Broward County Courts

Broward County is one of the most populous counties in Florida, with over 2 million people. It makes up about 8.7% of the state's total population of 23 million. Fort Lauderdale serves as the largest city and county seat. Broward County courts manage a high volume of cases each year, with over 57,000 new filings and more than 355,000 disposed cases.

The county's annual case filings include approximately 18,400 criminal matters, 28,800 civil cases, 6,000 family-related disputes, and nearly 3,800 probate matters, according to recent county court statistics. Broward County's trial courts are responsible for hearing a broad range of legal matters, with jurisdiction based on case type and Florida state law. These include:

• Broward County Circuit Court handles more serious matters such as felonies, family law cases (including divorce and child custody), probate, guardianship, and civil disputes over $50,000.
• Broward County Court deals with misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil cases involving lesser amounts.

Broward County's trial court system typically provides residents with legal pathways to resolve everyday disputes, protect their rights, and address serious personal and family issues in a structured, court-managed process. Most courts are based in Fort Lauderdale, the county seat, but satellite courthouses in cities like Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, and Plantation help make access easier for residents across the county.

How To Access Broward County Court Records

Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes) and the Florida Sunshine Law make Broward County court records publicly accessible, unless they are sealed or legally deemed confidential. Individuals may typically access criminal, civil, and probate cases through the Broward County Clerk of Courts. However, certain records, such as juvenile case files, expunged or sealed criminal cases, and mental-health documents, are restricted to protect personal privacy.

Similarly, court filings that include trade secrets or proprietary business data may also be restricted from public disclosure. Individuals typically need a valid government-issued photo ID and a case number to access court records in Broward County. These records may be obtained through various options, including online or by visiting the Clerk of Courts' office in person.

Online

Interested persons may access Broward County court records through the Broward County Clerk of Courts Case Search Portal. This online resource makes it easy to search a range of case types, including civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic records. While many records are available online, access to certain files may be limited due to privacy laws. Individuals may search by case number, party name, or citation for quick and convenient access to case details.

In addition to county resources, CourtCaseFinder also offers access to court records maintained in Broward County and courts across the country. This third-party platform offers a user-friendly way to search case details by name, case number, or location.

For those looking to access federal court records for cases heard in Broward County, the PACER Case Locator is a publicly available resource. This online tool allows users to view electronic records from the U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate courts. While creating a PACER account is free, a fee is usually requiredto access most documents.

In-Person

Individuals seeking court records may visit the courthouse in person, usually at the Clerk of the Court's office or the court's designated records room. Each court typically has a clerk responsible for maintaining its case files, so individuals may need to go directly to the court that handled the case. Visiting the courthouse in person is often the best way to access records that are not yet available online or that require staff assistance, verification, or a formal request process.

Alternatively, some courthouses help simplify the search process by offering public computer terminals. These terminals are often located in the clerk's office and allow people to browse available court records quickly and easily. When requesting copies, residents should expect standard fees. Photocopies typically cost $1.00 per page and $2.00 per document. If records are searched by name or year, a $2 fee per year searched may also apply, especially for in-person or written requests.

Old and Archived Court Records

Some Broward County court records are no longer available online or at the courthouse, typically those older than 50 years. Interested individuals may turn to the Florida State Archives to find such records. This institution preserves historic court materials, including 1800s dockets, estate case files, and early territorial court documents, offering valuable access to older legal records. Interested persons may contact the State Archives at:

How To File a Case in Broward County

Individuals who want to file a case in Broward County need to first determine the specific jurisdiction that has authority over the case, as each court has different jurisdiction over various cases. They may contact the clerk's office of the appropriate court to verify where to file. Cases may be filed in Broward County electronically or in person. Online case filing may be done through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which serves as the statewide access point connecting users to Florida's court system, including Broward County.

Individuals who intend to file a case may also contact the respective courthouse clerk's office. There is a specific charge for case filing in Broward County, depending on the case type. Those who cannot afford the court filing fee may request a waiver. To do so, interested individuals should submit an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status to the respective clerk court for review.

To file a case in Broward County, individuals typically need to follow these steps:

• Identify the case type and the exact court that has jurisdiction to handle such a case.
• Prepare the initial filing documents. This usually involves creating a petition (for probate or family cases), a complaint (for civil matters), or the appropriate criminal document. The State Attorney's Office generally handles criminal cases by initiating charges on behalf of the public. A petition or complaint should state the parties involved, outline the key facts, and specify the intended outcome. Also, include any relevant supporting materials such as contacts, photos, other exhibits, or affidavits.
• It is necessary to use court-approved forms, which may be found through the Florida Courts portal or the Broward County Clerk of Courts website.
• Once the documents are complete, file them with the appropriate court in person or through the state's online filing system.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

While self-help resources cannot offer personal legal advice in every situation, they may guide residents through court processes and help them better understand their rights. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs. Low-income individuals in Broward County have several helpful options when it comes to finding legal aid and self-help support. Some of the key resources and programs available to them are:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Professional Assistance
• Legal Aid Service
• Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Broward County Bar Association
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• Family Help Centers

Broward County residents may also find support through the following legal aid services and self-help resources.

• Legal Services Solutions LLC - This is a licensed court-support and process-serving firm situated near the Fort Lauderdale courthouse. They handle document service, court filings, e-filing, retrieval, and even online notary services, perfect for individuals needing dependable hands-on assistance.
• Gerstin & Associates (Attorney & Counselors at Law) - A boutique law firm specializing in business, community association, real estate, and tech law. They provide plain-English advice for complex transactions, litigation, and closings, helping clients stay ahead in fast-paced environments.
• Debt Shield Law - Focused on debt defense and bankruptcy, this firm offers personalized support for defending against creditor lawsuits, filing for bankruptcy, settling debt, and combating unfair debt collector practices.
• Area Agency on Aging - A nonprofit devoted to serving adults aged 60 and older. They coordinate programs, provide information and advocacy, and help connect families with community services that support aging in place.

Types of Courts in Broward County, Florida

Broward County is served by several types of courts, including county courts, municipal courts, and federal courts, each handling different kinds of legal matters for local residents. Below is a quick summary of what each court handles and how to contact them:

Broward County Circuit Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles more serious cases like felonies, major civil disputes, family law (divorce, custody), probate (wills and estates), juvenile matters, and mental health cases.
• Address and Contact Information

County Court of Broward County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - County Court deals with less serious matters such as misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Below is the list of the County Court locations residents may find throughout Broward County:

• County Court of Broward County - Central Courthouse

• County Court of Broward County - North Regional Courthouse

• County Court of Broward County - South Regional Courthouse

• County Court of Broward County - West Regional Courthouse

United States District Court -Southern District of Florida

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - handles federal cases for people living in Broward County and surrounding areas. These cases often involve constitutional rights, federal crimes, multi-state lawsuits, civil rights violations, immigration, and lawsuits against federal agencies. Residents turn to this court when their legal issues fall under federal law rather than state law.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - Southern District of Florida

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The court helps individuals and businesses in Broward County who are dealing with financial struggles, debt relief, and bankruptcy filings. Whether someone is filing for Chapter 7, 11, or 13 bankruptcy, this court guides them through the legal process of managing or discharging debts.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Broward County Courts

The following are simple answers to commonly asked questions regarding Broward County courts: