Broward County Florida bench warrants are court orders issued by a judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit when someone misses a required court date or breaks a court rule. These warrants stay active until a judge recalls them or the person is taken into custody.
Anyone with an active warrant can be arrested at any time, during a traffic stop, at a checkpoint, or even at airport security. This page explains how bench warrants work in Broward County, how to search for them online, the penalties that come with them, and the legal steps needed to clear one.
What Is a Bench Warrant in Broward County
A bench warrant in Broward County is a written order signed by a judge. The order tells law enforcement to bring a named person before the court. The judge signs this order when someone fails to appear in court, fails to pay a fine, or violates another court order. Broward County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida, one of the largest court systems in the state.
How Bench Warrants Differ from Arrest Warrants
An arrest warrant needs probable cause and a sworn statement from a police officer or prosecutor. A bench warrant only needs the judge’s order and usually comes from a missed court date. The two warrants look similar on paper, but the reason they are issued is different. A bench warrant in Broward County almost always starts with a failure to appear.
| Feature | Bench Warrant | Arrest Warrant |
|---|---|---|
| Who signs it | A judge | A judge |
| Trigger | Missed court date or rule violation | Probable cause of a crime |
| Police report needed | No | Yes |
| Main use in Broward | Failure to appear cases | New criminal investigations |
Capias Warrants and FTA Warrants in Florida
Florida courts also use a warrant called a capias. A capias serves the same purpose as a bench warrant. The clerk or state attorney can issue a direct capias under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730 to bring a defendant back to court for sentencing or further hearings. An FTA warrant means the charge is failure to appear. Both capias and bench warrants are arrest orders that stay in the system until recalled.
Common Reasons a Judge Issues a Warrant
Judges in Broward County issue bench warrants for many reasons. The most common reason is missing a court date. Other reasons include failing to pay court-ordered fines, failing to complete required classes, or violating probation terms. Each reason creates a separate court order that law enforcement can enforce right away.
- Skipped a criminal court hearing
- Missed a traffic court date
- Did not pay a fine on time
- Failed to complete a court-ordered program
- Violated probation conditions
- Failed to appear for a deposition
How to Search for Bench Warrants in Broward
There are three free public tools that show active warrants in Broward County. The Broward County Clerk of Court runs the main case search system. The Broward Sheriff’s Office has its own arrest search tool. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also runs a statewide database that includes Broward warrants.
Broward County Clerk of Court Online Search
The Clerk of Court for Broward County is Brenda D. Forman. Her office runs a public case search tool that shows active warrants, case status, and court dates. The main office sits at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The general phone line is (954) 831-6565. The online case search tool works twenty-four hours a day and does not charge a fee.
To search for a warrant, visit the Broward County Clerk website and open the public case search tool. Enter the last name and first name of the person. The system also accepts searches by case number, citation number, or business name. Results show the charges, filing date, and whether a warrant is active. The tool limits name searches to the first two hundred records, so using the full legal name gives better results.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Warrant Records
The Broward Sheriff’s Office, also called BSO, serves warrants across the county. The main office address is 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. The non-emergency phone line is (954) 764-4357. The main office line is (954) 831-8901. BSO directs most warrant questions to the Clerk of Courts website, but the agency also runs an arrest search tool and a public records request portal.
Under Florida Statute 901.04, any sheriff in the state can serve a Broward County bench warrant. BSO deputies can arrest a person with a warrant at any time of day, in any city in Broward County, and even cross into other counties during fresh pursuit.
Broward County Case Search Tool
The Broward County public case search shows criminal, civil, traffic, and family court cases. The tool shows case status, hearing dates, and active bench warrants. The database updates every day, so a warrant issued today will show up on the search by the next business day.
People can also file court records requests online through the clerk’s portal. Electronic certified court documents can be purchased through the same system. This service helps people get official copies of bench warrant documents without driving to the courthouse.
FDLE Statewide Warrant Database
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide database that includes active warrants from all sixty-seven counties. The FDLE database updates every twenty-four hours and includes Broward County bench warrants along with warrants from every other Florida county. The free search tool works on the FDLE website.
Florida Court Clerks Public Records Search
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association connects all sixty-seven county clerk offices into one shared network. This statewide system allows anyone to check court records across multiple counties at the same time. The free search tool helps people confirm whether a warrant exists in Broward County or in another part of Florida.
Penalties for a Broward County Bench Warrant
A bench warrant in Broward County creates serious legal problems. The warrant itself is an arrest order, so the person can be taken into custody at any time. Florida law also treats the missed court date as a new criminal charge. This second charge adds to the original case and raises the total penalty.
Failure to Appear as a New Criminal Charge
Under Florida Statute 843.15, skipping court on a felony charge is a third-degree felony. The maximum penalty is five years in state prison. Skipping court on a misdemeanor is a first-degree misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is one year in county jail. These new charges are separate from the original charge that brought the person to court.
- Felony failure to appear: up to five years in prison
- Misdemeanor failure to appear: up to one year in jail
- Bond can be revoked on the original case
- New conviction appears on the criminal record
- Driver license suspension for traffic cases
Bond Amounts and Court Decisions
A judge can raise the bond amount on the original case once a bench warrant is active. Judges in Broward County often set higher bonds for people who skip court. A higher bond makes it harder to get out of jail after an arrest. In some cases, the judge can deny bond altogether.
How a Warrant Affects Daily Life
A bench warrant changes daily life in serious ways. Police can arrest a person at a traffic stop, at a license checkpoint, or during any contact with law enforcement. A warrant can also show up during background checks for jobs, housing, or loans. Airports in Florida share warrant data with law enforcement, so flying with an active warrant can lead to arrest at the security checkpoint.
How to Clear a Bench Warrant in Broward
Clearing a bench warrant takes legal action through the court. The first step is to confirm the warrant using the Clerk of Court search tool. The second step is to hire a criminal defense lawyer who works in the 17th Judicial Circuit. The third step is to follow the lawyer’s plan to recall the warrant, surrender to the court, or post a new bond.
Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
A lawyer who works in Broward County knows the local judges, prosecutors, and court staff. A local lawyer can file paperwork faster, schedule a hearing sooner, and negotiate a better outcome. Lawyers who practice in the 17th Judicial Circuit handle bench warrant cases every day and know the right approach for each judge.
Motion to Quash a Bench Warrant
A motion to quash asks the judge to cancel the warrant. The judge looks at the reason the person missed court, the original charges, and the person’s criminal history. Old warrants, minor charges, and valid reasons for missing court have a better chance of being recalled. A judge can recall the warrant outright or set new conditions for release.
Voluntary Surrender at the Courthouse
Voluntary surrender through a lawyer goes better than getting arrested without warning. The court sees the surrender as a sign of good faith. A lawyer can arrange the surrender date, time, and location. The clerk then sets a new court date and removes the active warrant from the system.
- The lawyer contacts the Broward County Clerk to set a surrender date
- The lawyer files a written notice of surrender with the court
- The person appears at the courthouse with the lawyer at the set time
- The clerk processes the surrender and sets a new hearing
- The judge reviews the case and decides on bond or release
Posting Bond After Arrest
If a person gets arrested on a bench warrant, the court sets a new bond amount. The person can post bond at the Broward County Jail or through a licensed bail bond agent. After bond is posted, the court schedules a new hearing date to address both the original case and the new failure to appear charge.
Key Florida Laws That Govern Bench Warrants
Florida law sets the rules for issuing and serving bench warrants. Three main legal sources control how warrants work in Broward County. These laws apply in every Florida circuit court and define the rights of both the court and the person named in the warrant.
Florida Statute 901.02
Florida Statute 901.02 gives judges the power to issue arrest warrants based on probable cause. The statute also covers bench warrants signed after a missed court appearance. Electronic signatures on warrants have been valid in Florida since 2013.
Florida Statute 843.15
Florida Statute 843.15 defines the crime of failure to appear. The law makes skipping court on a felony case a third-degree felony and skipping court on a misdemeanor case a first-degree misdemeanor. The statute also lets the court add the failure to appear charge to the original case.
Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730
Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730 allows the clerk or state attorney to issue a direct capias. A direct capias brings a person back to court without a new warrant hearing. This rule helps prosecutors speed up cases where the defendant has already missed a court date.
Broward County Courthouse Contact
The main Broward County Courthouse complex sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Clerk of Court handles all bench warrant records, case searches, and court document requests. The Broward Sheriff’s Office serves active warrants anywhere in the county. Use the contact details below to confirm a warrant or ask about court records.
Broward County Clerk of Court
201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: browardclerk.org
Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO)
2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Non-Emergency: (954) 764-4357
Main Office: (954) 831-8901
Website: sheriff.org
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Website: fdle.state.fl.us
Statewide Warrant Search: fdle.state.fl.us
FAQ About Broward County Bench Warrants
The questions below cover the most common issues people face with bench warrants in Broward County. Each answer reflects Florida law, court procedure, and current public records practice as of September 2026. These answers help readers take the right legal steps and avoid common mistakes.
How Long Does a Broward County Bench Warrant Last?
A bench warrant in Broward County does not expire. The warrant stays active until a judge recalls it, the person is arrested, or the person passes away. A warrant issued ten years ago is just as valid today as the day it was signed. The clerk’s computer system and the FDLE database both keep the record active until the court takes action to remove it. Search warrants are different. Search warrants expire after ten days under Florida Statute 933.05.
Can a Broward County Bench Warrant Cross Into Other Counties?
Yes. Any sheriff in Florida can serve a Broward County bench warrant under Florida Statute 901.04. A deputy from another county can arrest a person on a Broward warrant during a traffic stop or any other law enforcement contact. BSO deputies can also enter other counties during fresh pursuit to arrest a person on a Broward warrant.
Will I Be Notified Before Being Arrested on a Bench Warrant?
Florida law does not require the court to send a warning before arresting someone on a bench warrant. Many people first learn about a warrant when a police officer pulls them over. Some people learn about the warrant from a relative who saw it on the public search tool. The safest plan is to search the Broward County case database often and hire a lawyer before an arrest happens.
What Is the Difference Between a Bench Warrant and a Capias in Florida?
A bench warrant and a capias both serve as arrest orders in Florida. A bench warrant is signed by a judge after a missed court date or court rule violation. A capias is often issued by the clerk or state attorney under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730 to bring a defendant back for sentencing or further hearings. Both orders lead to arrest and stay active until the court recalls them.
How Much Does It Cost to Clear a Broward County Bench Warrant?
Clearing a bench warrant does not have a set government fee. The cost comes from hiring a criminal defense attorney, posting a bond, and paying any outstanding fines on the original case. Attorney fees vary by case, but most Broward County defense lawyers charge a flat fee for handling bench warrant cases. Bond amounts depend on the original charges and the judge’s decision at the hearing.
Can a Bench Warrant Affect My Driver License in Florida?
Yes. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can suspend a driver license when a person misses a required court date. The suspension stays in place until the court recalls the warrant and the driver pays a reinstatement fee. People with traffic bench warrants in Broward County should act quickly to avoid longer license suspensions.
How Do I Know If I Have a Warrant From Another Florida County?
The FDLE statewide warrant database covers all sixty-seven Florida counties. The free search tool at fdle.state.fl.us shows active warrants from Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Orange, and every other county in the state. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website also links all county clerk offices into one shared records network. Searching both tools gives a full picture of any active warrant in Florida.