Search Miami Beach Traffic Records
Miami Beach traffic court records are processed through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court and Comptroller. Located on a barrier island just east of downtown Miami, Miami Beach sees heavy traffic from residents and visitors alike. Every traffic citation issued by Miami Beach police goes to the county clerk for processing and public record keeping. Whether you need to look up a Miami Beach traffic ticket, pay a fine, or contest a citation, the Miami-Dade clerk handles it all. This guide walks through the full process for Miami Beach traffic court records.
Miami Beach Quick Facts
Miami Beach Traffic Citation Filing
All Miami Beach traffic court records go to the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court and Comptroller. The clerk's main office sits in the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami. This is where your case file lives from start to finish. Florida Statute Chapter 316 requires law enforcement to forward traffic citations to the county clerk. Miami Beach Police Department follows this process for every ticket they write.
A civil traffic infraction in Miami Beach is not a criminal matter. It covers things like speeding on Collins Avenue, running a red light on Alton Road, or failing to yield. The Miami-Dade Clerk civil traffic infractions page defines these as cases where someone is suspected of committing a non-criminal traffic violation. Moving violations carry points on your license. Non-moving ones typically do not. Criminal traffic offenses like DUI are handled separately and can result in jail time.
| Office | Miami-Dade Clerk of Court and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Address | Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building 1351 NW 12 Street, Miami, FL 33125 |
| Phone | 305-275-1111 |
| Mailing | PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321 |
| Website | www.miamidadeclerk.gov |
Searching Miami Beach Traffic Court Records Online
The Miami-Dade Clerk has a dedicated traffic search tool. Go to the traffic search page to look up Miami Beach citations. You can search by citation number, name, or driver license number. Results show what you owe, your case status, and any court dates. The search is free. No account is needed for basic lookups.
Miami-Dade also uses a newer system called COIN for case searches. It covers both criminal and traffic filings. If you want to search across all Florida counties at once, MyFLCourtAccess pulls traffic court records from every clerk in the state. This is handy if you got a ticket while visiting Miami Beach but live in another part of Florida. Either way, your Miami Beach traffic record should be searchable online within a few days of the citation being issued.
Phone lookups are also an option. The clerk's IVR system at 305-275-1111 can pull up citation details. For cases that need more than basic info, go to the Gerstein Justice Building in person. The clerk staff can access the full file and make copies.
Note: Online search results may take a few business days to show up after a Miami Beach citation is issued.
Responding to a Miami Beach Traffic Ticket
Once you get a traffic citation in Miami Beach, you have 30 days to respond. That clock starts on the date the ticket was issued. This is a firm deadline. The clerk's site says it clearly: upon receipt of a traffic citation issued to you for a civil infraction, you have 30 days from the date of issuance to satisfy your obligation. Missing the window costs you extra.
Your first option is paying the fine. This is a guilty plea. The case closes. Points go on your license based on the violation. Your second option is to pay and elect traffic school. This keeps points off your record. You plead no contest, the court withholds adjudication, and you complete an approved course. Traffic school is not open to everyone. CDL holders cannot use it for Miami Beach tickets. Red light camera violations, tag issues, registration problems, and insurance-related citations are all excluded from the traffic school option.
Your third option is to fight the ticket. Plead not guilty and get a hearing. For Miami Beach citations in the first 30 days, you can submit this request online, by mail, by phone, or in person at the clerk's office. Once a ticket is 31 to 180 days old, you pay a $16 late fee before the court will schedule a hearing. After 180 days, you need to file a motion with the administrative traffic judge. That takes longer and involves more steps.
Paying Miami Beach Traffic Fines
The Miami-Dade Clerk accepts several payment methods for Miami Beach traffic fines. Online payment is the quickest route. The system takes Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. You can also use PayFLClerk to pay Miami Beach traffic tickets through the statewide portal.
Mail your payment to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, PO Box 19321, Miami, FL 33101-9321. Use a check or money order. Write your citation number on it. Phone payments go through the IVR at 305-275-1111. In-person payments are accepted at the Gerstein Justice Building during business hours.
Fines that go unpaid past 90 days may be turned over to a collection agency. Under Florida Statute 28.246, the collection agency can add up to 40% to the amount you owe. That is a big jump. The Miami-Dade Clerk offers a Traffic Payment Plan Initiative for people who need more time to pay. You must set this up before the citation goes to collections. Call the clerk's office to ask about payment plan eligibility for your Miami Beach traffic case.
Miami-Dade Clerk Portal for Miami Beach
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court homepage serves as the main hub for Miami Beach residents dealing with traffic court records. You can reach the traffic search tool, payment options, and court schedules from the front page.
The clerk site also has links to forms, hearing request pages, and the COIN case search system. Miami Beach traffic cases flow through the same portal as all other Miami-Dade County traffic matters.
Miami Beach Traffic Court Record Details
A Miami Beach traffic court record includes several pieces of information. The record shows the citation number, the date and time of the stop, the officer's name and agency, the violation code, the location of the stop, and the driver's information. It also shows the fine amount, court costs, any traffic school election, hearing dates, and the final outcome. Florida Statute 318.18 sets the penalty schedule for civil infractions, and the fine listed on your Miami Beach record comes from that framework plus local court costs.
Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, these records are public. Anyone can look them up. You do not need to be the person on the ticket. Sensitive personal data like social security numbers is redacted from public view, but the case details remain accessible. If you need certified copies of a Miami Beach traffic court record, the clerk charges a per-page fee. Call the office for current rates.
Miami-Dade County Traffic Court Records
Miami Beach is part of Miami-Dade County. All traffic citations from the city are processed through the county clerk. For broader information about the Miami-Dade court system, full fee breakdowns, and more, visit the county traffic court records page.
Nearby Cities for Traffic Records
These nearby cities also have traffic court records pages. Most are in Miami-Dade County and use the same clerk office. Cities in Broward County use the Broward Clerk of Courts instead.