Lauderdale Lakes City Public Records are government files that any person can see or copy under Florida law. These records include court papers, arrest reports, property deeds, building permits, and city meeting notes.
The City of Lauderdale Lakes sits in Broward County, Florida, and falls under the 17th Judicial Circuit. The main offices that hold these records are the Broward County Clerk of Courts, the Lauderdale Lakes Police Department, and Lauderdale Lakes City Hall. Florida’s public records law, called Chapter 119, makes these files open to everyone. You do not need to give a reason to ask for them. You also do not need to show ID to view them.
What Counts as a Public Record in Lauderdale Lakes
A public record is any paper, email, photo, or digital file made or kept by a government office. This rule covers all cities in Florida, including Lauderdale Lakes. Court filings, police reports, arrest logs, and property records all fit this rule. Some records stay sealed by court order. Active criminal case files may also stay closed while police still work on them.
Who Keeps Lauderdale Lakes Records
Three main offices hold public records for Lauderdale Lakes. The Broward County Clerk of Courts holds court files and property records. The Lauderdale Lakes Police Department holds arrest and incident reports. The City Clerk at City Hall holds meeting notes, permits, and city contracts. State agencies like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also hold criminal history files that include Lauderdale Lakes cases.
Types of Public Records You Can Request
Lauderdale Lakes public records fall into several groups. Each group has a different office that keeps the files. Below are the main record types and where to find them.
Court and Criminal Records
Court records include civil cases, family cases, probate cases, and criminal cases. The Broward County Clerk of Courts keeps all of these. You can search for a case by name, case number, or court date. The Clerk runs the 17th Judicial Circuit court system. This court covers all of Broward County, including Lauderdale Lakes.
Lauderdale Lakes Arrest Records
Lauderdale Lakes arrest records show when a person was taken into police custody. These files include the arrest date, the charges, and the booking photo. The Lauderdale Lakes Police Department creates these records. They also send arrest data to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, which runs the main county jail. Arrest records stay open to the public once a case moves past the active investigation stage.
People often search for Lauderdale Lakes arrest records to check on a recent arrest, screen a tenant, or look up a family member. You can search these records by name, date of birth, or booking date. The Police Department and the county jail both keep booking logs. Booking records show the person’s name, age, charges, and bond amount.
Lauderdale Lakes Booking Records and Mugshots
Booking records come from the jail intake process. When police bring a person to the Broward County Main Jail, staff take a photo and fingerprints. This photo is the mugshot. The booking record shows personal details, the arresting agency, the charges, and the booking time. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office runs the jail and keeps these records. You can search recent bookings online through the Sheriff’s Office inmate search tool.
Lauderdale Lakes Inmate Search
The Lauderdale Lakes inmate search lets you find people held in the Broward County jail. You can search by name or booking number. The search results show the current charge, bond amount, and court date. Some inmates may have been transferred to a state prison. For state prison records, you would need to search the Florida Department of Corrections database.
Property and Land Records
Property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax records. The Broward County Property Appraiser keeps tax records and ownership data. The Clerk of Courts keeps recorded deeds and liens. You can search these records online through the Clerk’s official records search tool.
City Government Records
City records include building permits, code enforcement files, contracts, and meeting minutes. The City Clerk at Lauderdale Lakes City Hall handles requests for these files. The City Commission meets on a regular schedule, and meeting notes stay open to the public after each meeting.
How to Search Lauderdale Lakes Arrest Records Online
You can search Lauderdale Lakes arrest records from home using official online tools. Below are the main search methods.
Broward County Inmate Search
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office runs an online inmate search tool. You can enter a first name, last name, or booking number. The search shows current inmates at the county jail. Results include the charge, bond, and housing location. The tool updates several times each day.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Case Search
The Clerk of Courts runs a case search system. You can search criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases. The system shows case filings, hearing dates, and final rulings. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number.
Lauderdale Lakes Police Department Records Request
The Police Department keeps its own arrest and incident reports. You can request these files in person, by mail, or by email. The records division checks each request against Florida law. Some files may have parts removed under public records exemptions.
How to Request Records in Person
You can walk into any office that holds Lauderdale Lakes records. You do not need an appointment. The staff will help you find the file you need. You can review the file for free. You only pay if you want copies.
Visiting the Broward County Clerk
The main Clerk’s office sits at 201 SE Sixth Street, Suite 18150, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The phone number is (954) 831-6565. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can use the public computer terminals to search records for free. Staff can also help you pull older files from the archives.
Visiting Lauderdale Lakes City Hall
Lauderdale Lakes City Hall sits at 4300 NW 36th Street, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319. The City Clerk’s office handles records requests. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can request city records, meeting minutes, and permit files at this office.
Visiting the Lauderdale Lakes Police Department
The Police Department sits inside City Hall. You can ask for police reports, arrest records, and incident logs at the front desk. The records division will process your request during business hours. Some requests may take a few days if staff need to pull older files.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Rights
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to see or copy government records. This law covers state, county, and city agencies. It also covers law enforcement agencies, including the Lauderdale Lakes Police Department.
What the Law Says You Can Get
The law lets you see arrest records, court filings, property records, building permits, contracts, and meeting minutes. You can also see emails between government workers about official business. You can get these records in any format the agency already uses.
What the Law May Keep Closed
Some records stay closed by law. Active criminal investigation files stay closed while police still work on the case. Social security numbers, medical records, and juvenile criminal records also stay closed. Sealed court records stay closed by court order. The agency must point to the exact law that allows them to keep a record closed if they deny your request.
Record Request Fees and Processing Times
Florida law sets the fees for public records copies. The rates below are the standard charges as of 2026.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| One-sided copy | $0.15 per page |
| Two-sided copy | $0.20 per page |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page plus $5.00 fee |
| Staff time over 30 minutes | Special service charge applies |
| In-person inspection | Free |
Most simple record requests get filled within a few business days. Large requests or requests that need archive searches may take longer. You can ask for a cost estimate before the agency starts the work. Agencies cannot charge for the time it takes to redact exempt information from a record.
Official Contact Information
| Office | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lauderdale Lakes City Hall | 4300 NW 36th St, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319 | (954) 731-1212 | lauderdalelakes.org |
| Broward County Clerk of Courts | 201 SE Sixth St, Suite 18150, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | (954) 831-6565 | browardclerk.org |
| Broward County Sheriff’s Office | 2601 W Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 | (954) 831-8300 | sheriff.org |
| Florida Department of Law Enforcement | 2331 Phillips Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308 | (850) 410-7641 | fdle.state.fl.us |
Frequently Asked Questions About Lauderdale Lakes Public Records
Many people have questions about how public records work in Lauderdale Lakes. The questions below cover the most common issues. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and current office rules as of 2026.
How do I find recent arrests in Lauderdale Lakes?
You can find recent arrests through the Broward County inmate search tool on the Sheriff’s Office website. The tool updates several times each day and shows people booked into the county jail. You can search by name or booking number. You can also call the Police Department’s records division to ask about a specific arrest. The Police Department can confirm if a person was arrested and share the basic booking details. Full arrest reports may need a written request and may take a few days to process.
Are Lauderdale Lakes arrest records free to view?
Yes, you can view arrest records for free at the Police Department or the county jail. The Broward County inmate search tool also lets you look up current inmates without paying. You only pay if you want a printed copy or a certified copy. A standard copy costs $0.15 per page. A certified copy costs $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Florida law says agencies cannot charge for the time it takes to redact exempt information from a record.
Can I remove my arrest record from public view in Lauderdale Lakes?
You may be able to seal or expunge an arrest record in some cases. Florida law allows sealing or expungement if the court dropped the charges, you were found not guilty, or you completed a diversion program. You must file a petition with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The court will hold a hearing and decide whether to grant the request. A sealed record still exists but stays hidden from the public. An expunged record gets destroyed by the agency that held it. Each case has different rules, so talk to a lawyer before filing.
How long does the Police Department keep arrest records?
The Lauderdale Lakes Police Department keeps adult arrest records based on Florida retention schedules. Most adult misdemeanor arrest records stay on file for at least 5 years. Felony arrest records stay on file for at least 10 years. Some records stay on file longer if the case went to trial or resulted in a prison sentence. Juvenile arrest records follow a different schedule and often get sealed or destroyed sooner. You can ask the records division about a specific file’s retention period.
What information shows up in a Lauderdale Lakes inmate search?
A Lauderdale Lakes inmate search shows the person’s full name, booking number, age, and gender. It also shows the arrest date, the charges, the bond amount, and the next court date. The search may show the housing location at the jail. The search does not show medical records, phone calls, or other private details. The tool updates several times each day. If the person was transferred to state prison, you would need to search the Florida Department of Corrections database instead.
Can I get police reports online in Lauderdale Lakes?
Some police reports are available online through the Police Department’s records portal. You can also request reports by email or mail. The records division checks each request against Florida law. Some reports may have parts removed before release. Active investigation reports stay closed until the case is solved or the court lifts the seal. Reports about car accidents, thefts, and other non-active cases are usually open to the public within a few days of the incident.
Do I need a lawyer to get public records in Lauderdale Lakes?
No, you do not need a lawyer to get public records. Florida law lets any person request records without a lawyer or a reason. You can file the request yourself by mail, email, or in person. If the agency denies your request, you can appeal the denial. The Florida Attorney General runs a free mediation program for public records disputes. You can call (850) 245-0140 to ask for help. A lawyer can help you with complex cases, but most simple requests work fine without one.
Authority and Entity Expansion List
The following topics can add more depth to this page over time. Each one fills a gap that current top results do not cover well. Adding these topics builds stronger topical authority and brings in more search traffic.
- Lauderdale Lakes crime statistics and trends by year
- Step-by-step guide to sealing or expunging an arrest in Broward County
- How to read a Florida arrest affidavit and what each section means
- Difference between county jail and state prison records in Florida
- How to use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement criminal history search
- Lauderdale Lakes warrant search and how to check for active warrants
- Victim notification systems for Lauderdale Lakes criminal cases
- How bail and bond amounts get set in Broward County
- Public records for juveniles in Lauderdale Lakes and Florida law on minor records
- History of public records law in Florida and key court cases that shaped it
- How to appeal a denied public records request in Florida
- Lauderdale Lakes traffic citation records and how to look them up