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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 legal proceedings, judgments, and other official actions taken by the courts within Miami-Dade County. They serve as the official history of court cases and provide transparency in the judicial system.

Court records can include case filings, motions, orders, judgments, hearing transcripts, and other documents related to civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. These records are maintained by the Clerk's office, which is responsible for preserving and providing access to these documents.

Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

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 by law. These typically include:

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

The Miami-Dade Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining these records and providing appropriate public access while protecting confidential information.

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: The Miami-Dade Clerk's website offers online search capabilities for many court records through their Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System.

  2. In-Person Requests: Visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. Miami-Dade County Courthouse, 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

  3. Written Requests: Submit a written request for records to the Clerk's office.

  4. Public Records Request: File a formal public records request for documents not readily available online.

  5. Remote Access: Registered attorneys and authorized users can access additional records through secure portals.

For the most current information, it's recommended to check the Miami-Dade Clerk's official website or contact their office directly.

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

Looking up court records online in Miami-Dade County is straightforward through the Clerk's electronic systems:

  1. Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk's website at www.miamidadeclerk.gov

  2. For civil, family, and probate cases, use the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/ocs

  3. For criminal records, navigate to the Criminal Records section of the Clerk's website

  4. Search by:

    • Case number
    • Party name
    • Business name
    • Date range
    • Case type

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

Some documents may require registration or payment to access, and certain confidential records will not be available online.

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

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

  • Free Services:

    • Basic case information searches online
    • Docket listings
    • Case status information
    • Party information
    • In-person viewing of non-confidential records at the Clerk's office Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office, 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

  • Fee-Based Services:

    • Copies of documents (physical or electronic)
    • Certified copies
    • Complete case files
    • Extensive searches requiring staff assistance
    • Access to certain specialized databases

The Clerk's office charges statutory fees for copies and certifications. As of 2025, standard copy fees are typically $1 per page, with certified copies costing additional fees. These fees help support the maintenance and operation of the records system.

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

A typical Miami-Dade County court record includes:

  1. Case Information:

    • Case number
    • Filing date
    • Case type
    • Judge assigned
    • Current status

  2. Party Information:

    • Names of plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents
    • Attorney information
    • Contact information (may be redacted)

  3. Docket Entries:

    • Chronological listing of all actions in the case
    • Filings, motions, orders, hearings, and judgments
    • Dates of all proceedings

  4. Filed Documents:

    • Complaints/petitions
    • Answers/responses
    • Motions and supporting documents
    • Affidavits and declarations
    • Court orders and judgments
    • Hearing transcripts (if prepared)

  5. Financial Information:

    • Filing fees paid
    • Other financial transactions
    • Judgments and monetary awards

  6. Disposition Information:

    • Final outcome of the case
    • Sentencing information (in criminal cases)
    • Compliance information

The specific contents vary by case type and may be subject to redaction of sensitive personal information.

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:

  • Permanent Retention:

    • Felony cases resulting in death penalty
    • Capital cases
    • Real property cases
    • Probate cases
    • Marriage and divorce records
    • Adoption records

  • Long-Term Retention (75+ years):

    • Most felony cases
    • Domestic violence cases
    • Paternity cases

  • Medium-Term Retention (10-25 years):

    • Most misdemeanor cases
    • Many civil cases
    • Traffic cases with court appearances

  • Shorter-Term Retention (5-10 years):

    • Minor infractions
    • Dismissed cases
    • Certain administrative matters

The Clerk's office has been digitizing older records to improve preservation and access. Even after physical records might be destroyed according to retention schedules, many case summaries and key documents remain available in electronic format.

Miami-Dade County Records Management Section, 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1300, Miami, FL 33128

Types of Courts In Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County has a structured court system with several levels:

  1. Circuit Court (11th Judicial Circuit):

    • Highest trial court in the county
    • Handles major civil cases ($30,000+)
    • Felony criminal cases
    • Family matters (divorce, custody)
    • Probate and guardianship
    • Appeals from County Court Dade County Courthouse, 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

  2. County Court:

    • Civil cases under $30,000
    • Misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses
    • Small claims (under $8,000)
    • Traffic infractions Miami-Dade County Court, 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125

  3. Specialized Courts/Divisions:

    • Drug Court
    • Veterans Court
    • Mental Health Court
    • Domestic Violence Court
    • Juvenile Court Children's Courthouse, 155 NW 3rd Street, Miami, FL 33128

  4. Appellate Courts (not county-level, but serving the area):

    • Third District Court of Appeal Third District Court of Appeal, 2001 SW 117th Avenue, Miami, FL 33175
    • Florida Supreme Court (state level)

Each court maintains its own records, though all are managed through the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts system.

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

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

Circuit Court Cases:

  • Major civil litigation ($30,000+)
  • Felony criminal prosecutions
  • Divorce and family matters
  • Child custody and support
  • Domestic violence injunctions
  • Probate and estate administration
  • Guardianship proceedings
  • Mortgage foreclosures
  • Real property disputes
  • Appeals from County Court decisions

County Court Cases:

  • Civil disputes under $30,000
  • Small claims (up to $8,000)
  • Landlord/tenant evictions
  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Criminal traffic offenses (DUI)
  • Traffic infractions
  • Ordinance violations

Specialized Court Programs:

  • Drug treatment cases
  • Mental health diversion
  • Veterans treatment
  • Juvenile delinquency
  • Dependency (child welfare)
  • Domestic violence cases

The county's court system processes hundreds of thousands of cases annually, making it one of the busiest judicial circuits in Florida.

How To Find a Court Docket In Miami-Dade County

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

  1. Online Docket Search:

    • Visit the Miami-Dade Clerk's website
    • Use the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System for those case types
    • Use the Criminal Records search for criminal cases
    • Enter search criteria (case number, name, date range)
    • View docket entries chronologically

  2. In-Person at the Courthouse:

    • Visit the Clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse
    • Request to view the docket for a specific case
    • Public terminals may be available for self-service searching Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office, 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130

  3. Daily Court Calendars:

    • Check online court calendars for upcoming hearings
    • Calendars are typically organized by judge or division
    • Available on the Clerk's website or at courthouse information desks

  4. Contact the Clerk's Office:

    • Call or email for assistance locating specific docket information
    • Provide case number or party names when inquiring Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office, Phone: (305) 275-1155

Court dockets provide a chronological listing of all actions taken in a case, including filings, hearings, orders, and judgments.

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

In Miami-Dade County, most courts are "courts of record," meaning they maintain official transcripts and records of proceedings. However, there are a few forums that are not considered courts of record:

  1. Small Claims Court (division of County Court):

    • While records are kept, formal transcripts are not typically created
    • Proceedings are more informal
    • Appeals involve a new trial (trial de novo) rather than review of a record

  2. Traffic Infractions Hearing Officer Program:

    • Administrative hearings for certain traffic violations
    • Not formal court proceedings
    • No court reporters or official transcripts Miami-Dade County Traffic Courthouse, 15555 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami, FL 33160

  3. Certain Administrative Hearings:

    • Code enforcement proceedings
    • Some local regulatory hearings
    • While documentation is maintained, these are not judicial proceedings

  4. Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution:

    • While often court-connected, these are not court proceedings
    • Outcomes are recorded if agreements are reached, but the sessions themselves are not courts of record Miami-Dade County Mediation Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33128

All Circuit Court and regular County Court proceedings are courts of record, with official documentation of proceedings maintained by the Clerk's office.

Lookup Court Records in Miami-Dade County

For comprehensive access to Miami-Dade County court records, utilize these official resources:

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