Access Free Broward County Arrest Records (Resource)

Search free Broward County arrest records through various county, city, and state-level official agencies outlined in this streamlined resource.

These records are open to the public for transparency; however, it’s important to note that a person being arrested does not always add up to being involved in a crime. In other words, an arrest does not indicate guilt.

Arrest records can provide citizens with various details, such as the name, physical description, age, and ethnicity of the arrested individual, the nature of the offense committed, the name of the court that issued the warrant, and a summary of their court case.

This resource summarizes everything you must know to conduct a quick and free arrest records search in Broward County, Florida.

Retrieve Broward County Arrest Records & Review Mugshots for Free

Arrest records are considered public records in Broward County and are available for inspection or copying by any common citizen.

The Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119 of the State Legislature), also known as the “Sunshine Law,” ensures this availability.¹ The law passed in 1909 explicitly states that government and court records (which include arrest records) are openly available for viewing by the general public, and any official agency that possesses them is obliged to provide them to citizens upon request.

There are a variety of official agencies that can provide interested residents with arrest records. Primarily, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office can provide researchers with details of recent as well as old arrests that took place in the county. Residents can obtain the said records from the office through a variety of different methods.

For the convenience of the Broward County citizens, the sheriff’s office has an official free online arrests search tool.²

The tool is completely free and extremely easy to use, as residents can search for arrests with just the full name of the subject. The search tool’s database is updated by the department every 15 minutes so residents can find details of even the most recent arrests that took place in the county.

The complete name of the search subject, including their first and last name will have to be entered by the searchers for a comprehensive arrest records search. Primary details obtained from the search tool include the arrest number, name of the arrestee, their sex, and the facility they are currently being held in.

However, upon clicking the arrest number, residents will be able to find additional details. These details include the arresting agency, a physical description, the arrest date, an expected release date (although sometimes not available), and complete information in regard to the charges against the individual.

Furthermore, residents will also be able to find the bail bond type and amount set for the arrested individual as well as a recent mugshot.

Additionally, residents can also obtain arrest records from the Broward Sheriff’s Office through a public records request. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office – Public Records Center has set up a designated online public portal where residents can submit a records request. Different kinds of records can be requested from here, however, if residents want to request arrest records, they will have to select “Local Records Check.”

From here, residents can create an account with a registered email address or submit a records request anonymously.³

The benefit of creating and logging in from an account is that residents will be able to track their requests, and the department will be able to contact them directly. The citizen will have to provide a description of the records being requested and their contact details to file a records request.

In case residents are unable to access the portal, a public records request can also be submitted in person, through mail, or by phone number using the following details:

Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Public Records Unit
2601 W. Broward Boulevard
P.O Box Number 9507
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310

Phone: 954-831-8700

As another option, residents can also obtain arrest details through the Broward County Clerk of the Courts. The clerk of the courts has a free online case search tool that can be used to search court records, including arrest records.⁴

Citizens can search records through this tool by the search subject’s full name, case number, or citation number. In addition to that, filters such as a date range and court type can be added to narrow down the search for the most precise results.

Residents will be able to obtain a ton of information from the tool, including a summary of the case, information about the subject/parties involved, details of arrests that took place in it, warrants, as well as all major events that took place during the proceedings.

The office of the Broward County Clerk of the Courts can also be contacted directly for information regarding arrests and case details.

Clerk of the Courts – Broward County
201 Southeast 6th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Phone: 954.831.6565

In case residents want a police report, it can be requested through the Broward County Sheriff’s Office – Public Portal. Similar to requesting arrest records, residents can either create an account or request the report anonymously. The requestor will have to provide their primary details along with a description of the report they want to get.

The process is much simpler if the requestor knows the incident number. However, if that is unknown, a description of the incident will have to be provided in the request. The Sheriff’s Office of Broward County usually takes a couple of days to respond to citizens; however, it can even take up to 10 days for the report to be delivered.

Other than searching for arrest records at the county level, residents can also want to search said records at the city level in certain cases. To search arrest records in Fort Lauderdale, interested individuals can reach out to the City Police Department. The Records Unit of the Fort Lauderdale PD can provide arrest records as well as police reports to citizens.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department
Records Unit
1515 W. Cypress Creek Rd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

Phone: 954-828-5465

The office of the records unit is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday for in-person arrest records requests (note that the office is closed during weekends and all public holidays). Additionally, the unit can also be called between the hours of 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM for information regarding arrests.

Other than the aforementioned official agencies, various third-party resources such as VINELink can also help interested individuals find arrest records in Broward County. However, it is important that citizens do not use the details obtained through them in legal matters unless the third-party source has been endorsed by a government agency.

Other than recent records, residents can also search older arrest records in Broward County, the details on how to conduct such a search will be discussed in the following section.

Gain Insight on Criminal Charges & Former Arrests Made in Broward County Florida

The most appropriate source to conduct a search for prior arrest records in Broward County is the County Clerk of the Courts.⁵

Clerk of the Courts – Broward County
201 Southeast 6th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Phone: 954.831.6565

For in-person visits, the Broward County Clerk of Courts is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM–3:30 PM, excluding holidays

The Clerk of the Courts has an official online case records search tool that can help interested residents look up details of prior arrests. Residents can search records through this tool using case number, subject name, or citation number. Additionally, filters such as date range and court type can be added to narrow down the search.

Details such as a summary of the case, when and where the arrest took place, name of the court that issued the warrant, the nature of charges against the arrested individual, as well as all major events that took place during the case proceedings, will be included in the tool’s results.

The Broward County Clerk of the Courts can also be contacted directly for information regarding older arrest records and case details.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department can be contacted in case residents want to find older arrest records at the city level. Specifically, the Records Unit can provide prior arrest records as well as older police reports to interested residents.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department
Records Unit
1515 W. Cypress Creek Rd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

Phone: 954.828.5465

The office of the Fort Lauderdale PD records unit can be visited anytime from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, residents must note that the office is closed during weekends and all public holidays. Furthermore, the unit can also be called at the above-mentioned number between the hours of 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM for information regarding prior arrests.

To search old arrest records at the state level, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) can aid residents.

The FDLE’s Criminal History Record Check is an online service that can help interested residents search the said records state-wide. The tool’s online overview can help citizens understand better exactly how the tool works.

Residents can search on this tool through different criteria such as full names or case numbers and obtain their complete criminal history (if any) along with details of all arrests. However, residents must keep in mind that the FDLE’s Criminal History Record Check tool is not free; there is a total fee of $25 per search, which includes $24 for the actual search and a $1 fee for payment processing through credit/debit card.⁶

Arrests are extremely stressful, not just for the arrestees but for the loved ones as well. The priority, in case of an arrest, should be to get the arrested individual out of custody as soon as possible, and that is done through bail.

It is always better to have the necessary know-how before any such event happens. This is why, for the convenience of citizens, the process of self-bail is discussed in the following section.

How To Find a Bail Bondsman or Post Bail for Someone Arrested in Broward County

Posting bail is extremely effortless in Broward County, Florida. Primarily, it is important that residents know the basic information (such as where they are held, charges against them, and bail amount) of the arrestee whose bail they want to post.

This information can be obtained through the Sheriff’s Department – Arrest Search or by calling 954-831-5900 or by visiting the Mail County Jail.

Broward County Main Jail
555 South East 1st Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301

Phone Number: 954-831-5900

Bail can be paid in cash, cashier’s cheque, or money order (both payable to the Broward County Sheriff’s Department). A judge determines the bail amount after considering multiple factors, such as the individual’s past criminal history, the nature of the crime committed, and the risk of fleeing.

Residents can pay bail in cash at the dedicated window at the Broward County Main Jail, through Western Union (money order payable to the Sheriff’s Department), or by credit/debit card through GovPayNow.⁷ A service fee will be charged in the last two methods; however, there is no such fee in in-person payment. The following information should be added to the money order form:

Payable to The Broward County Sheriff
COPS/FL
Account No. – The Arrest Number and the Inmate’s Last & First Name

Bail can also be posted by calling 877-392-2455. Additionally, a licensed bail bondsman can

also help citizens post bail through a surety bond. A directory of licensed bail bond companies will be available to residents at the main jail information desk.

The bail amount becomes refundable once the case is closed or the charges are dropped, but if the bailed individual flees or misses court appearances, the amount is fortified.

This resource summarizes everything residents must know to search Broward County arrest records free of charge through various official sources; utilize the databases and guidance here any time you need to view or obtain arrest details.