Broward County Superior Court Case Search

Broward County court case records are public documents according to the Florida Rule of Judicial Administration. They may be accessed through the Broward County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller’s office, where official records are maintained. The Circuit Courts are the main trial courts in Broward County, and they handle a wide range of court cases, including criminal, civil, probate, and family law cases.

Requesters may search the Circuit Court case records using requests submitted in person or via the mail. The records custodian’s office will require some information from the case, such as the names of the parties, attorneys on record, filing date, or date of birth, to search the court archives. This search may uncover case files such as transcripts, pleadings, lists of evidence, orders, and motions. Broward County Circuit Court case records may be searched online through the county clerk’s Case Search website.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Broward Superior Court?

Broward County Circuit Courts handle a broad range of cases. This court is a trial court that exercises jurisdiction over a wide scope of court matters, which includes:

• Civil Cases
• Criminal Cases
• Probate Matters
• Family Law Cases

The Circuit Courts have specialized court divisions, which include the following:

• Drug Court: This court functions to facilitate rehabilitation and treatment for offenders with substance abuse problems. It also provides an alternative to prison sentences for such individuals.
• Mental Health Court: This court facilitates criminal cases where the offender has mental health challenges. Its focus is rehabilitation and treatment for such individuals.
• Veterans Court: This court focuses on the needs of veterans who are parties in a court case.
• Juvenile Division: This court division is dedicated to cases involving individuals considered minors.
• Domestic Violence Division: This court division handles cases involving domestic violence in all forms.

Broward County Superior Court

Broward County Circuit Court is the main trial court in the county with broad civil and criminal jurisdiction. This court is the place where trials are held, evidence and testimonies are presented, and the judge or jury makes a decision. The Circuit Courts have wide jurisdiction over criminal matters, civil matters, juvenile matters, and probate proceedings. It is the closest forum for local residents to enforce their rights and resolve disputes legally. This court is the first place where most cases in the county and state are filed, which may be appealed to higher courts such as the Florida Supreme Court. The public may access the Circuit Court at:

Broward County Circuit Court
Central Judicial Complex
201 SE 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(954) 831-6565

North Regional Courthouse
1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard
Deerfield Beach,
Florida 33442

West Regional Courthouse
100 N. Pine Island Road
Plantation,
Florida 33324

South Regional Courthouse
3550 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, Florida 33021
Felony Division - 1st floor, Room 1882 of the Central Courthouse’s North Building
Family Division - 4th floor, Room 04130 of the Central Courthouse’s West Building
Civil Court - 4th floor, Room 04130

Broward County Case Lookup

Requesters may access and obtain Broward County Case records online, physically at the courthouse, or through the mail.

For online access
The county clerk’s office maintains a Case Search website through which requesters may look up case records. This website uses search options such as business name, case number, citation number, and names of parties. Record seekers may also select the specific type of court records they are interested in, which may include civil, appeals, family, felony, probate, and more. Users are not required to register an account to use the case search tool.

Simply select the search option that matches the case details you have, input the details in the relevant text box, and click search. There is no fee required for running case searches on this website. Requesters must note that this website may not always be accessible due to maintenance or Internet problems. There may also be delays in uploading court files or a lack of access to redacted or sealed court records.

For walk-in access
The public may search Court records or obtain copies in person at the county Courthouse. This is possible by submitting records requests to the clerk's office with information about the case records. Requesters may make in-person requests at the court clerk's office between 8 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Courthouse also has public access terminals where requesters may look up court calendars, case files, and hearing schedules.

Record seekers do not need to make prior appointments with the clerk’s office before making in-person requests, except if the request is complex or bulk. Record seekers may call the clerk's office at (954) 831-6565 to inquire about specific requests.

For mail-in access
Mail-in requests involve the submission of records requests through the mail with a description or details of the case records. Record seekers may mail their requests to the

Broward County Circuit Court
201 S.E 6th Street,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33302-4610.

Mail in requests will take between one to two weeks to be processed. While there may be no charges for the search, you may be charged if copies of Case records are requested. Access to certain records, such as redacted or sealed records may require submission of a valid ID with your request.

Additional Considerations
The public may also access case records quickly and conveniently through third-party websites. Further inquiries or appointments may be made over the phone by calling the Clerk's office at (954) 831-6565.

Broward Superior Court Case Search by Name

Name searches are popular for accessing and obtaining case documents. When submitting or mailing a records request, you may include the names of the parties or attorneys on record to conduct a name search. The Case Search website also provides a Business Name search option and a Party Name search option, which include first, middle, and last names.

In addition to providing the correct spelling for the names, record seekers can also make the search results more accurate by including extra details of the case, such as the filing date or case number.

Broward Superior Court Docket Search

Court dockets are a detailed timeline of events that occur while a court case is ongoing. This refers to a record of activities from the filing date till a judgment or decision is given in the case. A court docket will usually contain information that will help stay up to date with the case or give access to details that are useful for court hearing preparations. Such information may be motions, petitions, orders, judicial rulings, hearings, and court appearances. Record seekers may search Broward County court dockets in person through the court or county clerk’s office or online. Court docket searches will require you to provide some details of the case, such as case number or filing date.

Lookup Broward County Superior Court Online

Broward County Circuit Court records may be viewed online through the county clerk’s Case Search website. Requesters may search case records on this website using options like business name, citation number, case number, and party name. Third-party websites such as Floridacourtrecords.us may also provide online access to case records. These websites will also require you to provide some information from the court case, such as the party names and case numbers. When using records from third party websites, ensure to verify details with official sources as they may not be totally accurate or up to date.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

The Supreme Court of Florida is the highest judicial authority in the state. This court exercises appellate jurisdiction over judgments and decisions from lower courts and has exclusive jurisdiction over special cases, such as matters involving the validity of constitutional provisions or state laws, or death penalty appeals.

This court has statewide geographical jurisdiction and regulates law practice within Florida. It is composed of seven justices who are nominated by the judicial nominating commission and appointed by the governor, while the Circuit Court is presided over by one judge.

The Circuit Courts of Broward County are trial courts with jurisdiction over major criminal cases and civil cases. This court also has appellate jurisdiction to review decisions from county courts where minor criminal offenses and infractions are handled. The Circuit Courts are focused on facilitating court trials to resolve disputes locally. While appeals from this court go to the Supreme Court of Florida, the US Supreme Court has the final appellate authority on all cases in Florida.