Broward County traffic court records are public files kept by the Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale. They show every traffic citation, court hearing, fine, and case outcome filed in the county.
Anyone can look up these records to check a case status, pay a fine, or get copies of documents. The system handles close to 1.9 million residents across dozens of cities, making it one of the busiest traffic courts in Florida. This page explains how the records work, where to search, and what to do once you have the data you need.
What Are Broward County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Broward County are official court files that track every traffic case from start to finish. Each record holds the citation number, the charge, the hearing dates, fines paid, and the final result. The records cover two main types of cases. Civil traffic infractions are non-criminal tickets like speeding, expired tags, or failing to signal. Criminal traffic cases involve more serious charges like driving with a suspended license, DUI, or reckless driving.
Who Maintains These Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts keeps all traffic court records. The current Clerk is Brenda D. Forman. Her office runs the Traffic and Misdemeanor Division, which handles every traffic case filed in the county. The same division keeps both old and new records. Staff at the four service locations can pull files, accept payments, file pleas, and issue certified copies.
The screenshot below shows the Broward County Clerk’s traffic division page, which lists options for paying citations, filing pleas, and getting records.
What Types of Cases Are Included
Records exist for every kind of traffic case that passes through Broward County courts. The list includes speeding tickets, red light camera citations, careless driving charges, no proof of insurance tickets, and child restraint violations. Criminal traffic offenses like reckless driving, hit and run, and driving on a suspended license also appear in the same system. Each case shows a unique docket number, court division, and outcome that anyone can review.
Florida Public Records Law
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes most court records open to the public. This law applies to every state, county, and municipal agency. Traffic citations, hearing schedules, plea forms, and final dispositions are all part of the public file. A few personal details stay private, like social security numbers, bank data, and details about minors. Sealed or expunged cases are removed from the public search tool entirely.
How to Search Broward County Traffic Records Online
The Broward County Clerk runs a free online search system that lets anyone look up traffic cases. The system pulls data from all four courthouse locations and shows live case details. You do not need an account to use it. You can search from a phone, tablet, or computer at any time of day.
Using the Clerk’s Online Portal
The case search portal lives on the Broward Clerk website. Open the search page, choose the case type, and enter your search terms. The system covers civil traffic infractions, criminal traffic cases, and misdemeanor offenses. Results load within seconds. Each case entry shows the defendant name, citation number, charge, hearing date, and case status. You can click on any case to see the full docket history.
Visit the Broward County Clerk case search portal to start looking up traffic records.
Search by Name, Case Number, or Citation
The portal accepts three types of searches. You can type a full or partial name to see all traffic cases tied to that person. You can enter a case number if you have the docket number from a ticket or notice. You can also enter a citation number from the traffic ticket itself. Each way to search pulls the same set of data. Name searches are helpful when you do not know the docket number but know who the citation was issued to.
What Details You Can Find
Each search result shows basic case facts. You see the full name, date of birth, citation number, and the law the person is charged with breaking. The system also lists the arresting agency, the officer’s name, and the date the ticket was issued. Hearing dates, fines owed, and the final disposition all appear once the case moves through the court system. Some older records only show partial data if certain fields were not digitized when the file was first created.
Broward County Clerk Traffic Division Locations
Broward County has four service locations for traffic matters. The locations spread across the county so drivers do not need to drive far to handle a case. Each site offers the same services for traffic citations. You can pay fines, file pleas, request court hearings, and pick up copies of records at any of the four offices.
| Location | Address | Area Served |
|---|---|---|
| Central | 201 SE 6th Street, Room 01130, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | Greater Fort Lauderdale |
| North | 1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Room 181, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 | North Broward |
| South | 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Room 200, Hollywood, FL 33021 | South Broward |
| West | 100 North Pine Island Road, Room 110, Plantation, FL 33324 | West Broward |
The Broward County Clerk locations page shows all four sites on a map with full directions.
Central Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale
The Central courthouse sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Southeast 6th Street. It serves as the main office and busiest traffic location in the county. The building handles the largest case volume each year. Drivers who live in the central part of Broward County often go here for in-person service. The parking garage sits next to the building on the same block.
North Branch in Deerfield Beach
The North branch serves drivers who live north of Fort Lauderdale. It sits on West Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach. Parking is free in the small lot out front, and the office handles the full list of traffic services. Wait times tend to be shorter here than at the Central office. The North branch is popular with drivers from Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, and Coconut Creek.
South Branch in Hollywood
The South branch handles cases for drivers in southern Broward. It sits on Hollywood Boulevard near Young Circle. This office serves Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, and nearby cities. You can file a plea, pay a fine, or pick up a certified copy at this location. The office sits on a major road, so bus routes run past the front door throughout the day.
West Branch in Plantation
The West branch covers western Broward cities like Plantation, Sunrise, and Tamarac. It sits on North Pine Island Road near Broward Boulevard. The office offers the same traffic services as the other three locations. Drivers from Weston, Southwest Ranches, and Davie often use this office because it sits closer to their homes. The lobby is small but rarely crowded.
How to Pay a Traffic Citation in Broward County
Paying a traffic citation in Broward County is a guilty plea. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, known as FLHSMV, places points on your driving record for most moving violations. You can pay online, by mail, in person, or through the PayIt app. Each way to pay has the same legal effect on your driving record.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Clerk accepts payments through five main channels. You can pay online through the Broward Clerk fine payment service. You can visit any AMSCOT location in Florida for cash payments. You can mail a check or money order to the Clerk’s office. You can pay in person at any of the four courthouse locations. You can also use the PayIt app or payflclerk.com to settle your fine from any device.
- Online through the Broward Clerk fine payment service
- Cash at any AMSCOT location across Florida
- By mail to P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610
- In person at any of the four clerk locations
- Through the PayIt app or payflclerk.com
The 30-Day Payment Deadline
Civil traffic infractions in Broward County carry a firm 30-day payment deadline. The clock starts on the date the citation was issued. Missing the deadline leads to late fees, a possible license suspension, and extra collection costs. Drivers who need more time must ask the judge or hearing officer in writing before the deadline passes. Extensions are not granted automatically and require court approval.
Driver License Points and Penalties
Florida uses a point system for traffic violations. The FLHSMV sets the point values, not the Broward County Clerk. A typical speeding ticket carries three or four points based on how fast you were driving. Running a red light carries three points. Reckless driving carries four points. Too many points lead to higher insurance costs and a possible license suspension. You can check your point total by ordering a driver license history from the Clerk or FLHSMV.
Conditional Plea of No Contest in Broward County
Broward County offers a Conditional Plea of No Contest for civil traffic infractions. This plea lets drivers resolve a citation without going to court and without getting points on their license. Not every ticket qualifies, but many common Broward traffic violations do qualify under the program. The plea keeps the case off your driving record as long as you pay the fine on time.
Who Qualifies
Drivers charged with civil infractions that did not involve a crash can usually file a Conditional Plea of No Contest. The plea works for tickets like speeding, failure to signal, expired registration, and child restraint violations. Cases that require a mandatory court hearing under Florida Statute 318.19 do not qualify. Drivers charged with reckless driving, DUI, or any criminal traffic offense also cannot use this plea option.
How to Submit the Form
The Conditional Plea form lives on the Broward Clerk website. Fill it out with your name, citation number, and the plea decision. You can email the form to TrafficeClerk@browardclerk.org or mail it to P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610. Submit one citation per form. The court reviews the plea and notifies you by mail if approved. Adjudication is withheld once the court signs off on the plea.
Getting Copies of Traffic Court Records
Anyone can get copies of Broward County traffic court records. The Clerk charges a small fee per page. You can request copies in person at any of the four locations. You can also send a written request by mail for older or purged records. Most copies are ready within minutes if you visit a clerk location in person.
Plain and Certified Copy Fees
Plain copies of traffic records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page. The Clerk charges the fee when you pick up the copies at the counter. Cash, check, money order, and most major cards are accepted. Bring your photo ID when you request certified copies, since the Clerk needs to verify your identity before issuing them. The Clerk stamps certified copies with a raised seal for court use.
Driver License History Records
The Clerk also sells driver license history records at every location. A three-year history costs $14.25. A seven-year or full history costs $16.25. The history shows every traffic violation, suspension, and reinstatement tied to your license. You can request your own history or, with proper written consent, request the history of another person. Insurance companies and employers often ask for these records.
Purged or Old Records
Old traffic records sometimes get purged from the active online system. The Clerk still keeps paper copies in the archives. To get a purged record, go in person to any courthouse location and ask for a purged record search. You can also send a written request by mail to the Traffic and Misdemeanor Division. Purged records take longer to find since staff must pull them from physical storage rooms.
What Happens When You Miss a Deadline
Missing the 30-day payment deadline on a Broward County traffic citation creates a chain of problems. Late fees get added. The FLHSMV can suspend your license. A collection agency may take over the debt. The longer you wait, the more the cost rises and the harder it becomes to clear the case.
Late Fees and License Suspension
The Clerk adds late fees to any unpaid citation after the 30-day window closes. The FLHSMV also gets a notice from the Clerk. The state agency then sends a suspension order to your license. Driving on a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense that can lead to arrest. To get your license back, you must pay the original fine, the late fee, and a separate reinstatement fee charged by FLHSMV.
Collection Agency Referrals
Under Florida Statute 28.246, unpaid fines over 90 days old get sent to a collection agency. The agency can add up to 40 percent to what you owe. A $150 fine can quickly grow to over $200 once the collection fee is applied. The collection agency reports the debt to credit bureaus. The debt can also lead to wage garnishment or tax refund intercepts that hurt your finances for years.
Payment Plan Options
Drivers who cannot pay a citation in full can ask for a payment plan. The judge or hearing officer who handled the case must approve the plan. You must request the plan in writing before the citation goes to collections. Partial payments are only accepted on cases that already have an approved payment plan. The Clerk does not accept random partial payments on standard citations without court approval.
Florida Traffic Violations and Point System
Florida traffic laws apply the same way across all 67 counties. Broward County follows the same point system and penalty structure as every other Florida county. The state sets the rules, not the local courts. This makes it easier to predict the outcome of a citation before you handle the case.
Which Violations Carry Points
Florida Statute Chapter 316 lists the point values for moving violations. Speeding carries three to four points based on how much you exceeded the limit. Running a red light carries three points. Following too closely carries three points. Failure to yield carries three points. Reckless driving carries four points. Leaving the scene of a crash carries six points. The Clerk cannot tell you how many points your specific ticket carries. Call FLHSMV at 850-617-3000 for that detail.
Driver Improvement Course Requirements
Some Broward County traffic violations come with a mandatory driver improvement course. Passing a stopped school bus, racing on the road, reckless driving, running a red light, and violating traffic control devices all require course completion. You must finish an approved course and submit the certificate to the Clerk. Failure to complete the course can lead to a separate license suspension and extra fines.
Broward County Traffic Court Contact Details
Below is the full contact list for the Broward County Clerk of Courts Traffic and Misdemeanor Division. You can call, email, visit in person, or send mail to handle your traffic court record needs. All four locations are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Main Office Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Room 01130, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-831-6565 (Press Option 1 for Traffic)
Email: TrafficeClerk@browardclerk.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610
Website: browardclerk.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common things people ask about Broward County traffic court records. The answers explain the rules, deadlines, and procedures that apply to every traffic case in the county. Each answer gives you the facts you need without extra padding.
How Long Are Traffic Records Kept?
The Broward County Clerk keeps traffic court records for at least seven years for most civil infractions. Criminal traffic cases stay on file much longer and may never be purged from the system. Records that get purged from the online search portal stay in the Clerk’s physical archive. You can still request copies of purged records by visiting a courthouse in person or by sending a written request by mail to the Traffic and Misdemeanor Division. The Clerk pulls the file from storage, which can take a few extra business days. Driver license history records cover either three years or seven years based on what you request and pay for. Insurance companies and employers often ask for the full seven-year history to get the complete picture of your driving record.
Can I Search Someone Else’s Case?
Yes. Florida public records law lets anyone look up traffic cases filed in Broward County. You can search by name, case number, or citation number using the Clerk’s online portal. The portal does not require an account or login. Some personal details stay hidden, like social security numbers and banking data. Sealed or expunged cases do not show up in the public search tool. If the case is part of an active criminal investigation, certain entries may be temporarily blocked from public view by court order. Landlords, employers, and insurance agents often run these searches to check the driving history of tenants, employees, or applicants before making decisions.
What Happens If I Ignore a Broward County Traffic Ticket?
Ignoring a Broward County traffic ticket triggers a chain of penalties. The Clerk adds late fees after the 30-day window closes. The FLHSMV then suspends your driver license. After 90 days, the unpaid debt gets sent to a collection agency, which can add up to 40 percent to the balance. The agency reports the debt to credit bureaus, which hurts your credit score. The agency can also garnish your wages or intercept your tax refund. The Clerk stops sending reminders once the case moves to collections. The best move is to pay the ticket or file a plea before the 30-day deadline closes to keep your record clean and your wallet safe.
Do Traffic Tickets Raise Insurance Costs?
Yes. Most moving violations in Broward County go on your driving record through FLHSMV. Insurance companies check your driving record when your policy renews. A speeding ticket, careless driving charge, or red light violation can raise your insurance premium by hundreds of dollars a year. The bump usually lasts three to five years on your record before it drops off. A Conditional Plea of No Contest can keep the ticket off your record, which protects your insurance rate. Drivers who take a basic driver improvement course before getting the ticket may also qualify for an insurance discount that offsets the rate hike from the citation.
Can I Contest a Ticket Without Court?
Yes. You can file a Conditional Plea of No Contest by mail or email for many civil infractions. The plea withholds adjudication and keeps the points off your license. You still pay the fine, but you avoid a conviction on your driving record. Cases that involve a crash, mandatory court appearance, or criminal charge cannot use this plea option. Drivers who want to fully fight the ticket must request a court hearing and show up in person. You can also hire a traffic attorney to appear on your behalf for the hearing if you cannot attend the scheduled court date.
How Do I Find Out If I Have a Warrant in Broward County?
Check the Clerk’s online case search portal first. Warrants show up as case status entries on the portal under your name. You can also call the Clerk’s office at 954-831-6565 and press Option 1 for traffic. The Clerk cannot give legal advice but can tell you whether an active case or warrant exists under your name. A Florida driver license history record also shows pending cases that may lead to a warrant. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office holds warrant records as well, and you can call them to confirm. Never ignore a traffic warrant, since the Sheriff can arrest you at any traffic stop or court appearance.
Are Juvenile Traffic Records Public in Broward County?
Juvenile traffic records follow a different set of rules in Florida. Many juvenile cases get sealed automatically under Florida law once the teen turns 18. The Clerk’s online portal does not display sealed juvenile cases to the public. You must file a written request and show a valid legal reason to access sealed juvenile traffic records. The court reviews the request and decides whether to release the records based on the reason given. Unsealed juvenile cases from older years may still appear in the public search tool. Parents of minors can always request copies of their child’s traffic records directly from the Clerk by showing proof of guardianship.