Broward County Warrant Search

A warrant search in Broward County allows individuals to find information on warrants issued within the county. The search furnishes researchers with knowledge of pending legal actions or processes within the county.

Under Florida law, a warrant cannot be issued unless probable cause is determined in court. This requirement exists because the actions authorized by warrants (i.e., arrests, searches/inspections, seizures) usually violate a person's Fourth Amendment rights.

A court can issue multiple warrants under the same case and for the same person. For instance, a search warrant can be approved to search an individual's home, and an arrest warrant can be used to arrest the individual if criminal evidence is found. If arrested, the suspect will be booked and handed over to the Sheriff's Office to be detained in the county jail. Researchers can look through Broward County arrest records to obtain more information on arrests within the county.

Are Warrants Public Records?

Yes, warrants are considered public records in Broward County. The Florida Sunshine Law (Fla. Stat. ch. 119) ensures that all public records are readily accessible to interested parties. However, certain restrictions apply to the information individuals can examine or copy, including warrants. Arrest warrants, search warrants, and supporting affidavits maintained by court officials are not public until a warrant has been executed or deemed non-executable. In addition, a warrant may be excluded from public disclosure if it relates to an active investigation or is sealed by the court.

Types of Warrants in Broward County

Warrants issued in Broward County include arrest, search, agriculture, inspection, and bench warrants. These warrants address specific legal matters that arise in the county. However, arrest, bench, and search warrants are issued more often than other kinds of warrants.

Do I Have a Warrant in Broward County?

Members of the public can usually utilize the following avenues to determine if a warrant exists in a person's name:

• Contact a Broward County court
• Contact the Sheriff's Office
• Engage the services of an attorney
• Utilize third-party online search services

Active Warrant Search in Broward

An active warrant has yet to be executed and returned to the issuing court. Such warrants remain in the custody of law enforcement agencies until served, and the local courts and law enforcement departments maintain associated records. Thus, individuals seeking active Broward County warrants can approach the issuing court or the relevant law enforcement agency for information.

Arrest Warrant Search

Executing arrest warrants in Broward County is the exclusive responsibility of the police departments. When an individual is suspected of a crime, and a complaint is filed with the court, the court may issue an arrest warrant if probable cause is determined. The warrant is directed to law enforcement agencies, who maintain a copy of the warrant and can release a copy to anyone interested in inspecting it.

Individuals seeking arrest warrants in Broward County can begin with the Sheriff's Office. However, an arrest may occur at the station if the requester is discovered to be wanted. To prevent an arrest on the spot, individuals can have a third party, such as an attorney or bail agent, search for them.

Additionally, other law enforcement agencies in Broward may have copies of warrants, depending on whether a warrant was issued within their jurisdiction.

Generally, if the warrant is confidential, a police department may deny its existence or inform the requester of the restrictions. The requester may petition the court to access the record in such cases.

Bench Warrant Lookup

Bench warrants are a sort of arrest warrant. They are issued by the court when an individual fails to comply with a court order. Unlike arrest warrants, bench warrants do not require the filing of a complaint or probable cause. Inquirers can look up bench warrants at the court where a case is open, which, in Broward County, may either be the county or circuit court.

The Broward County Clerk of Courts also maintains a Public Case Search portal for looking up cases in the local circuit and county courts. Individuals can access this platform to check case events & documents for warrant issuances.

Free Warrant Search

Broward County courts and local law enforcement agencies generally provide free warrant access. One does not need to pay a fee to verify the existence of a warrant. However, individuals requesting a physical copy of the warrant may be asked to pay a duplication fee.

Can You Check Warrants Online?

Yes. Aggregator websites often have Broward County warrant information stored in their databases. Users can search these databases with a first and last name for free. However, many third-party vendors require a fee to access their records. It is important to note that information disclosed on third-party sites may contain errors or be outdated. Individuals are advised to approach local authorities to determine the official status of a warrant.

Do Warrants Expire?

Warrants issued in Broward County remain valid indefinitely, except for search, inspection, and agricultural warrants, which have specific time limits. According to Fla. Stat. § 993.05 and Fla. Stat. § 993.25, search warrants have an execution time limit of 10 days, and inspection warrants have an execution period of 14 days. Meanwhile, per Fla. Stat. § 993.40, agriculture warrants expire after 60 days. Nonetheless, these warrants can be renewed after expiry if the court determines it necessary.

On the other hand, arrest and bench warrants do not expire, but they may be invalidated (voided) by the court under certain circumstances. Invalidation can occur when the court considers the underlying issues of a warrant to have been resolved or rules out the existence of probable cause.

How to Clear a Warrant Without Going to Jail

A person who discovers they have a warrant in Broward County may have a couple of ways to clear it without going to jail. The first step is to identify the objective of the warrant. For example, bench warrants are issued due to a failure to pay fines, appear for a hearing, or abide by any other court order. In such cases, the named party may clear the warrant by simply obeying the court—for example, making a required payment at the clerk's office or online (if the case is eligible for electronic payment).

Another option is to surrender voluntarily to the court and have an attorney negotiate a release on bond. If the warrant is bailable, the individual may post bail themselves or through a bail bonds agent.

In summary, active warrants can sometimes be cleared without detention, depending on the circumstances. A defendant is advised to seek legal counsel on the necessary actions.