Miami-Dade County, Florida Arrest Records

Arrest records are generated whenever an individual is taken into custody and booked by law enforcement officials in Miami-Dade County. They are documents (physical or digital) that document part of an individual’s interaction with agencies in the criminal justice system. The more detailed criminal records contain additional information.

County law enforcement agencies and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are the custodians of arrest records and other records generated on an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system.

Access to these records promotes accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system ( FL § 943.045). Arrest records are part of a larger body of criminal justice information. Other records include correctional and release records, criminal history, conviction records, offender registration records, identification records, and wanted persons records.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Florida?

Under the Florida Statutes, § 119.01, arrest records in Florida are public information, and government agencies must provide reasonable access to the records as needed. While the state’s policy is to keep records open, the Florida statutes ensure that exempt or confidential information on records remains undisclosed unless permitted by law. Such information exempt from public disclosure per § 119.071, F.S., includes Social Security numbers, juvenile information, medical or mental health data, and information about confidential informants, sexual offense victims, or child abuse victims and records tied to ongoing investigations.

Miami- Dade County Arrest Search

Arrest records can be obtained in several ways in Miami-Dade County using resources provided by state law enforcement or federal agencies. For instance, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains an active computerized criminal history database. This database provides the records of arrests reported by various law enforcement agencies in the state. Requesters who wish to use this tool can visit their website. A 24.00 non-refundable fee applies to facilitate a search. Processing times vary depending on the type of search conducted. With Instant search, records are available immediately, but are not certified for official purposes. With the certified search option, requests are processed within seven business days.

Another option is the Identity History Summary check (for federal rap sheets), processed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for $18.00. Requesters who cannot afford this sum may request a fee waiver by contacting the Bureau via phone (304) 625-5590 or email (identity@fbi.gov) before submitting their records request. Processing time ranges from 15 to 50 days.

Miami-Dade County Inmate Locator

Arrest information can be obtained directly in Miami-Dade County using the county inmate search tool. Requesters can use this free access tool to view booking details, such as the date of arrest, charges filed, bond amounts, and custody status, by entering a person’s name, booking number, or jail number. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCR) maintains information on this website. In addition to the inmate locator, searchable records of arrests are maintained by the Central Records Bureau of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Requestors may contact the Bureau at:

9105 NW 25th Street

Doral, FL 33172

Phone: (305) 471-3220

Fax: (305) 471-2072

Email: recordsrequest@mdso.com.

Active Warrant Search in Miami-Dade County

An arrest warrant is a legal order, issued by a judge, that empowers law enforcement officials to detain a person based on probable cause. An arrest warrant will contain identifying information about the individual, the alleged charges, statutory violations, issuing date, court, bail conditions, and the judge’s signature.

The Warrants Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office serves warrants in Miami-Dade County. The Bureau has no online option for an active warrant search, as records are kept internally. To request warrant information, call the Warrants Bureau, look through criminal dockets via the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts, submit a record request on the public records center, or speak with an attorney. In-person searches could lead to an immediate arrest.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Miami-Dade County

Arrest records can be obtained at no cost in Miami-Dade County in several ways. One way is using the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department’s Inmate In-Custody Search Tool. This tool provides booking and arrest details. Another option is the Clerk of Courts’ online portal for criminal case dockets linked to arrests. Per Florida’s Public Records Law ( Chapter 119, F.S. ), individuals can also request to inspect records for free, though copies may be charged for a fee. These free tools, however, may have some limitations, such as excluding older or archived arrests, certified copies, and sealed records.

Miami-Dade County Arrest Report

In Miami-Dade County, an arrest report is different from an arrest record. An arrest record is a summary created during an arrest or booking. It contains the arrestee’s identifying information, booking number, charges, custody, and bond status. It acts as an administrative snapshot of the arrestee. On the other hand, an arrest report is a narrative prepared by the arresting officer. This narrative contains the circumstances warranting the arrest, the probable cause, evidence, and witness statements.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Miami-Dade County

The expungement process depends on the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the person involved.

• Administrative Expunction: This method applies to wrongful/mistaken arrests. Per §943.0581 F.S., such arrest qualifies for an expunction when an unlawful or wrongful detention is conducted. The head of the arresting agency or the state attorney must request such expunction. The individual cannot directly file for this expunction, but they can request administrative action by the arresting agency or the state attorney’s office.
• Human-Trafficking Victim Expunction: Victims of human trafficking schemes may petition the court for expunction of arrests from crimes committed while being a victim of the scheme ( §943.0583, F.S. ). If the petition is granted, the court will issue a court order for FDLE compliance to expunge the arrests from their records.
• Court-Ordered Expunction (standard route): Per §943.0585, F.S., an individual may petition the court for an arrest record expungement in cases where no charges were filed, the charges were dropped or dismissed, or the case was first sealed for 10 years and then expunged.

An individual is ineligible for an expungement if they have a prior sealed/expunged record or the offense is on the list of ineligible offenses ( §943.0584 ). If an individual has satisfied the eligibility criteria for expungement, the following steps apply:

• Print the request form for the application for seal/expungement. Requesters must fill out the top part of the form, sign it, and notarize it with a reputable notary public.
• Obtain a certified copy of the case disposition. The criminal court clerk’s office, located at Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, must provide an official certified copy of the case to be sealed or expunged.
• Complete the fingerprint form at a local police department: Requesters can proceed to their local police station and request their fingerprints be printed on a fingerprint card or page from the FDLE website. They must also ensure they fill out their identifying information on the top of the fingerprint card.
• Complete the FDLE application for a certificate of eligibility for expunction: Requesters are to ensure the case for expunction meets the appropriate criteria.
• Mail the completed application form, alongside a certified copy of the case disposition, to the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office at 1350 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 (for cases of felony, misdemeanor, or criminal traffic cases) or to the juvenile division of the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office at 155 NW 3rd Street, Miami, FL 33128.

Upon completing the application, the FDLE will review the requester’s criminal history to determine expunction eligibility status. After review, the FDLE issues a certificate of eligibility for expunction or sends a letter stating why the case is not eligible. The processing time takes two to five months, depending on the agencies’ workload and assuming no filing errors.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Removing an arrest record from the Internet, whether from government websites or third-party platforms, requires practical and legal steps.

• Official Court Order: Requesters can obtain a sealing or expungement order under Florida law (§§ 943.0581, 943.0585, F.S.). This gives the requester a legal authority to demand removal.
• Government Websites: Once the court order is granted, the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts and Corrections Department will limit or delete public access. Processing may take weeks, so a follow-up with the Clerk and FDLE is needed to confirm compliance.
• Third-Party Websites: Many "mugshot" or arrest databases scrape public data and are not automatically updated when records are expunged. To remove content, send a copy of the court’s expungement order to the website. Attach a takedown request citing your legal right under Florida law. For unresponsive publishers, consider attorney letters or consumer-protection complaints.
• Search Engine Cleanup: After removal, request Google de-indexing of outdated mugshots or arrest pages through its content removal tool.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under Florida law, public arrest records provide a snapshot of the booking event and basic case status. A typical record includes:

• Personal identifiers: Name, age or date of birth, gender, and booking number.
• Arrest details: Date, time, and location of arrest, arresting agency, and booking facility.
• Charges: Statutory offense(s) listed, including degree (felony or misdemeanor).
• Bond information: Amount set, type (cash, surety, no bond), and release conditions if applicable.
• Case tracking: Court case number, docket references, or link to pending proceedings.
• Custody status: Current detention status, housing facility, or release date.