Broward County busted mugshots are public booking photos taken when someone gets arrested in Broward County, Florida. These photos come from the county jail in Fort Lauderdale and are open to anyone who wants to look at them.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office keeps a free online search tool where you can find recent mugshots by name. Each photo shows the person at the time of their arrest along with their charges and bond amount.
What Are Broward County Busted Mugshots
Busted mugshots in Broward County are photos taken during the jail booking process. After an arrest, the suspect goes through fingerprinting, a health check, and a photo session. That photo becomes part of the public record. Florida law treats these photos the same as other arrest records.
How Booking Photos Get Created
When police make an arrest in Broward County, the person gets taken to the main jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Staff there take a front-facing photo and a side-facing photo. They also record the person’s name, date of birth, height, weight, and the charges filed. All of this data goes into the county arrest database.
What the Mugshot Record Includes
A Broward County arrest record shows the booking photo, full legal name, arrest date, and the charges at the time of arrest. It also lists the bond amount and the court case number. The record does not show what happens later in court.
- Booking photo from the jail
- Full name and date of birth
- Date and time of arrest
- List of charges with statute numbers
- Bond amount and bond status
- Arresting agency name
How to Search Broward County Mugshots
You can search Broward County mugshots through the Sheriff’s Office arrest search tool. The tool is free and runs 24 hours a day. You only need a first name and last name to start a search.
Using the Sheriff’s Arrest Search Tool
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office runs two arrest search pages. The main page is on the sheriff’s website at sheriff.org. The other page is the arrest search app at apps.sheriff.org/arrestsearch. Both pages pull data from the same jail system. Enter a name and the tool returns matching records. Each result links to a full record page with the mugshot, charges, and bond details.
Florida Jail Information System Search
The Florida Sheriffs Association runs the Florida Jail Information System. This tool collects booking data from county jails across the state. You can search for Broward County bookings from the past 24, 48, or 72 hours. The tool helps you find people who were recently arrested but may have already posted bond and left the main jail.
FDLE Statewide Criminal Records
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs statewide background checks for a fee of $24. This check covers arrests in Broward County and all other Florida counties. You can request a check by mail or online through the FDLE website. Call 850.410.8109 for more details about the request process.
Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search
People who go to state prison after a Broward County arrest appear in the Florida Department of Corrections inmate search. This tool covers people already sentenced to state time, not those still in the county jail. The search page sits at dc.state.fl.us.
Broward County Jail and Booking Details
All Broward County arrests get processed through one main jail in Fort Lauderdale. The jail runs booking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone arrested by any city police department in the county ends up at this facility.
Main Jail Location and Contact Info
The main jail sits at 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The general phone line is 954.831.5900. The jail handles intake for all police agencies in the county. Public records requests also go through this office.
Cities That Book Into Broward County Jail
Broward County has many city police departments. Each one sends its arrests to the same jail. The list below covers the largest cities in the county.
- Fort Lauderdale Police Department
- Hollywood Police Department
- Pembroke Pines Police Department
- Miramar Police Department
- Coral Springs Police Department
- Pompano Beach Police Department
- Plantation Police Department
- Sunrise Police Department
- Davie Police Department
- Deerfield Beach Police Department
- Lauderhill Police Department
- Tamarac Police Department
Bond and Charge Details in Records
Each Broward County arrest record shows the bond amount set at booking. Some charges have no bond allowed under Florida law. Murder and certain sex charges often carry a no-bond status. The record also shows whether the person bonded out or is still in custody.
Florida Public Records Laws for Mugshots
Florida law makes arrest records open to the public. This rule covers mugshots, charges, and bond details. The state law that controls this rule is Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
Chapter 119 and Public Access
Chapter 119 requires Florida government agencies to open their records to the public. Section 119.01 covers the basic right to inspect and copy records. Anyone can ask for arrest records without giving a reason or showing ID. The law applies to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and every city police department in the county.
Exemptions to Public Mugshot Records
Some mugshot records stay sealed under Florida law. Law enforcement officers can ask to keep their booking photos private. Records about victims of sexual offenses also stay sealed. Juveniles arrested in Broward County have their records sealed through a separate process.
Copy Fees and Request Costs
The Broward County Sheriff charges small fees for copies of arrest records. Single-sided pages cost 15 cents each. Double-sided pages cost 20 cents each. Certified copies cost up to $1.00 per page. Large requests that take many staff hours may cost more based on labor time.
Removing Broward County Mugshots from Public View
Getting a Broward County mugshot off the internet takes a court order. Florida law has two ways to remove arrest records. The first is sealing, which hides the record. The second is expungement, which destroys the record.
Sealing vs Expungement Under Florida Law
Section 943.059 of Florida law covers sealing. Sealing hides the record from public view but keeps it in a state database for law enforcement. Section 943.0585 covers expungement. Expungement destroys the arrest record so it no longer exists in state files. Both options apply to Broward County arrests.
FDLE Seal and Expunge Process
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles seal and expunge requests for the whole state. The application fee is $75 paid by money order. Processing takes about 12 weeks once the application is complete. You can reach the seal and expunge office at 850.410.7870 or by email at SEinfo@fdle.state.fl.us.
Limits of Mugshot Removal
A court order to seal or expunge a record only applies to government agencies. Private mugshot websites can keep showing the photo because they are not part of the court system. The only way to remove a photo from a private site is to ask the site directly or take legal action against the site owner.
Florida Statewide Mugshot Search Tools
Florida has several tools that cover Broward County and other counties at the same time. These tools help when a person may have been arrested in a different county than expected.
Florida County Jail Directory
The Florida Department of State runs a county jail directory. This directory links to the inmate search tool for each of the 67 Florida counties. The directory sits at dos.fl.gov. From there you can click into any county’s jail search page.
FDLE Public Records Request System
The FDLE accepts public records requests for criminal history data. The system covers arrests across the state including Broward County. A Florida criminal history check costs $24 per person. This check shows arrests from all Florida counties in one report.
Surrounding Florida County Mugshot Resources
Broward County sits between Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County. People arrested in these nearby counties get booked into their own county jails. The records stay separate from Broward County records.
Palm Beach County Mugshots
Palm Beach County runs its own arrest search tool through the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The county jail sits in West Palm Beach. Records cover arrests made by all city police departments in Palm Beach County.
Miami-Dade County Mugshots
Miami-Dade County has its own jail system separate from Broward County. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department runs the inmate search. Records cover arrests made by Miami-Dade Police and city departments in the county.
Other Major Florida Counties
Florida has many other counties with their own arrest search tools. Hillsborough County, Orange County, Duval County, Pinellas County, and Lee County all run their own systems. Each county’s records stay in that county’s database.
Broward County Booking Records vs Court Records
Arrest records and court records are two different things. Arrest records come from the jail at booking. Court records come from the clerk of courts after the case moves forward.
What Booking Records Show
Booking records show the charges at the time of arrest. The charges may change later as the State Attorney reviews the case. The booking record does not show what happens in court, plea deals, or final sentences.
What Court Records Show
Court records show the full legal case. They include filed charges, motions, hearings, plea deals, trial results, and final sentences. The Broward County Clerk of Courts runs the official court record search. Court records stay online even after a case closes.
Why Both Records Matter
Booking records help with background checks and recent arrest searches. Court records help with legal research and final outcome checks. For a full picture of a Broward County arrest, you need to check both systems.
Third-Party Mugshot Websites and Florida Law
Private mugshot websites collect booking photos from county jails across the country. These sites are legal in Florida but face some limits. The sites often charge fees to remove photos.
How Third-Party Sites Get Mugshots
Third-party sites pull mugshot data from public records. They use bots and staff to collect photos from county jail websites. The sites then post the photos on their own pages with ads.
Removal From Third-Party Sites
Most third-party mugshot sites have a removal request page. Some sites remove photos for free. Other sites charge a removal fee. Florida does not have a law that forces private sites to remove mugshots for free.
Legal Action Against Mugshot Sites
Some lawyers in Florida sue mugshot sites for posting photos of people whose charges were dropped or sealed. These lawsuits focus on defamation or extortion. Results vary by case and judge.
How Often Broward County Updates Arrest Records
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office updates the arrest search tool several times each day. New bookings appear within hours of the arrest. Releases from the jail also appear in the system.
Booking Speed and Record Updates
Most arrest records appear in the search tool within 4 to 6 hours of booking. Some records may take longer if there is a delay in processing. The system pulls from the live jail database.
Release and Bond Records
When a person bonds out of the Broward County jail, the record updates to show the release. The mugshot and arrest data stay in the system even after release. The record stays searchable for years unless sealed or expunged.
Common Charges in Broward County Mugshot Records
Broward County processes a high volume of arrests each month. Some charges appear more often than others in the booking records.
Drug and Alcohol Charges
Drug possession charges appear often in Broward County mugshot records. DUI charges also appear often because the county has many busy roads and highways. Both charges typically allow bond after booking.
Theft and Property Crimes
Theft charges appear in many Broward County booking records. Shoplifting, burglary, and fraud cases all lead to mugshots. Bond amounts depend on the charge level and past record.
Violent Crime Charges
Assault, battery, and domestic violence charges also appear in Broward County records. These charges often have higher bond amounts. Some violent charges carry a no-bond status under Florida law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broward County Mugshots
This section covers the most common questions people ask about Broward County busted mugshots, arrest records, and the booking process. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and Broward County Sheriff’s Office rules.
Are Broward County mugshots free to view?
Yes. Broward County mugshots are free to view through the Sheriff’s Office arrest search tool at apps.sheriff.org/arrestsearch. You do not need to pay or sign up. Just enter a name and the search results show the booking photos and arrest details. The tool runs 24 hours a day and pulls data from the live county jail system. Third-party mugshot websites may charge fees, but the official county tool stays free.
How long do Broward County mugshots stay online?
Broward County mugshots stay online for years unless a court seals or expunges the record. The Sheriff’s Office arrest search tool keeps historical booking photos in its database. Florida law does not set a time limit for removing mugshots from public records. The only way to remove a mugshot from the official county tool is through a valid seal or expunge order from the court.
Can I remove my mugshot from third-party websites?
You can ask third-party websites to remove your mugshot. Most sites have a removal request page. Some sites remove photos for free. Other sites charge a fee. Florida law does not force private sites to remove mugshots. A court seal or expunge order does not apply to private sites. You may need a lawyer to force removal from sites that refuse free takedowns.
What is the difference between sealing and expungement?
Sealing hides a Broward County arrest record from public view but keeps the record in a secure state database for law enforcement use. Expungement destroys the arrest record so it no longer exists in state files. Both options require a court order and go through the FDLE seal and expunge process. Expungement is harder to get than sealing.
Do I need a lawyer to seal my Broward County mugshot?
You can file a seal or expunge application without a lawyer. The FDLE provides the forms and instructions on its website. The process takes about 12 weeks and costs $75. Many people hire a lawyer to help with the paperwork and court hearings. A lawyer can also check if your case qualifies before you pay the FDLE fee.
What information shows up in a Broward County arrest record?
A Broward County arrest record shows the booking photo, full name, date of birth, arrest date, charges, bond amount, and arresting agency. The record also shows the court case number. The record does not show court results, plea deals, or final sentences. For full case results, check the Broward County Clerk of Courts website.
Can employers see Broward County mugshots during background checks?
Yes. Employers can see Broward County mugshots through public arrest searches and FDLE background checks. Florida law does not protect arrest records from employer background checks unless the record is sealed or expunged. Sealed records do not show up on standard background checks. Expunged records are destroyed and do not show up at all.