE to fix their database. They have a process for corrections. Most errors can be fixed if you have the right paperwork.
Do Miami criminal records show arrests that did not lead to charges?
Yes, Miami criminal records often show arrests that did not lead to charges. The clerk’s docket will show the arrest. It will show if charges were filed. It will show if charges were dropped. The FDLE criminal history also shows arrests. It shows the outcome of each arrest. If the case was dismissed, it will say so. If you were found not guilty, it will say that too. Arrest data can stay on your record even if you were not convicted. The record shows the full history. This is why people seek expungement. They want arrests removed if there was no conviction.
How far back do Miami criminal records go online?
The Miami-Dade Clerk’s online portal goes back many years. Most cases from the 1990s and later are in the system. Some older cases are also in the system. The clerk has worked to digitize old files. New cases show up within a day. Closed cases also stay in the system. You can search by name and date range. You can limit the search to the last year, last five years, or all years. This helps you find what you need. For very old records, you may need to visit the clerk in person. The staff can search older archives for you.