Hollywood City Florida recent arrests are public records kept by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the Hollywood Police Department. People can search these records by name, date, or booking number through official county websites and state databases. Every arrest in Hollywood goes through a booking process at the county jail before charges move to court. Records show the person’s name, booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and court date. This page explains how arrests work in Hollywood, where to look up records, what each field means, and how to remove or seal old arrest data under Florida law.
How Hollywood Arrests Work
When police take someone into custody in Hollywood, the arrest moves through several steps before it shows up online. Each step creates a paper trail that becomes part of the public record.
Arrest vs Booking Difference
An arrest happens the moment a law enforcement officer takes a person into custody based on probable cause. A booking is the next step, where the jail takes fingerprints, photographs, and personal details. The booking record is what appears in online arrest databases. An arrest without a booking cannot show up on a jail roster. A booking without formal charges still becomes a public record. Many people confuse these two terms, but they serve different legal purposes in Florida law.
Hollywood Police Department Role
The Hollywood Police Department patrols the city limits and makes arrests for crimes that happen within Hollywood. Officers respond to calls, investigate incidents, and arrest suspects at the scene. After an arrest, officers transport the person to the Broward County jail for processing. The Hollywood Police Department does not run its own jail. All arrestees go through the county system for booking. Police reports from the Hollywood Police Department remain public records too.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office Role
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated areas and supports city police departments. BSO operates the county jail where all Hollywood arrestees get booked. BSO also maintains the online jail roster that lists current inmates. The sheriff’s office runs the booking cameras, fingerprint machines, and release procedures. BSO records form the core data for any search of Hollywood City Florida recent arrests.
Where to Find Recent Arrest Records
Several free and paid sources provide access to recent arrest data in Hollywood. Official sources give the most accurate and up-to-date records.
Official Broward County Jail Roster
The Broward County jail roster updates throughout the day as new bookings happen and inmates get released. The roster shows people currently in custody, not people who have already left the jail. You can search by full name or booking date. Each entry includes the booking number, charges, bond amount, and next court date. The official roster runs through the Broward County Sheriff’s Office website. This is the fastest source for Hollywood City Florida recent arrests.
FDLE Criminal History Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state criminal history database. A search shows arrests across all Florida counties, including Hollywood. You can request your own record or run a name-based search with proper consent. FDLE charges a small fee for each search. Results include arrest dates, charges, and final court outcomes. The system covers arrests from every county in Florida.
Clerk of Court Records
The Broward County Clerk of Court keeps case records for all criminal cases after an arrest. You can search cases by defendant name or case number. Court records show charges filed, motions, hearings, plea deals, and sentencing. These records go further back than the jail roster. They also show whether charges led to conviction or dismissal. The clerk’s website offers free basic searches for Hollywood arrest cases.
What Information Appears in a Booking Record
A booking record contains specific data fields that anyone searching can read. Each field has a legal meaning tied to the arrest process.
Personal Details Fields
The booking record starts with the arrestee’s full legal name. It lists date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, and eye color. A booking photo or mugshot attaches to most records. The arrestee’s home address shows up unless sealed by court order. Fingerprint data stays with law enforcement and does not appear online. Each field helps identify the correct person when names appear more than once in the system.
Charges and Bond Information
The charges section lists every statute the person is accused of breaking. Each charge carries a code that points to a Florida law. Bond amounts get set based on the charge type and criminal history. Some bonds come with conditions like no contact orders or travel restrictions. A charge of misdemeanor means a less serious offense. A felony charge carries heavier penalties and higher bonds.
Court Date and Release Data
Every arrest in Hollywood gets a first appearance within 24 hours. The court date appears in the booking record once set. Release dates update the roster in real time when someone posts bond. The record also shows whether the person remains in custody or transferred to state prison. Hold types indicate other agencies have detainers on the person. Each data point helps track the case from arrest through final resolution.
Florida Public Records and Sunshine Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. The Florida Sunshine Law covers arrest records at every level of government.
What Records Are Public
Arrest records, booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and court dates all qualify as public records. Police blotter entries also count as public records. 911 calls and incident reports become public after a brief investigation period. Records stay public even when charges get dropped or the person gets acquitted. A person remains innocent until proven guilty under Florida law, yet arrest data stays visible to the public.
Request Process and Fees
You can file a public records request with the Hollywood Police Department or the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Requests must describe the records you want with enough detail to locate them. Agencies must respond in a reasonable amount of time. Most basic arrest data sits online for free viewing. Printed copies or certified records may carry small fees per page.
Exemptions and Privacy Rules
Some arrest data gets sealed or expunged by court order. Juvenile arrest records stay confidential in most cases. Active criminal intelligence and ongoing investigation details can stay hidden. Personal data like Social Security numbers gets redacted from public versions. Victims of certain crimes may receive address protection as well.
Arrest Record Removal Options
Florida law gives people ways to limit who sees old arrest data. Removal options depend on the case outcome and time since the arrest.
Expungement Eligibility
Expungement destroys the arrest record so that most employers and the public cannot see it. You qualify for expungement if charges got dropped, you were found not guilty, or you completed a diversion program. Some misdemeanor and felony arrests qualify after a waiting period. You cannot expunge a record if you were convicted. Each case has its own eligibility rules under Florida Statute 943.0585.
Sealing Process
Sealing keeps the record out of public view but lets certain agencies still see it. Law enforcement, courts, and some licensing boards can still access sealed records. Sealing works for people who completed a sentence or had charges dropped. The process starts with a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. After that, you file a petition with the court that handled the case.
Certificate of Eligibility Steps
Step one is to apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. You submit fingerprints and pay the application fee online. FDLE reviews your criminal history and confirms your eligibility. The certificate arrives by mail or email within a few weeks. You then take the certificate to the clerk of court and file a petition. A judge reviews the petition and signs an order to seal or expunge the record.
Official Resources and Contact Info
Use these verified contacts and websites to look up arrest data or file public records requests in Hollywood, Florida.
Hollywood Police Department
The Hollywood Police Department serves the city of Hollywood. The department handles local arrests, incident reports, and police blotter entries. The lobby stays open to the public during business hours for records requests.
Address: 3250 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 764-4357
Website: https://www.hollywoodfl.org/98/Police
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office operates the county jail and the online inmate roster. BSO also handles public records requests for jail booking data.
Address: 2601 West Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Phone: (954) 765-4321
Website: https://www.sheriff.org/
Jail Roster: https://www.sheriff.org/Apps/InmateLocator
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for jail inquiries
Broward County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court maintains criminal case files after arrest. Court records show charges, hearings, plea deals, and sentencing. Online access runs through the clerk’s website portal.
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Website: https://www.browardclerk.org/
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
FDLE handles statewide criminal history checks, expungement applications, and official criminal records. The department also publishes arrest data and crime statistics for the state.
Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-7641
Website: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/
Criminal History: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/criminal-history-records
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Public Records FAQ
Below are the most common questions about arrest records in Hollywood, Florida. Each answer covers the legal rules, search steps, and record limits based on current Florida law as of 2026.
How long do arrest records stay public in Florida?
Arrest records stay public in Florida until a court orders them sealed or expunged. There is no automatic expiration date for arrest data. Under Florida’s Sunshine Law, arrest records remain open public records unless a judge signs a sealing order. The Florida Records Retention Schedule sets minimum retention times for agencies, but most arrest data stays accessible for many decades. People who want old records removed must apply through the formal expungement or sealing process.
What is the difference between arrest and conviction?
An arrest happens when police take a person into custody based on probable cause. A conviction happens only after a guilty plea or a court verdict. A person can be arrested without ever being convicted. Charges can get dropped, dismissed, or result in a not guilty verdict. Under Florida law, every person remains innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrest records show up online regardless of the case outcome.
Can I look up arrest records for free in Hollywood?
Yes, free arrest search options exist in Hollywood. The Broward County jail roster shows current inmates at no cost. The Clerk of Court website offers free basic case searches. FDLE offers paid searches but other public databases give free views of recent arrest data. Third-party sites exist but their accuracy varies. Official sources always give the most reliable data.
What does a booking number tell me?
A booking number is a unique ID assigned when someone enters the jail. Each booking creates a new number, even for the same person on a different date. The number helps agencies track the arrest through jail processing. You can use it to search court records by case number later. Booking numbers stay with the record forever unless sealed.
Can mugshots be removed from the internet?
Florida law requires certain websites to remove booking photos when a court orders expungement or sealing. Section 901.43 of Florida Statutes allows people to request removal from third-party sites after a case ends without conviction. Most legitimate mugshot sites comply with these requests. You must send a certified court order and a written removal request. Some sites ignore requests, which leads many people to pursue legal action.
How do I seal a juvenile arrest record in Florida?
Juvenile arrest records in Florida stay confidential under most circumstances. Records get sealed automatically when the juvenile turns 24 in many cases. For serious charges, a person can file a petition to expunge the juvenile record. The process starts with FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. A judge reviews the petition and signs an order if the request meets legal standards.
Are arrest warrants searchable online in Hollywood?
Active arrest warrants do not always appear on public databases. Some Florida courts publish warrant lists online, but many do not. People who think a warrant exists for them should contact a lawyer or the Broward County Clerk of Court. Law enforcement agencies can confirm warrant status by phone. Hollywood City Florida recent arrests data focuses on people already booked into jail, not outstanding warrants.