Coral Springs City Felony Records are court files that document serious criminal cases filed against people within city limits. These records are kept by the Broward County Clerk of Court because Coral Springs sits inside Broward County, Florida.
Any felony charge that starts in Coral Springs, from drug trafficking to armed robbery, goes through the 17th Judicial Circuit Court system. The records show the charges, court dates, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. Florida’s Sunshine Law makes most of these files open for the public to view. You can search them online, request copies by mail, or visit the clerk’s office in person. This page explains each step in clear, simple terms so you can get the records you need.
What Are Coral Springs City Felony Records
Coral Springs City Felony Records hold the full history of felony cases that began inside the city. A felony is a crime that can carry a sentence of more than one year in state prison. Felony records include the arrest, the formal charges, the court hearings, and the final outcome. They also list the arresting agency, the state attorney who filed the case, and the judge who oversaw the trial. The records stay on file even after a sentence is served, unless a court orders the record sealed or expunged. Most records remain open to the public under Florida law. Journalists, employers, landlords, and private citizens use these records for background checks, news stories, and personal research.
Types of Felony Charges Filed in Coral Springs
Common felony charges in Coral Springs include burglary, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, fraud, and grand theft. The State Attorney’s Office for the 17th Judicial Circuit decides which charges move forward. Each charge is listed by its Florida statute number on the court record. For example, a charge of selling cocaine may appear under Florida Statute 893.135. The statute number helps you tell similar charges apart. A third-degree felony carries up to five years in prison. A first-degree felony can carry up to thirty years or even life.
How Felony Records Differ From Misdemeanor Records
Felony records cover crimes that can lead to state prison time. Misdemeanor records cover smaller crimes that only lead to county jail time and small fines. The court system treats them very differently. Felony cases go to the circuit court, while misdemeanor cases usually go to county court. The clerk’s office stores both types of records, but they live in separate databases. Search filters on the clerk’s website let you pick felony or misdemeanor so you see only the right results.
Who Can Access These Records Under Florida Law
Florida law says most court records are public. Any person can view a felony case file unless a judge has ordered it sealed. You do not need to live in Coral Springs or even in Florida to request records. You also do not need to give a reason for your request. The clerk’s office will not ask why you want the records. The only people who cannot see a sealed record are the person named in the case, their attorney, and a small list of government agencies. Sealed records are removed from the public search results on the clerk’s website.
The Role of the Broward County Clerk of Court
The Broward County Clerk of Court stores every felony case file from Coral Springs. The clerk acts as the official record keeper for the 17th Judicial Circuit. This office handles filings, keeps docket entries, and issues certified copies of court orders. The clerk also runs the online search portal that lets you pull up case data from any computer with internet access. The office has been keeping paper records since the early 1900s and digital records since the 1990s. Older paper files get scanned into the system so you can see them online or order paper copies.
Location and Contact Details for the Clerk’s Office
The main Broward County Clerk’s office sits at 201 Southeast Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. You can reach the clerk by phone at 954-831-6565. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and on state holidays. You can park in the public garage next to the courthouse for a small fee. Bring a photo ID so you can pass the security check at the front door.
Online Search Tools Provided by the Clerk
The clerk runs a free public search tool on its website at www.browardclerk.org. The site lets you search for felony cases by name, case number, citation number, or date range. You can also search for traffic, civil, and family cases on the same site. Each search result shows the case number, the parties, the charges, and the court calendar. The site also lets you view and print most court documents for free. Documents that are not on the site can be ordered online for a small fee.
In-Person Access to Case Files
You can visit the clerk’s office in Fort Lauderdale to view a felony case file in person. Public computers on the first floor let you search the same system used online. The staff can help you find a case and pull paper files from storage. Some older paper files are kept off-site and can take one to two business days to retrieve. You can view the file at a public table and take notes. You can also pay for copies of documents. Staff will not give legal advice, but they can help you locate a file.
Fees and Processing Times for Record Requests
The clerk charges $1.00 per page for regular copies of court documents. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Online requests through the clerk’s website cost a small service fee on top of the copy fee. Most requests get processed the same day if filed before 2:00 p.m. Requests for older paper files may take up to five business days. The clerk will email or mail the copies based on your choice at checkout.
How to Search Coral Springs Felony Records Online
You can search Coral Springs felony records from home using the Broward Clerk’s online portal. The portal is free to use and runs twenty-four hours a day. You do not need to create an account to do a basic search. For more features, like saved searches and email alerts, you can sign up for a free user account. The search works on phones, tablets, and computers. You can use the portal to check the status of a case, see upcoming court dates, and look at filed documents.
Using the Broward Clerk Online Portal
Start your search at www.browardclerk.org and click on the “Case Search” link. Choose “Criminal” from the dropdown menu to narrow the search to felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. You can then enter the name, case number, or date range. The results will list every case that matches your search. Click on a case number to see the full docket sheet, which lists every event in the case from filing to final judgment.
Searching by Name
A name search needs the full legal name of the person you are looking for. The site lets you enter a last name, first name, and middle name to narrow the results. You can also leave the middle name blank if you do not know it. The system will show all cases where the name matches. If the name is common, you may see many results. Look at the date of birth and the case number to find the right person. Each result lists the charge, the court date, and the case status.
Searching by Case Number
A case number search is the fastest way to pull up one specific file. The case number format for Broward felony cases is a two-digit year, the letters “CF” for criminal felony, and a six-digit sequence. For example, case number 24-CF-012345 refers to a 2024 felony case. Enter the full case number with dashes in the search bar. The portal will pull up the docket sheet right away. This search works even if the name is misspelled in the system.
Searching by Date Range
You can use a date range search to see all felony cases filed in Coral Springs during a set time. Choose a start date and an end date in the search form. You can also pick a specific court division, like the criminal felony division. The portal will list every case filed in that window. This search is useful for journalists, researchers, and lawyers who track case trends in a neighborhood or time period.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history search at web.fdle.state.fl.us/search. This site checks all sixty-seven Florida counties at once, including Broward. The search costs $24.00 per name and needs a credit card. You will need the full name and date of birth of the person. The results list every arrest, charge, and conviction linked to that name. This is the same report employers and licensing boards often use for background checks.
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court System
Coral Springs felony cases are heard in the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers Broward County. The circuit court is the trial court for all felony cases in the county. The main courthouse sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Some felony hearings also take place at the West Satellite Courthouse in Plantation and the North Satellite Courthouse in Deerfield Beach. The chief judge assigns cases to specific courtrooms based on the type of charge and the attorney’s caseload. You can see which judge is handling a case by looking at the docket sheet on the clerk’s site.
How Cases Move Through the Circuit Court
A felony case starts when the Coral Springs Police Department makes an arrest or files a complaint. The case then goes to the State Attorney’s Office, which has forty days to file formal charges. After charges are filed, the clerk assigns a case number. The defendant appears before a judge for an arraignment, where they enter a plea. If the plea is not guilty, the case moves to pre-trial hearings, then to trial. A jury trial can last a few days or several weeks. After the trial, the judge hands down a sentence. The whole process can take six months to two years from arrest to final sentence.
Where Felony Trials Take Place in Broward County
Most felony jury trials for Coral Springs cases take place at the main Broward County Courthouse at 201 Southeast Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale. Some pretrial hearings and bond hearings take place at the North Regional Courthouse at 1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach. The West Regional Courthouse at 100 North Pine Island Road in Plantation also hears felony cases. Each courthouse has public seating for trials. You can watch a trial in person, but you cannot record the proceedings without the judge’s permission.
Court Schedules and Public Hearings
Court schedules get posted on the clerk’s website each afternoon for the next business day. You can look up a case and see the exact time and courtroom for each hearing. Some hearings, like bond hearings and arraignments, happen on a set schedule. Trial dates get set by the judge and can change. It is a good idea to check the schedule the morning of the hearing, since cases often get moved. The clerk’s office also runs a public information desk that can answer basic schedule questions by phone.
Records From the Coral Springs Police Department
The Coral Springs Police Department creates the original arrest reports and offense reports that start every felony case. The police department sits at 2801 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33065. You can reach the records unit by phone at 954-344-1800. The records unit is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The police department keeps arrest records for felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as accident reports and incident reports. Reports from active investigations are not public until the case moves past the filing stage.
Requesting Police Reports
You can request a police report online through the Coral Springs Police Department website at www.coralsprings.gov/police. The request form asks for the report number, the date of the incident, and the names of the people involved. Most reports cost $0.15 per page. You can pay by credit card online or by cash at the records window. Reports get emailed or picked up at the front desk within five business days. Some reports take longer if the case is still under review.
Arrest Records and Booking Information
Arrest records show the date, time, and place of an arrest, the name of the person arrested, and the charges at the time of arrest. Booking records list the person’s height, weight, and date of birth, along with a booking photo. The Coral Springs Police Department posts recent arrest logs on its website each weekday. The arrest log shows arrests made in the past twenty-four hours. The booking photo is a public record unless the person was a juvenile or the case was sealed.
Limits on What Police Can Release
Florida law blocks the release of certain police records. Records from active criminal investigations stay private until the case is closed. Juvenile records are not open to the public. Records that could reveal the identity of a confidential informant or a victim of a sex crime stay sealed. Personal data like Social Security numbers and home addresses get redacted before the records are released. The police department will not release records that could harm an ongoing case or put someone in danger.
Sealed and Expunged Felony Records
A sealed felony record is hidden from public view. An expunged felony record is physically destroyed by court order. Both actions remove a case from the public search on the clerk’s website. Only a judge can seal or expunge a felony record. The person named in the case must file a petition with the court and pay a small fee. The State Attorney’s Office can object to the petition. The judge holds a short hearing and makes a final ruling. Once a record is sealed or expunged, it does not show up on a standard background check.
Florida Laws on Record Sealing
Florida Statute 943.059 sets the rules for expunging a felony record. Florida Statute 943.0585 sets the rules for sealing a felony record. A person can apply for a sealing or expungement if they were not convicted, if the charges were dropped, or if they completed a diversion program. People convicted of certain serious felonies, like murder or sex crimes, cannot seal or expunge their records. A person can only seal or expunge one felony case in a lifetime under Florida law.
Who Qualifies for Expungement
To qualify for an expungement, the person must have never been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors. The person must have never sealed or expunged another record. The person must complete any sentence, probation, or pretrial diversion program. The court also looks at the time since the case ended. Most people have to wait a set number of years after the case closes before they can file the petition. The clerk’s office can help you check the waiting period for your case.
How Sealed Records Affect Background Checks
A sealed record will not show up on a private background check run by an employer or landlord. It also will not show up on a Florida Department of Law Enforcement check. The record still exists in the court system, but only a judge, the person’s attorney, and a small list of government agencies can see it. Certain jobs, like law enforcement and child care, can still see sealed records through a special FBI check. An expunged record is destroyed and only a few agencies can ever see it again.
Fees, Copies, and Certified Documents
The cost of getting a felony record depends on the agency and the type of copy. Standard copies are cheaper than certified copies. A certified copy has a raised court seal and is the kind you need for legal filings. Online searches are free, but they only show basic case data. You need to pay for copies of the full case file. Below is a quick look at the most common fees for Coral Springs felony records.
| Service | Provider | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online case search | Broward Clerk of Court | Free | Instant |
| Standard copy of court document | Broward Clerk of Court | $1.00 per page | Same day |
| Certified copy of court document | Broward Clerk of Court | $2.00 per page + $2.00 fee | 1 to 3 business days |
| Police report copy | Coral Springs Police | $0.15 per page | Up to 5 business days |
| Statewide criminal history search | FDLE | $24.00 per name | Instant online, 5 to 7 days by mail |
| Sealing or expungement petition filing | Broward Clerk of Court | $42.00 filing fee | Varies by court |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Searching
Many people make simple errors when they search for felony records. A small mistake in the name or case number can lead to a wrong result. The most common error is searching by a nickname instead of a legal name. The clerk’s system only matches against the legal name listed on the arrest report. Another common error is looking at an old case number. The clerk recycles case numbers each year, so you need the year along with the number. A third error is paying for a statewide search when a local search would work. Pick the right search for your needs and you will save time and money.
Errors in Spelling and Date of Birth
A single letter off in the name can hide a case from the search results. If you do not know the exact spelling, try a wildcard search if the site allows it. The date of birth filter also helps you cut down on results when the name is common. A wrong date of birth will not pull up the right case. Always double-check the date of birth before you submit the search.
Using Old Case Numbers
Case numbers in Broward County use the year the case was filed, not the year of the arrest. A case that started with an arrest in 2023 but was filed in 2024 will have a 2024 case number. The clerk assigns the number when the State Attorney files formal charges. You can find the filing year on the docket sheet.
Confusing Felony With Misdemeanor Searches
The clerk’s search portal lists both felony and misdemeanor cases under the “Criminal” tab. You need to read the charges to tell them apart. Felony charges carry a label like “F1” or “F3” that shows the felony degree. Misdemeanor charges carry a label like “M1” or “M2.” A case can also be reclassified by the court, so the charge on the search result may differ from the original arrest charge.
Official Contact Details
Use the contact details below to reach the right office for Coral Springs felony records. Call during business hours for the fastest service. The clerk’s office handles all court documents. The police department handles arrest reports and incident reports. The FDLE handles statewide criminal history checks. You can visit the clerk’s office in person at the address listed below.
Broward County Clerk of Court
Address: 201 Southeast Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Phone: 954-831-6565
Website: www.browardclerk.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Coral Springs Police Department
Address: 2801 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33065
Phone: 954-344-1800
Website: www.coralsprings.gov/police
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Website: web.fdle.state.fl.us/search
Phone: 850-410-7000
Hours: Online search available 24 hours a day
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common things people ask about Coral Springs felony records. Each answer is based on Florida law and current clerk and police department rules. The answers explain the search process, the cost, the time it takes, and the limits on what you can see. They also cover what to do if a record is wrong or sealed. Read through these questions to get a full picture of how the system works in 2026.
How long does it take to get a felony record in Coral Springs?
An online search on the clerk’s website takes only a few seconds. A request for copies of a full case file takes one to three business days if you ask the clerk in person. A request by mail can take five to seven business days. A statewide criminal history check from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement takes instant for online results or five to seven days for mail-in requests. The police report request takes up to five business days. Older paper files that are stored off-site may take up to two business days to pull from storage before the clerk can copy them for you.
Can I view felony records for free in Coral Springs?
Yes. You can view basic case data for free on the Broward Clerk’s online portal. The portal lists the charges, court dates, and case status at no cost. You can also visit the clerk’s office in person and use the public computers for free. You can sit in on a public court hearing at no cost. The free access stops when you want a copy of a court document. Copies of documents cost $1.00 per page for regular copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies. Police reports cost $0.15 per page. A statewide criminal history check from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement costs $24.00 per name.
What is the difference between a sealed and an expunged felony record?
A sealed record still exists in the court system but is hidden from the public. Only a judge, the person named in the case, their attorney, and a small list of government agencies can see a sealed record. An expunged record is physically destroyed by court order. The clerk removes all paper and digital copies of an expunged record. A few agencies, like the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, can still see a sealed record for certain jobs. Almost no one can see an expunged record, even the courts, except in rare legal cases. A person can apply for one sealing or expungement in a lifetime under Florida law.
Are juvenile felony records open to the public in Florida?
No. Florida law keeps most juvenile records private. Juvenile felony cases go through a separate court process and the files are not posted on the clerk’s public portal. A juvenile record can be sealed or expunged once the person turns 18 and meets the other legal rules. The only people who can see a juvenile record are the judge, the parents or guardians, the defense attorney, and the State Attorney. Some juvenile records can be inspected by schools and law enforcement agencies for safety reasons. A juvenile who is charged as an adult, often for a serious felony like murder, will have a public record on the clerk’s portal.
Can I get a felony record removed from the public search if I was found not guilty?
Yes, in many cases. A person who was found not guilty, whose charges were dropped, or who completed a pretrial diversion program can file a petition to seal or expunge the record. The petition goes to the court in the county where the case was filed. The State Attorney’s Office can object. The judge holds a short hearing and grants or denies the petition. The clerk charges a $42.00 filing fee for the petition. The person cannot have any other sealed or expunged record in Florida. The person also must not have been convicted of certain other crimes. The clerk’s office can help you check the rules for your case.
Do employers in Coral Springs check felony records from other counties?
Yes, most employers run a statewide or nationwide background check, not just a local one. A statewide check uses the Florida Department of Law Enforcement search and covers all sixty-seven Florida counties. A nationwide check uses a private screening company and may pull data from other states. Many employers also run a federal check through the FBI. A felony from another state will show up on a nationwide check but may not show up on a basic search of the Broward Clerk’s portal. The Florida statewide check costs $24.00 per name through the FDLE site. A private nationwide check usually costs between $25.00 and $100.00 per name.
What should I do if a felony record on the clerk’s site has wrong data?
If you see a wrong name, wrong charge, or wrong date on the clerk’s site, you can file a request to correct the record. Start by contacting the clerk’s office by phone or in person and explain the error. The clerk will tell you which form to fill out. For a name error, you may need to show a photo ID and a court order. For a charge error, the State Attorney’s Office must file a motion to correct the record. The judge must sign the motion before the clerk can update the file. The whole correction process can take two to six weeks. You should also check the FDLE records and the police report for the same errors and ask those agencies to fix their files too.