A Davie City Florida bench warrant is a court order signed by a judge that lets police arrest a person who missed a court date or broke a court rule in Broward County. This page explains how bench warrants work in Davie, how to search for one, and how to clear one through the 17th Judicial Circuit.
Davie sits in western Broward County with a population of 112,052. All Davie court cases run through the Broward County court system in Fort Lauderdale. The Broward County Clerk of Court holds the records. Anyone can search for a Davie bench warrant online through the clerk, the sheriff, or the FDLE.
What Is a Bench Warrant in Davie
A bench warrant is a written order from a judge that authorizes the arrest of a person who failed to appear in court or violated a court order. The most common trigger is missing a required court date. The warrant gets entered into a statewide database that all Florida law enforcement agencies can access. Bench warrants stay active until a judge formally recalls them. They work differently than search warrants, which must be served within 10 days under Florida Statute 933.05. A bench warrant in Davie can remain in the system for decades if no action is taken.
Florida Bench Warrant Definition
Florida law defines the issuance of arrest warrants and bench warrants in Florida Statute 901.02. A judge must find probable cause before signing any warrant. This rule applies to all warrants in the state. A Davie judge follows the same rule before issuing a bench warrant. Once signed, the clerk files the warrant in the case record. The warrant enters the Florida eWarrants system. Police officers anywhere in the state can act on it. Electronic signatures on warrants have been allowed since July 2013.
Bench Warrant vs Arrest Warrant
Bench warrants and arrest warrants both authorize police to take a person into custody. The reason for each warrant differs. An arrest warrant comes from a criminal investigation. A judge signs it when police show probable cause for a new crime. A bench warrant comes from a court action. The judge signs it when someone misses a court date or breaks a court order. In Davie, both types of warrants come from the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. Both types stay active until recalled.
Capias Warrant Florida
A capias is a separate court order with similar enforcement power to a bench warrant. The name means “that you take” in Latin. Florida Statute 88.3051 allows the court to issue a capias for people who fail to appear after receiving proper notice. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730 allows the clerk or state attorney to prepare a direct capias to bring a person before the court for sentencing. Capias warrants work the same way as bench warrants for arrest purposes across Florida.
How Bench Warrants Start in Davie
Most bench warrants in Davie start with a missed court appearance. The court sends a notice to the person before the hearing date. If the person fails to show up, the judge reviews the case file. The judge signs a bench warrant that gets entered into the system right away. Some bench warrants start from broken court orders. These include failure to pay court fines, missed probation meetings, or violation of a no-contact order. The clerk files each warrant in the case record.
Missed Court Date Florida Warrant
Missing a court date in Florida triggers an automatic bench warrant. The court marks the case as a failure to appear. The judge reviews the case file and the notice sent to the defendant. If the person had proper notice of the hearing, the judge signs a bench warrant. The warrant goes to the clerk for filing. The warrant enters the statewide database. Police can arrest the person at any time after entry. A simple traffic ticket court date can lead to a bench warrant if missed.
Failure to Appear Court Florida Penalty
Florida law adds new criminal penalties for missing a court appearance. Florida Statute 843.15 covers this specific rule. Failure to appear on a felony charge is a third-degree felony carrying up to five years in prison. Failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge is a first-degree misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail. These penalties stack on top of the original charges. The court can issue a bench warrant at the same time it adds the new failure to appear charge. A Davie resident who misses a Broward County court date faces these exact rules.
Florida Statute 843.15 Explained
Florida Statute 843.15 lists the exact penalties for failure to appear in court. The statute treats a missed felony court date as a brand new felony offense. It treats a missed misdemeanor court date as a new misdemeanor offense. The court can add prison time or jail time on top of the original sentence. The judge has discretion to impose the new penalty. The 17th Judicial Circuit handles all Davie cases. The statute gives prosecutors a separate tool to punish people who avoid their court obligations.
How to Check for a Bench Warrant in Davie
You can check for a Davie bench warrant through three main search tools. The first tool is the Broward County Clerk of Court website. The second tool is the Broward County Sheriff’s Office records portal. The third tool is the FDLE statewide wanted persons search. Each tool pulls data from the same court records system. Search results may vary based on the update cycle of each system. The clerk search updates daily. The FDLE search updates every 24 hours.
Florida Bench Warrant Search Options
Florida residents have access to several options for searching bench warrants. The FDLE runs the main statewide wanted persons search covering all 67 counties. The Broward County Clerk runs a local court records search covering Broward cases. Each of the 67 Florida counties runs the same type of local search. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers group helps share warrant data across all counties. A Davie bench warrant will appear in both statewide and local search tools. The Florida Court Clerks website is flclerks.com.
Broward County Clerk of Court Records
The Broward County Clerk of Court website holds all Davie court records. The main website address is browardclerk.org. The case search tool lives at browardclerk.org/web2. Users can search using party name, case number, citation number, or business name. The tool requires both first name and last name for a name search. The tool displays up to 200 results per search. Each result shows the case type, filing dates, charges, and warrant status. The basic search is free to use. Electronic certified court documents cost a small fee through the website.
Florida Sheriff Warrant Search
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office serves warrants in Davie. The BSO main office sits at 2601 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. The main phone number is (954) 831-8901. The non-emergency line is (954) 764-4357. Under Florida Statute 901.04, any sheriff in Florida can serve a bench warrant issued in any county. A Davie warrant can be served anywhere in the state. The BSO directs most warrant inquiries to the Clerk of Courts website for records checks.
Florida Warrant Check Online
The FDLE runs the official Florida warrant check online tool. The website address is fdle.state.fl.us. Users can search using first name, last name, or date of birth. The database covers all 67 Florida counties. The system updates every 24 hours with new entries. Results display wanted persons from across the state. A Davie bench warrant will show up in this database. The tool covers both misdemeanor and felony warrants. The search results include the original charge and the issuing county.
Where Davie Bench Warrants Are Filed
Davie bench warrants get filed in two main court offices. The first office is the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Fort Lauderdale. The second office is the Broward County Clerk of Court records division. Both offices keep electronic records of every warrant. Both offices serve the public. Records stay open under Florida public records law. The clerk enters each warrant into the statewide eWarrants system within one business day.
17th Judicial Circuit Court
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court covers Davie. The main courthouse sits in Fort Lauderdale. The circuit covers all of Broward County and serves over 2 million residents. Judges in this circuit sign bench warrants for Davie residents. The circuit court handles felony cases, family cases, and civil cases. County court handles misdemeanor cases and small claims. All Davie cases route through the Broward County Clerk regardless of the court type. The circuit follows standard Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Broward County Clerk of Court
The Broward County Clerk of Court is Brenda D. Forman. The main office sits at 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The main phone number is (954) 831-6565. The office operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff can look up bench warrants by name or case number at the front counter. Electronic certified copies of court documents are available for purchase through the website. The clerk also handles record sealing and expungement requests related to warrants.
Florida Court Records Bench Warrant
Florida court records stay open under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law is known as the Sunshine Law. Anyone can view court records without giving a reason. Most bench warrants qualify as open public records. Juvenile records and sealed cases carry some limits on public access. A Davie bench warrant stays open unless a judge ordered the case sealed. The clerk can show these records at the front counter for free. The records include the warrant date and the underlying charge.
Penalties for a Davie Bench Warrant
A Davie bench warrant carries serious consequences for the named person. The warrant itself does not add new jail time by itself. The new criminal penalties come from missing the court date. Florida Statute 843.15 adds new charges on top of the original case. The court can also change bail conditions. Police can arrest the person at any time once the warrant is active. The person faces arrest during routine traffic stops, job site visits, or airport screenings.
Outstanding Bench Warrant Florida Consequences
An outstanding bench warrant changes daily life across Florida. Police can arrest the person during any traffic stop for any minor violation. The person can be held without bail until the original case is resolved. The court may add new conditions for release after arrest. A person with an outstanding warrant faces arrest at work, at home, or while driving through Davie. The warrant can trigger license suspension through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Insurance rates can rise after a bench warrant arrest.
Active Bench Warrant Florida Effects
An active bench warrant follows a person anywhere in Florida. The warrant shows up in the eWarrants system. Police see it during traffic stops. Police see it at airport security checkpoints. Police see it during any contact with law enforcement. The person cannot clear the warrant by leaving the state alone. A new state pickup request can send the person back to Florida. The warrant stays active even if the person moves to a different county.
Florida Fugitive Warrant
A Florida fugitive warrant comes into play when a person with a Florida bench warrant moves out of state. The governor of Florida can sign an extradition order to return the person. Police in the other state arrest the person based on the NCIC entry. The person gets transported back to Florida for court. This process takes time to complete. The process works most often for felony warrants. Misdemeanor warrants may not trigger extradition from distant states.
How Long Does a Bench Warrant Last in Davie
A bench warrant in Davie lasts forever until cleared through proper legal channels. There is no time limit. There is no expiration date on a bench warrant. The only ways to clear the warrant are arrest, court recall, or death of the named person. The warrant stays active in the database. The warrant shows up in every search. This rule differs from search warrants, which expire after 10 days under Florida Statute 933.05.
No Expiration Rule for Bench Warrants
Bench warrants do not expire under Florida law. The warrant stays active until a judge signs an order recalling it. The clerk cannot cancel a bench warrant on their own authority. Only a judge can cancel a bench warrant after a proper motion. The judge can cancel the warrant after a motion to quash or recall. The judge can also cancel the warrant after the person is arrested and brought before the court. The warrant remains valid across all Florida jurisdictions.
Bench Warrant Duration in Florida
A bench warrant in Florida can last for decades without action. Old warrants still show up in current database searches. The named person may have forgotten the warrant exists over time. The warrant can come back during any police contact years later. Some warrants from the 1990s still appear in Florida searches today. A Davie warrant from 20 years ago is just as active as the day the judge signed it. Old age does not affect the legal force of a bench warrant.
How to Clear a Bench Warrant in Davie
Clearing a bench warrant in Davie takes several legal steps. The first step is hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Broward County. The attorney reviews the original case file and the reason for the warrant. The attorney files a motion to quash or recall the warrant. The court schedules a hearing on the motion. The person appears before the judge with the attorney. The judge cancels the warrant. The court sets a new date for the original case to proceed.
Steps to Resolve a Bench Warrant
The steps to resolve a bench warrant follow a standard legal process. Start by hiring a Broward County criminal defense lawyer. The lawyer reviews the case file and the warrant details. The lawyer contacts the court and the state attorney. The lawyer files a motion to recall or quash the warrant. The court sets a hearing date. The person goes to court with the lawyer. The judge cancels the warrant. The court sets a new date for the original case.
- Hire a Broward County criminal defense lawyer
- Review the case file with the lawyer
- File a motion to recall or quash the warrant
- Attend the court hearing on the motion
- Get the warrant cancelled by the judge
- Attend the new court date for the original case
How to Lift a Bench Warrant
Lifting a bench warrant means getting the court to cancel the active warrant. A motion to recall is the main legal tool for this purpose. The lawyer files this motion with the court. The court reviews the motion and sets a hearing. The person shows up to court with the lawyer. The judge cancels the warrant after hearing the case. The clerk updates the system to remove the warrant. The warrant is no longer active in any database.
Surrender on a Bench Warrant
Surrendering on a bench warrant means turning yourself in to law enforcement. A person can surrender at the Broward County Jail. The jail accepts walk-in surrenders during business hours. The person gets booked into the system. The person sees a judge within 24 hours for a first appearance. The judge sets bail or releases the person based on the case. Courts treat voluntary surrender better than arrest at a surprise traffic stop.
Quash a Bench Warrant
Quashing a bench warrant means getting the court to cancel the warrant entirely. A lawyer files a motion to quash with the court. The motion requests the judge cancel the warrant. The court schedules a hearing on the motion. The person goes to court with the lawyer. The judge reviews the case and the warrant. The judge cancels the warrant. This works best for older cases or charges that are not too serious in nature.
Bench Warrant Recall Process
A bench warrant recall is the formal legal process for canceling an active warrant. The lawyer files a motion to recall with the court. The court reviews the motion and the case file. The court sets a hearing date. The person goes to court with the lawyer. The judge cancels the warrant. The clerk updates the record in the system. The warrant is no longer active in any law enforcement database. The original case proceeds as normal.
How to Turn Yourself In
Turning yourself in for a Davie bench warrant requires careful planning. Contact a lawyer before turning yourself in. The lawyer can sometimes get the warrant recalled before surrender. If surrender remains the only option, the lawyer can arrange the time and place. Voluntary surrender at the Broward County Jail is the most common choice. Some people choose to surrender at the Davie Police Department instead based on the case details.
Surrender Process at Broward Jail
The Broward County Jail main booking area sits at 555 SE 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The surrender process starts at the booking desk inside the facility. The person gives their full name and valid photo ID. Staff check the warrant in the computer system. The person gets booked into the jail. The person waits for a first appearance hearing. A judge reviews the case within 24 hours. The judge sets bail or releases the person based on the facts.
Benefits of Voluntary Surrender
Voluntary surrender offers several legal benefits for the person with the warrant. The court sees the person is taking the case seriously. The person avoids arrest at a traffic stop or job site. The person controls the timing of the arrest. The person can prepare family and work for any jail time. Judges often set lower bail for voluntary surrender situations. The person can work with a lawyer before the first appearance hearing on the original case.
Hiring a Lawyer for a Davie Warrant
Hiring a lawyer is the best step for any Davie bench warrant. A Broward County criminal defense lawyer knows the local court system. The lawyer knows the judges in the 17th Judicial Circuit. The lawyer can file motions on behalf of the client. The lawyer can appear in court for the client in some misdemeanor cases. The lawyer can advise on whether to surrender or recall the warrant based on case details.
Role of a Florida Bench Warrant Lawyer
A Florida bench warrant lawyer handles the full case from start to finish. The lawyer reviews the original charges and court history. The lawyer reviews the reason for the bench warrant. The lawyer contacts the state attorney office about the case. The lawyer files a motion to recall or quash the warrant. The lawyer appears at the court hearing. The lawyer protects the client’s rights. The lawyer advises on bail and release conditions after any arrest.
Attorney Motion to Quash Warrants
An attorney can file a motion to quash a bench warrant in Broward County. The motion asks the judge to cancel the warrant. The lawyer writes the motion with legal arguments. The lawyer files it with the court clerk. The court sets a hearing date. The lawyer and client attend the hearing. The lawyer argues the case to the judge. The judge decides whether to cancel the warrant. A successful motion clears the warrant from the system.
Avoiding Scams About Davie Warrants
Scam phone calls about Davie bench warrants are common in Florida. Scammers call people and claim they have a warrant. The scammers demand immediate payment by phone. Real law enforcement officers never demand payment over the phone. Real courts never demand phone payments for any reason. Real officers never ask for gift cards or wire transfers. Anyone who calls about a warrant and demands money is running a scam.
Common Scam Tactics to Watch For
Common scam tactics include fake caller ID numbers. Scammers make the call look like it comes from the local sheriff’s office. Scammers threaten arrest within hours unless paid. Scammers demand payment by gift card from local stores. Scammers demand payment by wire transfer through services like Western Union. Scammers demand payment through mobile apps like CashApp or Venmo. None of these payment methods are real law enforcement tools. Real courts handle all payments through the official clerk’s office.
How to Verify Real Warrant Claims
Real warrant claims come through official channels. The court sends a notice to the person’s last known address by mail. The sheriff serves the warrant in person at home or work. The person can check the Broward County Clerk website directly. The person can call the clerk at (954) 831-6565 to verify any warrant. The person can call the sheriff at (954) 831-8901 to confirm. Any of these official methods will confirm a real bench warrant in the system.
Davie Court Locations and Contacts
Davie residents handle bench warrants through several local government offices. The Broward County Clerk of Court handles all records. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office serves warrants. The Davie Police Department handles local police matters. The 17th Judicial Circuit Court hears all Davie cases. Each office has its own hours and contact phone number for residents who need help with a warrant.
Broward County Clerk of Court
201 SE 6th St
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Website: browardclerk.org
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
2601 W. Broward Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Phone: (954) 831-8901
Non-Emergency: (954) 764-4357
Website: sheriff.org
Davie Police Department
1230 S. Nob Hill Rd.
Davie, FL 33324
Phone: (954) 693-8200
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Website: fdle.state.fl.us
FAQ on Davie City Florida Bench Warrants
These questions cover the most common issues people face with bench warrants in Davie, Florida. Each answer gives clear steps and rules based on Florida statutes, court rules, and local court practices. People with a Davie bench warrant can use these answers to start resolving their case through the proper legal channels. Court rules and procedures can change, so check with a lawyer for current case-specific advice.
Can a Bench Warrant Be Dropped in Florida?
A bench warrant in Florida can be canceled by a judge through a formal court order. The judge must sign the order canceling the warrant for it to be valid. The person with the warrant or their lawyer must file a motion first to start the process. The court reviews the motion and sets a hearing date for argument. At the hearing, the judge decides whether to cancel the warrant based on the facts. The court can cancel the warrant for several reasons that include the person having a good reason for missing court, the person moving and not receiving the original notice, or the person being ready to appear voluntarily before the court. The court looks at the whole case file and the person’s history. A dropped warrant does not mean the original case is dropped. The person still must resolve the original criminal charges through the normal court process. The court will set a new hearing date for the original case after canceling the warrant.
How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant in Florida?
Florida residents can search for warrants through three main methods. The FDLE statewide search at fdle.state.fl.us covers all 67 counties and updates daily with new entries. The Broward County Clerk search at browardclerk.org covers local cases in Broward County. Each county clerk in Florida runs the same type of search for warrants in that county. People can call the local sheriff’s office for warrant details over the phone. People can visit the clerk’s office in person to search records. Each search tool needs a first name, last name, and date of birth for the most accurate results. The search shows only active warrants in the system. Old canceled warrants may not show up in the current search results. Private background check services also pull data from these same databases for a fee. Florida residency does not limit who can search the public database.
What Happens if You Have a Bench Warrant in Florida?
A bench warrant in Florida lets police arrest the named person at any time after the warrant is signed. Police can arrest the person during a routine traffic stop for any reason. Police can arrest the person at an airport security checkpoint. Police can arrest the person at the workplace during the workday. Police can arrest the person at home in front of family members. After arrest, the person goes to the local jail for booking. The person waits in jail for a first appearance hearing before a judge. A judge sets bail based on the original charge and the failure to appear. The person can post bail or stay in jail until the case is resolved. The court sets a new date for the original case to proceed. The court can add new penalties for the failure to appear under Florida Statute 843.15 on top of the original case.
Do Bench Warrants Show Up on Background Checks?
Bench warrants can show up on many types of background checks run by employers or landlords. The warrant enters the NCIC database used by law enforcement nationwide. The warrant enters the Florida eWarrants system used by state police. Private background check companies pull data from these official databases for their reports. Active warrants show up clearly in the check results. Cleared warrants may show up as canceled in the system. The warrant record shows the original charges and the court that issued the warrant. Anyone running a background check can see this data on the report. Most employers run these checks before making a hiring decision for sensitive positions. Landlords run these checks before approving a lease application. Financial institutions may run checks before issuing loans or credit cards.
Can You Leave Florida with a Bench Warrant?
A person with a Florida bench warrant can technically leave the state. Police in the new state do not know about the warrant unless they run a name check. The risk comes during any police contact in the new state. Police in any state can run a name check through the NCIC database. The NCIC database holds all active Florida warrants for federal access. A traffic stop in another state can lead to immediate arrest based on the NCIC entry. The new state can hold the person in jail waiting for Florida pickup. Florida can request extradition for felony warrants from most states. Misdemeanor warrants may not get extradition from distant states due to cost. The safest choice is to clear the warrant through a lawyer before leaving Florida for any trip. Driving across state lines with a warrant creates the most risk of arrest.
How Much Does It Cost to Clear a Bench Warrant?
Clearing a bench warrant does not have a set court fee in Florida for the recall process itself. The main cost comes from hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Lawyer fees vary widely based on the case complexity and the attorney. Simple misdemeanor cases may cost a few hundred dollars in legal fees. Complex felony cases may cost several thousand dollars in legal fees. Court costs and fines may apply to the original case that caused the warrant. Bail costs apply if the person gets arrested before clearing the warrant. The court sets bail at the first appearance hearing based on the original charges. The person can pay bail through a bondsman or directly to the court. Each case has different total costs based on the underlying charges and the court history. Most lawyers offer payment plans for warrant cases.
Is a Capias the Same as a Bench Warrant in Florida?
A capias and a bench warrant work in similar ways in Florida for arrest purposes. Both court orders let police arrest the named person. Both orders come from a judge with proper authority. The reason for each order can differ based on the case. A bench warrant comes from missing a court date or violating a court order. A capias can come from several different court orders under Florida law. Florida Statute 88.3051 covers capias for missing court after receiving proper notice from the court. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.730 covers direct capias issued for sentencing or adjudication purposes. Both tools stay active until cleared through proper legal channels. Both tools require a court order from a judge to clear. Both tools appear in the same law enforcement databases for service.