Sunrise City warrant records are public court files that show whether a person has an active warrant in Broward County or anywhere else in Florida. Anyone can search these records for free using state and county databases.
This page explains every method to check for warrants in Florida, the types of warrants you may find, and the exact steps to clear or recall a warrant through the proper legal channels.
What Are Sunrise City Warrant Records
Sunrise City warrant records are official court documents that prove a judge has approved an arrest order for a person. These records live in the Broward County court system because Sunrise sits inside Broward County. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also keeps a statewide list of active warrants. Both sources work together to keep the public safe and the court process open.
Types of Warrants Filed in Florida Courts
Florida courts handle several kinds of warrants. Each one has its own rules and court process. Knowing the type helps you pick the right place to search.
- Arrest warrant: A judge signs this when police show proof that a person may have broken the law.
- Bench warrant: A judge signs this when someone misses a court date or fails to follow a court order.
- Capias warrant: This works like a bench warrant but deals with specific charges such as failure to appear in court.
- Failure to appear warrant: Police file this when a person does not show up for a set court hearing.
- Fugitive warrant: This is for a person wanted in another state who flees to Florida.
- Search warrant: A judge signs this to let officers search a home, car, or business for proof.
Who Has the Power to Issue Warrants in Sunrise City
A sitting Broward County judge has the power to sign arrest warrants and bench warrants in Sunrise City. Police officers from the Sunrise Police Department prepare the case file and ask the court for the warrant. The clerk of court then records the warrant in the official case files. All of these records stay open to the public unless a judge seals them for safety.
Why Florida Keeps Warrant Records Open to the Public
Florida law treats court records as public records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law gives every citizen the right to see warrant files. The goal is to keep the court process open and fair. Public access also helps people check their own legal status and stay ahead of any court problems.
How to Search Florida Warrant Records Online
You can search Florida warrant records online using three main sources. Each one covers a different part of the system. Use all three to get a full picture of any active warrants linked to a name.
FDLE Active Warrant Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a state warrant database through the Florida Crime Information Center. This system holds active warrants from every county in Florida. Officers use the system during traffic stops and arrests. The public can ask for a name-based search through local police agencies or through the FDLE public records request process.
The FDLE also shares a list of Florida wanted persons on its public website. The list shows fugitives from across the state. Each entry includes the person’s name, photo, the charge, and the county that issued the warrant. This list updates often as new warrants are added or cleared.
Broward County Clerk of Court Warrant Lookup
The Broward County Clerk of Courts keeps the official case records for every warrant filed in Sunrise City. The clerk’s office runs an online search tool at the Broward County Records website. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. The tool shows open and closed cases for the past several years.
Some warrant files are not in the public online system right away. You may need to ask the clerk’s office in person for a full search. The clerk office in downtown Fort Lauderdale handles walk-in requests during business hours.
Sunrise Police Department Public Records
The Sunrise Police Department keeps records of arrests and active warrants inside city limits. You can file a public records request through the police department’s website. The records clerk responds within a few business days. This source works best for recent warrants filed in the last 30 days.
County-Level Warrant Search Methods Across Florida
Florida has 67 counties, and each one runs its own clerk of court office. The state’s court system works at the county level, so the search steps differ in each place. The table below lists the top counties by population and the main search contact for each one.
| County | Primary Search Tool | Website Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | Clerk of Courts Online Records | miami-dadeclerk.gov |
| Hillsborough | Hillsborough Clerk Online Search | hillclerk.com |
| Orange County | Orange Clerk of Courts Portal | myorangeclerk.com |
| Broward County | Broward County Records Search | browardclerk.org |
| Palm Beach | Palm Beach County Clerk Search | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| Duval County | Duval Clerk of Courts Records | duvalclerk.com |
| Pinellas County | Pinellas County Court Records | pinellasclerk.org |
| Lee County | Lee County Clerk Online Search | leeclerk.org |
| Polk County | Polk County Clerk Records | polkcountyclerk.net |
Miami-Dade County Warrant Search
Miami-Dade County offers a free online search tool through the Clerk of Courts. You can look up warrants by name, case number, or date range. The system covers both civil and criminal cases. The records go back more than 20 years in most case types.
Hillsborough County Warrant Search
Hillsborough County runs its warrant search through the Hillsborough Clerk online portal. The search tool covers Tampa-area cases and updates nightly. You can also call the clerk’s office directly for warrant status checks during business hours on weekdays.
Orange County Florida Warrant Search
Orange County offers name-based search through the Orange Clerk of Courts portal. The portal covers Orlando-area criminal and traffic cases. The system shows whether an active warrant exists along with the charge type, the bond amount, and the next court date.
Broward County Warrant Search
Broward County runs the official record search through browardclerk.org. You can search by full name, date of birth, or case number. The search returns open warrants, past cases, and sealed case markers. Sunrise residents will use this tool for most local warrant checks.
Palm Beach County Warrant Search
The Palm Beach County Clerk office runs a public search through mypalmbeachclerk.com. The site covers West Palm Beach and all Palm Beach cities. The system shows active and resolved warrant files, plus bond and court date details.
Duval County Warrant Search
Duval County covers Jacksonville and the surrounding area. The Duval Clerk of Courts site lets you search by name or case number. The system also lists current court dates that may have generated a bench warrant.
Pinellas County Warrant Search
Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The clerk website offers a name-based search that returns active and closed warrants. You can also sign up for case alerts by email through the clerk portal.
Lee County Warrant Search
Lee County covers Fort Myers and Cape Coral. The Lee County Clerk system offers a free online search tool. You can search by name, citation, or case number. The tool covers criminal, civil, and traffic case types.
Polk County Warrant Search
Polk County covers Lakeland and Winter Haven. The Polk County Clerk public search tool offers warrant status checks by name. The system updates overnight from the court docket system.
Step-by-Step Process for a Florida Warrant Check Online
A Florida warrant check online follows a short set of steps. The process works the same for every county clerk and state database. Follow the steps below to get an accurate result.
Required Information for the Search
You will need a few pieces of personal data to run the search. Each county clerk and state system asks for the same basic facts.
- Full legal name (first, middle, last)
- Date of birth
- Approximate age or year of birth
- Known city or county of residence
- Case number (if known)
Reading the Search Results Correctly
The search results page will show a list of cases that match the name you entered. Match the date of birth and middle name to find the right person. Look for words like “open warrant,” “active warrant,” or “failure to appear.” If the list shows only closed cases, no active warrant exists in the searched county.
Some search results show “sealed file” instead of warrant details. A judge may have sealed the file for safety or to protect a witness. The clerk office can confirm the seal status with proper ID and a request form.
How to Clear or Recall a Warrant in Florida
Clearing a warrant means resolving the case so the court cancels the arrest order. Florida offers two main paths to clear a warrant. The right path depends on the charge type and the bond amount.
Posting Bond for a Warrant
Most criminal warrants list a bond amount on the court record. Anyone can pay the bond at the county jail or through a licensed bail bond agent. Posting the bond releases the person from jail after arrest. The court then schedules a new hearing date and keeps the bond until the case ends.
Quashing a Warrant Through an Attorney
Quashing means asking a judge to cancel the warrant before any arrest. A criminal defense lawyer files a motion to quash the warrant in court. The judge reviews the case file and either cancels the warrant or sets a new court date. Common reasons for a quash include mistaken identity, incorrect paperwork, or a case that has already been resolved.
Turning Yourself in at the County Jail
Some people choose to turn themselves in to clear a warrant quickly. The Broward County Main Jail and other county jails accept walk-in surrender from people who know they have a warrant. The booking process takes a few hours, and the court sees voluntary surrender as a strong point for the defendant.
Recalling a Warrant Through the Court
The court can recall a warrant without a lawyer if the case has already been resolved. Filing a “Motion to Recall Warrant” with the clerk office starts the process. The judge signs a new order that cancels the warrant. The clerk then notifies the FDLE system to update the state database.
Free vs Paid Florida Warrant Search Options
Florida offers free and paid ways to check for warrants. Each option has limits you should know before you start.
Official Free Sources
Government websites run by county clerks, the FDLE, and local police departments offer free warrant searches. These sources hold the most accurate and current data. The search results match the official court files because the same court staff enters the data into the system.
Third-Party Database Limits
Third-party sites pull data from public sources and sell it back to users. The data may be old by the time you see it. They also charge fees for basic searches the government offers for free. Use government sites first and only use paid sites when you need extra details such as background checks or nationwide criminal file pulls.
Official Contact Directory for Warrant Searches
This contact list gives you the direct phone numbers, addresses, and websites for the main offices that handle warrant records in Sunrise City and across Florida. Use these offices for walk-in searches or official records requests.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Headquarters
The FDLE main office handles statewide warrant data and the Florida Crime Information Center system.
Address: 2333 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Website: fdle.state.fl.us
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Broward County Clerk handles all court records for Sunrise City including active warrants and case history.
Address: 201 Southeast 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Website: browardclerk.org
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Sunrise Police Department Records Division
The Sunrise Police Department keeps local arrest records and active warrant files for the city limits.
Address: 10440 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33351
Phone: (954) 746-3100
Website: sunrisepd.com
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Warrant Records
The questions below cover the most common legal and procedural concerns people have about warrant records in Florida. Each answer focuses on real court rules and current public records law as of 2026.
Can I check for warrants online for free in Florida?
Yes. Every Florida county clerk offers a free online search tool for court records, which includes active warrants. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also shares a public list of wanted persons at no cost. Use both sources to confirm whether any active warrant exists under a name in the state system.
How long does a warrant stay active in Florida?
A Florida warrant stays active until a judge cancels it or the case closes. Some warrants stay in the system for years. The only way to fully remove a warrant is for a judge to sign an order recalling it, or for the case to reach a final judgment in court.
What happens if I have a warrant and get pulled over in Florida?
An officer who runs a name check during a traffic stop will see the active warrant. The officer must arrest the person on the spot. The arrest happens on the warrant charge plus any new traffic charges from the stop. A bail bond or court hearing then resolves the case.
Will a Florida warrant show up in a background check for a job?
Yes. Most background check companies pull data from the FDLE and the county court databases. An active warrant shows up as a pending case. Some employers pause job offers when they see an open warrant. Resolving the warrant before a background check keeps the job process smooth.
Can a Florida warrant be removed without going to jail?
Some warrants can be cleared without a jail stay. A lawyer can ask the court to quash the warrant for low-level charges, missed court dates, or unpaid fines. The judge sets terms such as a new court date, a payment plan, or community service in place of a jail booking.
Does sealing a case remove the warrant in Florida?
Sealing a case hides the court file from the public view, but it does not cancel an active warrant. Only a judge can recall or quash a warrant. A sealed file still appears in law enforcement databases, so officers can still act on the warrant during a stop or check.
Is there a difference between a capias warrant and a bench warrant in Florida?
Yes. A bench warrant comes from a judge for missing court or failing to follow a court order. A capias warrant is a specific type of bench warrant tied to criminal charges such as failure to appear. The court treats both as arrest orders, but the paperwork and charge language differ in the court file.