Broward County Criminal Records — Free Case Search, Court Records & Background Check Guide
Search Broward County criminal records through the official Clerk of Courts case search, BSO arrest records, and FDLE statewide criminal history. Access felony, misdemeanor, and traffic court records for Florida’s second-most populous county.
📋 Table of Contents
- Broward County Criminal Records — Overview
- Clerk of Courts Case Search — Step by Step
- Live Case Search Portal
- Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records — Key Difference
- BSO Arrest Records Search
- FDLE Statewide Criminal Background Check
- What Criminal Records Show
- Broward County Courthouse Locations
- Types of Criminal Records Available
- Sealed & Expunged Records
- How to Get Certified Copies
- Insider Tips for Criminal Record Searches
- Contact Information & Official Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Broward County Criminal Records — Overview
Broward County criminal records are legal documents maintained by the Broward County Clerk of the Circuit and County Court that detail criminal proceedings within the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. These records encompass the entire lifecycle of a criminal case — from initial charges through trial, plea, sentencing, probation, and final disposition.
With a population exceeding 1.9 million residents, Broward County is Florida’s second-most populous county and processes tens of thousands of criminal cases annually across four courthouse locations. The Clerk of Courts, currently Brenda D. Forman, serves as the custodian of all court records and provides public access through both online and in-person channels.
Under Florida’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 119) and the Florida Constitution (Article I, Section 24), most criminal court records are classified as public records — meaning anyone can search, view, and obtain copies. The primary online tool for searching Broward County criminal records is the Clerk of Courts Case Search at https://www.browardclerk.org/Web2.
It is important to understand that criminal records are distinct from arrest records. The BSO Arrest Search at sheriff.org shows booking data (who was arrested and for what), while the Clerk’s case search shows the court outcome (whether the person was convicted, acquitted, or had charges dismissed). For a complete picture, you should check both systems.
2. Clerk of Courts Case Search — Step by Step
The Broward County Clerk of Courts provides a free online case search tool that allows you to look up criminal court records by name, case number, or citation number. Here is exactly how to use it:
Navigate to the Clerk of Courts public case search at https://www.browardclerk.org/Web2.
Select your search method. The available options are: Case Number (if you have it), Party Name (most common for criminal record searches), Citation Number (for traffic cases), or Business Name.
For a Party Name search, enter the person’s first name and last name (both required). To narrow results to criminal cases only, select “Felony” or “Traffic and Misdemeanor” from the Court Type dropdown. You can also add a filing date range to further refine.
Click “Search” to submit. The system returns up to 200 matching results showing case number, parties, case status, filing date, division, and court type.
Click on a specific case number to view the full case details, including the progress docket (chronological history of all court events), hearing dates, charges, plea, disposition (conviction/acquittal/dismissal), sentencing, and any available electronic court documents.
💡 Pro Tip: For the most accurate results, use the exact legal name as it appears in court filings. Common name variations, maiden names, or aliases may not return matches. If you don’t find results by name, try the BSO Arrest Search first to get the exact case number, then search by case number in the Clerk’s system.
3. Live Case Search Portal
Below is the official Broward County Clerk of Courts case search portal embedded for your convenience:
📱 Viewing on mobile?
Tap below to open the official case search directly:
Opens browardclerk.org — free, no login required
4. Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records — Key Difference
This is one of the most important distinctions to understand when searching for someone’s criminal history in Broward County:
Arrest Records (BSO Arrest Search at sheriff.org): These document the arrest event itself — who was arrested, when, by which agency, what charges were filed at booking, mugshot photo, and bond amounts. An arrest record shows that law enforcement took someone into custody. However, an arrest is NOT a conviction. Charges may be dropped, reduced, or result in acquittal at trial.
Criminal Court Records (Clerk of Courts at browardclerk.org/Web2): These document the entire court proceeding — from initial filing through disposition. Court records show whether the person was actually convicted, acquitted, entered a plea deal, had charges dismissed (nolle prosequi), or had the case otherwise resolved. The progress docket shows every hearing, motion, continuance, and ruling in chronological order.
If you want to know whether someone was arrested, use the BSO Arrest Search. If you want to know whether someone was convicted, use the Clerk of Courts case search. For a comprehensive view, check both.
5. BSO Arrest Records Search
The Broward Sheriff’s Office provides a free arrest search tool at sheriff.org/Pages/Apps/Arrest-Search.aspx (also accessible at apps.sheriff.org/arrestsearch). Enter the person’s last name and first name to search. Results include mugshot photograph, arrest date, charges, bond amounts, arresting agency, and current facility location.
The BSO also maintains a Booking Register (Booking Blotter) at bookingregister.sheriff.org that provides a complete feed of all recent bookings across all five BSO jail facilities. For a full guide to using the BSO arrest search, see our Arrests.org Broward homepage.
6. FDLE Statewide Criminal Background Check
For a comprehensive criminal history check that covers all 67 Florida counties (not just Broward), use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS).
Visit the FDLE website at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/ and navigate to the Criminal History Information section.
Access the CJIS criminal history record check tool. Create an account and provide the subject’s identifying information.
The statewide search costs $24 per inquiry and returns comprehensive results including arrest history, charges, dispositions, and sentencing across all Florida jurisdictions.
📌 When to Use FDLE vs. Clerk of Courts
Use the Clerk of Courts (free) if you want to search Broward County court records specifically. Use FDLE ($24) if you need a comprehensive statewide criminal history covering all Florida counties — this is the standard for employment screening, professional licensing, and official background checks.
7. What Criminal Records Show
A Broward County criminal court record accessed through the Clerk’s case search includes: case number and case type (felony, misdemeanor, traffic), filing date, defendant’s name, all charges filed with Florida statute numbers, plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest), trial or hearing outcomes, verdict (conviction, acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi), sentencing details (jail time, probation, fines, community service), assigned judge, prosecutor (State Attorney’s Office), defense attorney (if applicable), progress docket showing every court event in chronological order, and links to available electronic court documents.
8. Broward County Courthouse Locations
🏛️ Central Judicial Complex
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Handles: Felony criminal, circuit civil
Phone: (954) 831-6565
🏛️ North Regional Courthouse
Address: 1600 W Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Handles: County criminal, traffic, civil
🏛️ South Regional Courthouse
Address: 3550 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33021
Handles: County criminal, traffic, civil
🏛️ West Regional Courthouse
Address: 100 N Pine Island Rd, Plantation, FL 33324
Handles: County criminal, traffic, civil
9. Types of Criminal Records Available
Felony Records: Handled by the Circuit Court at the Central Judicial Complex. Felonies include crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison — murder, sexual assault, armed robbery, drug trafficking, grand theft, burglary, etc.
Misdemeanor Records: Handled by County Courts at all four courthouse locations. Misdemeanors include crimes punishable by up to one year in county jail — simple battery, petit theft, disorderly conduct, first-offense DUI, trespassing, etc.
Traffic Criminal Records: Handled by County Courts. Criminal traffic offenses include DUI, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, fleeing police, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Juvenile Records: Juvenile criminal records are NOT publicly accessible under Florida law (Section 39.0132). These records are restricted to authorized parties only.
10. Sealed & Expunged Records
If a criminal record in Broward County has been sealed or expunged by court order, it is restricted from public access. Sealed records remain accessible only to certain authorized entities (law enforcement, select employers for specific positions). Expunged records are physically destroyed or removed from the system.
To seal or expunge your own record in Florida, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, apply through the FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility, and file a petition with the court. Consult a licensed Florida criminal defense attorney or review the FDLE’s sealing/expungement resources at fdle.state.fl.us.
11. How to Get Certified Copies
If you need official certified copies of Broward County criminal court documents (rather than just viewing records online), you have several options:
Online: Some electronic court documents can be purchased as certified copies through the Clerk’s website. Documents exceeding 100 pages are not available for online purchase. Once purchased, certified electronic copies never expire.
In Person: Visit the Clerk’s Archives Division or the Court Division where the case was filed. Bring valid photo ID and a credit card for payment. Court documents are available for purchase immediately upon processing.
By Request: Submit a Court Records Request Form through the Clerk’s Records Request page at browardclerk.org/GeneralInformation/RecordsRequest. Processing can take up to 2 weeks.
12. Insider Tips for Criminal Record Searches
💡 Tip #1 — Use Both Systems: The BSO Arrest Search tells you about arrests. The Clerk’s Case Search tells you about convictions. An arrest without a corresponding case in the Clerk’s system may mean charges were never formally filed. Always check both for the complete picture.
💡 Tip #2 — Case Number Format: Broward County criminal case numbers follow a specific format: 2-digit year + 6-digit sequence number + 2-letter division + 2-digit location. If searching by case number, enter it exactly without spaces, dashes, or special characters.
💡 Tip #3 — Older Criminal Records: Electronic records may not be available for cases filed before certain dates. For older criminal records filed prior to April 2023 (for criminal) you may need to submit a formal records request or visit the courthouse Archives Division in person.
💡 Tip #4 — Not a Background Check: The Clerk’s free case search is useful for looking up specific cases, but it is NOT a substitute for a formal FCRA-compliant background check. Employers, landlords, and licensing bodies should use the FDLE criminal history service ($24) or a licensed background check company for official purposes.
💡 Tip #5 — Multiple Jurisdictions: Broward County has dozens of municipal police departments. An arrest made by Fort Lauderdale PD, Hollywood PD, or Coral Springs PD still results in charges filed in the same 17th Judicial Circuit court system — they all appear in the Clerk’s case search regardless of which local police department made the arrest.
13. Contact Information & Official Links
🔗 Official Links & Resources
Clerk of Courts Case Search: browardclerk.org/Web2
Clerk Homepage: browardclerk.org
Records Request: browardclerk.org/GeneralInformation/RecordsRequest
BSO Arrest Search: sheriff.org/Pages/Apps/Arrest-Search.aspx
BSO Booking Blotter: bookingregister.sheriff.org
BSO Homepage: sheriff.org
FDLE Criminal History: fdle.state.fl.us
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: myflcourtaccess.com
Arrests.org Broward: florida.arrests.org/index.php?county=3
Clerk Phone: (954) 831-6565
BSO Records/Warrants: (954) 831-8700
BSO Jail Info: (954) 831-5900
BSO Non-Emergency: (954) 764-4357
14. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Broward County criminal records for free?
Use the Broward County Clerk of Courts free case search at browardclerk.org/Web2. Enter the person’s name and select “Felony” or “Traffic and Misdemeanor” as the court type. This shows case numbers, charges, disposition, sentencing, and hearing dates at no cost. For recent arrest data, also check the BSO Arrest Search at sheriff.org.
What is the difference between arrest records and criminal records?
Arrest records (BSO) show that someone was taken into custody — they document the arrest event. Criminal court records (Clerk of Courts) show the full case lifecycle including charges, plea, trial outcome, conviction or acquittal, and sentencing. An arrest record alone is not proof of conviction. You need court records to see how a case was resolved.
Are Broward County criminal records public?
Yes. Under Florida’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 119) and the Florida Constitution (Article I, Section 24), most court records are public records. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed or expunged cases, Baker Act mental health proceedings, and adoption records.
How much does a criminal background check cost?
The Clerk of Courts online case search is free. Certified copies carry per-document fees. A comprehensive statewide criminal history check through the FDLE costs $24 per inquiry and covers all 67 Florida counties. This is the standard for employment screening and professional licensing.
Where are Broward County courthouses located?
Four locations: Central Judicial Complex at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale (felony criminal); North Regional at 1600 W Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach; South Regional at 3550 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood; and West Regional at 100 N Pine Island Rd, Plantation. The Central courthouse handles all felony cases; regional courthouses handle misdemeanors and traffic.
Can I get sealed or expunged records?
No. Sealed and expunged records are restricted from public access. Only certain authorized entities can access sealed records. To seal or expunge your own record, you must meet eligibility criteria, apply through the FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility, and file a court petition. Consult a Florida criminal defense attorney for guidance.
How do I find out if someone was convicted?
Search the Clerk of Courts case search at browardclerk.org/Web2 by the person’s name. In the case details, look for the disposition field — it shows whether the case resulted in conviction, acquittal, dismissal, plea deal, or nolle prosequi. The progress docket shows the full chronological history of every court event.
Who is the Clerk of Courts in Broward County?
Brenda D. Forman serves as the Broward County Clerk of the Circuit and County Court. The Clerk’s office is the custodian of all court records in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida, providing public access through online tools and in-person services at all four courthouse locations.
⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Criminal records accessed through the Clerk of Courts or BSO are public records, but their interpretation requires legal context — an arrest is not a conviction. Information may change as cases progress. This website is not a consumer reporting agency (FCRA) and should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, or credit decisions. This website (arrests-org-broward.website) is independently operated and is not affiliated with the Broward County Clerk of Courts, Broward Sheriff’s Office, or any government agency.