Hialeah City Felony Records are official court and law enforcement files that document felony charges filed against individuals in Hialeah, Florida. These records live in three main places: the Hialeah Police Department, the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Each office stores a different piece of the case, and together they form the full picture of any felony matter handled inside the city limits of Hialeah.
What Hialeah City Felony Records Contain
A felony record in Hialeah is more than a single document. It is a series of files created at each step of the criminal justice process. Understanding what shows up in these files helps anyone searching for specific facts or running a background check.
Types of Documents in a Felony Case File
Felony case files include police reports, arrest affidavits, charging documents from the State Attorney, court dockets, motions, hearing transcripts, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders. Each document carries a date, a case number, and the names of the people involved. The Hialeah Police Department writes the first report. The Miami-Dade County Clerk stores the court paperwork. The State Attorney’s Office for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit files the formal charges.
Felonies vs. Misdemeanors in Hialeah
Florida law divides crimes into two main groups: misdemeanors and felonies. A felony is a charge that can result in more than one year in state prison. Examples include burglary, drug trafficking, aggravated assault, robbery, and certain DUI offenses. Misdemeanors carry less than a year in county jail. Hialeah felony records only cover the felony side. Misdemeanor records go through the same clerk system but stay in a different case category.
What the Records Do Not Show
Hialeah felony records do not include sealed cases, expunged cases, juvenile records, or records from federal court. Federal felony cases in Hialeah are handled in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, not the Miami-Dade Clerk. Sealed and expunged records are removed from public view by court order and will not appear in any standard search.
Where to Search Hialeah City Felony Records
Three agencies maintain the bulk of felony records tied to Hialeah. Each one offers a different level of detail, and each one has its own search method, fees, and hours. A complete search usually means checking all three.
Hialeah Police Department Records
The Hialeah Police Department creates the first record in any felony case. Officers file an incident report every time they make an arrest or respond to a serious crime. These reports include the date, time, location, names of the people involved, and a summary of what happened. The Records Division holds these reports and releases them under Florida’s public records law. To request a report, contact the department at (305) 687-2525 or visit the station at 5951 NW 11th Court, Hialeah, FL 33012. Most basic reports are free, but certified copies can cost between $1 and $5 per page depending on the length of the document.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Records
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court runs the official online portal where anyone can search for felony cases. This portal covers every felony case filed in Hialeah, since all Hialeah felony cases go through the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County. The online system lets users search by name, case number, or date. Basic searches are free. Certified copies of court documents cost $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee. The clerk’s main office sits at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130, and branch locations are spread across the county, including one in Hialeah Gardens at 1100 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33126.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal History Search
For a statewide check, the FDLE offers an online criminal history search. This system pulls data from every county in Florida, including Miami-Dade. The cost is $24 per search, plus a $1 processing fee, paid by credit or debit card. The results appear on screen within minutes. The FDLE database covers arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences. It is the broadest felony record search available to the public and is often used for employment background checks, gun purchases, and adoption screenings.
How to Run a Hialeah Felony Case Search Step by Step
Running a felony case search in Hialeah takes a few clear steps. Following this order saves time and produces the most complete results.
Step One: Gather the Search Details
Before starting, collect the full legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers. A date of birth is the best way to avoid mix-ups between people who share the same name. Case numbers, if available, give the fastest results. Without these details, searches take longer and may return extra names.
Step Two: Search the Miami-Dade Clerk Online Portal
Go to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court website and open the criminal records search tool. Enter the name or case number. Filter by case type and select “Felony.” Set a date range if the year is known. The system lists matching cases, along with the charges, judge, and current status. Click on a case number to see the full docket.
Step Three: Run an FDLE Statewide Check
If the Miami-Dade search does not return the expected results, run an FDLE search. This pulls in data from any other Florida county where the person may have been charged. The FDLE portal accepts name, date of birth, and gender. The full report is available as a PDF for printing or saving.
Step Four: Request Police Reports if Needed
For very recent cases that may not yet appear in the court system, contact the Hialeah Police Department directly. The Records Division handles requests Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A photo ID is required for in-person requests. Online requests can be made through the department’s public records request form.
Florida Public Records Law and Hialeah Felony Records
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Known as the Sunshine Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public the right to access most government records, including felony case files.
What the Sunshine Law Covers
The law covers arrest reports, charging documents, court dockets, plea agreements, verdicts, and sentencing orders. It also covers police body camera footage in many cases, though some footage is exempt during active investigations. Anyone can request these records without showing a reason.
What the Sunshine Law Exempts
Some records are exempt. These include active criminal intelligence files, informant identities, victim information in certain sex crime cases, juvenile records, and any record sealed or expunged by court order. Personal contact information for crime witnesses is also redacted in most cases.
Penalties for Wrongly Denying a Records Request
Florida law imposes penalties on agencies that wrongly deny a public records request. Attorneys’ fees and court costs can be awarded against the agency. This rule keeps Hialeah police, the Miami-Dade Clerk, and other agencies from blocking legitimate requests without cause.
Sealed and Expunged Felony Records in Hialeah
Not every felony record stays public. Florida law allows certain records to be sealed or expunged under specific conditions. Knowing the difference helps avoid confusion during a search.
Sealed Felony Records
A sealed record remains in the court system but is hidden from public view. Only the person named in the record, their attorney, and certain government agencies can see a sealed file. Sealing usually requires a court order, and the person must meet eligibility rules set by Florida law. Sealed Hialeah felony cases will not show up in a standard Miami-Dade Clerk search or an FDLE search.
Expunged Felony Records
Expungement goes further. The physical and electronic records are destroyed. The person can legally say they were never charged with that crime in most situations. Expunged records do not appear in any public search, including FDLE. To check whether a record is expunged, the requester must contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement directly with proper identification.
Eligibility for Sealing or Expungement in Florida
Florida allows sealing or expungement for many misdemeanor and some felony cases after the case is closed. Felonies that qualify are usually third-degree felonies where the person has not been adjudicated guilty, or cases that were dropped or dismissed. First- and second-degree felonies, violent felonies, and sex offenses usually cannot be sealed or expunged. Each person is limited to one sealing or expungement in a lifetime.
Fees, Forms, and Identification Requirements
Most Hialeah felony record searches are free at the basic level, but certified copies and statewide checks carry fees. Knowing the costs ahead of time prevents delays.
Fee Schedule for Common Records
The table below shows the typical fees charged by each agency for Hialeah felony records.
| Record Type | Source | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Basic docket search | Miami-Dade Clerk online portal | Free |
| Certified court document copy | Miami-Dade Clerk office | $1 per page + $2 certification fee |
| FDLE statewide criminal history | FDLE online portal | $24 + $1 processing fee |
| Hialeah Police incident report | Hialeah PD Records Division | Free to $5 per page |
| Certified arrest report | Hialeah PD Records Division | $5 per document |
Identification Required for In-Person Requests
In-person requests at the Hialeah Police Department or the Miami-Dade Clerk require a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a Florida driver’s license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID. Requests for another person’s record may require a signed release form or proof of a legal need, such as a court order.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Miami-Dade Clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. The Hialeah Police Department accepts cash and money orders for most in-person requests. Online FDLE payments are made by credit or debit card only.
Office Locations, Hours, and Contact Details
Each agency has specific hours, phone numbers, and addresses. Using the correct contact saves time when filing a request or following up on a pending file.
Hialeah Police Department
Phone: (305) 687-2525. Address: 5951 NW 11th Court, Hialeah, FL 33012. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Records Division handles walk-in requests during these hours. After-hours arrest information is available through the Hialeah Police non-emergency line at the same number.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
Phone: (305) 275-1155. Main Office: 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. North Dade Justice Center: 15555 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami Beach, FL 33160. Hialeah Gardens Branch: 1100 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33126. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The online portal is available 24 hours a day.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Phone: (850) 410-7000. Mailing Address: PO Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302. Public Records Unit Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The online criminal history search portal runs 24 hours a day at https://web.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/default.
What to Do If You Cannot Find a Hialeah Felony Record
Sometimes a search returns no results, even when a person believes a case exists. A few common reasons explain this, and each one has a simple fix.
Case Filed Under a Different Name
Cases are filed under the name used at the time of arrest. Aliases, married names, and name changes can cause records to appear under a different spelling. Try searching with multiple name variations, including middle names and known aliases. Adding a date of birth or Social Security number narrows the results further.
Case Still in Process
Newer arrests may take days or weeks to reach the court system. If the arrest was very recent, the police report exists, but no court docket may show up yet. Wait at least two weeks and search again. For active cases, the clerk’s docket will show a status of “Open” or “Pending.”
Record Sealed or Expunged
Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public searches. If the requester has a legal right to know whether a record exists, they can file a petition with the court that handled the case. A judge will decide whether the requester can see the file.
Federal or Out-of-State Charges
Federal felony charges and charges from other states will not appear in a Hialeah or FDLE search. For federal records, contact the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. For other states, run a criminal history check through that state’s repository or use a private background check service that pulls from all U.S. jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hialeah City Felony Records
These answers cover the most common questions people have when searching for Hialeah felony records. Each answer reflects current Florida law and Miami-Dade County procedures as of 2026.
Are Hialeah felony records public?
Yes. Most Hialeah felony records are public under Florida’s Sunshine Law. Police reports, court dockets, charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing orders are open to anyone. Sealed and expunged records are not public. Juvenile felony records and certain sensitive case files are also restricted by law.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Hialeah felony record?
Certified copies from the Miami-Dade Clerk take one to three business days for in-person requests. Mail requests can take seven to ten business days. The Hialeah Police Department issues certified copies of police reports within three to five business days. The FDLE online criminal history report is available immediately after payment.
Can I search Hialeah felony records for free?
Yes. The Miami-Dade Clerk online portal allows free searches by name and case number. The Hialeah Police Department provides free access to view incident reports at the station. The FDLE charges a fee because it pulls data from every Florida county and runs a full background check.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a conviction record?
An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody by police. A conviction record shows that a court found the person guilty or that they entered a guilty plea. Many people arrested in Hialeah are never convicted. The FDLE report shows both arrests and dispositions, making it easy to see the final outcome of every charge.
Can a Hialeah felony record be removed?
Yes, in some cases. Florida law allows sealing or expungement for certain felony cases. The person must file a petition with the court where the case was handled. Once granted, the record is hidden or destroyed. Not all felonies qualify. Violent crimes, sex offenses, and most first- and second-degree felonies cannot be sealed or expunged under current law.
How far back do Hialeah felony records go?
The Miami-Dade Clerk has digital records going back to the 1980s for most case types, with older paper records stored in archives. The FDLE database covers all Florida arrests from 1975 forward. The Hialeah Police Department keeps incident reports for at least seven years for misdemeanors and indefinitely for felonies.
Can employers use Hialeah felony records for background checks?
Yes. Florida law allows employers to check felony records as part of a background check, with written consent from the applicant. Certain industries, such as education, healthcare, and finance, require background checks by law. Employers must follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act when using third-party screening services.