Sunrise City traffic court records are public files kept by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Every traffic ticket issued in Sunrise goes to the Broward County clerk for filing.
These records show the violation, the fine, the court date, and the final outcome. Anyone can look them up online or in person. This page covers how to search, pay, and request copies of Sunrise traffic cases.
Where Sunrise Traffic Cases Are Filed
Florida does not run city-level traffic courts. Sunrise is part of Broward County, so the county handles all traffic filings. The Broward County Clerk of Courts stores every Sunrise traffic case from start to finish. This setup applies to all 31 municipalities inside Broward County.
Role of the Broward County Clerk of Courts
The clerk’s office is the main record keeper for all Sunrise traffic citations. When a Sunrise police officer writes a ticket, the citation moves to the clerk within a few business days. The clerk logs the case, assigns a case number, and tracks the fine. The clerk also handles plea forms, payments, and copies of court documents.
West Regional Courthouse in Plantation
The closest clerk office to Sunrise residents is the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation. The address is 100 North Pine Island Road, Room 110, Plantation, FL 33324. This location is about 15 minutes from most parts of Sunrise. You can pay fines, submit plea forms, and request copies there.
Hours, Phone, and Mailing Address
The West Regional Courthouse opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The main clerk phone line is 954-831-6565. For mail, the clerk accepts payments and forms at P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610. Other traffic court locations in Broward County include the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, the North Regional Courthouse in Deerfield Beach, and the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood.
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| West Regional Courthouse (closest to Sunrise) | 100 North Pine Island Road, Room 110, Plantation, FL 33324 | 954-831-6565 |
| Main Courthouse | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | 954-831-6565 |
| North Regional Courthouse | 1600 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 | 954-831-6565 |
| South Regional Courthouse | 3550 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, FL 33021 | 954-831-6565 |
How to Search Sunrise City Traffic Court Records
You can search Sunrise traffic court records in two main ways. The first is the Broward County Clerk online system. The second is the statewide MyFLCourtAccess portal. Both let you look up cases by name, case number, or citation number at no cost.
Broward County Clerk Online System
The Broward County Clerk website has a free public search tool. Go to browardclerk.org and click on the case search link. The system covers traffic, criminal, civil, and family cases across the county. For Sunrise traffic records, set the case type to traffic or criminal traffic. The results show the charge, court date, fine, and case status. You do not need an account to search.
MyFLCourtAccess Statewide Portal
MyFLCourtAccess is a statewide site run by the Florida Courts. It pulls case data from all 67 counties, including Broward. The URL is myflcourtaccess.com. The portal works well for people who want to check traffic records across more than one county. Results include party name, case number, charge, and final disposition. The site updates every 24 hours.
Searching by Name, Case Number, or Citation
The Broward clerk system lets you search three ways. A name search needs the last name and first name. A case number search needs the full 14-digit number printed on the citation. A citation number search uses the number on the traffic ticket. Each method pulls the same core record. The citation search often gives the fastest result since the number is unique to one case.
What the Search Results Show
A typical Sunrise traffic record displays the defendant name, date of birth, citation number, case number, charge description, court division, court date, fine amount, and case status. The status field shows whether the case is open, closed, paid, or pending. It also shows if adjudication was withheld. Sensitive fields like social security numbers and driver license numbers are blocked from public view under Florida law.
Sunrise Traffic Case Status and Disposition
Case status tells you where a Sunrise traffic case stands right now. The status changes as the case moves through the system. You can check the status online any time without paying a fee.
Checking Case Status Online
Run a search on the Broward clerk site or MyFLCourtAccess. The status field will list one of several labels. Open means the case is still active. Closed means the case has ended. Disposed means a final decision was made, such as paid, dismissed, or adjudicated. Pending means the clerk is waiting on paperwork or a court action.
Understanding Disposition Codes
Disposition codes are short labels that show how a case ended. Common codes for Sunrise traffic cases include Paid, Dismissed, Adjudication Withheld, Adjudicated Guilty, and Nolle Prosse. Adjudication Withheld means you paid the fine but no conviction went on your record. Dismissed means the case was dropped. Nolle Prosse means the state dropped the charge.
Hearing Records and Court Dates
Some Sunrise traffic cases need a court hearing. This includes criminal traffic charges like reckless driving or driving with a suspended license. Civil infractions like speeding do not need a hearing unless you contest the ticket. The online record shows the next hearing date, the courtroom, and the judge. You can also see past hearing notes, including the result of each hearing.
Sunrise Traffic Court Fines and Payments
Fine amounts for Sunrise traffic tickets depend on the violation. The Florida Highway Patrol and local police use a state fine schedule under Florida Statute 318.18. The clerk collects all payments for Sunrise cases.
Fine Amounts by Violation Type
Non-moving violations like a broken taillight cost around $116. A basic speeding ticket costs $144 plus court costs. Speeding in a school zone costs $244. Speeding 30 mph or more over the limit costs $356. Careless driving costs $166. Running a red light costs $262. These amounts do not include the $50 in extra fees that some counties add.
| Violation | Base Fine |
|---|---|
| Non-moving violation | $116 |
| Speeding (basic) | $144 |
| Speeding in school zone | $244 |
| Speeding 30+ mph over | $356 |
| Careless driving | $166 |
| Running a red light | $262 |
Payment Methods and Locations
You can pay a Sunrise traffic fine in five ways. First, pay online at browardclerk.org using a debit or credit card. Second, use the PayFLClerk statewide site at payflclerk.com. Third, pay in person at any of the four Broward County courthouse locations. Fourth, pay by mail with a check or money order to the P.O. Box address. Fifth, pay in cash at any AMSCOT location in Florida.
Payment Deadlines and Late Fees
The deadline to pay or respond to a Sunrise traffic ticket is 30 calendar days from the date on the citation. If you pay late, the clerk adds a late fee. After 90 days unpaid, the case moves to collections and a 40 percent surcharge gets added. The state may also suspend your driver license through the Florida DHSMV.
Conditional Plea and Traffic School Options
Sunrise drivers have two ways to keep points off their license. The first is a conditional plea of no contest. The second is traffic school. Both options require you to pay the full fine.
How a Conditional Plea Works
A conditional plea is a written no contest plea that asks the court to withhold adjudication. The form is on the Broward clerk website. Fill it out, sign it, and submit it before the 30-day deadline. You can email it, mail it, or drop it off at the West Regional Courthouse. If the clerk approves, no points go on your record. The case closes once you pay the fine.
Eligibility for Traffic School
Most civil traffic infractions qualify for traffic school. You can elect traffic school once every 12 months and up to five times in your lifetime. CDL holders cannot use this option. Drivers who hold a learner’s permit also cannot elect traffic school. The clerk checks your record before approving the election.
Completing Traffic School Online
Florida approves many online traffic schools. The course lasts 4 to 6 hours. After you pass, the school sends proof to the Broward clerk. The clerk then marks your case as school completion. You still pay the citation fine plus the school fee. Insurance companies often give a discount for keeping your record clean.
Getting Copies of Sunrise Traffic Records
You can order certified or plain copies of Sunrise traffic court records from the clerk. Copies are useful for insurance disputes, background checks, and court appeals.
Copy Fees and Certified Copies
Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page. The clerk charges a $1.00 search fee if the case needs to be pulled from archives. You can pay for copies online, by mail, or in person. Certified copies include a raised seal and a clerk signature for legal use.
Driving History Records
The Broward clerk sells driver license history reports. A 3-year history costs $14.25. A 7-year or complete history costs $16.25. These reports list every traffic violation on your Florida record, not just Sunrise cases. You can order them in person at any Broward courthouse location or by calling 954-831-6565.
In-Person Record Requests
Walk into the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation and ask for the records window. Bring a photo ID and the case number or citation number. The clerk pulls the file while you wait. Most simple requests are done within 30 minutes. For older cases stored off-site, pickup may take 2 to 3 business days.
Consequences of Unpaid Sunrise Traffic Fines
An unpaid Sunrise traffic ticket can lead to serious problems. The clerk, the DHSMV, and a private collections agency can all get involved. Acting within the 30-day window avoids most of these issues.
License Suspension Process
If you do not pay or respond within 30 days, the clerk reports the case to the Florida DHSMV. The DHSMV then suspends your driver license. To clear the suspension, you must pay the full fine plus a reinstatement fee. A first-time suspension reinstatement costs $45. Each later suspension costs $75 or more.
Collections and Additional Fees
After 90 days unpaid, the clerk hands the case to a private collections agency under Florida Statute 28.246. The agency adds up to a 40 percent surcharge. A $200 fine grows to $280. The agency reports the debt to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. The debt stays on your record for up to 7 years.
Payment Plan Options
You can ask the clerk for a payment plan if you cannot pay the full fine at once. The clerk sets monthly payments based on the amount owed. Most plans run 3 to 12 months. You must pay a small setup fee. If you miss a payment, the plan ends and the full balance becomes due right away.
Official Contact Details and Location
For all Sunrise traffic court record needs, the West Regional Courthouse in Plantation is the closest clerk location. The office is on the first floor in Room 110. Free parking is available in the front lot. Bring a photo ID and your citation or case number for faster service.
- Office: Broward County Clerk of Courts – Traffic West
- Address: 100 North Pine Island Road, Room 110, Plantation, FL 33324
- Phone: 954-831-6565
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Mail: P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610
- Website: https://www.browardclerk.org
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common issues Sunrise drivers face with traffic court records. Each answer gives you a clear, direct path to solve the problem. Use these details to save time and avoid extra fees.
How Long Do Sunrise Traffic Records Stay on My Driving History?
Sunrise traffic convictions stay on your Florida driving record for at least 10 years. The DHSMV uses a 10-year lookback for insurance and employment checks. Points from a moving violation stay on your record for 3 years but count toward license suspension for that full 10-year window. A dismissed case falls off your public record right away. Adjudication withheld cases stay visible to the courts but do not count as convictions for most purposes.
Can I View a Sunrise Traffic Case if I Am Not the Defendant?
Yes. Florida law under Chapter 119 makes all court records public. You can search and view any Sunrise traffic case without proving a connection to the case. The clerk blocks only sensitive data like social security numbers and minor victim details. You can view the case online for free. Certified copies still cost the same fee regardless of who requests them.
What Happens if I Miss My Court Date for a Sunrise Traffic Case?
A missed court date leads to a Failure to Appear charge. The clerk adds a new fine. The judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. You can fix this by contacting the clerk and asking for a new court date. You should also hire a traffic attorney if a warrant has been issued. A lawyer can get the warrant lifted at your next court visit.
Can I Pay a Sunrise Traffic Ticket With a Credit Card?
Yes. The Broward clerk site accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover for online payments. A 3.5 percent convenience fee applies to each card transaction. The PayFLClerk statewide site also accepts card payments. In person, the clerk takes cash, check, money order, and card. AMSCOT cash locations do not take card payments.
Is There a Way to Seal or Expunge a Sunrise Traffic Case?
You can seal or expunge only certain cases. Criminal traffic charges that were dropped or dismissed may qualify. Civil traffic infractions cannot be sealed or expunged in Florida. The process goes through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. You must get a certificate of eligibility first. Most people hire an attorney for this process.
What Is the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Traffic Charge in Sunrise?
Civil traffic charges are non-criminal infractions like speeding or running a red light. They carry fines and points but no jail time. Criminal traffic charges are offenses like DUI, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license. They carry higher fines, possible jail time, and a permanent criminal record. Criminal cases need a court hearing. Civil cases can often be handled by mail.
Can I Contest a Sunrise Traffic Ticket Without Going to Court?
You can contest by mail using a written declaration. The clerk provides a form called a Request for Hearing by Declaration. You write your side of the story and mail it in. A judge reads the police report and your statement, then makes a decision. You lose the case if the judge rules against you, and you must pay an extra $50 in court costs.