Miami Dade County Criminal Records
Miami Dade, known for it's magical beaches and tropical climate, also has largest share of violent crimes in the state. This means that there are more felony and misdemeanor convictions that occur in this coastal community, than any other in the state. This leads to a high demand of people inquiring about criminal records and running criminal background checks. Since these services are part of the public information system, called Sunshine Law, anyone can access these records online with some easy to use resources. All you need to run a Miami Dade criminal records search is the name of the person you want to lookup, and their age. The process is simple, and there are both state agencies and privately run websites where you can access these records online.
How to Search Criminal Records in Miami Dade County
The process of running a Miami Dade criminal records search can be facilitated in a few easy steps. The first step is to determine if you want to lookup a specific criminal conviction, or someone's complete criminal history. This will direct you to what resource to use. The next step is to gather some information on the person of interest, such as the correct spelling of their name, and their age. The last step is to run your Miami Dade criminal records search, here are the various online options that are publicly accessible:
1). Clerk of Courts Website: This is the official repository of criminal court convictions for the county. On the website, you'll find a search function that you can use this to look up records by name, or case number. It is important to be as accurate as possible with your search terms. This will help you find the right records quickly and efficiently. One thing to be aware of, is this service only allows users to lookup specific criminal convictions in Miami Dade, they do will not show convictions from other states.
2). Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): The FDLE agency is a state run agency that is part of the Criminal Justice Information Center. This agency manages criminal information for the state and offers a comprehensive Criminal History Report for a fee. They also offer a Nationwide Service for those that want a complete picture of someone's entire conviction history.
3). Privately Run Resources: Another option to lookup someone's complete criminal history is to use a third party criminal records or background check website. While they access the same database resources of the state and county agencies, they also tap into additional resources which often have a larger array of information users can access. While these services also charge a fee, most of these sites offer confidential searching which means your searches will be anonymous. They also offer results in minutes, not days like a lot of other services.
How to Run a Miami Dade Criminal Background Check
Running a criminal background check in Miami Dade County is similar to looking up criminal records. The main difference is that a background check provides a more comprehensive view of a person's criminal history. This includes not only arrests and convictions in Miami Dade County, but also in other parts of Florida. It may also include information from other states if the person has lived elsewhere. Since these are considered public records, you have multiple options to run a background check online.
The County Police Department, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the County Court Clerk, all offer criminal history check and background check services for a fee. For all of these services, you will need to fill out a form and submit your information to access these services. These are great if you need official documentation of someone's criminal past. However, if you just want to do some research and verify someone's criminal past, you can use a third part resource, such a public records or criminal records website. These services are not intended for official uses, but more for online research. It's a fast and convenient way to run a Miami Dade background check on someone without all the hassle.
Common Criminal Convictions in Miami Dade County
Like any other region in Florida, this community has its share of common criminal convictions. These convictions can range from minor drug offenses to serious felony criminal acts. These crimes make up a significant portion of the criminal records in the county. The most common criminal convictions in Miami Dade County include:
1). Drug Offenses: These charges include simple everything from carrying drugs and controlled substances to usage and distribution.
2). Theft and Burglary: This includes petty theft to breaking an entry and stealing from a home or business.
3). Assault and Battery: This can be simple assault, or aggravated assault with a weapon which can lead to misdemeanor or felony convictions.
4). Driving Under the Influence (DUI): This includes driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances.
5). Liquor Law Violations: These include having an open container in public, while driving, or within a 100 feet of stores that sell liquor.
The Impact of Criminal Records on Life Opportunities
Having a criminal record of any sort can have a significant impact on a person's life. It can affect employment opportunities, as many employers conduct background checks. A felony or misdemeanor conviction can also affect housing prospects. Many landlords also run background checks and may be hesitant to rent to someone with a criminal history. In addition, a criminal record can impact a person's ability to obtain certain professional licenses or even affect their voting rights. It's important to understand these potential consequences when dealing with records. One bright spot is that some records can be expunged from a person's criminal history. Most misdemeanors and some felonies can be expunged if they meet the requirements. This means the can be sealed from public view.
Expunging a Criminal Record in Miami Dade
It is possible to expunge a criminal record if specific requirements are met. Expungement is a legal process that effectively "erases" a criminal record in the eyes of the law. The first step is to determine eligibility, as not all convictions can be expunged. Most misdemeanor convictions and some felony convictions can be effectively expunged if all the sentencing requirements have been met, such as restitution, jail times served, and probation has ended. Then you can start the process. To begin the expungement process, you must first apply to the FDLE for the Expungement Process. They will issue a Certificate of Eligibility if you meet the criteria.
The steps to expunge a criminal record in Miami Dade County include:
1). Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE
2). File a petition for expungement with the Miami Dade County Clerk of Courts
3). Attend a court hearing, if required
How Do I Lookup Someone's Miami Criminal Record?
A quick and easy way to lookup criminal records in Miami, and all of Florida, is to use a criminal records website. There are many of these out there so it's good to make sure you find a reputable one. Then, with a simple name search, you can quickly find a person's criminal records. Many of these services also allow users to run a comprehensive criminal background checks which will show a person's entire criminal past in Florida, and other states if they lived somewhere else.