Miami Gardens City criminal records are court files and police reports that show arrests, charges, and court outcomes for people in Miami Gardens, Florida. These records cover felony cases, misdemeanor cases, traffic crimes, and other offenses handled by the Miami-Dade County court system.
You can search these records online through the county clerk’s website. You can also request them in person at the courthouse or police station. Miami Gardens is part of Miami-Dade County, so most court records sit in county offices. This page explains where to get records, how to search online, what each record shows, and what fees you may pay.
Where Miami Gardens Criminal Records Are Stored
Criminal records for Miami Gardens sit in three main places. The court records live with the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. The police reports stay with the Miami Gardens Police Department. Jail and inmate records sit with Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation. State-level records also exist through Florida agencies. Each office handles a different part of the criminal case process.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts keeps all criminal court files for the county. This includes cases from Miami Gardens, Miami, Hialeah, and other cities in the county. The clerk handles felony case files, misdemeanor case files, traffic case files, and county ordinance violations. You can search these records online any time of day. You can also visit the clerk’s office in person during business hours. The clerk’s main office is at 73 West Flagler Street in downtown Miami. Satellite offices also serve different parts of the county.
Miami Gardens Police Department
The Miami Gardens Police Department keeps police reports for incidents inside city limits. This covers arrest reports, incident reports, accident reports, and calls for service. The police department records division handles requests for these reports. Their headquarters sits at 18601 Northwest 27th Avenue in Miami Gardens. You can call their records desk at (305) 474-6473. Some reports are available online through their public portal. Other reports need a written request.
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation runs the county jail system. They keep records of people booked into jail, current inmates, and release dates. The main jail sits at 1321 Northwest 13th Street in Miami. You can search inmate records online through their public database. The database shows booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and custody status. Phone line for jail records is (305) 275-1111.
Florida State-Level Records
Two state agencies keep records that cover Miami Gardens. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs the statewide criminal history database. The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) tracks state prison inmates and people on supervision. These databases cover people from all Florida counties. You can search both databases online for free or for a small fee.
How to Search Miami Gardens Criminal Records Online
Online searches are the fastest way to get Miami Gardens criminal records. You can use four main websites. Each site covers a different type of record. You will need a name, date of birth, or case number to start your search. Most sites are free for basic case lookups. Certified copies cost extra.
Miami-Dade Clerk Online Portal
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs an online case search at miamidadeclerk.gov. Go to the courts section and click on case search. You can search by name, case number, citation number, or party type. Enter the full legal name of the person you want to look up. The system returns all matching cases from Miami-Dade County courts. Click any case to see charges, court dates, plea, and sentence. The portal is free to use and works 24 hours a day. You do not need an account for basic searches.
Miami Gardens Police Online Reports
The Miami Gardens Police Department offers online access to some police reports. Visit mgpd.org and click on the records or reports section. Some accident reports and incident reports are posted online within a few days. You can search by report number or by date. Reports that need approval are not posted online. For those, you must file a written request with the records division.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs CCHInet for statewide criminal history checks. The website is cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. You must create an account and pay a fee for each search. The fee is $25 per name search. Results cover all Florida arrests and convictions in one report. You get results within minutes after payment. This search covers any person with a Florida criminal history, including Miami Gardens residents.
Florida Department of Corrections Search
The Florida Department of Corrections runs a free inmate search at fdc.myflorida.com. Click on offender search and enter a name or inmate number. The database shows current state prison inmates and people on parole or probation. Results include the offense, sentence length, release date, and current location. You can search without an account. The database updates daily.
Types of Miami Gardens Criminal Case Files
Miami Gardens criminal case files come in four main types. Each type shows different parts of the criminal process. Court files show the legal case from charges to sentencing. Police reports show the original incident. Arrest records show the booking details. Inmate records show jail and prison status.
Felony Case Files
Felony case files cover serious crimes like burglary, drug trafficking, assault, and theft of large amounts. These cases go through the Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County. Felony files include the arrest affidavit, formal charges, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. You can search felony files through the Miami-Dade Clerk portal. Felony cases carry sentences of more than one year in state prison. They are public records unless sealed or expunged.
Misdemeanor Case Files
Misdemeanor case files cover less serious crimes like petty theft, simple assault, and minor drug possession. These cases go through the County Court in Miami-Dade County. Misdemeanor files include the charging document, plea, and sentence. Sentences are up to one year in county jail. You can search these files the same way as felony files. They show up in the same online portal.
Arrest Records and Police Reports
Arrest records show when a person was taken into custody by police. They include the arrest date, arresting officer, charges, and booking details. Police reports cover the original incident that led to the arrest. They include witness statements, officer observations, and evidence lists. These records sit with the Miami Gardens Police Department. You can request them through the records division or online portal.
Court Docket and Filings Search
The court docket is the daily schedule of court events. It shows what cases have hearings on a given day. You can view the docket online through the clerk’s website. Court filings are the documents filed in each case. These include motions, responses, orders, and judgments. Some filings are online. Others need an in-person visit to the courthouse to view paper files.
Miami Gardens Criminal Court Case Lookup Steps
A case lookup lets you track a criminal case from start to finish. You can see the charges, court dates, and final outcome. Most people use the Miami-Dade Clerk online portal for this. You will need some basic details before you start. The search is free and gives you case status, judge name, and next court date.
Records You Need Before Searching
You need the full legal name of the person you are searching. A date of birth helps narrow results when names are common. A case number makes the search faster and more exact. Case numbers start with a two-letter code that shows the court type. F means felony. M means misdemeanor. T means traffic. CF means criminal felony. MM means criminal misdemeanor. With just a name, you can still search, but you may get many results.
Search Steps Using the Clerk Portal
Go to miamidadeclerk.gov and click on courts. Click on case search. Pick the search type. Choose name search for the most common lookup. Enter the last name, then first name. Add a date of birth if you have one. Click search. The system returns all matching cases. Each result shows the case number, charges, filing date, and current status. Click on any case to see the full court history. You can also see the next court date on the case detail page.
Reading Case Status and Disposition
Case status shows where the case sits in the court process. Common status codes include pending, open, disposed, and closed. Pending means the case still moves through court. Disposed means the court entered a final outcome. Closed means no further court action is planned. Disposition shows the final result. Possible dispositions include guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi, and adjudicated withheld. Each term has a clear legal meaning that tells you how the case ended.
Miami Gardens Criminal Record Fees and Copies
Fees vary based on the agency and the type of document you need. Online searches are free. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Statewide searches have a flat fee per name. Knowing the fee helps you plan your request.
Clerk of Court Copy Fees
The Miami-Dade Clerk charges $1 per page for regular copies of court records. Certified copies cost $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Authentication for use in another state costs $10 extra. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Credit card payments add a small processing fee. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at any clerk location.
Police Department Report Fees
The Miami Gardens Police Department charges for copies of police reports. Regular copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost more. Some reports are free if you are the named party on the report. You must show photo ID to pick up reports in person. You can also request reports by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take longer to process.
Statewide Search Fees
The FDLE charges $25 per name for a statewide criminal history search. This covers all arrests and convictions anywhere in Florida. You can pay by credit card through the CCHInet website. Results come back by email within minutes for most searches. A second fee of $24 applies for notarized copies of results. The Florida Department of Corrections inmate search is free for all users.
Sealing and Expunging Miami Gardens Criminal Records
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge their criminal records. Sealing hides the record from public view. Expungement destroys the record. Both options require a court order. You must first apply to FDLE for a certificate of eligibility. Not everyone qualifies. The process takes several months from start to finish.
Who Qualifies for Sealing or Expungement
You may qualify if you were not convicted of the charge. You may qualify if the case was dismissed. You may qualify if you received a withhold of adjudication. You cannot have any prior felony convictions. You cannot have other sealed or expunged records on your history. Certain serious crimes like murder and sex offenses never qualify. Juvenile offenses follow a different set of rules.
How to Apply for Record Relief
Start by applying to FDLE for a certificate of eligibility. You fill out an application and pay a fee. The current fee is $75. FDLE checks your record and issues the certificate if you qualify. Take the certificate to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. File a petition with the court where the case was handled. A judge reviews your petition and decides whether to grant it. If granted, the court order goes to all agencies that have your record.
Timeline and Costs for Record Relief
The full process takes about four to six months. FDLE processing takes about four to eight weeks. Court review takes another two to three months. Total costs range from $300 to $1,000 based on attorney fees and court costs. Many people hire an attorney to handle the paperwork. You can also file on your own using forms from FDLE. The forms are free on the FDLE website.
Miami Gardens Criminal Records Contact Information
You can reach the right office using the contact details below. Each office handles a specific type of record. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit. Most offices accept walk-in requests during business hours. Phone lines are open during regular business hours on weekdays.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts
Main Office: 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Miami Gardens Police Department
Address: 18601 Northwest 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
Records Phone: (305) 474-6473
Website: mgpd.org
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Website: fdle.state.fl.us
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Department of Corrections
Address: 501 South Calhoun Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 488-5021
Website: fdc.myflorida.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Common Questions About Miami Gardens Criminal Records
People often ask similar questions about Miami Gardens criminal records. The answers below cover the most common concerns. Each answer gives you clear facts about how records work in Miami-Dade County. Use these answers to plan your search or record request. The court system has clear rules about who can see records and how to get copies.
Are Miami Gardens criminal records free to view online?
Yes, basic case searches on the Miami-Dade Clerk portal are free. You can see case numbers, charges, court dates, and case status without paying. You do not need an account. The portal works 24 hours a day from any device with internet access. Certified copies cost extra because they include a court seal and signature. Police reports from the Miami Gardens Police Department are also free to view if they appear in the online portal. The FDLE statewide search costs $25 because it covers all of Florida in one report.
How long does the Miami-Dade Clerk keep criminal records?
The Miami-Dade Clerk keeps criminal court records permanently for felony cases. Misdemeanor cases are also kept permanently in the digital system. Paper records from older cases get scanned into the digital system. The clerk started digital records in the 1990s for most case types. Older paper files from before the 1990s still exist in the courthouse archives. You can request older records through the clerk’s archive office. Some old cases need extra time to locate and scan.
Can I remove a Miami Gardens criminal record from public view?
Yes, you may be able to seal or expunge your record under Florida law. You must first apply to FDLE for a certificate of eligibility. The fee is $75. After you get the certificate, file a petition with the Miami-Dade court that handled your case. A judge reviews your petition and grants or denies the request. If granted, the record is hidden from public searches. The process takes four to six months from start to finish. Certain crimes never qualify for sealing or expungement.
What is the difference between a felony and misdemeanor record in Miami Gardens?
Felony records cover serious crimes with sentences over one year in state prison. Misdemeanor records cover less serious crimes with sentences up to one year in county jail. Felony cases go through Circuit Court. Misdemeanor cases go through County Court. Both types of records appear in the same Miami-Dade Clerk portal. Felony case numbers start with CF. Misdemeanor case numbers start with MM. The type of charge affects which record system holds the case file.
Can I search Miami Gardens criminal records by case number?
Yes, the Miami-Dade Clerk portal lets you search by case number. Case numbers start with a court code. CF stands for criminal felony. MM stands for criminal misdemeanor. CT stands for criminal traffic. Enter the full case number with the court code. The portal returns the exact case with full details. Case number searches are the fastest and most accurate way to look up a specific case. You can find the case number on any court document or summons.
How do I get a background check that includes Miami Gardens?
You have two main options for a background check that includes Miami Gardens. First, use the FDLE CCHInet system for a statewide Florida search. The fee is $25 per name. Results come back by email within minutes. Second, request a local check from the Miami Gardens Police Department. Their records division can run a local background check for a small fee. Local checks only cover Miami Gardens arrests. Statewide checks cover all of Florida. Choose based on how broad you need the search to be.
What shows up on a public Miami Gardens criminal record search?
A public search shows the case number, charges filed, court dates, plea entered, and final sentence. It shows the judge name and the state attorney assigned to the case. It does not show sealed or expunged records. It does not show juvenile records in most cases. It does not show pending arrest records that have not gone to court yet. Police incident reports may not show up in court searches. You need a separate search through the police department for those records.