Miami Gardens City traffic court records are public files kept by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court and Comptroller. The city of Miami Gardens sits inside Miami-Dade County, so all traffic tickets issued there move through the county clerk’s office, not a city-run court.
You can look up these records online, pay a fine, find a hearing date, or order a certified copy from home. Most people can finish their case in a few minutes using the county search portal.
Where Miami Gardens Traffic Records Are Filed
Florida does not run traffic courts at the city level. Every traffic case filed in Miami Gardens goes to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court. The clerk keeps the records, schedules hearings, and collects payments for the whole county.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Role
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court and Comptroller handles traffic records for cities like Miami Gardens, Miami, Hialeah, Homestead, and Doral. This office stores citation data, court orders, payment history, and case outcomes. About 116,000 people live in Miami Gardens, and many of them deal with this office at some point for a traffic ticket. The clerk serves as the record keeper under Florida law and answers to the Florida Constitution as a constitutional officer of the county.
Main Courthouse Location and Hours
The Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building holds most traffic court hearings for Miami Gardens. The address is 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125. The clerk’s office at this building opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk phone line at 305-275-1111 runs during the same hours. You can also mail documents to PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321.
| Detail | Miami-Dade Clerk Information |
|---|---|
| Building Name | Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building |
| Street Address | 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125 |
| Mailing Address | PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321 |
| Phone | 305-275-1111 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Florida Statutes That Govern These Records
Florida Statute Chapter 316 sets the rules of the road. Chapter 318 covers traffic violations, fines, and court costs. Chapter 119, the Public Records Act, says anyone can view or copy these records. Florida Statute 28.246 covers what happens if you fail to pay a ticket, including late fees and collections. These statutes give the clerk the power and duty to keep traffic records open to the public.
How to Search Records Online
You can search Miami Gardens traffic court records from any computer or phone. The Miami-Dade Clerk has a free online search tool on its website. You do not need an account to use it.
Step-by-Step Search by Name
Go to the Miami-Dade Clerk traffic page at www.miamidadeclerk.gov. Click the traffic search link. Type the last name of the person cited, then the first name. Pick a date range if you know it. Press search. The results will show the case number, the charge, the court date, and the case status. You can click each case to see more detail, such as the plea entered or the fine amount due.
- Open the Miami-Dade Clerk homepage in your browser.
- Click on the traffic or court records section.
- Type the last name, then the first name.
- Add a birth date or date range to narrow the search.
- Press the search button to see all matching cases.
Search by Citation or Case Number
If you have the citation number from the ticket, search by that number for a direct match. The citation number sits on the top right of the paper ticket. If you lost the ticket but know the case number, the clerk portal also accepts that number. This method is faster than a name search because it returns one record only.
Statewide Search Portals You Can Use
The Florida Clerks of Court run a statewide payment site at payflclerk.com. It works for traffic citations from any county in Florida, including Miami-Dade. The state also runs MyFLCourtAccess at www.myflcourtaccess.com. This site lets you search court records across all 67 Florida counties. Both sites are free and open to the public. They work well for people who want to check a case from another county at the same time as their Miami Gardens case.
Information Included in Each Record
A Miami Gardens traffic record holds the same core data for every case. The exact amount of detail depends on where the case sits in the court process.
Personal and Case Details
Each record shows the name of the person cited, the date of birth, the driver’s license number, and the home address on file. The record also lists the citation number, the case number, and the date the ticket was issued. You will see the issuing officer’s name and the agency that wrote the ticket, such as the Miami Gardens Police Department. The exact violation appears with the Florida statute number it falls under.
Court Action and Disposition Data
The record shows what the person did after getting the ticket. Did they pay the fine? Did they enter a not guilty plea? Did they elect traffic school? Did they show up for a hearing? The record lists the plea, the hearing date, the judge, and the final outcome. Disposition codes tell you if the case ended in a conviction, a dismissal, an adjudication withheld, or a forfeiture. Payment dates and amounts also appear once you pay.
What Is Removed Before Public Release
The clerk removes sensitive data before giving records to the public. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and dates of birth on minor children are kept private. Sealed or expunged cases do not show up in any search tool at all. If a judge ordered a record sealed, the clerk removes it from public view and locks it from online portals.
How to Respond to a Traffic Citation
A driver cited in Miami Gardens has 30 days from the date of the ticket to choose a response. Three response options exist for most civil traffic cases. Each option leads to a different result on the driving record.
Pay the Fine Option
Paying the fine closes the case fast. The clerk marks the case as paid and sends the conviction to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). The DHSMV adds points to your driving record based on the violation. A speeding ticket usually carries three to four points. A red light ticket carries three points. Non-moving violations, like a broken taillight, carry no points.
Elect Traffic School Option
Florida law lets drivers keep points off their record by taking a Basic Driver Improvement course. The course takes about four hours. You can take it online or in a classroom. After you finish, you send the certificate to the Miami-Dade Clerk. The clerk withholds adjudication. No conviction. No points. You can use this option up to five times in your lifetime.
Contest the Ticket in Court
You can plead not guilty and ask for a hearing. Miami-Dade County lets some drivers enter a written not guilty plea without showing up in person. A clerk or judge reads the case file and decides. If the judge finds you not guilty, the ticket gets dismissed. If the judge finds you guilty, you pay the fine plus court costs. Criminal charges like DUI or driving on a suspended license require you to appear in court.
Criminal Traffic Cases Versus Civil Cases
Florida splits traffic cases into two main groups. Knowing which group your case sits in changes how you respond.
Civil Traffic Infractions Explained
Most Miami Gardens tickets fall under civil traffic infractions. Speeding, running a stop sign, and failure to use a turn signal all sit in this group. A civil infraction is not a crime. It carries a fine and possible points. You can resolve most civil infractions by mail or online. The Florida Statue Chapter 318 covers these cases.
Criminal Traffic Offense Examples
Criminal traffic offenses are more serious. They include reckless driving, DUI, leaving the scene of a crash, driving on a suspended license, and racing on a highway. A criminal traffic charge can lead to jail time, large fines, and a permanent criminal record. These cases get filed in criminal court under Florida Statute Chapter 316 or Chapter 322.
Court Appearance Rules by Case Type
Civil traffic infractions usually do not need a court visit. You can pay, elect school, or fight the case by mail. Criminal traffic charges always need a court appearance. A judge can order your arrest if you miss a hearing. If you face a criminal traffic charge, a traffic attorney can help you through each step.
Fines, Points, and Extra Costs
Florida sets base fines for traffic offenses in Florida Statute 318.18. Local courts add surcharges and costs on top of that base fine.
Florida Fine Schedule for 2025
Base fines depend on the violation. A basic speeding ticket starts around $150. A red light ticket carries a base fine of $158. A ticket for no valid registration starts near $116. Once surcharges and court costs are added, most tickets end up between $250 and $500. School zone and construction zone tickets carry higher fines by law. The total grows with speed over the limit for speeding tickets.
| Violation Type | Base Fine Range | Total After Court Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (1-14 mph over) | $130 – $150 | $250 – $300 |
| Speeding (15-29 mph over) | $250 – $350 | $400 – $500 |
| Red Light or Stop Sign | $158 | $300 – $360 |
| No Valid Registration | $116 | $250 – $300 |
| School Zone Violation | $200+ | $400+ |
Driver License Points by Violation
The DHSMV assigns points to your license for each moving violation. Speeding carries 3 to 4 points. Reckless driving carries 4 points. Running a red light carries 3 points. Leaving the scene of a crash carries 6 points. A license suspension begins at 12 points in 12 months. Three points also trigger a habitual traffic offender review. Insurance companies raise rates when they see points on a driving record.
Late Fees and Collection Charges
If you fail to pay a ticket on time, the clerk adds late fees. Under Florida Statute 28.246, unpaid tickets go to a private collection agency. The agency can add up to 40 percent to the balance. A $300 ticket can grow to $420 or more. Your driver license also gets suspended once a ticket goes to collections. You must pay the balance plus a reinstatement fee to drive again.
Getting Certified Copies of Records
You may need a certified copy of a Miami Gardens traffic record for a job application, insurance dispute, or court matter. The clerk provides certified copies for a higher fee than plain copies.
Cost and Processing Times for Copies
Plain copies cost about $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $7.00 for the certification plus the per-page copy fee. The clerk processes mail requests within 5 to 7 business days. Online requests through the clerk portal often go through the same day. Walk-in requests at the Gerstein Justice Building get processed right away while you wait.
In-Person, Mail, and Online Requests
You can request records three ways. Walk into the clerk’s office at the Gerstein Justice Building. Mail a written request with payment to PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321. Or order records through the clerk’s online portal with a credit card. Include the case number, citation number, or full name and date of birth to help the clerk find the right file.
Hearing Dates, Continuances, and Dismissals
People who fight a Miami Gardens traffic ticket need to know how hearings work. The same rules cover most civil traffic hearings in Miami-Dade County.
Finding Your Hearing Date Online
The traffic search portal shows the hearing date for any case. Search your name or case number. Open the case detail page. You will see the date, time, and courtroom for the hearing. Most hearings happen at the Gerstein Justice Building. Some are held at satellite courthouses in North Miami-Dade, Coral Gables, or other parts of the county.
Asking for a Continuance
You can ask for a continuance to push your hearing to a later date. File the written request before the hearing date. The clerk grants one continuance as a matter of right. After that, a judge has to approve each new request. Use a continuance when you need more time to gather evidence, hire an attorney, or prepare your case.
Dismissed Tickets and Sealed Cases
A ticket gets dismissed if a judge finds you not guilty, if the officer does not show up to the hearing, or if the case gets dropped for a legal reason. Dismissed tickets show a disposition code like “dismissed” or “not guilty.” The driving record shows no points. Sealed cases do not show up in any public search. The clerk hides the file from the online portal and from walk-in counters.
Other Florida County Traffic Records
Florida has 67 counties. Each county clerk runs its own traffic case search. Miami Gardens traffic records sit in Miami-Dade County. Drivers who move or travel across county lines often need to search records in other counties too.
Hillsborough County Records Search
Hillsborough County covers Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court runs a traffic search at hillsclerk.com. The county serves about 1.5 million residents. Hillsborough runs a separate search for criminal traffic charges at the Hillsborough Clerk criminal portal. Drivers cited in Tampa can search the same portal.
Orange County Records Search
Orange County covers Orlando and the tourist zone. The Orange County Clerk of Courts site at myorangeclerk.com lists traffic cases for tickets issued by Orlando Police, Orange County Sheriff, and Florida Highway Patrol. The county sees heavy traffic from theme parks and I-4. About 1.4 million people live in Orange County. Use the same search by name or citation number.
Broward, Palm Beach, Duval, and Pinellas
Broward County runs traffic searches at browardclerk.org. The county covers Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach. Palm Beach County records sit at clerk.mypalmbeachclerk.com. Duval County, home of Jacksonville, runs searches at duvalclerk.com. Pinellas County, covering St. Petersburg and Clearwater, hosts records at pinellasclerk.org. Each portal works on the same logic as the Miami-Dade search tool.
Miami-Dade Clerk Office Details
This section gives you the direct contact path for Miami Gardens traffic court records. Save these details before you call or visit the clerk’s office.
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court handles every Miami Gardens traffic record. The main office sits at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building. Use the contact details below for help with case status, fine payment, record copies, and traffic school elections.
Office: Miami-Dade Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Address: 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125
Mailing Address: PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321
Phone: 305-275-1111
Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Civil Traffic Page: miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/civil-traffic-infractions.page
Traffic Search Tool: www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/trafficapp/allsearches.aspx
Common Questions About Miami Gardens Records
Drivers and members of the public often ask the same questions about Miami Gardens traffic court records. The answers below come from Florida law, Miami-Dade clerk policy, and current DHSMV rules in 2025. They cover searches, fines, dismissals, and sealed records. Use these answers to know what to expect before you call or visit the clerk.
How long does the clerk take to post a new ticket online?
The Miami-Dade Clerk usually posts new traffic tickets to the online portal within 5 to 10 days after the officer writes the citation. Some tickets take up to 30 days to appear, depending on the volume at the clerk office. If you got a ticket today and cannot find it online tomorrow, wait a week before calling. The clerk phone line at 305-275-1111 can confirm whether the clerk received your ticket. Once the case appears, you can pay, elect school, or fight the citation right from the same portal.
Can I view someone else’s Miami Gardens traffic record?
Yes. Florida Public Records Law under Chapter 119 lets anyone view or copy a Miami Gardens traffic court record. You do not need to be the person cited. You do not need a court order. You can search by name from a phone or computer at any time. The clerk removes private data like Social Security numbers before giving records to the public. Sealed and expunged records stay hidden from all public searches. Anyone doing a background check or legal research can use the same portal as the person cited.
What happens if I never pay my Miami Gardens traffic ticket?
An unpaid ticket sets off a chain of bad events. First, the clerk adds late fees. Next, the DHSMV suspends your driver license. Then, under Florida Statute 28.246, the unpaid debt goes to a private collection agency. The agency adds up to 40 percent to the balance. You also pay a license reinstatement fee when you want to drive again. The longer you wait, the more the total grows. Call 305-275-1111 to set up a payment plan before your case reaches collections.
Can I remove a Miami Gardens traffic case from my public record?
You can seal or expunge a traffic case only if the court withheld adjudication and you meet other strict Florida rules. Most civil traffic infractions do not qualify for sealing. Criminal traffic convictions almost never qualify for sealing. A lawyer can review your case and file a petition under Florida Statute 943.059. The clerk removes any sealed case from the public portal the same day the court order arrives. Until a court seals the case, it stays visible to anyone who searches your name.
Do I have to show up in court for a Miami Gardens speeding ticket?
Not for most civil speeding tickets. You can pay the fine by mail or online. You can elect traffic school without a court visit. You can also enter a written not guilty plea for some civil cases through the clerk portal. A clerk or judge then reads the case file and decides. You must show up in court if you ask for an in-person hearing or if you face a criminal charge. If you skip a required court date, the judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
How much does it cost to pull a record from another Florida county?
The price depends on the county. Miami-Dade charges $1.00 per page for plain copies and $7.00 for certified copies. Most large counties charge similar rates. Some counties charge extra for online searches. The statewide MyFLCourtAccess site at www.myflcourtaccess.com runs free basic searches. Certified copies from any county clerk still need a written or in-person request plus the certification fee. Check the exact price with each county clerk before you order.
Is the Miami Gardens traffic school option still available in 2025?
Yes. The Basic Driver Improvement course still works in 2025 for most civil traffic infractions. You still get up to five lifetime elections. You must complete a state-approved course and send the certificate to the Miami-Dade Clerk. The clerk then withholds adjudication on your case. You cannot use traffic school for school zone violations, construction zone tickets, or any case that involves a crash. Call 305-275-1111 to check if your specific ticket qualifies before you pay for the course.