Miami-Dade County is located in the southern part of Florida. With a population of 2,701,767 residents as of 2020, the county is considered the most populous county in the state. Its county seat, Miami, is known for its large skyline, with over 300 high-rise buildings.
Courts in Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade court system consists of Circuit, County, and District courts. However, unlike other parts of Florida, the Miami-Dade County Court administers cases as both circuit and county courts. The court is organized into several divisions, which include the Civil Court, Criminal Court, Family Court, Probate Court, Juvenile Court, and Traffic Court.
The Civil Court handles two classes of cases: circuit civil cases and county civil cases. The Circuit Civil Division has jurisdiction over claims of more than $50,000, while the County Civil Division handles claims of up to $50,000. County Civil Courts also have jurisdiction over small claims not exceeding $8,000 and tenant eviction.
The Criminal Division is also classified into the Circuit and County Criminal Divisions. The Circuit Criminal Division handles felonies punishable by imprisonment or death. On the other hand, the County Criminal Courts have authority over all kinds of misdemeanors, minor offenses, and violations of county ordinances. However, all infractions relating to traffic laws fall within the jurisdiction of the Traffic Court.
The Probate Court has jurisdiction over probate matters like wills, mental health cases, estates and trusts, and guardianships.
The Family Court hears family matters such as adoption, paternity, divorce, child custody, child support, name change, and certain domestic violence cases. However, matters relating to juvenile delinquency and dependency fall within the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Division.
In addition to the county court, Miami-Dade County is also home to six District Courts that have limited jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases.
Where to Find Public Court Records in Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts is responsible for keeping all court records in the county. Interested residents can access these records by searching the county’s online records portal. Civil, family, and probate records are contained in the same portal, while criminal case records are in a different portal. Members of the public can also make record requests via mail or email.
Types of Public Court Records in Miami-Dade County
Generally, records of court cases in Miami-Dade County are publicly accessible. As such, interested members of the public can access these records upon making the appropriate request. However, where a law or court order makes a record confidential, such records become protected from public access. Some examples of public court records in Miami-Dade County include
- Records of civil cases
- Criminal case records
- Traffic infraction case records
- Probate case records
- Family case records
Confidential Court Records in Miami-Dade County
Confidential court records in Miami-Dade are records of court cases that are protected from public access either by law or by court order. Some examples of confidential court records in Miami-Dade are
- Records of juvenile cases
- Adoption records
- Guardianship records
Additionally, certain information in court records is required to be kept confidential, such as
- Mental health records
- Information on sexually transmitted diseases
- Birth and death certificates
- Social Security, bank, and card numbers
Juvenile Delinquency in Miami Dade, FL
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Miami Dade County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Florida often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.
In 2017, a total of 2 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Miami Dade County. Of that total, 100% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 2 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Miami Dade County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Miami Dade County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.
| Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| Delinquency | 139 |
| Dependency | 0 |
| Status | 426 |
Government of Miami-Dade County, FL
| County Seat: | Miami |
| Government Type: | County |
| Authority: | Home Rule |
| Year Organized: | 1836 |
| Total Square Miles: | 2,431 |
| 2019 Population: | 2,751,796 |
| Persons/Square Mile: | 0.00 |
| County Contact: | 111 Nw 1St St
Stephen P. Clark Center Miami , FL 33128-1902 http://www.miamidade.gov |