A Homestead City Florida bench warrant is a court order that tells police to arrest a person who missed a court date or broke a court rule in Homestead. The warrant stays active until a judge cancels it or the person is taken into custody.
This page explains how these warrants work in Homestead, where the records sit, how to search them online, and what steps can clear one from your record.
What Is a Bench Warrant in Homestead
A bench warrant in Homestead is a written order signed by a judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit. The judge signs the order after a person fails to appear in court, violates a court order, or does not follow the terms of their release. Once signed, the warrant goes into a state database that police agencies across Florida can see at any time.
How the Warrant Gets Created
The clerk of court files a motion when a person misses a court date. The judge reviews the case file and signs the bench warrant. The clerk then enters the order into the Miami-Dade County court system. A copy goes to the sheriff’s office. The whole process can happen within hours. Under Florida Statute 901.02, the judge must find probable cause before signing the warrant.
Bench Warrant Vs Capias vs Arrest Warrant
These three terms sound similar but mean different things. A bench warrant comes from a judge for a missed court date. A capias comes from the clerk or state attorney under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730. An arrest warrant needs probable cause for a new crime. In daily practice, all three work the same. They all place a person’s name in the arrest database that officers run during every traffic stop or check.
Why Warrants Stay Active Forever
Bench warrants in Homestead do not expire. They remain active until a judge recalls the warrant, the person is arrested, or the person passes away. A warrant from a 2010 case is still active in 2026. Officers can arrest the person on the warrant any day of the year, at any hour, in any Florida county. There is no time limit on the arrest power.
Where Homestead Warrants Are Filed
All bench warrants from Homestead cases go through the Miami-Dade County court system. The city of Homestead sits in the south end of Miami-Dade County. The county clerk stores the official record. The sheriff serves the warrant. Local police can make the arrest. Every agency that runs a person’s name sees the active warrant.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court keeps all Homestead bench warrant records. Juan Fernandez-Barquin serves as the clerk. The main office sits at 20 NW 1st Avenue in Miami, Florida 33128. The clerk’s office answers public records requests at (305) 275-1155. You can email the clerk at cocpubreq@miamidadeclerk.gov. Mail requests go to Records Management, Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 14695, Miami, FL 33101.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office handles warrant service for Homestead. The main office sits at 9105 NW 25th Street in Doral, FL 33172. The public phone line is (305) 471-3220. Records requests go to recordsrequest@mdso.com. The records counter takes walk-ins by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any deputy in the county can serve a Homestead bench warrant under Florida Statute 901.04.
Homestead Police Department
The Homestead Police Department sits at 45 NW 1st Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030. The phone line is (305) 247-1535. Local officers run names during every traffic stop and field contact. An active bench warrant pops up on their screen. The officer can arrest the person on the spot. This rule covers warrants from any Florida court, not just Homestead cases.
The 11th Judicial Circuit Court
The 11th Judicial Circuit covers all of Miami-Dade County, including Homestead. Judges in this circuit sign bench warrants for cases filed in Homestead. The court system uses the eWarrants tool to share warrant data with police, state attorneys, clerks, and sheriffs across the state. A Homestead warrant shows up in statewide law enforcement systems the same day a judge signs it.
How to Search for a Homestead Bench Warrant
You can search for an active Homestead bench warrant through three main tools. The Miami-Dade clerk runs a free online case lookup. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide wanted persons search. You can also call or visit the clerk or sheriff in person.
Miami-Dade Criminal Justice Online Search
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs the Criminal Justice Online Case Search at the clerk’s website. The tool lets you search by defendant name, case number, citation number, or jail number. The search is free. Results show the charge, case status, and any active bench warrant tied to the case. You can see if a warrant has been served or is still open. The system covers every case in the 11th Judicial Circuit, which includes all Homestead cases.
FDLE Statewide Warrant Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide wanted persons search at fdle.state.fl.us. The database pulls warrant data from law enforcement agencies across all 67 Florida counties, including Miami-Dade. You can search by first name, last name, and date of birth. The system updates every 24 hours. FDLE warns that the database is not the final word on warrant status. Always confirm with the clerk or sheriff for the most current data.
In-Person Records Requests
You can walk into the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office at 20 NW 1st Avenue in Miami and ask for a warrant check by name. The clerk runs the search in the public terminals. You can also ask for a copy of the warrant document. Bring a photo ID. The clerk charges a small fee per page for copies. Most warrant checks cost nothing.
Phone and Mail Requests
You can call the clerk at (305) 275-1155 and ask about your case status. The clerk can confirm whether a warrant is active. For a paper copy, send a mail request to Records Management at the address listed above. Include the full name, date of birth, and case number if known. The clerk mails back the record or tells you the status by phone.
Penalties for Failure to Appear in Homestead
Missing a court date in Homestead brings serious new trouble on top of the original case. Under Florida Statute 843.15, failure to appear on a felony case is a third-degree felony. Failure to appear on a misdemeanor is a first-degree misdemeanor. The bench warrant itself is a separate legal matter from whatever first brought you to court.
Felony Failure to Appear
Failure to appear on a felony case in Homestead is a third-degree felony under Florida Statute 843.15. A conviction can mean up to five years in state prison. A $5,000 fine can also apply. The new felony charge stays on your record forever. It can affect future sentencing, job applications, and gun rights.
Misdemeanor Failure to Appear
Failure to appear on a misdemeanor case is a first-degree misdemeanor. A conviction can mean up to one year in county jail. A $1,000 fine can apply. The new charge adds to your criminal history. It can affect plea deals on other open cases. Judges often look at FTA history when setting new bond.
Bond and Driver License Impact
Missing a court date in Homestead can trigger a bond forfeiture. The court keeps the bond money posted on the case. The clerk can also notify the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The state can suspend your driver license for failing to pay a fine or appear in court. The suspension stays on file until you resolve the case and pay a reinstatement fee.
How Long a Bench Warrant Lasts in Florida
A Homestead bench warrant has no expiration date. It stays active until a judge cancels it. This rule differs from search warrants, which have short life spans. Understanding the timeline helps a person plan how to handle an old warrant.
No Expiration Date
Florida law does not put a time limit on a bench warrant. A warrant signed in 2005 is still active in 2026. The warrant stays in the state database the whole time. Any officer who runs your name will see the warrant. The warrant ends only when a judge recalls it, you are arrested, or you pass away. There is no automatic dismissal after a set number of years.
Difference From Search Warrants
Search warrants work differently under Florida Statute 933.05. A search warrant expires 10 days after the judge signs it. Police must use the warrant within that window or get a new one. Bench warrants have no such time limit. They sit in the system until acted upon. A police search warrant is a one-shot tool. A bench warrant is an open order that lasts until served or recalled.
Will It Show on a Background Check
An active bench warrant will show up on most background checks. Landlords, employers, and licensing boards run warrant checks as part of their screening. The warrant appears even if the original charge was minor. The warrant itself is public record under Florida’s Chapter 119 Sunshine Law. Anyone can look it up. Clearing the warrant removes the entry from the public database.
How to Clear a Bench Warrant in Homestead
The fastest path to clear a Homestead bench warrant is to hire a criminal defense lawyer. A lawyer can file a motion to quash the warrant. The lawyer can also arrange a safe surrender. Self-help options exist but carry more risk. The steps below cover each path.
Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
A criminal defense lawyer with Florida bar experience can pull the case file and check the warrant status. The lawyer can talk to the state attorney and judge. In many minor cases, the judge recalls the warrant without the person going to jail. The lawyer can set a new court date and walk you through the next court appearance. Lawyer fees vary, but the cost often beats the risk of arrest at work or during a traffic stop.
Filing a Motion to Quash or Recall
A motion to quash asks the judge to cancel the warrant. A motion to recall serves the same purpose. The lawyer files the motion with the clerk. The judge reviews the case and the reasons for missing court. The judge can grant the motion and cancel the warrant right away. Old cases with weak reasons for the FTA often win quash motions. New cases with strong evidence of a real reason can also win.
Voluntary Surrender at the County Jail
You can turn yourself in at the Miami-Dade County Jail at any time, day or night. The jail is open 24 hours. Bring a photo ID and any paperwork from your lawyer. The jail runs a background check and books you on the warrant. A surrender looks better to a judge than a surprise arrest. Most surrenders end in release on the same bond that was in place before the warrant. A lawyer can arrange the surrender and stay with you during booking.
Setting a New Court Date
Once the warrant is recalled, the clerk sets a new court date. The person must appear on that date or face a new warrant. The new hearing often ends in a plea deal, a continuance, or a trial date. Missing the new date starts the same cycle over again. The best way to end the cycle is to attend every court date going forward.
Bench Warrants in Nearby Florida Counties
Bench warrants are county-specific. A warrant from Homestead only clears through the Miami-Dade court system. People who move across Florida need to check the county where the original case was filed. The table below lists the main Florida counties and their clerk contact details.
| County | Main Office | Clerk Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade (Homestead) | 20 NW 1st Ave., Miami, FL 33128 | (305) 275-1155 |
| Broward | 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | (954) 831-6565 |
| Orange | 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 | (407) 836-2000 |
| Hillsborough | 419 Pierce St., Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 276-8100 |
| Palm Beach | 205 N. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 355-2996 |
| Duval | 501 W. Adams St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 255-2000 |
| Pinellas | 315 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756 | (727) 464-7000 |
Broward County Bench Warrants
Broward County runs the 17th Judicial Circuit. The clerk of court sits in Fort Lauderdale. Warrants from Broward cases show up in the FDLE database the same as Homestead warrants. A person with a Broward warrant must work with a Broward lawyer or the Fort Lauderdale clerk to clear it.
Orange County Bench Warrants
Orange County runs the 9th Judicial Circuit and covers Orlando. The Orange County Clerk of Court keeps warrant records. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office serves the warrants. People with Orange County warrants can search the clerk’s online system or call the clerk at the number in the table above.
Hillsborough County Bench Warrants
Hillsborough County runs the 13th Judicial Circuit and covers Tampa. The clerk of court sits in downtown Tampa. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office handles warrant service. Tampa Police can also arrest on Hillsborough warrants during routine stops. The clerk’s online portal covers warrant status checks for the county.
Palm Beach County Bench Warrants
Palm Beach County runs the 15th Judicial Circuit. The clerk of court sits in West Palm Beach. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office serves warrants county-wide. Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Delray Beach police all run names through the same state database.
Duval County Bench Warrants
Duval County runs the 4th Judicial Circuit and covers Jacksonville. The clerk of court sits in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office serves warrants in Duval County. Warrants from Duval cases go into the FDLE database and the NCIC database like all other Florida warrants.
Pinellas County Bench Warrants
Pinellas County runs the 6th Judicial Circuit and covers St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo. The clerk of court sits in Clearwater. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office serves warrants. Local police in St. Petersburg and Clearwater can also arrest on active Pinellas warrants.
Avoiding Bench Warrant Scams in Homestead
Phone scams target people with real or fake bench warrants. Scammers call and demand payment to clear the warrant. Real police and courts do not work this way. Knowing the scam tactics protects you from losing money to a fraud.
Common Phone Scam Tactics
Scammers call from spoofed numbers that look like a sheriff or court office. They say a warrant is active and you must pay right away to avoid arrest. They demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. They threaten arrest within hours if you do not pay. The calls sound real but the demand for gift cards is the giveaway. No Florida court or sheriff takes gift cards as payment for a warrant.
How Police and Courts Actually Reach You
Real law enforcement does not call to demand payment for a warrant. The court sends paperwork by mail. The sheriff leaves a business card if they try to serve a warrant at your home. A deputy can arrest you but does not call for money first. If you get a call about a Homestead bench warrant, hang up. Call the Miami-Dade Clerk at (305) 275-1155 to check the real status of any warrant in your name.
Official Contacts for Homestead Warrant Records
The list below gives the official agencies that handle Homestead bench warrant records. Call or visit these offices to check your status. The map shows the location of the main Miami-Dade Clerk’s office.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Email: cocpubreq@miamidadeclerk.gov
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office
9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172
Phone: (305) 471-3220
Records Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (by appointment only)
Homestead Police Department
45 NW 1st Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030
Phone: (305) 247-1535
Frequently Asked Questions About Homestead Bench Warrants
The questions below cover the most common issues people face with Homestead bench warrants. Each answer gives clear, direct steps you can take today. Read through them before calling a lawyer or the clerk. If your question is more complex, talk to a licensed criminal defense attorney in Florida.
Will a Homestead Bench Warrant Follow Me to Another State?
A Homestead bench warrant goes into the National Crime Information Center database the same day a judge signs it. Police in every state can see the warrant. If you get stopped for any reason in another state, the officer sees the active warrant. The officer can arrest you and hold you for pickup by Florida authorities. Florida can also file for extradition under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act. Clearing the warrant before you travel is the safest path.
Can I Just Pay a Fine to Clear a Homestead Bench Warrant?
Paying a fine alone does not cancel a bench warrant. A judge must sign an order to recall the warrant. The fine payment goes to the original case, not the warrant. You still owe the court appearance or the resolution of the underlying charge. A lawyer can file a motion to recall the warrant and arrange payment at the same time. Going to the clerk to pay a fine without clearing the warrant leaves the warrant active.
How Long Does It Take a Judge to Recall a Warrant?
The timeline depends on the court calendar. A motion to quash can take a few days to a few weeks to schedule. Emergency motions can get a same-day hearing in rare cases. Voluntary surrender takes minutes for booking, then hours for release on bond. The judge must sign the recall order before the warrant clears from the system. The clerk removes the entry after the signed order reaches the records office.
Can I Travel on a Plane With an Active Warrant?
You can buy a ticket and board a plane with an active warrant. TSA does not run warrant checks at the security gate. The risk shows up at the airport check-in counter. Airlines share passenger data with law enforcement on certain watch lists. A bench warrant is not on those lists, but a no-fly order could be. The bigger risk is a traffic stop on the way to the airport or a check by local police at your destination.
Does a Homestead Bench Warrant Show Up in Other States?
Yes. The warrant goes into the NCIC database. Every state police agency runs names through NCIC during traffic stops and field contacts. A warrant from Homestead appears in every state. If you move to Georgia, Texas, or New York, the warrant still sits active in the federal database. Clearing the warrant through a Florida lawyer ends the entry in NCIC. Out-of-state police will no longer see the warrant.
What Happens If I Ignore a Homestead Bench Warrant?
The warrant stays active and the risk grows over time. Any police contact can lead to an arrest. The arrest can happen at work, at home, or during a traffic stop. The arrest triggers a new charge of failure to appear under Florida Statute 843.15. The new charge can add prison or jail time on top of the original case. The warrant can also block driver license renewal and professional license applications. Ignoring the warrant makes the legal problem worse, not better.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Clear a Homestead Bench Warrant?
A lawyer makes the process faster and safer in most cases. The lawyer files the motion to recall, talks to the state attorney, and appears with you in court. For simple cases with low charges, some people clear the warrant on their own. The risk of self-help is missing a step and getting arrested at the courthouse. A lawyer shields you from that risk. The cost of a lawyer is often less than the cost of one night in jail, lost wages, and a new charge.