Broward County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Broward County, Florida, with a population of over 1.94 million, is part of the Miami metropolitan area and has a comprehensive court system that is designed to handle various legal issues. Its county seat is Fort Lauderdale, which is the most populous city and is part of the 17th Judicial District. As the second most populous county behind that of Miami-Dade County, the courts play important roles in ensuring public order. The county's judicial system is structured to ensure effective resolution of criminal and civil matters. The Broward County court system includes two types of courts each with specific jurisdictions. The courts include the Circuit Court and the County Court.

The Circuit Court located in Fort Lauderdale, has jurisdiction over criminal cases, felonies, family law cases, mental health cases, probate matters, juvenile matters, land-lord tenant cases, and civil disputes over $15,000. The County Court also known as “the people's court” handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic violations, and civil cases involving smaller amounts of money (less than $15,000). These courts work in synergy to ensure that the legal needs of Broward County's residents are catered for effectively.

The 17th Judicial District, which Broward County is part of, handles more than 47,000 criminal cases annually with the overall county crime rate at about 2,400 incidences per 100,000 people. The county's population, which is growing steadily, contributes to the high volume of court proceedings. Broward County court records are carefully maintained by the County Clerk and made available to the public to ensure transparency and easy accessibility. The Broward County Clerk's official website provides a user-friendly search tool to access public court records. It is important to note that records involving juveniles, adoption, custodial matters, medical reports, mental health matters, personal identifying information, and ongoing criminal information are considered to be confidential and restricted from public access. The County Clerk can assist with additional information on how to obtain access or special permission for such records.

In summary, Broward County's judicial system is well-equipped to address the legal needs of its diverse population. With separate courts handling different types of cases from criminal to civil and probate matters, as well as a rounded record-keeping system, the county ensures that justice is served efficiently and transparently. The large number of cases the courts handle each year highlights the important roles these courts play in maintaining law and order in Broward County.