Arrests · Jail Bookings · Criminal Cases
FL Broward Arrest Records
How to search recent arrests, booking photographs, current jail inmates, and official criminal court records in Broward County, Florida.
For Florida arrests in Broward County, begin with the Broward Sheriff’s Office. It maintains the county’s official arrest search and jail booking information. Court proceedings and statewide criminal histories are available through separate agencies.
Quick answer: The Broward Sheriff’s Arrest Search displays published inmate and arrest information and states that its results update every 15 minutes. The separate Booking Blotter provides dated booking information but warns of a 24-hour reporting lag.
These are different tools. Neither should be used as proof of conviction or as a substitute for direct custody confirmation.
Where to Find Broward County Arrest Records
Broward arrest information is available through several official systems. The right choice depends on whether you want to confirm jail custody, review recent bookings, check a criminal case, or request a historical document.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) operates county detention facilities and processes booking information from law enforcement agencies throughout Broward County.
City police departments may maintain their own incident or investigative reports. The Clerk of Courts maintains court case records, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains qualifying statewide criminal history information.
Which cities does this guide cover?
The Broward County booking system serves arrests processed through BSO detention operations, including activity involving Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Davie, Plantation, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, and other Broward communities.
The location where an arrest occurred may differ from where the person is booked or held. Always check the recorded arresting agency and detention facility.
Is there one complete Broward arrest database?
No single public search provides every incident report, jail event, filed charge, historical arrest, and final court decision.
The Sheriff’s online reports are useful starting points. Historical documents, statewide searches, and final case outcomes require the appropriate records custodian.
How to Use Broward Sheriff’s Arrest Search
The official Broward Arrest Search is the main public lookup for individuals listed in the Sheriff’s detention reporting system.
The page provides first-name and last-name search fields. Search results can display an arrest number, name, sex, and location. Selecting an arrest number opens additional information, which may include a booking photograph.
Step-by-step arrest lookup
- Open the official search.
Visit apps.sheriff.org/ArrestSearch. Check the address to ensure you are using the Sheriff’s official website rather than an unrelated commercial search service.
- Enter the person’s name.
Use the last-name and first-name fields. Check the spelling carefully and try a reasonable name variation if the first search fails.
- Complete any verification.
If the official page requests an anti-bot or human-verification step, follow the instructions displayed on the website.
- Review matching records.
Look for the recorded name, arrest number, and jail location. Do not assume the first matching result is the correct person.
- Open the arrest detail.
Select the arrest number to examine additional published booking information, including a photograph or charge and bond details where available.
- Confirm before taking action.
For an urgent custody or release question, telephone BSO detention information at 954-831-5900.
How often is the Arrest Search updated?
BSO’s Arrest Search page states that returns are updated every 15 minutes. Its displayed update time is the relevant indicator for the report you are viewing.
That does not guarantee that every arrest, release, or transfer is reflected immediately. BSO also warns that the public information may contain errors or may not represent the person’s current situation.
Important: The Sheriff’s disclaimer says the Arrest Search should not be relied upon for legal action. Use the responsible jail or court to confirm information that affects bond payments, release plans, legal representation, or other significant decisions.
Does the search show mugshots?
The official system instructs users to select an arrest number to see a booking photograph and more detailed information. A photograph may not be available for every public entry.
A booking photograph is an identification record associated with an arrest. It does not establish guilt or confirm the final result of a criminal proceeding.
Can you find bond information?
Yes, where published. BSO directs users to its Arrest Search for charge and bond details and also provides a detention information telephone number.
For current bond eligibility or payment instructions, call the jail. A displayed bond amount does not necessarily reflect every applicable charge, hold, or judicial condition.
How to Search the Broward Booking Blotter
One of the most useful distinctions for Broward County is that its Sheriff’s Office offers a separate Jail Booking Blotter.
The blotter lists people arrested and processed through BSO’s Department of Detention during the available reporting periods. It is particularly useful when you know the approximate booking date but do not need a current custody roster.
How to search recent bookings
- Visit the official Booking Blotter.
Open bookingblotter.sheriff.org and review the Sheriff’s disclaimer before proceeding.
- Choose the booking date range.
The page instructs users to limit the selected date range to two days. Choose a period that matches the event you are researching.
- Account for delayed publication.
The blotter states that available results have a 24-hour lag. A booking from the most recent hours may not yet appear.
- Review the returned booking information.
Compare the recorded name, relevant date, and other available details. Use exact information from the official entry rather than a third-party summary.
- Check custody or court records separately.
If you need to know whether the person is still detained, use Arrest Search. For prosecution or disposition information, use the Clerk of Courts.
The Arrest Search updates frequently, but the Booking Blotter has a stated 24-hour lag. They are not interchangeable records.
Why does the Booking Blotter show a different date?
An arrest may occur before the person is processed through booking. The date of an incident, arrest, booking, public reporting, and court filing may therefore differ.
Check the label of each date before comparing sources. A one-day difference is not necessarily evidence of an inaccurate record.
Does the blotter prove someone is still in jail?
No. The Booking Blotter describes historical processing activity within the selected range. A person may have been released or transferred after booking.
Check the current arrest and detention information or contact the jail for confirmation.
Are all historical bookings available?
The public blotter is a date-based report, not a promise of indefinite online record retention. If an older event is unavailable through the current interface, submit an eligible public records request to BSO.
How to Search Broward Criminal Court Records
A Broward booking record tells you about an arrest or detention process. The court record is the appropriate place to check filed charges, hearings, and reported case outcomes.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts Public Case Search provides several search methods, including party name, case number, and citation number.
Step-by-step criminal case search
- Open the public case search.
Visit browardclerk.org/web2, the Clerk’s official search system.
- Choose the search method.
Use Party Name Search if you know the person’s name, or Case Number Search if you already have an accurate case number.
- Select the relevant case type.
Where applicable, narrow the search using the criminal felony or traffic and misdemeanor court types.
- Enter the required name details.
The Clerk’s party-name search requires both first and last names. You may add a middle name or filing-date range to improve accuracy.
- Open the matching case.
Review the case number, parties, recorded proceedings, and available documents. Compare identifiers before deciding the case belongs to the person in question.
- Look for the actual disposition.
Review recorded court events and the final outcome, if one is available. For documents not visible online, use the Clerk’s records request process.
Why do broad name searches return incomplete results?
The Clerk states that its public search limits returned records to the first 200 matches. Narrow searches by case type, middle name, or filing dates to reduce irrelevant results.
Short names may be treated as exact matches under the portal’s search rules. An unsuccessful search does not conclusively prove that no case exists.
What about older court cases?
According to the Clerk’s records guidance, criminal court documents filed on or after January 6, 2014, are generally within its electronic document coverage, subject to applicable access restrictions.
Some earlier records are also electronically available. Older records or documents missing from the portal may need a request through the Clerk’s Archives Division.
Can you obtain certified court documents?
Yes. The Broward Clerk provides electronic certified documents for qualifying available records and separate options for in-person or written document requests.
Its published fee schedule lists $8 per qualifying electronic certified document, $1 per page for copies obtained through other listed channels, and a $2 certification fee where applicable. Separate search fees may apply.
Use the official Court Records Request instructions to confirm the current procedure and total cost.
Court record limitation: Some proceedings and documents are confidential, sealed, or restricted according to Florida law and court access rules. The public online portal does not provide unrestricted access to every case document.
Broward Arrest Records vs. Bookings vs. Court Cases
Before relying on a search result, identify what the record actually establishes.
| Record Type | What It Shows | Best Source |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest Search | Published arrest and inmate information, with custody and charge details where available. | Broward Sheriff’s Office. |
| Booking Blotter | Recorded processing of people booked through BSO detention operations. | BSO Booking Blotter. |
| Incident report | An agency’s documented report of a particular event. | The investigating or reporting law enforcement agency. |
| Local records check | Qualifying arrest information reported to BSO by agencies in Broward County. | BSO Public Records Unit. |
| Criminal court record | Filed charges, court proceedings, hearings, and recorded outcomes. | Broward Clerk of Courts. |
| Florida criminal history | Qualifying statewide arrest and criminal history information maintained by FDLE. | Florida Department of Law Enforcement. |
Is an arrest the same as a criminal conviction?
No. An arrest is a law enforcement event. A conviction is an outcome of a criminal proceeding.
Charges may be changed, dismissed, or resolved without a conviction. A booking photograph or an initial arrest charge should never be described as a final judicial finding.
What is a booking number?
A booking or arrest number is an identifier associated with a specific detention record. It is useful when communicating with the Sheriff’s Office because names alone may not uniquely identify a person.
Can you search warrants?
The BSO public records page directs warrant inquiries to the Broward Clerk’s public case-search system. However, a case entry should not be treated as final confirmation that a warrant is currently active or resolved.
If a warrant may concern you, contact the issuing court or obtain advice from an attorney rather than relying on a third-party warrant listing.
What does a bond amount mean?
A bond amount may be associated with a particular charge or custody event. However, release can depend on additional judicial orders, other charges, holds, and administrative requirements.
Contact the jail before arranging a payment. Do not assume that an older online bond listing represents the amount currently required.
How to Request Older Broward Arrest Reports
The Broward Sheriff’s Office provides an online records request portal for documents maintained by BSO. Its published categories include incident reports, accident reports, and local records checks.
For an arrest that does not appear in the current search, a records request may be more useful than repeatedly searching an online roster.
How to request a record
- Identify the correct records custodian. Determine whether the record is held by BSO, a city police department, the Clerk of Courts, or FDLE.
- Collect the record details. Prepare the incident date, location, recorded name, and report or arrest number if available.
- Visit the BSO records page. Open Request Public Records and follow the link to its official online portal.
- Describe the documents clearly. State whether you need a local records check, booking-related report, incident report, or another eligible agency document.
- Submit through the permitted method. The online portal supports electronic submission, tracking, correspondence, and delivery.
- Review any fee estimate. BSO states that it provides estimates before performing work on requests requiring payment.
- Follow the request status. Use the portal or appropriate records office to review updates. Avoid filing duplicate requests for the same document.
How long does a Florida public records request take?
Florida Chapter 119 provides the legal framework for public records access. It does not set a universal fixed number of days for every request.
The custodian must respond within the time permitted by applicable law and the circumstances of the request. The search required, document volume, lawful exemptions, and redactions may affect processing.
BSO states that its Public Records Unit is experiencing a request backlog. Do not interpret a general estimate as a guaranteed date for delivery.
Where can you contact BSO Public Records?
- Office
- Broward Sheriff’s Office Public Records Unit
- Telephone
- 954-831-8700
- Published office hours
- Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Mailing address
- BSO Public Records Unit, P.O. Box 9507, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310
- Official instructions
- Broward Public Records Requests
Can a request be made without creating an online account?
Florida’s public records rules generally do not require a requester to identify themselves or explain why they want an ordinary public record, subject to exceptions and the practical requirements of particular records.
BSO’s published instructions also provide alternative contact methods if someone cannot use the online portal because of accessibility issues.
What if the incident report was written by city police?
BSO explains that incident and accident reports should generally be requested from the law enforcement agency that created them.
For example, a report taken by a municipal police department may need to be requested from that department even when the person was later processed through a BSO jail.
Are public records always free?
No. Processing, copying, extensive use of agency resources, and some special document requests may involve statutory charges.
Confirm the estimate before paying. For court documents, use the Clerk’s published fee schedule rather than assuming BSO’s record charges apply.
Florida Criminal History Checks Through FDLE
A Broward local arrest search is not a statewide Florida criminal history check.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains the state’s central criminal history repository and provides several options for obtaining qualifying Florida records.
What does a Florida criminal history search cost?
FDLE publishes a $24 public criminal history search fee. Its Instant Search also includes a $1 payment processing charge.
| Search Type | Published Fee | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Instant Search | $24 plus $1 card processing | Immediate electronic results; not certified. |
| Certified / Non-Certified | $24 | Staff-processed results; available certification or notarization options. |
| ORI-based search | Varies | Used for an authorized recipient with a valid ORI number. |
How do you complete an FDLE Instant Search?
- Open FDLE’s official search instructions.
Visit the Florida Criminal History Record Check page.
- Choose Instant Search.
Follow the official link to the online search system and review the terms and current fee.
- Provide accurate identifiers.
Enter the information required by FDLE. Incomplete or inaccurate details may affect matching.
- Pay through the official portal.
Use an accepted credit or debit card and review the total before authorizing payment.
- Review the results.
Instant results are not certified. If an official certified document is required, choose the appropriate FDLE service.
Does FDLE include arrests outside Florida?
The ordinary Florida criminal history search is based on qualifying records held by the Florida state repository. It is not automatically a nationwide FBI background check.
If the question concerns another state’s records, federal records, or an authorized employment screening process, use the appropriate official source.
What if FDLE information is inaccurate?
FDLE provides a personal-review and record-challenge process. Contact its Criminal History Record Maintenance Section and follow the official identity verification requirements.
See FDLE’s guidance on obtaining or challenging a criminal record.
Why Can’t You Find a Broward Arrest Record?
An unsuccessful search does not prove that an arrest never happened. The public database may not contain the event you are looking for, or the information may be recorded under different details.
1. The arrest happened recently
The Booking Blotter has a stated 24-hour lag. The current Arrest Search updates more frequently, but individual custody information can still change between refreshes.
For urgent confirmation, contact BSO detention information rather than relying on a missing online entry.
2. The person was released or transferred
A current inmate search may no longer show someone who was previously booked. A historical booking record or court case may still exist.
3. The recorded name differs
Try reasonable spelling variations and check official identifiers. Never assume a similar name belongs to the same person.
4. The person is held elsewhere
County jail records do not cover every person in state prison, federal detention, or another county’s custody.
For Florida state prison information, use the Florida Department of Corrections and its official search resources.
5. The record is restricted
Sealed or expunged information, certain juvenile records, protected personal data, and other legally restricted materials may not be publicly accessible.
6. You are searching the wrong agency
An incident report may be held by a municipal police department, while the associated booking was handled by BSO and the court case is maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
7. The case is not yet in the Clerk’s system
The Clerk’s website warns that a citation or case not entered into its case management system may not appear in public search results.
If you already have an accurate case number, contact the responsible court office for further information.
Before calling: Prepare the recorded name, approximate arrest or booking date, arrest or case number if available, and the specific information you need. Avoid sending full identity documents through unrelated commercial search websites.
Broward Main Jail Address, Telephone and Map
The Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail and Central Intake Bureau are located in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
BSO publishes the following official contact information for the Main Jail Bureau:
- Facility
- Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail Bureau
- Address
- 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Detention information
- 954-831-5900
- Related service
- Central Intake Bureau (Booking)
- Official facility page
- Main Jail Bureau Information
BSO states that arrest processing occurs at the downtown Central Intake Bureau and a remote booking location in Pompano Beach.
After booking, individuals may be housed at different BSO detention facilities according to their classification and custody needs.
View the Jail Location and Directions ↗
Are all Broward inmates held at Main Jail?
No. BSO operates several detention facilities. These include the Main Jail Bureau and other facilities in the Pompano Beach area.
A person’s reported housing assignment may differ from their original booking location. Check the official BSO Jail Facilities directory before travelling.
How do you obtain inmate visitation information?
Visitation and inmate communication are separate from public booking searches. BSO publishes detention rules, contact information, and frequently asked questions through its Department of Detention resources.
For questions involving visitation, charges, bond, or inmate communication, see the official detention FAQ or call 954-831-5900.
Where is the Broward courthouse?
The Broward Central Courthouse is located at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. It is a different institution from the Main Jail.
Use the Clerk’s official records information to identify the appropriate division or Archives office before visiting for documents.
Florida Arrest Records: Privacy and Legal Considerations
Florida’s public records laws make many government documents available to the public, subject to exemptions and confidentiality rules.
However, public access does not make every record complete or suitable for every purpose.
An arrest is not proof of guilt
Arrest and booking records describe a law enforcement or custody event. They do not establish a conviction.
The presumption of innocence applies. Charges may change, and a case may result in dismissal, acquittal, conviction, or another legal outcome.
How to correct a record
Identify the source of the inaccurate information. A Sheriff-maintained booking record, a Clerk-maintained court case, and an FDLE criminal history report have different correction procedures.
Use the responsible agency’s official process and obtain supporting documents where required.
Can Florida arrest records be sealed or expunged?
Some qualifying Florida criminal history records may be eligible for court-ordered sealing or expungement under Florida law.
FDLE explains that certain applicants must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility before petitioning the appropriate court. A certificate alone does not seal or expunge a record.
The relevant court must grant relief, and the applicable order must be processed according to law.
For current requirements, visit the FDLE Seal and Expunge Process.
Is free help available in Broward County?
The Broward State Attorney’s Office publishes sealing and expungement information, offers eligibility assistance, and announces community workshops.
It lists 954-831-6955 for assistance with its sealing and expungement process.
Can a commercial website charge to remove a Florida mugshot?
Florida Statute § 901.43 prohibits people or entities engaged in publishing or disseminating arrest booking photographs from soliciting or accepting payment to remove those photographs.
The statute also establishes a written removal-request procedure. It requires a qualifying request to be sent by registered mail to the publisher’s registered agent, with sufficient proof of identification and specific details identifying the photograph.
After receiving a compliant request, the publisher generally must remove the photograph without charge within ten calendar days, subject to the statute’s full terms.
Review the 2026 Florida Statutes, Section 901.43 for the exact requirements and remedies.
Can you use arrest listings for employment or tenant screening?
This article is not a consumer reporting service. An ordinary public arrest search is not a substitute for an authorized screening process.
Employment, housing, credit, and other regulated decisions may require compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable state or federal rules.
Responsible use: Do not publicly accuse, harass, or publish sensitive personal information about someone based only on an arrest listing. A matching name, photograph, or booking number does not provide the full context of a criminal case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broward Arrests
Are Broward County arrest records public?
Many arrest and booking records are publicly accessible through the Broward Sheriff’s Office and applicable Florida public records procedures. Some records may be exempt, sealed, confidential, or restricted.
Where do I search recent Broward arrests?
Use the official Broward Sheriff’s Arrest Search. It provides name searches and published arrest or detention details.
How often does Broward Arrest Search update?
The Sheriff’s public Arrest Search states that results are updated every 15 minutes. This does not guarantee that every recent custody change is immediately reflected.
What is the Broward Booking Blotter?
It is a separate BSO report of people arrested and processed through the Sheriff’s detention operation. The public page instructs users to limit date ranges to two days and warns of a 24-hour reporting lag.
Can I search Broward arrests by name?
Yes. The Sheriff’s Arrest Search provides first-name and last-name fields. Verify the matching identity using the additional record details before relying on the result.
Are Broward mugshots available online?
The official Arrest Search allows users to open an arrest number for booking photographs and more detailed information, where available. A booking photograph is not evidence of conviction.
How do I confirm someone is currently in Broward Jail?
Check the Sheriff’s Arrest Search and call BSO detention information at 954-831-5900 when current status needs to be confirmed.
Where can I find Broward criminal court cases?
Use the Broward Clerk of Courts Public Case Search, which supports party-name and case-number searches.
How can I obtain an older Broward arrest report?
Follow the Broward Sheriff’s public records request procedure. If the incident report was created by another law enforcement agency, contact that agency’s records office.
How much does a Florida criminal history search cost?
FDLE lists a $24 public criminal history search fee. Its Instant Search also includes a $1 credit card processing fee.
Can someone be arrested without being convicted?
Yes. An arrest is different from a conviction. Charges may change, and court proceedings may result in dismissal, acquittal, conviction, or another outcome.
Can a Florida arrest record be expunged?
Some records may qualify under Florida law. FDLE provides the Certificate of Eligibility process for certain court-ordered sealing or expungement applications. Eligibility and the final decision depend on the applicable legal requirements.
Can a mugshot website charge for removal?
Florida Statute § 901.43 prohibits covered publishers from charging to remove an arrest booking photograph and establishes a specific written request procedure and removal deadline.
What if I cannot find an arrest online?
Check the correct county, name spelling, reporting timeframe, and type of record. The person may have been released, the entry may be delayed, or the record may be restricted. Contact the responsible agency when necessary.
Official Broward and Florida Arrest Records Sources
Use these government resources for direct access to the records and procedures discussed in this guide.
- Broward Sheriff’s Office — Arrest Search: Official Arrest and Inmate Search.
- Broward Sheriff’s Office — Booking Blotter: Official Jail Booking Blotter.
- Broward Sheriff’s Office — Records: Public Records Request Instructions.
- BSO Detention: Official Jail Facility Directory and Detention FAQs.
- Broward Clerk of Courts: Public Case Search.
- Broward Clerk — Court Records: Document Requests and Fees.
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement: Criminal History Record Checks.
- FDLE Record Relief: Sealing and Expungement Process.
- Florida Attorney General: Public Records Access Guidance.
- Florida Legislature: 2026 Florida Statutes § 901.43 — Booking Photographs.
- Broward State Attorney: Sealing and Expungement Assistance.
What Should You Do Next?
If you need current published custody information, open the Sheriff’s Arrest Search. If you know an approximate booking date, use the Booking Blotter and account for its reporting lag.
If you need a filed charge or final court outcome, consult the Broward Clerk of Courts. For an older law enforcement report, use the proper records custodian. For statewide Florida criminal history, use FDLE.
A booking entry is a starting point, not the complete legal story. Always verify with the appropriate official source.