Broward County, Florida · Booking, police-report and criminal-court guide
Broward County Jail and Court Search: Verify the Arrest, Charges and Final Outcome
A Broward County arrest can produce a Sheriff booking record, an incident report maintained by BSO or a municipal police department, and a criminal court case maintained by the Broward Clerk.
This guide explains the search fields, 15-minute jail updates, same-name safeguards, report-request workflow, court divisions, copy fees, bond issues, warrant checks, statewide history, correction options and Florida sealing process directly on this page.
An arrest is not a conviction. Booking charges are allegations. The State Attorney can decline, replace or amend a charge, and the court may dismiss a case or enter another outcome. Never identify a person from a name or booking photograph alone.
Jail update cycle
Approximately every 15 minutes.
Detailed record
Select the arrest number after searching.
Court copies
$1 per page.
Certification
$2 per court document.
E-certified record
$8 per eligible document.
Choose the record that answers your actual question
BROWARD SHERIFF
Is the person in custody or recently booked?
Use BSO Arrest Search for arrest numbers, booking details, charges, custody location and a booking photograph when displayed.
Best for: current arrest, booking identity, jail location, bond information and recent release research.
ARRESTING AGENCY
What allegedly happened?
Request the incident report, arrest affidavit, property record or releasable supplements from the agency whose officer made the arrest.
Best for: incident narrative, officer observations, report number, evidence references and property information.
BROWARD CLERK
What happened after the arrest?
Search felony, misdemeanor or criminal traffic cases for filed charges, hearings, orders and charge-level disposition.
Best for: formal charge, court date, dismissal, plea, judgment, sentencing and certified proof.
Best complete workflow: Find the arrest number, record every case number, identify the arresting agency, search each court case and request only the specific report or certified document still needed.
How to search Broward County arrests correctly
Open Broward Sheriff Arrest Search
Complete the security verification and use the name-search fields displayed by BSO.
Start with the last name
A broad surname search reduces the chance of excluding a record because of a middle name, suffix, compound surname or spelling variation.
Add the first name only when necessary
When many results appear, add the legal first name. Test a shortened name, former surname or alternate spelling when needed.
Review every possible match
The result list can show an arrest number, name, sex and location. Do not assume the first same-name result is correct.
Select the arrest number
The arrest number opens the more detailed record and may show the booking photograph, charges, arrest data and custody information.
Record every identifier
Save the arrest number, booking number, case numbers, arresting agency, arrest date and current location.
Review every charge separately
One arrest can involve multiple cases, warrants, bond conditions or agency holds.
Continue to the Clerk case search
Jail information reflects arrest and custody. The Clerk record shows the filed charge and later court outcome.
Update timing: BSO states that arrest-search results refresh approximately every 15 minutes. A person can still take longer to appear while agency transfer, identification, intake or medical screening remains incomplete.
What Broward arrest-search fields mean
| Field | What it identifies | What it does not prove | Best next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrest number | The reference for the specific Broward arrest entry. | It does not explain the final court result. | Select it for details and include it in records inquiries. |
| Booking number | The identifier for a particular jail-processing episode. | The same person can have several bookings. | Use it for jail, mail, visitation and account questions. |
| Arresting agency | The sheriff, police department or other agency responsible for the arrest. | BSO does not control every municipal police report. | Send the incident-report request to this agency. |
| Arrest date | The date associated with the law-enforcement arrest. | It may differ from booking and court-filing dates. | Use it to separate current and older arrests. |
| Charge description | The alleged offense entered during arrest or booking. | It does not prove guilt and may later change. | Compare it with the formal Clerk court case. |
| Case number | The court identifier connected with a listed charge. | One arrest can generate multiple cases. | Search every number separately. |
| Bond amount or status | The release condition presently associated with a charge. | Another charge or hold may still prevent release. | Verify every case and agency hold before payment. |
| Custody location | The jail facility or location currently shown. | Housing can change after classification or transfer. | Confirm immediately before visiting or sending property. |
| Release information | The listed custody event ended or release processing occurred. | Release does not mean dismissal or acquittal. | Search the court case for the actual disposition. |
| Booking photograph | A photograph taken during custody processing. | It does not establish criminal responsibility. | Use it only with stronger identity fields. |
BSO accuracy warning: Jail and arrest information changes quickly and may contain errors. Do not use a locator result as the sole basis for legal action, publication or an identity decision.
Use the identity-match test before relying on a record
Full legal first and last name match
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth or age is consistent
Arrest date matches the known event
Arresting agency matches the location
Arrest or booking number matches
Court case number belongs to the same person
Charge-level disposition matches the correct count
Two-identifier minimum: Do not contact an employer, landlord, family member or news outlet based only on a matching name or image.
Same name but different birth date
Treat the records as different people unless the maintaining agency confirms a clerical error.
Similar booking photograph
Visual resemblance is not a reliable legal identifier.
Same birth date but different middle name
Check aliases, arrest date, agency, fingerprints where authorized and the case number.
Wrong name used during arrest
Contact the State Attorney and the agencies maintaining the arrest and court records with identity documents and case numbers.
No Broward arrest record found? Follow this order
The arrest happened recently
Wait through police processing, transport, identification and jail intake, then repeat the search.
The name is entered differently
Search the surname alone and try aliases, maiden names, hyphen variations, suffixes and alternate spellings.
A municipal police department still holds the person
The person may remain in a city police facility before transfer to BSO custody.
The person was released quickly
Search the Broward Clerk court system even when the person no longer appears in current custody.
The arrest occurred outside Broward
Search the county or jurisdiction where the arrest happened.
The person entered state or federal custody
Use Florida Department of Corrections or the appropriate federal system.
No court case appears yet
The State Attorney may still be reviewing the matter, or filing may not yet be visible.
The record is restricted
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, confidential and legally protected records may not appear publicly.
Call script for a missing booking
“I am trying to locate [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. I have [arrest, booking, report or case number]. Can you confirm whether the person is still processing, was released or was transferred?”
How one Broward arrest becomes several records
Law-enforcement incident
BSO or a municipal police agency creates incident, arrest, property and investigative records.
Jail intake
Identification, fingerprints, medical screening, property inventory and booking information are completed.
First appearance and release review
A judge can address probable cause, bond, release conditions, counsel and scheduling.
State Attorney review
The prosecutor—not the Clerk—decides what charge to file, amend or decline.
Clerk court case
The Clerk maintains the filed case, docket, orders, hearings and disposition.
Release or transfer
The person may be released, remain under another hold or transfer to another authority.
Final disposition
Each count may end through dismissal, nolle prosequi, plea, trial, judgment or another legal result.
Possible correction or record relief
An eligible person may later challenge inaccurate information or seek sealing or expungement.
Which office maintains the arrest report?
| Who made the arrest? | Likely report custodian | Where booking may appear | Where the court case appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broward Sheriff deputy | Broward Sheriff’s Office | BSO Arrest Search | Broward Clerk Public Case Search |
| Fort Lauderdale police officer | Fort Lauderdale Police Department | BSO after county booking | Broward Clerk |
| Hollywood police officer | Hollywood Police Department | BSO after county booking | Broward Clerk |
| Another municipal police department | The police department listed in the arrest record | BSO when county custody applies | Broward Clerk |
| Florida Highway Patrol or state agency | The responsible Florida state agency | BSO when housed in Broward | Broward Clerk when filed locally |
| Federal agency | The federal arresting agency | BSO only if temporarily housed there | Federal court rather than Broward Clerk |
Common mistake: BSO may hold a person arrested by a city police officer, but the city police department remains the likely custodian of its incident report.
How to request a Broward arrest or incident report
Name the documents you actually need
Incident report
The primary report describing the event and initial law-enforcement response.
Arrest affidavit or report
The record describing the asserted legal basis for arrest when publicly releasable.
Supplemental reports
Later officer or investigator reports, subject to exemptions and redaction.
Property receipt
A record of property collected, inventoried, retained or released.
911 or dispatch material
These records may be controlled by a communications unit rather than the arresting officer.
Audio, video or photographs
Large media files may require additional review, redaction and processing time.
Information that makes the request faster
Full legal name
Date of birth when known
Date and approximate time
Street, business or intersection
Arresting agency
Arrest or report number
Booking number
Court case number
Specific document types
Maximum fee authorized
Copy-ready report request
Under Florida public-records law, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest affidavit or report, property receipt and releasable supplemental reports concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident occurring on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are arrest number [number], agency report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount].
Why part of a report may be withheld
Active criminal investigation
Victim or witness information
Juvenile confidentiality
Medical or mental-health information
Protected personal identifiers
Confidential source or investigative strategy
Sealed or expunged information
Other state or federal exemptions
Control the request: Ask for electronic delivery, identify a narrow date range and require approval before extensive-use costs exceed your stated limit.
How to search Broward criminal court cases
Open Public Case Search
The Clerk provides searches by party name, business name, case number and citation number.
Use the case number when available
A complete case number is more precise than a name and reduces same-name mistakes.
For a party search, enter last and first name
The public search requires both fields for an individual party-name search.
Select the criminal court type
Choose Felony or Traffic and Misdemeanor to avoid unrelated civil, family or probate results.
Add a middle name or date range when necessary
The system returns only the first 200 matches, so broad common-name searches should be narrowed.
Understand short-name behavior
Last names shorter than three characters and first names shorter than two characters are handled as exact-match searches.
Review every charge and case
One arrest can generate separate felony, misdemeanor, traffic or ordinance matters.
Locate the charge-level disposition
Do not stop at an open, closed or disposed label. Find the actual dismissal, plea, judgment or other outcome.
Online record limitation: The Clerk states that online case information is not the official court record. Obtain the court document or certified disposition when formal proof is required.
Felony, misdemeanor and criminal traffic records use different divisions
| Case type | Maintaining division | Examples | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felony | Circuit Criminal / Felony Division | Felony charges, felony trial files and related post-judgment matters. | Search Felony and contact the Central Courthouse Felony Division. |
| Misdemeanor | County Criminal | Misdemeanors and certain lower-level criminal offenses. | Search Traffic and Misdemeanor. |
| Criminal traffic | Traffic and Misdemeanor | Criminal traffic charges requiring court appearance. | Do not treat the matter like an ordinary payable civil ticket. |
| Municipal or county ordinance | Traffic and Misdemeanor | Municipal ordinance and county ordinance cases. | Search by case or citation number. |
| Civil traffic infraction | Traffic | Noncriminal moving or nonmoving violations. | Review the 30-day response options shown by the Clerk. |
Felony Division
Central Courthouse
Judicial Complex North Building
201 SE 6th Street
1st Floor, Room 1882
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Judicial Complex North Building
201 SE 6th Street
1st Floor, Room 1882
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Felony contacts
Main criminal line: 954-831-6565, option 1
2013-current file viewing: 954-831-5796
Attorney line: 954-831-5600
What common Broward criminal-case terms mean
| Term | Plain-language meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | The charge has not reached final disposition. | Review the next court event and newest filing. |
| Information filed | The State Attorney filed formal felony charging allegations. | Read every filed count rather than relying on the booking description. |
| No information | The prosecutor declined to file the identified charge in the manner shown. | Confirm the specific arrest and counts covered. |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor announced that the charge would not be pursued at that time. | Determine which counts the notice covers. |
| Dismissed | The identified charge or case was dismissed. | Confirm whether every charge was dismissed. |
| Adjudicated guilty | The court entered a formal judgment of guilt. | Review the judgment, sentence and count number. |
| Adjudication withheld | The court withheld formal adjudication under the circumstances shown. | It is not a dismissal; read the plea and sentencing documents. |
| Acquitted or not guilty | The defendant was found not guilty of the count decided. | Check whether another count remained. |
| Warrant issued | The court docket reflects issuance of a warrant or capias. | Confirm whether it remains active, was served or was recalled. |
| Closed | The case is no longer shown as active. | Closed alone does not explain the final outcome. |
Broward criminal-record fees and ordering options
| Service | Published fee | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary court-document copy | $1 per page | For a regular copy of a filed document. |
| Certification | $2 per court document | When an employer, agency, court or board requires Clerk certification. |
| Record search | $2 per case per year | When Clerk staff must perform the requested search. |
| Exemplified certificate | $7 | When an institution specifically requires exemplification. |
| Electronic certified document | $8 per eligible document | For immediate online electronic certification. |
| Seal or expunge court file | $42 | Clerk processing associated with granted record relief. |
| Payment-plan agreement | $25 per eligible case | When the Clerk approves a qualifying court payment plan. |
Electronic certified document rules
$8 for each certified court document
Available immediately after successful card processing
American Express, Mastercard and Visa accepted
Documents longer than 100 pages unavailable online
One purchased electronic document can be reused
Authenticity can be checked through the verification system
Request processing: A record request that requires Clerk staff review can take up to approximately two weeks after receipt. Complicated, older or archived requests may take longer.
In-person payment methods
Cash
Cashier’s check
Attorney check
Money order
American Express
Mastercard
Visa
Photo identification for an in-person card payment
Copy-ready certified-disposition request
I request a [regular / certified / electronic certified] copy of the charging document, final disposition, dismissal, judgment and sentencing document in State of Florida v. [full legal name], Broward County case number [case number]. Please provide an estimate before processing if the total cost will exceed $[amount].
What to do when an older Broward case is not online
Felony filed on or after January 6, 2014
Electronic documents are generally available online, subject to confidentiality and access restrictions.
Felony from 2013 to current
Call the Felony Division at 954-831-5796 to arrange file ordering or viewing when needed.
Older felony file
Use the Clerk archives or court-record request procedure when the document is not electronically available.
Traffic or misdemeanor before 2011
Some older cases were purged from the main system and require a written or in-person search.
Purged case search
Provide the defendant’s full name, date of birth and incident year or approximate date.
Additional clues
Include the case number, citation number, arresting agency and a short description of the charge.
Do not interpret “not online” as “no record.” Older, archived, purged, confidential or paper-based records can require staff research.
Avoid a failure to appear after a Broward arrest
Check the Clerk docket
Use the case number to confirm scheduled events, assigned judge and filed notices.
Keep the address current
Released defendants are notified using the most recent address in the Clerk’s system.
Contact the assigned judge when required
The Clerk cannot change a set felony court date. The defendant or attorney must follow the assigned judge’s procedure.
Failure-to-appear consequences: Missing court can lead to a warrant, forfeiture of bond or detention without bond after re-arrest, depending on the case and court order.
Florida E-Notify
Receive criminal court-event reminders
Choose email, text message or both
Follow more than one case
Keep the case number and county available
Recheck the Clerk docket before attending
Do not rely on a reminder as the only official notice
What families should verify before arranging release
Review every listed charge
One arrest can involve multiple bond amounts, no-bond charges, warrants or holds.
Confirm whether first appearance occurred
A judge can change bond or release conditions during the initial court review.
Identify the type of release
The record may involve cash bond, surety bond, recognizance, pretrial supervision or another court condition.
Ask about outside holds
Another county, state agency, immigration authority or federal agency can prevent release.
Verify the approved payment destination
Use only the official Clerk, jail or licensed-bond process that applies to the case.
Keep every receipt
Save the defendant name, arrest number, case number, amount, date and payment confirmation.
Wait for confirmed physical release
Payment or a court order does not mean the person has completed paperwork, property return and discharge processing.
Bond scam warning: Do not send gift cards, cryptocurrency or payment to a personal account because a caller promises immediate release.
One payment may not be enough: A satisfied bond on one charge does not clear another case, no-bond order, detainer or agency hold.
How to check a possible Broward County warrant
Search current Broward arrests
A recently served warrant may appear as a current booking.
Search every related court case
Review the docket for warrant, capias, failure-to-appear or recall entries.
Search FDLE Wanted Persons
Use the statewide public wanted-person system for additional Florida information.
Match more than the name
Compare birth information, case number, charge, issuing county and agency.
Confirm active status directly
Contact the issuing court or responsible law-enforcement agency before relying on the result.
Never confront or detain anyone. A warrant may be recalled, already served, historical or associated with another person who has a similar name.
Confirm the Broward jail facility before traveling
| Facility | Address | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| Main Jail / Central Intake | 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | Central intake and jail operations associated with the downtown complex. |
| Joseph V. Conte Facility | 1351 NW 27th Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 | A BSO detention facility; confirm current housing before traveling. |
| Paul Rein Detention Facility | 2421 NW 16th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 | A BSO detention facility; use live custody information for housing confirmation. |
| North Broward Bureau | 1550 NW 30th Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 | A BSO detention location; rules and access can differ by housing assignment. |
BSO jail information
Information to have ready
Exact name, date of birth, arrest number, booking number and current facility shown online.
Do not travel from an old screenshot. Housing can change after classification, medical review, court movement or transfer.
Prepare before creating an account or scheduling a visit
Confirm the person remains in BSO custody
Copy the exact booking number
Confirm the current detention facility
Use only the BSO-approved visit provider
Use matching government identification
Check rules for minors
Review clothing and conduct rules
Arrive or connect early
Why a visit may be unavailable
Intake or classification
A newly booked person may not yet be eligible for ordinary scheduling.
Court, medical or transfer movement
The person may be temporarily unavailable during scheduled facility movement.
Operational restriction
Lockdown, staffing, security or disciplinary restrictions can affect appointments.
Call monitoring: Ordinary detention calls and electronic communications may be monitored or recorded. Attorney-client communications must use the facility’s approved confidential process.
Urgent medical concern
Provide exact identity information
Have the full name, booking number, date of birth and current facility ready.
Describe the specific concern
State the diagnosis, medication, symptoms or immediate safety issue without exaggeration.
Do not bring medication without instructions
Detention medical staff must verify and control medication acceptance and administration.
Expect privacy limits
Staff may accept information but may not disclose protected medical details to family.
Avoid rejected mail and wrong-person payments
Verify current instructions before sending anything. BSO can change facility-specific mail-processing addresses, providers and accepted property rules. Use the live arrest record and current BSO detention instructions.
Mail checklist
Full name exactly as listed
Correct booking or inmate identifier
Current approved mailing address
Complete sender return address
Only approved paper and photographs
No cash, cards or prohibited enclosures
Before depositing money
Confirm current custody
Do not deposit funds for someone already released or transferred.
Copy the booking number directly
Similar names can cause money to reach the wrong person.
Use only the official provider
Reach the provider through the current BSO detention instructions rather than an advertisement.
Review transaction fees
Deposit, messaging and phone vendors can charge separate service fees.
Save the receipt
Record the amount, date, confirmation number and booking identifier.
Property release
Confirm the property is eligible for release
Confirm the person authorized the recipient
Verify the correct facility and hours
Bring approved government identification
Ask whether court evidence is excluded
Obtain a property-release receipt
When a Broward County search is not broad enough
| Purpose | Correct source | Published cost or timing | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Broward custody | BSO Arrest Search | Free live public search | Not a complete criminal history. |
| Broward court cases | Broward Clerk | Public online search; copy fees apply | Online information is not the official certified record. |
| Immediate Florida history | FDLE Instant Search | $24 plus $1 card-processing fee | Immediate result is not certified. |
| FDLE non-certified staff search | FDLE | $24; approximately five business days | Mail delivery time is additional. |
| FDLE certified search | FDLE | $24; approximately six to seven business days | Mail delivery time is additional. |
| Review your own Florida history | FDLE Personal Review | No FDLE fee | Fingerprints required; not usable for employment or licensing proof. |
FDLE Personal Review facts
Available only for the person or designated attorney
FDLE does not charge for the review
Fingerprints must be taken by an authorized agency
The fingerprinting agency may charge a local fee
Designed to review accuracy and completeness
Not certified for employment, immigration or licensing
FDLE Personal Review mailing address
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489
Attn: Criminal History Record Maintenance
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489
Attn: Criminal History Record Maintenance
Accuracy and correction questions
chrm@fdle.state.fl.us
Correct inaccurate information at the source
| Incorrect information | Office to contact | Evidence to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong booking identity or custody field | Broward Sheriff’s Office detention records | Government ID, arrest number, booking number and arrest date. |
| Wrong incident-report information | The arresting police or sheriff agency | Report number and official documents proving the correction. |
| Wrong court party, charge or disposition | Broward Clerk and, where appropriate, the court or State Attorney | Case number, signed order, judgment or certified disposition. |
| Someone used your identity | State Attorney and involved law-enforcement agencies | Photo ID, fingerprints, identity-theft documentation and case numbers. |
| Wrong statewide Florida history | FDLE Criminal History Record Maintenance | Personal Review, fingerprints and certified court documents. |
| Third-party mugshot page | Third-party publisher after official correction | Corrected official record, certified disposition or sealing order. |
Broward State Attorney
Use for prosecution and identity-misuse issues connected with a criminal case.
Broward Clerk
954-831-6565, option 1
Use for court-index, document and disposition questions.
Correction is not sealing. Correcting a wrong name or charge result does not remove an otherwise valid arrest or court record.
Broward County sealing and expungement workflow
Eligibility is record-specific. A dismissal, withheld adjudication or declined prosecution can be relevant, but disqualifying offenses, prior history and previous record relief can affect eligibility.
Collect every arrest and case number
Search BSO, Broward Clerk and your FDLE history so no related charge is overlooked.
Obtain certified dispositions
Request the final disposition and required supporting documents for each charge.
Complete the FDLE eligibility application
Provide the notarized application, fingerprints, required prosecutor section and supporting documents.
Pay the FDLE application fee
The standard Certificate of Eligibility application currently requires a nonrefundable $75 payment.
Wait for FDLE review
FDLE states that processing typically takes about 12 weeks after a complete packet is received and is not expedited.
File the petition in Broward court
A Certificate of Eligibility does not seal or expunge the record by itself.
Obtain a signed judicial order
The judge decides whether relief is granted. Statutory eligibility does not guarantee approval.
Confirm agency processing
Keep certified copies and verify that the Clerk, arresting agency and FDLE process the order.
Costs to prepare for
$75
Standard FDLE Certificate of Eligibility application fee.
$42
Broward Clerk processing fee for sealing or expunging a court file.
$0.60
Published Broward Clerk packet cost.
Additional
Fingerprinting, certified-copy and local agency charges can apply.
What to include in the preparation file
Full legal name and prior names
Arresting agency and arrest date
Every charge and court case number
Certified disposition for each charge
Completed fingerprint card
Notarized FDLE application
Required State Attorney certification
Proof of completed probation or diversion when applicable
Automatic FDLE sealing is not enough for every local record. FDLE states that automatic sealing in the state repository does not automatically seal records maintained by local agencies.
Administrative expungement: Florida provides a separate process for certain arrests made contrary to law or by mistake. This is different from ordinary court-ordered sealing or expungement.
Choose the correct courthouse or Clerk counter
| Location | Address | Before visiting |
|---|---|---|
| Central Courthouse | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | Confirm the North, West or courthouse building and room number. |
| North Regional Courthouse | 1600 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 | Confirm that the required criminal service is available at this location. |
| West Regional Courthouse | 100 N. Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324 | Check the assigned case location and Clerk counter hours. |
| South Regional Courthouse | 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33021 | Confirm the division, courtroom and records service needed. |
Hours are service-specific: Court administration generally operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., while many Clerk criminal counters publish 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. hours. Confirm the exact division before traveling.
Public defender, payment plan and self-help information
Indigent-status application
The Clerk currently lists a $50 application fee for each public-defender or indigent-status application.
Payment plan
An eligible Clerk payment-plan agreement carries a $25 fee per case.
Self Help Law Library
Central Courthouse North Wing, Room 1800, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale.
Self Help Law Library
Public access: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Virtual forms service
Published service hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
The Clerk cannot provide legal advice. Court employees can explain filing procedures and fees but cannot tell a person what defense, motion or record-relief strategy to use.
Broward Main Jail and Central Intake in Fort Lauderdale
Broward Main Jail / Central Intake555 SE 1st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Confirm before traveling: Verify current custody, the housing facility, visitor approval, service hours and the correct entrance. The Main Jail and Central Courthouse are nearby but serve different tasks.
Broward arrest and criminal-record contacts
| Office | Contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| BSO jail information | 954-831-5900 | Current detention, facility and custody-related questions. |
| Broward Clerk main criminal line | 954-831-6565, option 1 | Felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic and general court-record routing. |
| Felony file viewing | 954-831-5796 | Ordering or viewing felony files from 2013 to current. |
| Felony attorney line | 954-831-5600 | Attorney-specific Felony Division assistance. |
| Broward State Attorney | 954-831-6955 | Charging decisions and criminal identity-misuse matters. |
| Self Help Law Library | 954-831-6226 | Public legal information and approved form access. |
| FDLE history correction | 850-410-7898 | Personal Review and Florida criminal-history accuracy questions. |
| FDLE applicant checks | 850-410-8161 | Certified or applicant-oriented Florida history questions. |
Why only final-action links remain
Live data
Custody, booking, court events, warrants, housing and release status can change and must be searched live.
Transactions
Certified orders, public-record submissions, bond transactions, visitation and FDLE applications must use the authorized system.
Answers stay here
Search rules, fees, contacts, addresses, timelines, troubleshooting and record-relief requirements are explained directly in the article.
Broward County arrest-record questions answered
How do I search for someone arrested in Broward County?
Use BSO Arrest Search. Start with the last name, add the first name when necessary and select the arrest number for detailed booking information.
How quickly does the Broward arrest search update?
BSO states that the system updates approximately every 15 minutes, although intake and agency transfer can delay a new person’s appearance.
How do I see the Broward booking photograph?
Select the arrest number shown in the matching result. A booking photograph may be included in the detailed public record.
Why is a recent arrest missing?
The person may remain in city police custody, be completing BSO intake, use another name or already have been released or transferred.
How do I find a released person?
Search BSO by name and then search the Broward Clerk court system. The court case can remain available after the custody event ends.
Who maintains the arrest report?
The agency whose officer made the arrest. A BSO jail booking does not transfer a city police report to BSO.
How do I search Broward criminal court cases?
Use Broward Clerk Public Case Search by case number, party name or citation. Select Felony or Traffic and Misdemeanor to narrow the results.
Why does the Clerk search return too many people?
The system returns the first 200 matches. Add a court type, middle name, filing-date range or exact case number.
How do I know whether a Broward charge was dismissed?
Review the charge-level disposition and obtain the actual dismissal, no-information notice, nolle prosequi or other final document.
How much are Broward court copies?
Ordinary copies are currently $1 per page. Certification is $2 per court document.
How much is a Broward electronic certified document?
The current online fee is $8 per eligible certified court document. Documents longer than 100 pages are unavailable through that service.
Are Broward felony documents available online?
Felony records filed on or after January 6, 2014 generally have electronic documents online, subject to confidentiality and access restrictions.
How do I check a Broward warrant?
Search current BSO arrests, review the Clerk case and check FDLE Wanted Persons. Confirm active status with the issuing court or agency.
Where is Broward Main Jail?
The Main Jail and Central Intake location is 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.
How do I obtain a statewide Florida criminal-history search?
Use FDLE. The public search currently costs $24, and the immediate online option adds a $1 card-processing fee.
Can I review my own Florida history for free?
FDLE Personal Review has no FDLE fee, but fingerprints are required and the fingerprinting agency may charge a local fee.
Does dismissal remove the arrest record?
No. Dismissal resolves the court charge but does not automatically remove every arrest, booking and agency record.
How do I seal or expunge a Broward record?
Obtain dispositions, complete the FDLE Certificate of Eligibility process and then file the proper petition in Broward court.
How long does FDLE eligibility processing take?
FDLE currently states that processing typically takes about 12 weeks after a complete packet is received.
Does a booking photograph prove guilt?
No. It documents custody processing and does not prove conviction or the final case outcome.