Miami-Dade County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Miami-Dade County?
A search warrant in Miami-Dade County is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specified location for evidence of a crime. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 933.02, search warrants may be issued when property constitutes evidence relevant to proving that a felony has been committed, when property is stolen or embezzled, when property is being used to commit a crime, or when property is in the possession of a person who intends to use it to commit a crime.
Search warrants in Miami-Dade County must meet several constitutional requirements:
- The warrant must be based on probable cause
- The warrant must describe with particularity the place to be searched
- The warrant must specify the items to be seized
- The warrant must be executed within 10 days of issuance
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is responsible for executing many search warrants within the county jurisdiction.
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
9105 NW 25th Street
Doral, FL 33172
305-4-POLICE (305-476-5423)
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
Are Warrants Public Records In Miami-Dade County?
Warrants in Miami-Dade County are generally considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law provides that most government records, including court records, are available for public inspection. However, certain exceptions apply to warrant information:
- Active warrants that are part of an ongoing investigation may be temporarily exempt from public disclosure
- Warrants sealed by court order are not accessible to the public
- Warrants involving juvenile offenders may have restricted access
- Warrants containing confidential informant information may be partially redacted
The Clerk of the Courts maintains public records of warrants once they have been executed and returned. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07, members of the public may request access to these records, subject to applicable exemptions.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts
73 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
305-275-1155
Criminal Records
How Do I Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Miami-Dade County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Miami-Dade County have several official methods available. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts maintains records of warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Persons may verify warrant status through the following procedures:
- Conduct an online search through the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts criminal case search system
- Visit the Clerk's Office in person to request a warrant search
- Contact the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Records Section
- Consult with a licensed attorney who can access court records
For security reasons, individuals with active warrants who visit government offices in person may be subject to arrest. Therefore, many individuals opt to conduct searches online or through legal representation.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also maintains a statewide database of wanted persons that includes warrant information from Miami-Dade County and can be accessed through their Wanted Persons Search portal.
How To Check for Warrants in Miami-Dade County for Free in 2025
Miami-Dade County provides several no-cost options for checking warrant status in 2025. These resources are maintained pursuant to Florida's commitment to government transparency and public access to information.
The primary free resources include:
- The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts online criminal court records search, which allows searches by name, case number, or citation number
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Wanted Persons database, which includes Miami-Dade County warrants
- Public access terminals located at the Clerk's Office, which provide more comprehensive search capabilities than the online system
When conducting a search, users should have the following information available:
- Full legal name (including possible aliases)
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
Search results will typically show case status, charges, and whether a warrant has been issued. For privacy and security reasons, some information may be redacted from public view in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.071.
What Types of Warrants In Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County's judicial system issues several distinct types of warrants, each serving a specific legal purpose. The primary categories of warrants include:
- Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime
- Bench Warrants: Issued when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court date
- Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specified locations for evidence
- Capias Warrants: Ordered when individuals fail to comply with court orders or probation requirements
- Civil Warrants: Issued in non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement
- Fugitive Warrants: Issued when an individual is wanted in another jurisdiction
Each warrant type follows specific procedural requirements under Florida law. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office maintains records of various warrant types and executes many of these warrants within their jurisdiction. The public may request certain warrant information through the Records Section of the Sheriff's Office.
What Warrants in Miami-Dade County Contain
Warrants issued in Miami-Dade County contain specific information as required by Florida Statutes § 901.02 and § 933.05. The content of a warrant typically includes:
- The name of the person to be arrested or the property to be searched
- A description of the alleged offense
- The date of issuance
- The signature of the issuing judge or magistrate
- The court of jurisdiction
- The bond amount (for arrest warrants)
- Specific limitations on execution (time, manner, etc.)
For search warrants, additional requirements include:
- A detailed description of the place to be searched
- An inventory of items to be seized
- Specific instructions regarding the execution of the warrant
These documents become part of the official court record maintained by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts and are generally accessible through their criminal records system, subject to applicable exemptions under Florida public records law.
Who Issues Warrants In Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, the authority to issue warrants is vested in judicial officers as prescribed by Florida law. The following officials have the power to issue warrants:
- Circuit Court Judges
- County Court Judges
- Magistrates appointed by the Chief Judge
- Hearing Officers (limited to certain civil matters)
The issuance process requires a finding of probable cause based on sworn affidavits or testimony from law enforcement officers. Pursuant to Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.120 and 3.121, the judicial officer must determine that sufficient evidence exists to justify the warrant.
The Miami-Dade County Courthouse houses many of the judges who issue warrants:
Miami-Dade County Courthouse
73 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
305-275-1155
After issuance, warrants are recorded with the Clerk of Courts and transmitted to the appropriate law enforcement agency for execution.
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Miami-Dade County
Members of the public seeking information about outstanding warrants in Miami-Dade County may utilize several official channels. The process for locating warrant information includes:
- Accessing the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts online criminal case search system
- Submitting a public records request to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Records Section
- Consulting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Wanted Persons database
- Visiting the Clerk's Office in person during business hours
When requesting warrant information, individuals should provide:
- Full legal name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if applicable)
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Records Section processes requests for warrant information Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by appointment only.
How To Check Federal Warrants In Miami-Dade County
Federal warrants differ from state and local warrants and are issued by United States District Court judges or magistrates. Individuals seeking information about federal warrants in Miami-Dade County should direct inquiries to federal authorities.
The primary resources for federal warrant information include:
- The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- The United States Marshals Service
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Miami Field Office
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
400 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33128
305-523-5100
United States Marshals Service, Southern District of Florida
301 North Miami Avenue, Room 249
Miami, FL 33128
786-433-6340
Federal warrant information is not typically accessible through Miami-Dade County's local records systems. Pursuant to federal regulations, certain information regarding active federal warrants may be restricted from public disclosure.
How Long Do Warrants Last In Miami-Dade County?
Warrants issued in Miami-Dade County remain valid until they are executed, recalled by the court, or the subject of the warrant is deceased. Unlike some jurisdictions, Florida law does not provide for the automatic expiration of warrants based on the passage of time. This policy is consistent with Florida Statutes § 901.04, which governs the execution of arrest warrants.
Key considerations regarding warrant duration include:
- Arrest warrants remain active indefinitely until served or recalled
- Search warrants must be executed within 10 days of issuance per Florida Statutes § 933.05
- Bench warrants remain active until the court recalls them or the individual appears
- Warrants may be updated in the system to reflect new information
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts maintains records of active warrants, and law enforcement agencies regularly review these records to identify and apprehend individuals with outstanding warrants.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Miami-Dade County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Miami-Dade County varies based on several factors, including case urgency and judicial availability. Under normal circumstances, the process includes:
- Preparation of the warrant application and supporting affidavit by law enforcement
- Review by the State Attorney's Office (in some cases)
- Presentation to a judge for review and signature
- Recording with the Clerk of Courts
In emergency situations, Miami-Dade County has established procedures for expedited warrant processing. Florida Statutes § 933.07 permits judges to issue warrants based on electronic or telephonic testimony in urgent circumstances.
The typical timeframes for warrant issuance are:
- Standard processing: 1-3 business days
- Expedited processing: Several hours
- Emergency situations: As quickly as 30 minutes
Law enforcement agencies coordinate with the courts to ensure that time-sensitive investigations can proceed with proper judicial authorization.
Search Warrant Records in Miami-Dade County
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