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Traffic and Misdemeanor

Overview


The Traffic and Misdemeanor Division is responsible for processing the following types of cases: Misdemeanor, Municipal Ordinance, County Ordinance, Traffic, Smoking, Fish and Wildlife, Tri-Rail and Boating.

A Criminal Traffic or Misdemeanor charge requires a court appearance.

Municipal Ordinance and County Ordinances require a court appearance.

A Civil Traffic Infraction is a non-criminal charge that can usually be disposed of by payment of a civil penalty or an election to attend a basic driver improvement course. A court appearance is not required, except in cases where the violation involves an accident with serious bodily injury or fatality.

Within 30 calendar days from the date you received your citation, you must comply by selecting one of the following options:

Pay Fines and Fees


When you elect this option, it is considered a conviction and points may be assessed on your driver license. You will not be allowed to elect the driving school option at a later date.

Civil traffic infractions must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date the citation was issued. Failure to pay may result in Driver License suspension and late fees and reinstatement fees may be assessed.

Elect Driving School


No points will be assessed against your Driver's License if you complete a driver improvement school. However, if you fail to complete the driving school option within the appropriate timeframe, or pay the remaining fine payment balance, additional fees may be assessed, along with a suspension of your driver's license.

Conditional Plea of No Contest and Waiver of Appearance


No Court Appearance and No Points

If you have received a traffic ticket in Broward County that does not involve a crash or require a mandatory hearing under Florida Statutes section 319.9, you may submit a Conditional Plea of No Contest to the court.

If your conditional plea is accepted by the court:

  • You will not have a court hearing.
  • No points will be added to your driving record.
  • The court will withhold adjudication of guilt.
  • You will be required to comply with any resolution the court imposes, such as paying a fine and attending driving school.

If for any reason the court declines to accept your conditional plea, your case will be handled through the normal traffic ticket process and may be set for a pre-trial teleconference. At that time, the conditional plea that you submitted earlier cannot be used as evidence against you.

You may drop off this completed Plea at the Clerk's drop box at any location of the Broward County Courthouse; you may also send it via U.S. Mail to Broward County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33302-4610; or you may scan and email the form to the Clerk of Court at TrafficeClerk@browardclerk.org.

Request Court Hearing


A Criminal Traffic, Misdemeanor, Municipal Ordinance or County Ordinance charge requires a court appearance.

If you choose to contest a Civil Traffic Infraction ticket, you must make your request for a hearing in writing to the Clerk within 30 calendar days of the date of the citation. You will be notified of your court date.

Types of Violations


If you have recently received a ticket for a violation, please review the information provided to determine which option applies to you.

Forms and Self Help


The Clerk’s Office is unable to provide legal advice or assistance.

To assist you, below you will find forms and legal resources. For further assistance, please visit the Self Help Equal Access Center - Law Library, where Law Librarians are available to assist you in locating forms and legal resources.

SELF HELP EQUAL ACCESS CENTER - Law Library
  • Self Help Equal Access Center - Law Library
    Central Courthouse
    Judicial Complex, North Wing

  • 1st Floor, Room: 1800
    201 S.E. 6th Street
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
     Directions to this Location

  •  954-831-6226

  • Monday - Friday
    7:30 am - 3:30 pm
    Excluding Courthouse Holidays

Visit our Law Library located on the first floor of the North Wing of the Courthouse to find:

  • Additional forms including Family, Landlord/Tenant, Criminal, Probate and Guardianship, Traffic, and much more
  • Photocopy machines, computers, and Wi-Fi
  • Print materials, online databases and resources, self-help publications, Westlaw and Lexis
  • Comfortable, quiet work areas
  • Law Librarians available to direct you to resources related to your legal information needs

Frequently Asked Questions



Contact Information

  • Correspondence Address:
  • Brenda D. Forman, Clerk of Courts
    P. O. Box 14610
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610

  • Correspondence Phone Numbers:
  •  954-831-6565 - (option 1)
  •  954-831-5600 - Attorneys
  • Central Courthouse
    Judicial Complex, West Building
    (Traffic Central)

  • 201 S.E. 6th Street
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
     Directions To This Location

  • 1st Floor, Room: 01130

  •  954-831-6565 - (option 1)

  • Monday - Friday
    8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

    Excluding Holidays
  • North Regional Courthouse
    (Traffic North)

  • 1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard
    Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
     Directions To This Location

  • Room: 181

  •  954-831-6565 - (option 1)

  • Monday - Friday
    8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

    Excluding Holidays
  • South Regional Courthouse
    (Traffic South)

  • 3550 Hollywood Boulevard
    Hollywood, FL 33021
     Directions To This Location

  • Room: 200

  •  954-831-6565 - (option 1)

  • Monday - Friday
    8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

    Excluding Holidays
  • West Regional Courthouse
    (Traffic West)

  • 100 North Pine Island Road
    Plantation, FL 33324
     Directions To This Location

  • Room: 110

  •  954-831-6565 - (option 1)

  • Monday - Friday
    8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

    Excluding Holidays