Plantation City inmate records are public files kept by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. They show who is currently in jail after an arrest in Plantation, Florida.
Anyone can look up these records online for free. This page explains how to search, what you will see, and where to get more help.
What Plantation City Inmate Records Show
Plantation City inmate records are official documents about people held in the county jail. Plantation police make arrests inside the city, but all arrestees go to Broward County jail facilities. There is no separate city jail in Plantation. The Broward Sheriff’s Office runs the entire jail system for the county.
Where Plantation Inmates Are Held
Every person arrested in Plantation goes to a Broward County detention center. The main facility is the Joseph V. Conte Jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Other detention centers in the county also house local arrestees. The sheriff’s office decides which facility holds each person based on charges, security level, and space.
Why Records Are Public
Florida law makes jail records open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives people the right to see government records. Family, lawyers, employers, and the general public can all view the same inmate data. No special reason or permission is needed to perform a search.
Types of Data Available
The public inmate database shows basic custody details. Each record lists the full name, booking number, and date of birth. You can also see the arrest date, charges, bond amount, and current housing location. Court dates and release times show up when a judge sets them.
How to Search for an Inmate in Plantation
Searching for someone in jail in Plantation takes only a few minutes. The Broward Sheriff’s Office runs a free online tool that updates every day. You can search from a phone or computer at any time of day or night.
Using the Online Search Tool
The official inmate search lives on the Broward Sheriff’s Office website. You do not need to make an account or pay any fee. Type in the person’s name or booking number, and the tool pulls up matching records. The results show who is in custody right now at county facilities.
Searching by Full Name
Name searches work best when you know the person’s full legal name. Type the last name first, then the first name. The tool shows all inmates with matching names. If you see more than one result, check the date of birth, age, or charges to pick the right person.
Searching by Booking Number
A booking number is a unique ID created when someone enters jail. If you have the booking number from a prior arrest or court paper, type it in for the fastest result. The search will pull up only that one record with no other matches to sort through.
Calling the Sheriff’s Office
You can also call the Broward Sheriff’s Office for help. The main phone number is 954-831-8600. Staff can answer questions about a person in custody, visitation rules, and mail. Call during business hours for the best results. After hours, the line may go to a recorded message.
Reading an Inmate Record
Once you pull up a Plantation inmate record, you will see several pieces of data. Each field gives you a fact about the person in jail. Learning what each field means helps you use the records the right way.
Booking Number and Date
The booking number is a code the sheriff’s office gives each new arrestee. It starts with the year and a sequence number. The booking date shows when the person entered the jail. This date is the official start of their time in custody, not the date of the original arrest in Plantation.
Charges Listed in the Record
Charges show the alleged crimes listed at the time of arrest. These are accusations, not convictions. The person has the right to challenge each charge in court. Most inmates have not had a trial yet, so the charges only show what police say happened.
Bond and Release Details
The bond field shows the dollar amount a judge set for release. Some inmates have no bond, which means they must stay in jail until their court date. Others can post bail and go home while their case moves through court. Release dates show up for people serving short county sentences.
Current Facility Location
The record lists which Broward County facility holds the inmate. People may move between facilities during their stay. The location field updates when a transfer happens. This field matters most for people who plan to visit or send mail.
Broward County Jail Facilities
Broward County runs several detention centers. Each one serves a different purpose in the county jail system. Plantation arrestees may end up at any of these places based on factors like charge type and security level.
Joseph V. Conte Facility
The Conte Facility is the main jail in Broward County. It sits at 555 SE 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Most people arrested in Plantation start their time in custody here. The facility handles intake, processing, and housing for thousands of inmates each year.
North Broward Bureau
The North Broward Bureau serves cities in the northern part of the county. It handles both arrest processing and inmate housing. People arrested in northern Broward cities may stay at this facility instead of the main Conte jail.
Other County Detention Centers
Broward also operates smaller facilities for specific inmate groups. These may hold people with medical needs, mental health needs, or special security risks. The sheriff’s office moves inmates between facilities as needs change during their custody time.
County Jail vs State Prison
Not everyone in Florida custody sits in a county jail. The state runs a separate system for people convicted of serious crimes. Learning the difference helps you search the right database for the person you want to find.
Who Goes to County Jail
County jails hold people arrested in Broward County who are still waiting for trial. They also hold people serving sentences of one year or less. Most people arrested in Plantation stay in the county system until their case ends or they post bond.
Who Goes to State Prison
State prisons hold people convicted of felonies with sentences longer than one year. After a Plantation arrestee gets convicted and sentenced to a long term, the state takes custody. Their records then move to the Florida Department of Corrections database.
Searching the State Database
If you cannot find someone in the county jail, check the state prison search. The Florida Department of Corrections runs an inmate lookup at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. You can search by name or DC number. People who transferred from Broward County will show up in the state system after the move.
Visitation, Mail, and Phone Calls
Family and friends often need to reach inmates at Broward County facilities. The sheriff’s office sets rules for visits, letters, and calls. Following these rules helps your contact reach the inmate without delays.
Visiting an Inmate
Visits take place on set days and times at each facility. You must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list before you can go. Bring a valid photo ID and arrive early to clear security. The sheriff’s website lists current visiting hours and dress code rules.
Sending Mail to Inmates
Mail goes through a check process before delivery to inmates. Write the inmate’s full name and booking number on the envelope. Do not send cash, polaroid photos, or items that break facility rules. Letters and approved photos reach inmates within a few business days after screening.
Phone Calls and Video Visits
Inmates can make outgoing calls through a phone system run by a private vendor. Family members set up accounts to receive calls. The sheriff’s office also offers video visitation at certain facilities. Check the website for the latest phone and video rules.
Depositing Money for Inmates
Family can add money to an inmate’s commissary account. The money pays for items at the jail store, phone calls, and other approved services. The sheriff’s office lists accepted deposit methods on its website, including online and lobby kiosk options.
Florida Public Records Law and Inmate Data
Florida has strong public records laws that cover jail data. These laws aim to keep government actions open and clear. The rules also protect some private details that should not go public.
What Stays Open to the Public
Names, booking numbers, charges, bond amounts, and court dates all stay open. The public can see arrest dates and current facility locations. Release dates also appear in the records when set by a judge or the sheriff.
What Stays Private
Medical records and mental health details stay private by law. Juvenile records do not appear in the public inmate search. Personal details like Social Security numbers also stay sealed to protect against identity theft and fraud.
How to Ask for Records Not Online
Some records do not show up on the public search tool. You can file a written public records request with the Broward Sheriff’s Office for those files. The request should name the person and the type of data you need. The sheriff’s office must respond within set time limits under Florida law.
Other Cities in Broward County
Plantation is one of many cities served by the Broward County jail system. All cities in the county send arrestees to the same facilities. The inmate search tool covers every city, not just Plantation.
Nearby Cities in the County System
Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Miramar, Pompano Beach, and Davie all use the same jail. People arrested in any of these cities show up in the same database. A single search covers the whole county.
Why the City Does Not Matter for Searches
Jail records only show the place of arrest, not the place of booking. A Plantation arrestee appears in the county database the same as a Fort Lauderdale arrestee. You do not need to search a different tool based on the city where the arrest took place.
Contact Details and Location
The Broward Sheriff’s Office handles all inmate records for Plantation. Use the contact details below to reach the office by phone, mail, or in person during business hours.
Address: Broward Sheriff’s Office, 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312
Phone: 954-831-8600
Main Jail (Joseph V. Conte Facility): 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Online Search Tool: www.sheriff.org (Inmate Search section)
Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search: pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Plantation City inmate records. These cover search tips, record details, and the difference between county and state custody systems.
How Often Does the Broward County Inmate Database Update?
The Broward County inmate database updates several times each day. New bookings appear within hours of intake. Releases and transfers also show up quickly after the sheriff’s office processes them. If you do not see someone right after an arrest, wait a few hours and check again.
Can I Search for Juvenile Inmates in Plantation?
You cannot search for juvenile inmates through the public online tool. Florida law keeps juvenile records private. If you need data about a minor in custody, contact the Department of Juvenile Justice or a lawyer who handles juvenile cases. Parents or guardians can ask the holding facility for updates.
What Happens If an Inmate Is Transferred to State Prison?
When a Broward County inmate gets convicted of a felony and sentenced to more than one year, the state takes custody. The county database will no longer show that person. To find them, search the Florida Department of Corrections inmate lookup at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com using their full name or DC number.
Are Warrants Listed in Plantation Inmate Records?
Open warrants do not appear in the jail inmate search. The online tool only shows people already in custody at a county facility. To check for warrants in Plantation, contact the Plantation Police Department or the Broward Sheriff’s Office directly. You can also search court records through the Broward County Clerk of Courts.
Can I Remove My Booking Photo from Public View?
Florida law does not allow people to remove public booking photos while the case moves through court. The records stay open under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. After a full dismissal or acquittal, you can ask the sheriff’s office about sealing the record through a court order. The court, not the sheriff, makes the final call on sealing.
How Do I Send Money to a Plantation Inmate?
You can deposit money through the sheriff’s approved vendor online or at a lobby kiosk. The inmate’s commissary account updates within a day of the deposit. Money in the account pays for phone calls, jail store items, and other approved services. The website lists the current vendor and accepted payment methods.
What If the Inmate Search Shows No Results?
If the search shows no results, the person may not be in Broward County custody. Check the Florida Department of Corrections database for state inmates. You can also try different spellings of the name. If you still cannot find the person, call the sheriff’s office at 954-831-8600 for help during business hours.