Search Fort Lauderdale Arrest Records

Fort Lauderdale arrest records are held by the Broward Sheriff's Office, which operates the county jail and booking system for all of Broward County. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department handles law enforcement within the city, but once an arrest is made, the person goes to the BSO Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. That is where the booking record gets created. You can search for Fort Lauderdale arrest records through the BSO arrest search portal or call the records and warrants line at (954) 831-8700. The county seat is Fort Lauderdale, so the main jail sits right in the city.

Fort Lauderdale Arrest Record Search

The Broward Sheriff's Office Arrest Search is a name-based tool for accessing arrest information. It covers people booked at BSO facilities, including the main jail in Fort Lauderdale. To use it, enter a first and last name. Results come back fast. Information accessible through the BSO access portal includes booking records, mugshots, charges, bail and bond records, custody information, court-related data, and release information.

The BSO Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue processes most bookings for Fort Lauderdale. It is the primary intake center for the county. When the Fort Lauderdale Police Department arrests someone, that person gets transported to the BSO facility for booking. Staff take a mugshot, record the charges, and log the person into the system. The record then shows up in the online search. The BSO also handles warrants for Broward County. Call (954) 831-8700 for records and warrant questions tied to Fort Lauderdale arrests.

BSO Inmate Search Portal

The Broward Sheriff's Office provides a public inmate search portal for looking up arrest records from Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward County.

This search covers all BSO detention facilities. The Fort Lauderdale main jail is the largest one. Results show the person's name, booking date, charges, bond status, and whether they are still in custody. Under Section 943.053 of the Florida Statutes, criminal history records are public unless sealed or expunged. That is what makes this kind of online search tool available to anyone. You do not need an account or a reason to use it.

Keep in mind that the online tool only shows current inmates in most cases. People who have been released may not appear. For older Fort Lauderdale arrest records, contact the BSO records division or use the FDLE statewide database.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is at 1300 W Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Officers patrol the city and make arrests within Fort Lauderdale limits. The non-emergency line is (954) 764-4357. While city police handle the initial contact, booking and detention are county functions through the BSO.

Fort Lauderdale PD can help with incident reports and the details of an arrest. If you want the actual booking record, mugshot, or bond data, that comes from BSO. The split between city police and county jail is standard across Florida. Many people in Broward County get confused by this. The simple rule: the city cop makes the arrest, the county handles everything after that. Both the police report and the jail record are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.

BSO Jail and Visitation

The BSO Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue is in downtown Fort Lauderdale. It is the county's main intake and booking facility. Phone: (954) 831-5900. After booking, inmates may be moved to other Broward facilities depending on their classification and charges. Video visits are available from 8:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily for people held at BSO jails.

The Clerk of Courts for the 17th Judicial Circuit handles the court records side for Broward County. Once an arrest in Fort Lauderdale leads to charges being filed, the case enters the court system. You can track filings, hearings, and dispositions through the clerk's office. Court records and arrest records are two different things, but they connect through the case number. Both are public in Florida.

Statewide Search Tools

The FDLE Criminal History Record Check covers Fort Lauderdale arrest records as part of the statewide database. Each search costs $25. Results come back right away. The CCIS court records system has over 150 million cases from all 67 Florida counties, including Broward. If someone arrested in Fort Lauderdale went to state prison, the FDC Offender Search has their record.

The FDLE Public Access System pulls from the Florida Crime Information Center database. It covers arrests from agencies across the state, including the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and BSO. Use it when you want to cross-check local data with the statewide system.

Expunging Fort Lauderdale Arrest Records

Under Section 943.0585 of the Florida Statutes, a person can apply to have their arrest record expunged if they meet certain conditions. The charges must have been dropped, dismissed, or resulted in an acquittal. Sealing under Section 943.059 hides the record from public view but lets certain agencies still see it.

The process starts with a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. That costs $75 and takes about 12 weeks to process. Once approved, you file a petition with the Broward County court. The FDLE seal and expunge page has the forms and instructions. Fort Lauderdale residents should start there if they want to clear an arrest from their record. Once expunged, all agencies must destroy their copies except FDLE, which keeps one confidential version.

Nearby Cities with Arrest Records

Fort Lauderdale is surrounded by other Broward County cities that share the BSO jail system. Several nearby cities in other counties also have pages on this site.

Broward County Arrest Records

Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County. The BSO runs the jail system and handles all booking for the area. For the full county breakdown, jail contacts, and more resources, visit our Broward County arrest records page.