Broward County Arrest Records Search Criminal & Public Records G

1. What Are Broward County Arrest Records?

Broward County arrest records are official documents created when law enforcement takes an individual into custody and processes them through the booking system at one of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) detention facilities. These records are maintained by the BSO as the county’s custodian of arrest and inmate data and are classified as public records under Florida’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).

Approximately 42,000 individuals are booked into Broward County jails each year, generating a corresponding volume of arrest records. These records are created by multiple law enforcement agencies operating within the county — including the BSO, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Hollywood PD, Coral Springs PD, Pembroke Pines PD, Pompano Beach PD, and dozens of other municipal police departments — but all booking records are centralized through the BSO’s Department of Detention.

Arrest records serve several important purposes: they provide transparency in law enforcement operations, help families locate individuals who have been arrested, enable attorneys to prepare legal defenses, support background checks for employment and housing, and allow journalists and researchers to track crime patterns and trends in the community.

2. Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records — Key Difference

Many people confuse arrest records with criminal records, but they are fundamentally different documents maintained by different agencies:

Arrest Records (Local — BSO): Created at the time of booking. Show that a person was taken into custody. Include mugshot, charges filed, arresting agency, bond amounts, and facility location. Maintained by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. BSO local records checks cover Broward County only and include only incidents that resulted in arrest — no traffic violations or non-arrest interactions. Available through the BSO Arrest Search at sheriff.org.

Criminal Records / Rap Sheets (Statewide — FDLE): Comprehensive criminal history maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Include all arrests, charges, court outcomes, convictions, sentences, and probation across all 67 Florida counties. Cost $24 per instant search through the FDLE Criminal History Information Service (CJIS). Available at fdle.state.fl.us or by calling (850) 410-8109.

Court Records (County — Clerk of Courts): Legal case files documenting how each criminal case progressed through the court system. Include charges, plea agreements, trial outcomes, convictions, sentences, and judge orders. Maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts (17th Judicial Circuit). Available at browardclerk.org/web2.

3. How to Search Arrest Records Online — Step by Step

Method 1: BSO Arrest Search (Current & Recent Bookings)

Method 2: BSO Booking Blotter (All Recent Bookings)

Method 3: Clerk of Courts Case Search (Court Outcomes)

4. Live BSO Arrest Search Portal

Below is the official Broward Sheriff’s Office Arrest Search embedded for your convenience:

5. How to Request Official Arrest Records from BSO

If you need certified copies of arrest reports, incident reports, or a formal local criminal history check, you must submit a request through the BSO Public Records Unit. Here is the exact process:

In-Person Requests: You can also visit the BSO in person to request records. The BSO emails identifiable records to the requester after an in-person inquiry. Bring valid photo identification and specific identifying information about the records you need.

By Mail: Send written requests to: Broward Sheriff’s Office Public Records Unit, Attention: Erin Foley, RMLO, P.O. Box provided on the BSO website.

By Phone: Call the Public Records Unit at (954) 831-8700 during operating hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

6. Fees for Arrest Records Requests

Fees for Broward County arrest records are based on Florida statute and depend on the complexity of the request:

Electronic requests fulfilled within 15 minutes: Free — no charge for simple lookups that can be completed quickly.

Requests requiring more than 15 minutes of research: Classified as “special projects” and incur a research fee of $25 per hour. BSO will provide an estimate before beginning work.

Paper copies: $0.15 per page for standard copies.

Payment Methods: BSO accepts checks, money orders, and credit/debit card payments.

7. Court Records — Case Disposition & Sentencing

The BSO arrest search shows booking data — not court outcomes. To find out how a case was resolved (conviction, dismissal, plea deal, sentencing), you need court records from the Broward County Clerk of Courts.

Online Case Search: Visit browardclerk.org/web2. Select the criminal case type (Felony or Traffic/Misdemeanor). Search by party name, case number, or citation number. View case details, docket entries, and registered actions.

Certified Court Documents: You can purchase electronic certified copies directly through the Clerk’s online portal.

Records Not Available Online: Email a completed Court Records Request Form to redactarchives@browardclerk.org or visit the Archives Division at 201 SE 6th Street, Room 03340, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone: (954) 831-6565.

The 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida handles all criminal cases in Broward County. Note that juvenile, adoption, mental health, and certain victim records are exempt from public access under Florida law.

8. FDLE Statewide Criminal Background Check

BSO arrest records only cover Broward County. For a comprehensive criminal history covering all 67 Florida counties, you need a statewide search through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

You can also contact FDLE directly at (850) 410-8109 for assistance with criminal history requests.

9. What Broward County Arrest Records Contain

A typical Broward County arrest record includes: the individual’s full name, date of birth, race, sex, and physical description (height, weight, hair color, eye color); a front-facing booking photograph (mugshot); arrest number and arrest date/time; the specific arresting agency; a complete list of charges with Florida statute numbers and descriptions; case numbers for each charge; bond type and bond amount per charge; charge status and any charge comments; current facility location within the BSO jail system; visitation information for that facility; and expected release date (if sentenced).

Records not publicly available include: Social Security numbers, fingerprints, medical identification numbers, and other personal identifiers restricted by Florida privacy laws. Only legally authorized entities can access these restricted fields.

10. Who Can Request Arrest Records?

Under Florida’s Sunshine Law, arrest records are public records. Anyone — regardless of relationship to the arrested individual, reason for the request, or residency — can request Broward County arrest records from the BSO. You do not need to be the arrested person, a family member, an attorney, or an employer to access these records.

However, there are important limitations on how arrest records can be used. Arrest records from BSO are NOT consumer reports as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). They cannot be used for FCRA-regulated purposes such as employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or insurance underwriting without proper compliance. Employers and landlords requiring FCRA-compliant background checks should use an authorized consumer reporting agency.

11. Record Expungement & Sealing in Broward County

If you have an arrest record in Broward County that did not result in conviction, or if you meet other eligibility criteria, Florida law may allow you to petition for record expungement or sealing.

Expungement physically destroys the record, making it as if the arrest never occurred. Sealing restricts public access but maintains the record for authorized law enforcement use.

Eligibility, procedures, and fees vary based on the charges, case outcome, and your criminal history. The 17th Judicial Circuit handles expungement petitions in Broward County. Contact a licensed Florida criminal defense attorney for guidance, or review the FDLE’s expungement information at fdle.state.fl.us.

12. Insider Tips for Arrest Record Searches

13. BSO Contact Information & Official Links

14. Frequently Asked Questions