Hialeah Arrest Records

In Hialeah, most arrests are carried out by the Hialeah Police Department, whether an officer witnesses a crime, has a valid warrant, or believes there is enough evidence that someone committed an offense.

Arrested persons are often booked at the police station or transported to the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation (MDCR) Department. All information about the arrest and the arrestee is entered into the police database and sent to other county and state agencies, and entered into databases like the Crime Data Dashboard of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC), and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC). These records also populate the Miami-Dade Inmate Search portal, the Miami-Dade Criminal Justice Online System, and the Miami-Dade County arrest records.

Are Hialeah Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Hialeah arrest records are public under Florida's Public Records Law unless specifically exempt. The law gives locals the right to view or obtain copies of arrest affidavits, booking records, and police reports, unless the document:

• is related to an active investigation or contains criminal intelligence information
• discloses a juvenile offender's or confidential informant's identity
• reveals private health or mental health information.
• contains arrest information whose disclosure would negatively affect a person's safety.

Hialeah Crime Rate

In 2020, Hialeah experienced a notable decline in its crime landscape. The overall crime rate was 4,298 per 100,000 residents, marking a 20.4% decrease from 2019.

Violent crime also saw a significant reduction, with 447 offenses documented, translating to a rate of 186.3 per 100,000 people. This represented an 11.1% drop in the violent offense rate compared to the previous year.

Property crime incidents in Hialeah totaled 3,851 in 2020, or 1,604.9 per 100,000 residents. This figure indicated a 21.3% decrease in the city's property crime index from the prior year.

(Source: FDLE 2020 County and Municipal Report, FDLE 2019 County and Municipal Report)

Find Hialeah Arrest Records

The Hialeah Police Department makes arrest records available to members of the public. Residents can visit the agency during business hours to find Hialeah County arrest records. There is a standard fee for obtaining copies of documents, but individuals who cannot afford the fees can use public databases to conduct their searches. For example, the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department has an Inmate Search portal where users can find Hialeah arrest records without charges. The search criteria are last name or first name.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hialeah

The easiest way to conduct arrest record searches for free in Hialeah is through the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation (MDCR) Department's Inmate Search portal. Users must enter a last or first name in the relevant search box to view the results.

Criminal Background Check in Florida

Individuals can conduct criminal background checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's (FDLE) Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). The CJIS provides several online options for such checks:

• Instant Search: This search returns immediate results, which can be printed or emailed to the requester. However, criminal records obtained through the instant search database are not certified. Copies of criminal records cost $24, but customers paying by debit or credit card must pay an additional $1 credit card processing fee.
• Certified/Non-Certified Search: Demographic information is required when using this database. The desired document will be notarized before it is returned to the customer through regular US mail. The staff processes non-certified criminal history records within five business days, while certified copies take six to seven business days. The fee is $24, payable by card only.
• ORI (Originating Agency Identifier) Search: A valid ORI number must be used to obtain criminal records via this database. The search fee varies by state agency, state statute, or authorized entity. The search results are forwarded to the requester authorized by the ORI.

Hialeah Inmate Search

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) has about 134 statewide facilities housing over 89,000 incarcerated persons. Anyone can visit these facilities during business hours to conduct inmate searches for Hialeah-arrested persons who may have been sent to state prison. The record staff will require basic inmate information to process the request and charge a small fee for inmate records. Alternatively, requesters can use any FDC online portal to find Hialeah inmate information for free. Users will need a name or DC number to use any of the portals below:

• Search All Corrections Offender Databases
• Inmate Population Information Search
• Inmate Release Information Search
• Inmate Escape Information Search
• Supervised Population Information Search
• Absconder/Fugitive Information Search

Hialeah Police Record Lookup

The Hialeah Police Department Records Unit is responsible for maintaining police records and providing copies to police officers, crime victims, state attorneys, the general public, and the courts. Record seekers can obtain copies of police records in person during regular business hours. Duplicated copies of police records not more than 14 inches by 8½ inches cost 15 cents per one-sided copy, but those above 14 inches by 8½ inches cost 20 cents per two-sided copy. Certified copies cost $1 per copy. The Record Unit is located at the address below:

Hialeah Police Department Records Unit
5555 East 8th Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33013

Alternatively, interested persons can conduct a police record lookup online through the Public Records Request portal. To make the request, users will need to provide a detailed description of the desired record and their personal information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Hialeah?

Arrests are kept on file in Hialeah and throughout the state of Florida unless a court orders their expungement or sealing. Upon an individual's arrest, arrest information is entered into the state's criminal history database and reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which maintains these records permanently. In the absence of any legal action to remove the arrest, it may appear on background checks even if the charges are later dropped or the individual is not found guilty.

To seal or erase arrests, a formal petition must be submitted to the FDLE or court, depending on the arrest disposition.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Hialeah?

In Hialeah, an arrest record can be expunged or sealed for free if specific requirements are fulfilled. To be eligible, the individual must be free of past convictions and have had the charges related to the arrest dropped, dismissed, or result in a not-guilty verdict. The majority of nonviolent, first-time offenders also qualify.

The expungement process involves applying for a Certificate of Eligibility from Florida's Department of Law Enforcement. The applicant must mail an Application for Certification of Eligibility Form to the FDLE and pay the $75 application fee. After receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, the applicant must submit it alongside completed Affidavit in Support of Petition to Expunge and Petition to Expunge forms to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court and Comptroller Criminal Court. The expungement process takes about two to four months.

Hialeah Warrant Search

In Hialeah, arrest warrants are issued for suspected criminal activity, while bench warrants are typically released because of missed court appearances. Both remain active until resolved. To check warrant status, individuals can use the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court's Criminal Justice Online System, call the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Warrant Bureau at (305) 471-1700, or visit a Hialeah police station or courthouse.

Do Hialeah Warrants Expire?

No, warrants issued by a Hialeah judge never expire. They remain valid until served by a police officer. However, the issuing judge can quash or recall a warrant under certain circumstances, such as the defendant's death.