Plantation City criminal records are court files, police reports, and booking data tied to criminal cases filed in Broward County, Florida. These records cover felony charges, misdemeanor offenses, arrests, and court outcomes for people arrested or charged in Plantation.
Because Plantation sits inside Broward County, all criminal court filings are processed at the Broward County Clerk of Courts, while local police reports come from the Plantation Police Department and the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Statewide checks run through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Anyone can search these records online or in person using the name of the person or the case number tied to the file.
Where Plantation City Criminal Records Are Kept
Criminal records for Plantation cases are stored at three main levels: county, city, and state. The county level holds court files. The city level holds police reports. The state level holds criminal history across Florida. Each office manages a different part of the same case file.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk of Courts is the main record holder for all criminal court cases in Plantation. The Clerk keeps felony files, misdemeanor files, traffic criminal cases, and bond records. The office stores charging documents, court orders, sentencing papers, and final judgments. You can search the Clerk’s online portal from any computer or phone. You can also visit the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale to search paper records in person.
Plantation Police Department Records
The Plantation Police Department keeps local police reports for crimes that happen inside Plantation city limits. This includes incident reports, arrest reports, traffic crash reports, and supplemental offense forms. Reports are filed by officers who respond to calls or make arrests. You can request copies from the Records Unit of the police department. Some reports are posted online, and others require a written request or an in-person visit.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Records
The Broward Sheriff’s Office, also called BSO, runs the county jail system and handles some law enforcement duties in unincorporated areas and contract cities. BSO holds booking data, mugshots, and jail population records for people arrested in Broward County. You can search current inmates on the BSO website. Past arrest records are available through the BSO Records Division during business hours.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, called FDLE, keeps statewide criminal history. This database includes arrests, convictions, and dispositions from every Florida county. FDLE records cover Plantation cases and all other Florida cases. A statewide search costs a set fee and requires the person’s name and date of birth. Results come back as a certified criminal history report.
How to Search Plantation City Criminal Records Online
Online search is the fastest way to find Plantation criminal court records. You can search by name, by case number, or by court date. The Broward County Clerk runs the main court search system. The FDLE runs the state search system. The Florida DOC runs the inmate search system. Each system works the same way: enter the data, read the results, and pay only if you need certified copies.
Using the Broward County Clerk Portal
The Broward County Clerk of Courts offers a free online case search on its website. You can access the system at any time of day. The portal covers all criminal cases filed in Broward County, including cases originating in Plantation. You do not need an account to run a basic search. You can view case status, charges, court dates, and final outcomes without paying a fee.
Searching by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can pull up the file directly. Case numbers follow a set format that includes the year, court type, and sequence number. The Clerk’s system shows every document filed under that number, from the original arrest warrant to the final judgment. This is the fastest and most accurate way to pull a single file.
Searching by Name
A name search works when you do not know the case number. Enter the full legal name of the person. Add a date of birth if you have it to narrow the results. The system returns all matching cases filed in Broward County. You can click each result to see the full case file. Common name searches may return several matches, so check each entry for the right date of birth and address.
FDLE Statewide Search
The FDLE offers a paid criminal history search that covers all Florida counties. The search costs $24 per name for an electronic record check. You must register for an account and submit payment. Results show all arrests, charges, and final dispositions tied to the person in Florida. This tool covers Plantation cases along with cases from every other Florida county.
Florida DOC Inmate Search
The Florida Department of Corrections runs a free inmate search for people held in state prisons. If a Plantation case led to a state prison sentence, the person will appear in this database. You can search by name or by Department of Corrections ID number. Results show current location, sentence length, and release date. The search does not cover county jail inmates held by BSO.
Types of Plantation City Criminal Records Available
Plantation criminal records fall into four main types based on the stage of the case. Each type holds different data, and each is held by a different office. Knowing the type you need helps you pick the right agency to contact.
Felony Court Records
Felony court records cover serious criminal charges like burglary, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, robbery, and murder. These cases are filed in the Broward County Circuit Court. Records include the arrest affidavit, formal charges, plea documents, trial transcripts, and final sentencing orders. Felony files take longer to close than misdemeanor cases, and they stay in the public system after the case ends unless sealed or expunged.
Misdemeanor Court Records
Misdemeanor court records cover less serious offenses like simple battery, petty theft, disorderly conduct, and minor drug possession. These cases are filed in the Broward County Court. Records include the criminal citation, charging form, plea, and sentence. Many misdemeanor cases end in a plea deal, so the file is usually short. You can search misdemeanor records through the same Clerk portal used for felonies.
Arrest and Police Records
Arrest records and police reports are created at the time of the arrest or incident. The Plantation Police Department writes the original report. BSO writes reports for arrests in areas they patrol. Reports include the time, location, names of officers, names of suspects, witness lists, and a short description of what happened. Some reports are public right away. Others are sealed while the case is under investigation.
Jail and Inmate Records
Jail records show who is currently in custody at a Broward County jail facility. BSO runs the county jails and posts current inmate data on its website. Records show the booking date, charges, bond amount, and court dates. Past jail records are kept by BSO and require a records request. State prison records are kept by the Florida DOC and show sentence data and release dates.
Fees and Copies of Plantation Criminal Court Records
Most Plantation criminal records are free to view online. You only pay when you need a printed copy or a certified copy. The fee depends on the type of record and the agency that holds it. Some offices charge by the page, and others charge a flat fee per document.
Regular Copies
Regular copies are unofficial prints of a court file or police report. The Clerk of Courts charges a small fee per page. The Plantation Police Department also charges per page for incident reports. Regular copies are fine for personal use but cannot be used in court as evidence. You can request regular copies online, by mail, or in person at the office.
Certified Copies
Certified copies carry an official court seal and a signature from the Clerk. These copies are required for legal filings, background checks, immigration cases, and name change petitions. The Clerk charges a higher fee per page for certified documents. You can order certified copies in person or by mail. The Clerk’s office can also process online orders with a credit card payment.
Free Online Records
Basic case data is free on the Broward Clerk portal. You can view case numbers, charges, court dates, and final outcomes without paying anything. The BSO inmate search is also free. The Florida DOC inmate search is free. You only pay when you need a printed or certified document.
Payment Methods
The Clerk of Courts accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. Online orders require a credit card. The Plantation Police Department accepts cash and check for in-person requests. FDLE accepts credit cards for online criminal history requests. Always confirm accepted payment types before visiting any office.
Sealing and Expunging Plantation Criminal Records
Florida law allows certain criminal records to be sealed or expunged. A sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists in the system. An expunged record is destroyed by court order. Both options help people clear their public record for jobs, housing, or licensing. The process starts with FDLE and ends with a court order from Broward County.
Eligibility for Sealing
You can ask to seal a Plantation criminal record if you were not convicted, the case was dismissed, you received a full pardon, or you completed a pretrial diversion program. You cannot seal a record if you were convicted of the charge, have a prior conviction on your record, or already had a record sealed or expunged in the past. Each case must be reviewed for eligibility before you can file a petition.
The Expungement Process
Expungement is stronger than sealing because it orders all agencies to destroy their copies of the record. Florida law allows only one expungement in a lifetime. You must first apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. The application requires fingerprints, a sworn statement, and proof that you qualify. FDLE reviews the request and issues the certificate if you meet the legal standards.
Filing the Petition in Broward County
After FDLE issues the Certificate of Eligibility, you file a petition in the Broward County court where the Plantation case was handled. The petition asks the judge to seal or expunge the record. A copy must be served to the State Attorney’s Office. The judge reviews the file and signs a final order. The order is then sent to every agency that holds the record so they can seal or destroy it.
Contact Information for Plantation Criminal Records
Use the contact details below to reach the main offices that hold Plantation criminal records. Call ahead to confirm hours and fees before visiting in person.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Phone: 954-831-6565
Website: www.browardclerk.org
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Plantation Police Department
Phone: 954-797-2100
Website: www.plantation.org/police
Address: 451 NW 70th Terrace, Plantation, FL 33317
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Records
Phone: 954-831-8900
Website: www.sheriff.org
Address: 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Phone: 850-410-8100
Website: www.fdle.state.fl.us
Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common requests people make about Plantation City criminal records. Each answer gives clear steps, fees, and the right office to contact. The information below is current as of 2026 and reflects Florida public records law.
How do I find out if someone has a criminal record in Plantation City?
Search the Broward County Clerk of Courts online portal using the person’s full name and date of birth. The portal returns all criminal cases filed in Broward County, including Plantation cases. You can view case status, charges, and outcomes for free. For a statewide check that includes every Florida county, use the FDLE criminal history search, which costs $24 per name.
Are Plantation criminal records public?
Yes, most Plantation criminal records are public under Florida law. Court files, police reports, booking data, and final judgments are all open to the public. Sealed and expunged records are removed from public view. Juvenile records are not public. Active investigation files may also be exempt until the case closes.
Can I see mugshots from a Plantation arrest?
Yes, you can view mugshots for current BSO inmates on the BSO website. Past mugshots are held by BSO and can be requested through the Records Division. Some third-party websites post mugshots, but the official source is BSO. Be aware that some mugshot sites charge fees and may not be current.
How long does it take to seal a Plantation criminal record?
The full process takes four to six months from start to finish. FDLE usually issues the Certificate of Eligibility within three months. The court petition in Broward County adds another one to two months. The total time depends on the court calendar and how quickly the State Attorney responds to the petition.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Plantation?
Felony charges are more serious and can lead to state prison time. They include offenses like robbery, aggravated assault, and drug trafficking. Misdemeanor charges are less serious and usually lead to county jail time, probation, or fines. Examples include simple battery, petty theft, and disorderly conduct. Both types are filed in Broward County court and show up in a public search.
Can I get a criminal record removed from the internet?
You cannot remove a public record from the internet unless the record is sealed or expunged by court order. If your Plantation case qualifies, you can file for sealing or expungement through FDLE and Broward County court. Once the order is issued, you can ask websites to remove the record. Most legitimate sites comply when you send a copy of the order.
Do I need a lawyer to search Plantation criminal records?
No, you do not need a lawyer to run a public records search. Anyone can use the Broward Clerk portal, the BSO inmate search, and the FDLE database. You only need a lawyer if you plan to challenge, seal, or expunge a record, or if you need a certified copy for a legal filing. A lawyer can also help you read complex case files that involve multiple charges or appeals.