Miami Dade County Florida DUI records are public court files that show arrests, charges, case filings, and court results for driving under the influence cases filed inside the county. These records are kept by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts, the local court system, and state agencies that track driver history.
Anyone can search them for legal, personal, or employment reasons as long as they follow the right lookup steps and use the right tools.
What DUI Records Include in Miami-Dade County
DUI records in Miami-Dade County cover several layers of public data. Each layer tells part of the story of a DUI case. Some parts come from the arrest. Other parts come from the court. Some come from the state driver license database.
Arrest Reports and Charges Filed
An arrest report is the first document in a DUI file. It lists the date of arrest, the arresting agency, the location, and the charge. In Florida, the main DUI charge comes from Florida Statute 316.193. The report also shows the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) if a breath or blood test was done.
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting law enforcement agency
- Location of the traffic stop
- Filed charge under Florida Statute 316.193
- BAC test result if available
Court Filings and Conviction Records
After arrest, the case moves to court. Court filings show the case number, the division, the plea, and the final sentence. A conviction record is the court’s final ruling on the DUI charge. Miami-Dade County court cases can be searched through the county clerk’s online portal.
Driver License Actions and Administrative Records
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) keeps a separate file on each driver. After a DUI arrest, FLHSMV may place an administrative hold on the driver’s license. This action follows Florida Statute 322.2615. It is not the same as a court conviction but shows up on a Florida driving record check.
Florida DUI Laws That Shape These Records
Florida DUI law sets the rules for what goes into a DUI file. The same law controls penalties, BAC limits, and what counts as a first or repeat offense. Knowing these rules helps you read a DUI record with clear eyes.
Florida Statute 316.193 Explained
Florida Statute 316.193 is the main DUI law. It says a person is guilty of DUI if they drive or have actual physical control of a vehicle while their normal faculties are impaired by alcohol or drugs. It also lists the BAC limit. A BAC of 0.08 or higher makes a driver legally guilty of DUI in most cases.
Blood Alcohol Limits and Penalty Levels
Florida sets different BAC levels that trigger stronger penalties. The base limit is 0.08. A level of 0.15 or higher brings enhanced fines and longer license suspension. These levels are recorded in the case file and the FLHSMV driving record.
| BAC Level | Charge Class | Common Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 0.08 or higher | DUI first offense | Fine, probation, license action |
| 0.15 or higher | DUI with high BAC | Higher fine, longer suspension |
| 0.20 or higher | DUI with very high BAC | Mandatory ignition interlock |
First Offense Versus Repeat Offense Records
Florida tracks DUI offenses across a lifetime. A first offense DUI is treated as a misdemeanor in most cases. A fourth DUI within ten years becomes a felony. Each level raises the fine, jail time, and license suspension. Court files record which level applied.
Where to Search DUI Records in Miami-Dade County
Several official tools help you search DUI records in Miami-Dade County. The right tool depends on the case type and the level of detail you need. Start with the county system first, then move to state sources only when the county file does not give full answers.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Online Portal
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts runs the main online portal for court records in the county. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. This portal is the best starting point for most DUI record searches in Miami-Dade County.
Official website: https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/
Records page: https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/records.page
Miami-Dade County Court Records Website
The county court records website gives a separate lookup path for public users. It is linked to the clerk system but presents records in a slightly different layout. Use this site when you need to check case status or hearing dates.
Court records site: https://miamidadecountycourt.us/
Court records search: https://miamidadecountycourt.org/
Clerk Office Contact and Visit Details
Phone: (305) 275-1155. Visit hours for in-person record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk office can answer questions about record types, copy fees, and lookup limits. A short call before visiting often saves time.
City-Level DUI Records Sources
Major cities inside Miami-Dade County also post court and police records online. Each city has its own portal for arrest logs, case updates, and traffic citations. The city portal is useful when you know the place of arrest but not the full case number.
- Miami
- Hialeah
- Miami Gardens
- Homestead
- Doral
- Miami Beach
- Kendall
Statewide DUI Record Sources in Florida
Florida state agencies keep DUI data that county files do not always show. A statewide search adds the driver license side and the criminal history side. This step matters when a DUI case led to license action or felony charges.
FLHSMV Driver Record Check
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles keeps a full driver record for every licensed driver in the state. This record shows points, suspensions, and DUI-related entries. The FLHSMV portal is the right source for a Florida driving record check after a DUI.
FLHSMV official site: https://www.flhsmv.gov/
FDLE Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs a statewide criminal history search. This search returns arrests, dispositions, and felony DUI convictions. The FDLE search covers data from all Florida counties, not just Miami-Dade.
Florida Court Case Search Portal
The Florida Courts system runs a statewide case search tool. This tool lets you check DUI cases that were appealed to a higher court. It also shows active felony DUI cases that were transferred out of county court.
Step-by-Step Lookup Process for Miami-Dade DUI Records
A staged lookup process gives the most accurate result. Each step builds on the one before it. Skipping steps often leads to wrong matches or missing data.
Gather Required Lookup Details
Start by collecting the person’s full legal name, date of birth, and the year of the case. If you have the case number or citation number, keep it ready. The more details you have, the cleaner the search result will be.
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Year of arrest or filing
- Case number (if known)
- Citation number (if known)
Run the Online County Search
Open the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts portal and enter the name and year. Review each match. Look at the case number, charge, and filing date. If two records look similar, add middle initial or date of birth to narrow the search.
Verify the Case Match
Once you find a match, confirm it is the right record. Open the docket entries. Look for the arrest date, the charge description, and the court division. A correct match will line up with the details you gathered at the start.
Request Certified Copies
For legal use, you need a certified copy. You can request it online, by mail, or in person. Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and are accepted by courts, employers, and licensing boards.
- Fill out the records request form
- Mark the case number and document type
- Pay the copy fee
- Pick up, mail, or download the certified file
Costs, Fees, and Processing Times
Search and copy fees vary by record type. Knowing the fees ahead of time helps you avoid surprise charges or repeated visits.
Online Search Fees
Basic online search access is free on the Miami-Dade Clerk portal. Some advanced features, like full docket downloads, may require a small fee. The FLHSMV charges a fee for each certified driver record request.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies from the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts cost a set amount per page or per document. The fee schedule is posted on the clerk website. Court records from FDLE and FLHSMV follow their own fee rules.
Expected Wait Times
Online records return in seconds. Certified copies by mail take five to ten business days. In-person requests at the clerk office are often ready the same day. State-level records from FDLE may take three to seven business days.
DUI Expungement and Record Sealing in Florida
Some DUI records can be sealed or expunged under Florida law. The rules are strict. Not every case qualifies. The type of offense and the outcome of the case decide eligibility.
Eligibility Rules for DUI Expungement
Florida allows expungement only when the DUI case was dismissed, the person was acquitted, or the court ordered a withhold of adjudication. A conviction for DUI cannot be expunged in Florida. A person can seal or expunge only one case in their lifetime unless they receive a full pardon.
First Offense Expungement Steps
For a first offense DUI that was dismissed, the person must file a petition with the court that handled the case. The court reviews the petition. If granted, the clerk seals the record. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement updates its files to match.
How to Apply for Record Sealing
The application process needs a certified disposition, a fingerprint card, and a signed petition. The filing fee varies by county. Miami-Dade County posts its expungement forms on the clerk’s website.
- Get a certified copy of the case disposition
- Complete the FDLE application
- Submit fingerprints at an approved location
- File the petition with the Miami-Dade court
- Wait for the court order and final sealing
DUI Records and Florida Driving History Checks
A Florida DUI history check is a separate process from a court record search. It pulls from the FLHSMV driver record and shows license actions, points, and prior DUI entries. Employers and insurance companies often request this check.
What Appears on a Florida Driving Record
A Florida driving record shows the driver’s full history. It includes DUI convictions, suspensions, and administrative holds. The record stays active for many years. Each entry lists the date, the court, and the outcome.
How Insurance and Employers Use These Records
Insurance carriers check DUI records to set premium rates. Employers in transportation, education, and security roles often require a clean driving record before hiring. The FLHSMV record is the main source for these checks.
DUI Citation Lookup by Name
If you only have a DUI citation number, the county clerk system can trace it back to a full case file. A DUI citation lookup is useful when the citation was issued but the case has not yet moved to a final court action.
Other Florida Counties With DUI Record Tools
DUI cases in other Florida counties use similar lookup systems. Knowing how each county handles records helps when a search crosses county lines.
Broward County DUI Records
Broward County DUI records are managed by the Broward Clerk of Courts. The county uses an online portal similar to Miami-Dade. The lookup accepts name, case number, and date range.
Orange County DUI Records
Orange County DUI records go through the Orange County Clerk of Courts. The county serves Orlando and the surrounding area. Records can be searched online or requested in person.
Hillsborough and Palm Beach County DUI Records
Hillsborough County covers Tampa. Palm Beach County covers West Palm Beach. Both counties post DUI records on their clerk websites. Each follows the same Florida public records laws as Miami-Dade.
Duval and Pinellas County DUI Records
Duval County covers Jacksonville. Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg. Both have online DUI record search tools tied to their clerk systems. Statewide searches through FDLE can pull cases from these counties in one step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami-Dade DUI Records
Below are answers to the most common questions people ask about Miami-Dade DUI records. These answers cover lookup rules, fees, sealing rules, and how records affect daily life. Each answer gives clear steps and plain explanations.
Are DUI records in Miami-Dade public?
Yes. Most DUI records in Miami-Dade County are public under Florida law. Court filings, case numbers, and dispositions are open to anyone. Some sealed or expunged records are removed from public view. Juvenile DUI records follow different rules and are not always open to the public.
How long do DUI records stay on file in Florida?
DUI convictions stay on a Florida driving record for at least 75 years. Court records are kept permanently unless a court order seals or expunges them. FDLE criminal history entries follow the same long retention rule. A sealed record stays off the public search but still exists in the system.
Can someone else look up my DUI record?
Yes. Public DUI records can be searched by anyone who has your name and date of birth. Employers, landlords, and insurance agents can request these records. The only way to block public access is to seal or expunge the record through the court.
How much does a certified DUI record copy cost in Miami-Dade?
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts charges a fee per certified copy. The fee schedule is posted on the clerk website. Each additional page or document adds a small extra cost. Online requests include a convenience fee.
Can a first offense DUI be expunged in Florida?
A first offense DUI conviction cannot be expunged in Florida. If the case was dismissed or the person was acquitted, expungement may be possible. Florida law limits each person to one expungement in their lifetime unless they receive a full pardon.
What is the difference between a DUI and a DWI in Florida?
Florida law uses the term DUI, not DWI. DWI stands for driving while intoxicated, which is the term used in some other states. In Florida, all alcohol-related driving offenses fall under DUI charges under Statute 316.193.
Do DUI records show up on background checks?
Yes. DUI convictions appear on most background checks. The FLHSMV driving record check shows license actions and convictions. The FDLE criminal history check shows arrests and dispositions from all Florida counties. Both records follow you across state lines through shared databases.