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Miami-Dade County Court Records

What Is Miami-Dade County Court Records

Miami-Dade County court records are official documents created and maintained by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. These records document various legal proceedings that take place within the county's court system. They include case filings, judgments, orders, and other legal documents related to civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. Court records serve as the official history of court proceedings and are essential for maintaining transparency in the judicial system.

Are Court Records Public In Miami-Dade County

Yes, most court records in Miami-Dade County are public under Florida's Sunshine Law and public records statutes. The Florida Constitution and state laws establish a presumption of openness for government records, including court documents. However, certain records may be confidential or exempt from public disclosure, including:

  • Records involving juveniles
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health cases
  • Certain family court matters
  • Cases that have been sealed or expunged by court order
  • Records containing sensitive personal information

The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court maintains these public records and makes them accessible to citizens while protecting confidential information as required by law.

How To Find Court Records in Miami-Dade County in 2025

To find court records in Miami-Dade County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Online Access: Use the Miami-Dade Clerk's online portal to search for civil, family, probate, and criminal cases.

  2. In-Person Visits: Visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. The main courthouse is located at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130.

  3. Mail Requests: Submit a written request to the Records Department of the Miami-Dade Clerk's office.

  4. Email Requests: Send public records requests to the designated email address provided on the Clerk's website.

  5. Phone Inquiries: Call the Records Department for assistance in locating specific records.

For the most current information, it's recommended to check the Miami-Dade Clerk's official website, as procedures and systems may be updated over time.

How To Look Up Court Records in Miami-Dade County Online?

Looking up court records online in Miami-Dade County is straightforward through these steps:

  1. Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk's official website (www.miamidadeclerk.gov).

  2. Navigate to the "Records" or "Court Records" section.

  3. Choose the appropriate case type system:

    • For civil, family, and probate cases: Use the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System
    • For criminal cases: Use the Criminal Justice Online System

  4. Create an account if required (some basic searches may be available without an account).

  5. Search by:

    • Case number
    • Party name
    • Filing date
    • Case type

  6. Review the search results and select the case you're interested in to view available documents.

  7. Pay any applicable fees for document copies or certified records if needed.

The online systems are regularly updated to provide access to current case information, though there may be a slight delay between court proceedings and when records appear online.

Can You Search Miami-Dade County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search Miami-Dade County court records for free, but there are limitations:

  • Basic Case Information: Basic searches for case information, including party names, case types, and filing dates, are generally available at no cost through the Clerk's online systems.

  • Document Viewing: While searching is free, viewing or downloading complete documents may require payment of fees.

  • In-Person Searches: You can visit the Clerk's office to search records for free, though you may need to pay for copies.

  • Fee Waivers: In certain circumstances, such as for indigent persons, fee waivers may be available upon proper application and approval.

The fee structure for copies typically includes:

  • Regular copies: $1.00 per page
  • Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
  • Electronic copies: Varying fees depending on the document type and delivery method

What's Included in a Miami-Dade County Court Record?

A typical Miami-Dade County court record includes:

  • Case Information: Case number, filing date, case type, and status
  • Party Information: Names and contact information for plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, and other involved parties
  • Docket: Chronological list of all filings and court actions
  • Pleadings: Complaints, answers, motions, and other documents filed by parties
  • Court Orders and Judgments: Official decisions and directives issued by judges
  • Hearing and Trial Information: Dates, times, and outcomes of court proceedings
  • Financial Information: Filing fees, fines, restitution, and payment records
  • Evidence: In some cases, exhibits and evidence presented in court
  • Transcripts: Written records of court proceedings (when requested and produced)

The specific contents vary depending on the case type and its progression through the court system.

How Long Does Miami-Dade County Keep Court Records?

Miami-Dade County retains court records according to Florida's records retention schedules, which vary by case type:

  • Criminal Felony Cases: Permanently maintained
  • Criminal Misdemeanor Cases: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition
  • Civil Cases: Generally kept for 10 years after final disposition
  • Probate Cases: Permanently maintained
  • Family Law Cases: Varies by case type, with many maintained for 10 years
  • Traffic Cases: Typically maintained for 7 years
  • Juvenile Cases: Usually maintained until the juvenile reaches 24-26 years of age

Records designated as historically significant are preserved permanently. Additionally, many records are now maintained electronically, allowing for longer retention periods than the minimum requirements. The Clerk's office follows the General Records Schedule for Circuit and County Courts as established by the Florida Department of State.

Types of Courts In Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County has a structured court system that includes:

  1. Circuit Court: The 11th Judicial Circuit handles major civil cases (over $30,000), felony criminal cases, family matters, probate, guardianship, and appeals from county court.

  2. County Court: Handles civil cases with claims up to $30,000, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and small claims (up to $8,000).

  3. Specialized Divisions:

    • Family Division: Handles divorces, child custody, domestic violence, and related matters
    • Probate Division: Oversees wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health cases
    • Criminal Division: Processes felony and misdemeanor cases
    • Civil Division: Manages lawsuits, contract disputes, and other civil matters
    • Traffic Division: Handles traffic violations and infractions

  4. Specialty Courts:

    • Drug Court
    • Veterans Court
    • Mental Health Court
    • Domestic Violence Court
    • Teen Court

Each court type maintains its own records, though all are managed through the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court's office.

What Types of Cases Do Miami-Dade County Courts Hear?

Miami-Dade County courts hear a wide variety of cases:

Circuit Court Cases:

  • Felony criminal prosecutions
  • Civil disputes involving more than $30,000
  • Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
  • Probate and estate matters
  • Guardianship proceedings
  • Juvenile dependency and delinquency
  • Appeals from county court decisions
  • Real property and foreclosure cases

County Court Cases:

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Civil disputes up to $30,000
  • Small claims (up to $8,000)
  • Traffic violations
  • Landlord/tenant disputes
  • Ordinance violations

Specialty Court Programs:

  • Drug-related offenses (Drug Court)
  • Cases involving veterans (Veterans Court)
  • Mental health cases (Mental Health Court)
  • Domestic violence cases
  • Juvenile diversion programs

The court system processes hundreds of thousands of cases annually, with records maintained for each according to Florida's retention schedules.

How To Find a Court Docket In Miami-Dade County

Finding a court docket in Miami-Dade County can be accomplished through several methods:

  1. Online Docket Search:

    • Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk's website
    • Navigate to the appropriate case search system (Civil/Family/Probate or Criminal)
    • Enter search criteria (case number, party name, etc.)
    • View the docket listing all case events in chronological order

  2. In-Person Request:

    • Visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse where the case is filed
    • Provide the case number or party names to the clerk
    • Request to view the docket or case file

  3. Daily Court Calendars:

    • Check the court's daily calendar online or at the courthouse
    • Calendars show scheduled hearings and proceedings by courtroom and judge

  4. Attorney of Record:

    • If you're represented by an attorney, they can access the docket through their e-filing portal

The docket serves as a comprehensive index of all documents filed and actions taken in a case, providing a complete history of the proceedings.

Which Courts in Miami-Dade County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Miami-Dade County, the following are not courts of record:

  1. Small Claims Court: While technically part of County Court, small claims proceedings (for cases up to $8,000) are less formal and typically don't maintain verbatim records of proceedings.

  2. Traffic Infractions Hearing Officer Program: Administrative hearings for certain traffic violations are conducted by hearing officers rather than judges and are not courts of record.

  3. Code Enforcement Hearings: Municipal code violation hearings are typically administrative proceedings rather than formal court proceedings.

  4. Mediation and Arbitration Proceedings: While often court-ordered, these alternative dispute resolution processes are not courts of record, though their outcomes may be filed with the court.

Courts of record, by contrast, maintain official transcripts of proceedings and have more formal procedures. In Miami-Dade County, both Circuit Court and County Court (except as noted above) are courts of record, meaning they maintain official verbatim records of proceedings that can be used for appeals.

Lookup Court Records in Miami-Dade County

For accessing Miami-Dade County court records, the following resources are available:

These resources provide comprehensive access to the various types of court records maintained by Miami-Dade County.

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