Miami-Dade County Criminal Court Records

Miami-Dade County Criminal Court Records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Miami. The county is Florida's most populous and forms part of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Residents can access felony case files and court documents through the clerk's office. The office offers robust online search tools including CJIS. Both digital and in-person access options exist for the public.

Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Office

The Clerk of Court in Miami-Dade County manages all criminal court records for the area. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Esq. serves as the elected clerk. His staff processes filings for felony and misdemeanor cases. They maintain court documents and make them available to the public. The office plays a vital role in the local justice system.

The main office sits at 20 NW 1st Avenue in downtown Miami. This location houses the records division for criminal cases. Staff members help visitors look up cases and request copies. The office opens Monday through Friday during regular hours. You should call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.

The Criminal Court Office is at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building. The address is 1351 NW 12th Street, 9th Floor, Miami. You can reach them at 786-971-2746. This office handles criminal case questions.

Visit the Miami-Dade County Clerk website to learn more about their services and records access.

The website shows the range of services available through the clerk's office for court records.

Note: Miami-Dade County is part of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which is the largest circuit court system in Florida.

How to Access Miami-Dade County Criminal Records

The Clerk of Court provides ways to search criminal records in Miami-Dade County. Each option serves different needs. Some users want quick online checks. Others need official copies for legal use. The clerk offers both types of service.

Online access gives case details through the CJIS system. You can search by defendant name or case number. The system shows charges filed and court dates. This works well for first checks. Visit CJIS Online Case Search to access the portal directly.

In-person visits allow full access to Miami-Dade County criminal court records. Staff can pull case files for review. You can request copies of any documents. Bring ID when you visit the office. Call first to check if old case files are on hand.

Miami-Dade County Criminal Court Records follow Florida public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs access. Most records are open to anyone who asks. Some files have limits due to privacy rules. Juvenile cases stay closed to the public.

Forms for sealing or expunging records are available through the clerk's office. These forms help people clear eligible criminal records. The process requires court approval. Visit the Criminal Records page for more details.

Types of Criminal Records Available in Miami-Dade County

Criminal court records in Miami-Dade County cover various case types. The clerk keeps files for felonies and misdemeanors. Each record holds specific documents tied to the charges. Knowing what exists helps you make smart requests.

Felony cases are the most serious matters in Miami-Dade County Criminal Court Records. These include crimes like burglary, drug sales, and theft. Felony files hold arrest reports and charging papers. They show court hearings and final outcomes. Sentencing orders spell out the punishment.

Misdemeanor cases involve lesser offenses. Petty theft and simple assault are common examples. The clerk stores these records too. Misdemeanor files are smaller but follow the same form. Both old and new records are kept on file.

Criminal traffic cases make up another group. DUI and reckless driving charges fall here. The clerk keeps these with other criminal records. These cases often have extra papers like test results and police reports.

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit and Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County is part of Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers only Miami-Dade County. The circuit court hears all felony criminal cases. County courts handle misdemeanors. Both levels keep records through the clerk.

The Eleventh Circuit is the largest circuit in Florida. Miami hosts the main courthouse. Judges hear trials, motions, and sentencing. Court staff create records that the clerk stores. The public can watch most hearings in person.

The Eleventh Circuit handles more cases than any other circuit. This means more records are created daily. The clerk's office manages this large volume. Digital systems help keep up with demand. Searches may take time due to the volume.

Note: The Eleventh Circuit serves as the trial court for all felony cases in Miami-Dade County under Florida law.

Marsy's Law and Victim Protection in Miami-Dade County

Marsy's Law protects crime victim information in Miami-Dade County. This amendment to the Florida Constitution shields certain victim details. The clerk follows these rules strictly. They remove protected information before releasing records.

Victim addresses and contact info may be hidden. This protects victims from harm. The clerk staff review each request. They apply redaction rules as required. This balances public access with victim safety.

The law gives victims specific rights. They have the right to be free from harassment. They can refuse interviews. The clerk helps protect these rights. Records are released with care.

Note: Marsy's Law requires that certain victim information remain confidential in Miami-Dade County criminal court records.

Public Access to Miami-Dade County Criminal Records

Florida law gives the public access to most court records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets this right. Miami-Dade County follows these open records rules. The clerk provides access while guarding private data.

Criminal records are generally open to all. Anyone can ask for case files without a special reason. This openness supports honest government. It helps people learn how courts work. The press and public use these records often.

Some records have protection under state law. Juvenile cases stay sealed in most cases. Victim info may be hidden for safety. Mental health and drug treatment records are private. The clerk applies these rules to all requests.

The clerk removes social security numbers and financial data. This protects people from identity theft. Record requests are processed with care. Privacy rules are followed in all cases.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Records

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement keeps state criminal history records. FDLE acts as the main storehouse for arrest and court data. Their files include info from Miami-Dade County and all other Florida counties.

FDLE background checks cover more than just court records. They include arrests even when charges were dropped. The database shows results from all Florida courts. This gives a full view of a person's criminal past.

You can request a state background check from FDLE. Some searches need fingerprints. Results usually come back within days. These checks are used for jobs and licenses.

Court records in Miami-Dade County add to FDLE data. The clerk's files have more details about each case. Court papers show evidence and rulings. Using both sources gives the best view.

Record Retention in Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County follows state rules for keeping records. Criminal court records are saved for set time periods. Some files stay forever. Others may be destroyed after time passes.

Felony case records usually remain forever. These serious cases often matter for years. Misdemeanor records may have shorter hold times. But many old records still exist.

The clerk keeps both paper and digital records. Old cases may be paper only. New cases often have digital copies. The move to digital storage continues. This will help future searches.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Miami-Dade County. Criminal cases must be searched in the county where filed. Each county keeps its own records through its clerk.