Fort Lauderdale City Inmate Records show who is in jail right now in the Fort Lauderdale area. The city does not run its own jail.
Fort Lauderdale uses Broward County detention centers for all arrest bookings. Anyone arrested by Fort Lauderdale police goes to a Broward County jail. You can look up these records for free online. The main county jail sits inside Fort Lauderdale city limits at 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Where Fort Lauderdale Inmates Are Held
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County. The city gives all jail duties to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. This means every person arrested in Fort Lauderdale ends up in a Broward County facility. The main jail is right in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Two other booking centers serve the same area. Knowing which facility holds a person helps families and lawyers plan visits.
Broward County Main Jail
The Broward County Main Jail is the largest holding spot for Fort Lauderdale inmates. This building can hold 1,538 people at one time. It has been running since 1986. The address is 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The phone number for the main jail is 954-831-5900. You can call this number to ask about a person held there.
Central Intake Booking
The Central Intake Booking center handles new arrests. This center takes in people fresh from police custody. The same address covers this location at 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310. The phone number stays the same at 954-831-5900. This center can hold 171 people. It works as the entry point for most Fort Lauderdale arrests.
Broward Juvenile Detention Center
Young people under 18 go to the Broward Juvenile Detention Center. This facility sits at Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. The phone number is 954-467-4563. The website is http://www.djj.state.fl.us/programs-facilities/detention-centers. This center holds 109 young people at one time. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice runs this center.
How to Search for Fort Lauderdale Inmates
You can search for Fort Lauderdale inmates using free online tools. The Broward Sheriff’s Office runs an arrest search database. This database shows people in custody right now. You can search by name or booking number. Results show charges, bond amount, and booking date. The database updates every day with new people and releases.
Search by Name
Name searches help you find someone in Fort Lauderdale jail. Type the full legal name into the search box. The database shows everyone with that name in custody. You can add a date of birth to narrow results. If you get too many matches, try adding more letters. The system shows first name, last name, and middle name when listed.
Search by Booking Number
Booking numbers work best for exact matches. Each person gets a booking number at intake. This number stays with them through the whole jail stay. Use this number when you know it from a police report. The booking number removes any name confusion. It gives you the right person every time.
Search by Date
Date searches help you see who got arrested on a certain day. Pick a date range to see all Fort Lauderdale arrests. The system shows people booked in that window. This works well when you need to check old records. Recent arrests show up within a few hours. Older records move to the archive section.
What Information You Can See
Public inmate records show basic facts about each person in jail. These facts come from booking at intake. The records are public under Florida law. Anyone can ask for these records. Some details stay private for safety reasons. The main facts include name, charges, bond, and court dates.
Personal Details
The records show the inmate’s full legal name. You can see their date of birth. Some records show a booking photo. The home city shows up when known. Race and gender appear on the record. Height and weight show up too. These details help confirm you have the right person.
Booking Details
Booking records show when the person entered jail. The booking number links to all other records. You can see the arresting agency. Most Fort Lauderdale arrests list the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The record shows the exact booking date and time. The release date shows up when the person gets out.
Charges and Bond
Each charge appears on the inmate record. The charge shows the law that was broken. Bond amounts show next to each charge. Some charges carry no bond option. The total bond adds up at the bottom. Court dates show up after the first court hearing. Arraignment dates come first in most cases.
Contact Information for Fort Lauderdale Jail Records
You can reach jail staff by phone or in person. The main phone line answers most questions. Walk-in windows let you ask in person. Email works for some record requests. Mail works for formal record requests. Each contact method has its own rules and wait times.
Phone Numbers
The main Broward County jail number is 954-831-5900. This line handles inmate lookups and visit questions. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department non-emergency line is 954-828-5700. The help line for records is 954-764-4357. The juvenile center number is 954-467-4563. Call during business hours for fastest answers.
Mailing Address
Send mail to the Broward County Main Jail at 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The address also works for Central Intake Booking. For juvenile matters, use the address at Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. Always include the inmate’s full name and booking number. Mail without this info gets returned.
Email and Online Forms
The Broward Sheriff’s Office website has online contact forms. These forms work for general questions. Email works for record requests that need a paper trail. Response times vary by question type. Most emails get a reply within two business days. Use phone for urgent matters.
Bond and Release Information
Bond is money paid to get someone out of jail before trial. A judge sets the bond at the first court hearing. This hearing happens within 24 hours of arrest. Bond amounts depend on the charge and criminal history. Some charges have a set bond amount. Others need a bond hearing.
Types of Bond
Cash bond means you pay the full amount in cash. You get the money back when the person shows up for court. Surety bond means you pay a 10 percent fee to a bail bondsman. The bondsman keeps that fee. Release on recognizance means no money is needed. The judge orders this for low-risk cases. No bond means the person stays in jail until trial.
How to Post Bond
Visit the bond office at the main jail to post cash bond. Bring the full amount in cash or money order. Personal checks do not work. For surety bonds, contact a licensed bondsman. The bondsman charges a fee for their service. They pay the full bond to the court. Bail bondsmen in Fort Lauderdale work around the clock.
Release Information
Release records show when someone leaves jail. The record shows the release date and time. It also shows why the person got released. Common reasons include bond posted, case dropped, or time served. The release record becomes part of the court file. You can ask for these records after the release happens.
Visiting Inmates in Fort Lauderdale
Visits help inmates stay in touch with family. Broward County jails allow in-person and video visits. You must be on the approved visitor list. The inmate adds people to this list. Each inmate can have several approved visitors. The jail checks each visitor for safety.
In-Person Visits
In-person visits happen at the jail. You must show a valid photo ID at the door. A security check happens before you enter. The visit takes place in a room with other visitors. Most visits last 30 minutes. You can bring nothing but your ID into the visit room. Children must come with a parent.
Video Visits
Video visits work from home using a computer or phone. You book a time through the approved vendor. Each visit costs a small fee. Most video visits last 20 to 30 minutes. The vendor sends you a link before the visit. You log in at the set time to see the inmate. The visit gets recorded for safety reasons.
Visit Schedule and Rules
Visit times change by housing area. Check the Broward Sheriff website for the schedule. Some areas only allow visits on certain days. The dress code bans certain items. No see-through clothing, no hats, no short shorts. All visitors go through a metal detector. The jail can deny visits that break rules.
Sending Money and Mail to Inmates
Inmates need money for phone calls, commissary, and personal items. Family and friends can send money through approved vendors. Mail also goes through the jail post office. All mail gets checked for safety. Cash sent through the mail gets thrown away. Use the right method to send money and mail.
Sending Money
Use the online deposit system through the jail vendor. You need the inmate’s full name and booking number. Money posts within a few hours for online deposits. A small fee applies to each deposit. Kiosks at the jail accept cash and debit cards. Do not send money through personal checks or money orders by mail.
Sending Mail
Address all mail to the inmate’s full name and booking number. Use the jail address of 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Use plain white paper and standard envelopes. Photos may be allowed but check the rules first. All mail gets opened and checked. Mail that breaks rules gets returned or thrown out.
Prohibited Items in Mail
Do not send cash, checks, or money orders. Do not send stickers, glue, or glitter. No food, drugs, or tobacco. No weapons of any kind. No sexually explicit materials. No items that could hide drugs. The jail posts a full list on its website. Breaking these rules leads to lost mail or lost visit rights.
Court Information for Fort Lauderdale Cases
Court cases start soon after arrest. The first hearing is the arraignment. The judge reads the charges at this hearing. The defendant enters a plea. Bond may get set or changed at this hearing. Most arraignments happen within 24 hours of arrest.
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts keeps all court records. You can search case records online. The clerk’s website shows court dates, charges, and outcomes. Public terminals at the courthouse let you search records in person. The clerk’s office also handles court payments. Use the clerk’s site to track a case through the court system.
Court Locations
Most Fort Lauderdale cases go to the main courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The courthouse sits near the jail. Bond hearings happen at the jail itself. Felony cases go to circuit court. Misdemeanor cases go to county court. Traffic cases go to a separate traffic court. Check the court order for the right location.
Public Defender Services
The Broward County Public Defender’s Office gives free legal help. They help people who cannot pay for a lawyer. The office handles criminal cases for low-income people. The main office sits in Fort Lauderdale. You can ask for a public defender at the first court hearing. The judge decides who qualifies for this service.
Florida State Prison Records
People sentenced to more than one year go to state prison. The Florida Department of Corrections runs state prisons. These records are separate from county jail records. The state system tracks inmates through their prison term. Use the state search to find someone in prison.
Florida DOC Inmate Search
Search the Florida Department of Corrections database at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. The search works by name or DOC number. The system shows inmates in state custody. The database updates once a week. Each record shows the facility, release date, and charges. The DOC number links to the full record.
Difference Between Jail and Prison
Jails hold people before trial and people with short sentences. Prisons hold people with sentences over one year. Broward County jails handle Fort Lauderdale inmates before and after short sentences. State prisons take over after sentencing for longer terms. The records live in two different systems. Each system has its own search tool.
Public Records Requests
Florida law gives the public the right to see most government records. Inmate records fall under this law. You can ask for copies of public records. The jail charges a small fee for copies. Some records take time to gather. Records requests work best in writing.
How to Make a Request
Send a written request to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Include the inmate’s name and booking number. State what records you want. Include your contact details. The records office sends you a price quote. Pay the fee and get the records. Most requests take five to ten business days.
Records That Stay Private
Some records stay private for safety reasons. Medical records do not become public. Juvenile records stay sealed in most cases. Witness information stays private. Home addresses of inmates stay private in some cases. Records tied to active investigations may stay private. The law lists all private record types.
Other Cities in Broward County
Broward County has many cities that use the same jail system. All cities in Broward send arrestees to the same county jails. The same arrest search works for all of them. Each city has its own police department. But all bookings go to the same county facilities.
Larger Broward Cities
Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs are larger cities in Broward. They all use the Broward County jail system. The same phone number 954-831-5900 works for all of them. The same online search tool works for all of them. All inmates from these cities end up in the same database.
Other Broward Cities
Plantation, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, Miramar, and Davie also use the system. The full list of cities includes many more. All cities in Broward County work with the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Each city pays for jail services through county fees. The system makes inmate searches easy across the whole county.
Official Contact Details
Use these official contact details for Fort Lauderdale inmate records. The Broward County Main Jail phone number is 954-831-5900. The jail address is 555 SE 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The Broward Sheriff’s Office website is sheriff.org. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department phone is 954-828-5700. Their address is 1300 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. The Florida Department of Corrections inmate search is at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. The juvenile center phone is 954-467-4563. Calling during business hours gives the fastest service. Most offices open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. local time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are common questions about Fort Lauderdale inmate records. These answers cover the most asked topics. They help you find the right records fast. The answers use official sources and current rules. Check the official websites for the latest updates.
How Do I Find Out if Someone Is in Fort Lauderdale Jail?
You can check the Broward Sheriff’s Office online arrest search. This free tool works any time of day. Type the person’s full legal name into the search box. Add a date of birth if you know it. The search shows if the person is in custody now. You can also call 954-831-5900 to ask staff. The database updates daily with new bookings and releases.
What Is the Difference Between Broward County Jail and State Prison?
Broward County jails hold people before trial. They also hold people with sentences under one year. State prisons hold people with sentences over one year. The Florida Department of Corrections runs all state prisons. The county system uses one search tool. The state system uses a different tool at pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com. Once a person transfers to state custody, they leave the county database.
Can I Visit an Inmate Right After Arrest?
Visits take time to set up after arrest. The inmate must add you to the visitor list. This happens during intake or in the first few days. After you are on the list, you can book a visit. Video visits are often the fastest option. In-person visits need an approved time slot. Most inmates can have visitors within 48 to 72 hours of booking.
How Much Does It Cost to Send Money to an Inmate?
Online deposits have a small fee per transaction. The fee depends on the amount you send. Kiosk deposits at the jail also have a fee. The vendor charges the fee, not the jail. The money reaches the inmate’s account within a few hours for online deposits. The jail does not charge to receive money from approved vendors.
Are Fort Lauderdale Inmate Records Free to View?
Yes, the online arrest search is free. You can view records on the Broward Sheriff’s website at no cost. The search does not need a login or payment. Some official record copies cost a small fee. The fee covers copies and staff time. You can view basic inmate details for free anytime.
What Happens After Someone Is Released From Fort Lauderdale Jail?
The release record shows the date and time. It also shows the reason for release. Common reasons include bond posted or case dropped. The person gets back their personal items. They leave the jail through a specific exit. The court case continues after release in most cases. The person must follow any court orders after release.
Can I Search for Fort Lauderdale Juvenile Records?
Juvenile records stay sealed under Florida law. Most people cannot view these records. Parents and lawyers can see some details. The court handles requests for juvenile records. The Broward Juvenile Detention Center can answer basic questions. The center phone number is 954-467-4563. Most juvenile records stay private even after the case ends.