Homestead City booking reports are public records kept by Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation for every person arrested in Homestead, Florida. These reports show arrest details, booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and court dates.
Anyone can search current and recent booking reports online at no cost. Older booking reports need a written public records request or a phone call to the corrections department.
What Are Homestead Booking Reports
A booking report starts the moment a person enters the jail system. It is the first record created after an arrest in Homestead or any part of Miami-Dade County. The report contains a full list of facts about the person and the arrest. Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation stores all booking reports in one shared database.
Public Records Under Florida Law
Florida law treats booking reports as public records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says every agency that holds public records must let any person inspect and copy them. Police departments, sheriff offices, and county corrections departments all follow this rule. Homestead booking reports fall under the same law. Citizens, lawyers, journalists, and employers can all ask for copies.
State law places booking reports in the same group as arrest logs, incident reports, and jail rosters. None of these records require a reason to view. People can search without proving who they are or why they want the data.
Who Creates the Records
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation creates every booking report for Homestead arrests. The Homestead Police Department makes the arrest but does not run a jail. Officers transport arrested people to the county jail at 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. Corrections officers handle the booking process from that point.
Booking officers enter names, dates of birth, fingerprints, and photos into the county system. This data feeds the same search tool used by the public. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also receives fingerprints and charges through Chapter 943 of the Florida Statutes.
How to Search Homestead Booking Records
There are three main ways to search booking records in Homestead. The fastest path is the online inmate search tool. The next option is a phone call to the corrections department. The last option is a written public records request for older files.
Online Inmate Search Tool
The Miami-Dade Corrections inmate search tool is the main place to look up current Homestead inmates. Type the first and last name into the search bar and the system shows matching results. The tool shows the booking date, facility, charges, and bond amount. The site works on phones, tablets, and computers.
Search results refresh in real time. People can check if a friend or family member has been released. The tool also helps bail bond agents and lawyers track new arrests each day.
- Website: miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch/
- Search type: First and last name
- Cost: Free, no account needed
- Records: Current inmates only
- Updates: Real time
Phone and In-Person Requests
The corrections department answers booking record questions by phone at 786-263-7000. Callers can ask about current inmates, release times, and bond amounts. The phone line runs 24 hours a day. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody without giving extra details by default.
People can also visit the corrections headquarters at 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. The front desk accepts walk-in requests during business hours. Visitors need a valid photo ID for any record copy. Staff can pull a booking report on the spot for in-person visitors.
Spanish speakers can call 407-836-3400 for help with inmate searches and booking questions.
Written Public Records Request
Booking reports from past years need a written public records request. Send a letter or email to Miami-Dade Corrections with the full name, date of birth, and date of the booking. The request should state which records are needed and the format requested. The office has 10 business days to respond under Florida law.
Small fees may apply for copies. The office sends the booking report by email, mail, or in-person pickup. Requests for old records often take longer than 10 days because staff must search paper archives.
What Information Appears in a Booking Report
Each booking report contains the same core set of facts. Some records have more details than others based on the charges. All reports follow a state format that makes them easy to read.
Personal Details
The first section lists the arrestee’s full name and any aliases. It shows date of birth, race, sex, and height. The report lists a permanent address and the arresting agency. Officers also record tattoos, scars, and other body marks. A booking photo goes into the same section.
Charges and Court Info
The middle section lists each charge from the arrest. Each charge has a statute number, charge level, and a short description. Felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses all appear in plain text. The court case number and assigned judge appear here too. Bond amounts for each charge appear in the same block.
Booking Photo and Fingerprints
A digital photo of the face is taken at booking. Officers call this the booking photo or mugshot. The photo shows the person from the front and side. Fingerprints are captured on a digital scanner. Chapter 943 of the Florida Statutes requires fingerprints and facial images for all adults charged with felonies or misdemeanors.
Homestead Police and Booking Process
The booking process in Homestead follows Florida state law at every step. Officers complete each task in the same order. The full process usually takes one to four hours.
Steps After an Arrest
After an officer arrests someone in Homestead, the person is brought to the county jail. A corrections officer checks identity, takes fingerprints, and photographs the arrestee. The officer enters all charges into the computer system. The arresting officer signs the booking report. Bond amounts are set based on a state schedule.
Bond can be cash, surety, or release on recognizance. A first appearance judge sets bond for charges not listed on the standard schedule. Officers log property and personal items at the same time. Medical staff screen the arrestee for any health concerns.
Where Booking Happens
Homestead sits at the south end of Miami-Dade County. Arrested people often travel more than 30 miles to the county jail in Miami. Family members who want to visit must drive the same distance. The county runs video visitation for people who live far from the jail.
| Agency | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation |
| Address | 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147 |
| Phone | 786-263-7000 |
| Inmate Search | miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch/ |
| Counties Served | All of Miami-Dade, including Homestead |
Mugshot Removal Rights in Florida
Booking photos in Homestead are public records under state law. People can request a copy from the corrections department. Florida places strict limits on how third-party sites can use these photos.
Chapter 901.43 Law
Chapter 901.43 of the Florida Statutes makes it a crime for any for-profit website to demand money to remove a booking photo. Sites that post mugshots cannot charge removal fees. If a site breaks this rule, anyone can send a written request asking for the photo to be taken down. The site has 10 days to comply.
The penalty for keeping a photo after a valid request is $1,000 per day. If a site removes the photo and then reposts it later, the penalty jumps to $5,000 per day. State lawmakers wrote the law to fight mugshot extortion.
How to Request Removal
Send a written request by mail or email to the site that posted the photo. The letter must include a copy of a valid photo ID. State the booking photo URL and the page where it appears. Ask the site to remove the photo within 10 days. Keep a copy of the letter for court records.
Report any site that does not comply to the Florida Attorney General. The office handles complaints and can fine the site. People who paid removal fees can also sue the site for a refund.
State and County Resources
Booking reports show people arrested in Homestead before trial. After conviction, the Florida Department of Corrections tracks people sent to state prison. Both agencies share data through state databases.
Florida Department of Corrections
Search state inmates at fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx. The site shows inmates by name, ID number, or location. Records include current facility, sentence length, and release date. The database refreshes every night. Release dates update each night as well.
FDLE Offender Registry
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the sex offender registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. Search by name, address, or city. The registry lists registered offenders across the state, including those who lived in Homestead at arrest. Maps show nearby schools and parks for each registered address.
Bond, Visitation, and Inmate Services
Booking reports connect to several jail services. Bond amounts, visitation rules, and trust accounts all stem from the booking record. Friends and family use these services often after an arrest.
Bond Amounts
Bond amounts depend on the charges listed in the booking report. Standard bond amounts come from a state schedule. Judges can raise or lower bond at first appearance. Cash bond lets a person pay the full amount for release. Surety bond uses a licensed bail bond agent. Release on recognizance means no cash is needed.
Visitation Hours
Visitation at the main county jail runs seven days a week. Family members must schedule a visit online or by phone. Visitors need valid ID and pass a security check. Video visitation is open to people who live far from Miami. Each session lasts up to 30 minutes.
- Day visits: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Evening visits: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Weekend hours: Same as weekdays
- Video visits: 24 hours with approval
- Age rules: Visitors must be 18 or older
Inmate Trust Accounts
Jail staff open a trust account for each arrestee at booking. Family and friends can deposit money for commissary items. Phone calls and stamps also come from the account. The corrections department has rules on how funds can be sent and how much each deposit can be.
Official contact details for Homestead booking records: Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation, 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. Phone: 786-263-7000. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public records desk: open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Website: miamidade.gov/global/corrections/home.page.
FAQ About Homestead Booking Reports
People often have similar questions about booking records in Homestead. The answers below cover common cases, legal rights, and ways to handle old records. Each answer points to the right office or rule for the topic.
Can I See Old Homestead Booking Reports?
Yes. Old reports are public records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The online inmate search tool shows current inmates only. Records older than the current inmate list need a written public records request. Send the request to Miami-Dade Corrections with the full name, date of birth, and date of the arrest. The office has 10 business days to respond. Small fees may apply for printed copies of old records.
Are Juvenile Booking Reports Public in Homestead?
No. Florida law treats juvenile records as confidential. Chapter 985 of the Florida Statutes limits access to records for people under 18. Parents, guardians, and lawyers have access with proper ID. The online inmate search tool does not show juvenile bookings. Public requests for juvenile records need a court order. Schools can ask about juvenile arrests in specific cases under state law.
How Long Does Miami-Dade Keep Booking Records?
Miami-Dade Corrections keeps digital records in the online system for active searches. Paper archives go back many years based on retention schedules. State law sets how long agencies must keep arrest records. Police and corrections must keep adult felony records for at least 75 years. Misdemeanor records stay on file for at least 5 years after the case ends.
Can I Remove My Homestead Booking Photo From the Internet?
Yes. Chapter 901.43 gives every Florida resident the right to ask sites to remove booking photos. Send a written request with a photo ID. The site must remove the photo within 10 days or pay $1,000 per day. Sites that repost removed photos pay $5,000 per day. Report sites that do not follow the law to the Florida Attorney General.
What Happens if the Person Was Released?
The online inmate search tool will not show a person after release. Call 786-263-7000 to confirm release status. For older cases, send a written public records request with the full name and date of birth. The office can confirm release dates and case numbers. Bond documents and release orders have the exact time and date of release.
Do Employers Use Homestead Booking Reports?
Yes. Florida law lets employers check booking records for most jobs. Many background check companies pull records from the same county database. Charges without convictions still appear in the report. Employers must follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act when using booking data for hiring.
Can I Search Homestead Booking Reports by Date?
The online search tool only allows name searches. To get reports from a specific date, send a written public records request. Include the date range, charges, or other facts in the request. The corrections office can pull reports by date for a small fee. Lawyers and journalists often use this method for court cases.