Criminal records in Miami-Dade County, Florida, are available through several channels. MiamiDadeCourt.us allows you to search public information about criminal cases by name or case number. Additionally, the official county court system, the clerk of court's office, and law enforcement agencies — including the sheriff's office — provide access to records online, in person, or by mail. Below are step-by-step instructions for each of these methods.
How to Search Criminal Records in Miami-Dade
There are several ways to find criminal records in this county. Which one is right for you depends on what you're looking for and how urgently you need it.
Online Search
- MiamiDadeCourt.us — enter the full name of the person or case number to view publicly available information about criminal cases: charges, status, hearing dates.
- Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Portal — the official clerk's website offers free searches by defendant's name, case number, or filing date. You will need at least the full first and last name for the search.
- Florida Courts Portal — on the Florida Courts website, you can access the case search system of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which covers Miami-Dade.
- Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office — the Miami-Dade Police Department maintains arrest records. Requests for arrest records can be submitted online or in person.
In-Person Visit
The clerk of court serves visitors at the main office in downtown Miami. There are public access terminals available where you can search cases for free. Bring a photo ID with you.
Mail Request
Send a written request for criminal records to the clerk of court's office at the address above. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. Add a check or money order for the cost of copies. You can also send a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) — this is the state repository of criminal histories.
Search Miami-Dade Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the fastest way to find a specific record. In Florida, case numbers have a standard format:
- Year — two digits of the filing year (e.g., 24 for 2024).
- Case Type Code — a letter code indicating the category. For criminal cases, the most common are: CF (circuit felony), MM (county misdemeanor), CT (circuit criminal traffic).
- Sequential Number — a six-digit sequential number assigned at registration.
Example: 2024-CF-012345 indicates a felony case filed in 2024 under number 012345. Enter this number into the search system on the clerk's website or on MiamiDadeCourt.us, and you will be directed to the case details page.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Miami-Dade
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Florida Statutes — for example, §893.13 (drugs) or §316.193 (DUI) |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or drop individual charges during the proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and no decision has been made yet.
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled.
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision.
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including sentence execution.
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit:
- Arraignment — the first court appearance where the defendant is read the charges and enters a plea.
- Pre-trial conference — parties discuss evidence and the possibility of a plea deal.
- Motion hearings — the court considers motions from the defense or prosecution.
- Trial — the substantive court hearing.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or verdict.
- Review hearing — checking compliance with probation or other obligations.
Court Results
| Result | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict — often due to lack of evidence |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Withheld Adjudication | The court does not issue a formal verdict, although guilt is acknowledged — a common practice in Florida that allows avoiding a conviction record |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Miami-Dade
Certified copies of criminal records are required for employment, immigration procedures, and licensing. A regular printout from the online portal does not have legal force — a document with the clerk's seal is needed.
Where to Apply
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court issues certified copies of court documents. For a complete state-level criminal history, contact the FDLE.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office at the address below. Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport). Copies are usually prepared within a few business days.
- Online — on the clerk of court's website, you can order document copies. Payment by credit card.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case number, full name of the party, and document type. Include a check for the payment amount.
For a state-level criminal history request:
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Miami-Dade
The fees are set according to Florida Statutes §28.24. Here are the current rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document |
| Registry search (by name) | $2.00 |
| Criminal history check via FDLE (electronically) | $24.00 |
| Criminal history check via FDLE with fingerprints (Livescan) | $24.00 (state) + additional provider fee |
Processing Times
- Copies on site — usually the same day or within 1–2 business days.
- Mail requests — 5 to 10 business days after payment is received.
- FDLE check (electronically) — results are received within 1–3 business days.
- Fingerprint check — may take up to 10 business days, sometimes longer.
Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts. Online orders are paid by credit card with a possible additional processing fee.