Homestead City Booking and Release Records are public files that show when someone was arrested in Homestead, Florida. These records show the person’s name, the charges, the booking date, and the release date.
The Homestead Police Department makes the arrest, but Miami-Dade County keeps the jail records. Anyone can look at these records for free. This page explains how to search, what each record shows, and what to do next.
Who Keeps Homestead Booking Records
Homestead city police arrest people inside the city limits. After an arrest, officers take the person to a county jail for booking. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department runs that jail. This agency writes the booking records and tracks every release. The Homestead Police Department only keeps arrest reports, not jail custody data. Knowing this difference saves time when you search for records.
Homestead Police Department Role
The Homestead Police Department responds to calls and makes arrests inside the city. Officers write a police report for each arrest. These reports describe what happened, who was involved, and what charges apply. You can ask for a copy of the police report from the HPD Records Unit. The reports do not show the booking number or release date.
Miami-Dade Corrections Role
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department books every person arrested in Homestead. They run the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. This facility holds people before trial and after conviction for short sentences. The agency also tracks all releases. Their database is the main source for booking and release data in Homestead.
Where the Two Agencies Differ
The police report covers the arrest scene and officer statements. The booking record covers what happened at the jail. Both files together give the full picture. Police reports help with case facts. Booking records help with custody status and release time. Use the right agency for the right data.
| Agency | Role | Records Held |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Police Department | Makes arrests inside Homestead | Arrest reports and police blotters |
| Miami-Dade Corrections | Books and releases inmates | Booking sheets, release dates, mugshots |
| Clerk of Court | Manages criminal cases | Charges, pleas, sentences, appeals |
What Each Booking Record Shows
A Homestead booking record lists basic facts about a person in jail. The record shows the full name, date of birth, and physical details. It lists the booking date and time. It shows each charge with a Florida statute number. The record also shows the bond amount and the housing location. If the person was released, the release date and time appear. Some records also show the next court date.
Personal Details Listed
The booking sheet shows the person’s legal name and any aliases. It shows the date of birth, race, and gender. Height, weight, and eye color are also on file. A booking photo, often called a mugshot, is taken at intake. Home address appears on most booking records.
Charges and Bond Amounts
Each charge lists the Florida statute broken. The bond amount depends on the charge type. Misdemeanor bonds often range from $500 to $5,000. Felony bonds can reach $50,000 or more. Some charges, like capital crimes, have no bond. The booking record shows the total bond for all charges together.
Custody Status and Release Info
The custody status tells if a person is still in jail. Status codes include in custody, released, and transferred. Released records show the date and time of release. The release type shows if the person posted bond, finished a sentence, or was released on their own recognizance.
How to Search Homestead Records Online
The fastest way to access Homestead booking or release records is the Miami-Dade inmate search portal. The website is free. You can search by name or booking number. Results show current inmates and recent releases. The system updates every hour. Each search takes less than a minute.
Using the Miami-Dade Portal
Go to www.miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch/. Type the first and last name in the search box. You can also type the booking number if you have one. Click search to see results. Each result shows the person’s photo, charges, and custody status. Click the name for full booking details.
What If Multiple Results Appear
Common names may return many records. Look at the date of birth to pick the right person. Compare the photo to the person you seek. Check the booking date against the arrest date. Use a booking number for the most accurate match.
Limits of the Online Search
The online portal does not show records older than several years. It does not show sealed or expunged cases. Juvenile records do not appear due to privacy rules. Records for people in protective custody are also hidden. For older or sealed records, you must file a formal request.
How to Request Booking Records in Person
You can request detailed records by mail, email, or in person. Miami-Dade County has a public records portal for formal requests. The portal is at homesteadfl.justfoia.com/publicportal. You create an account and submit your request online. The agency replies with a cost estimate and a timeline.
Information You Need Before You Request
Gather the full name and date of birth of the person. The booking number helps narrow the search. The case number from court records also works. The more facts you give, the faster the agency can respond. Vague requests take longer.
Costs and Fees for Records
Florida law lets agencies charge for copies. The standard fee is $0.15 per page under Section 119.07, F.S. Large requests may include staff time fees. Ask for a cost estimate before the agency starts the work. Simple booking sheets cost very little.
Response Times
Most simple requests get a reply within five business days. Complex requests can take two to four weeks. Florida law does not set a strict deadline. You can follow up by phone if the agency takes too long. The public records portal shows the request status as the agency works.
- Gather the full name, date of birth, and booking number.
- Open the public records portal at homesteadfl.justfoia.com/publicportal.
- Submit the request with all the facts you have.
- Wait for a cost estimate before the agency pulls files.
- Pay the fee and download or pick up the records.
Bond Payments and Release After Booking
Most people leave jail after paying bond. Bond is money that promises the person will return to court. The booking record shows the bond amount. You can pay bond at the jail or through a licensed bondsman. Once bond is paid, the release process begins. Release can take one to eight hours after payment.
Cash Bond and Surety Bond
A cash bond means you pay the full amount in cash. The money is returned at the end of the case if the person follows all court orders. A surety bond uses a bondsman. The bondsman charges a fee, usually 10 percent of the bond. The fee is not returned.
Own Recognizance Release
Some people get released on their own recognizance, called OR release. The judge signs an order that lets the person leave without bond. The person signs a promise to return to court. OR release happens for low-risk charges and people with no criminal history.
Release After Sentence Completion
People who serve their full sentence get released when their time ends. The booking record shows the expected release date. The jail may release the person a day early for good behavior. The release happens in the morning on the last day.
Court Records vs Jail Records
Jail records and court records are two different file systems. Jail records show custody and booking facts. Court records show case progress, pleas, and verdicts. You check jail records to see if someone is in jail. You check court records to see the legal outcome.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Records
The Clerk of Court keeps every court file in Miami-Dade County. Their website is miamidadeclerk.gov. You can search by party name or case number. Court records show charges, hearings, pleas, sentences, and appeals. These records update after each court date.
How the Two Systems Connect
A booking leads to a court case. The booking record gives the court the charges and defendant data. The court record gives the jail release orders and sentence details. Both files together tell the full story of a criminal case. Check both when you research a case.
Florida Public Records Law and Booking Data
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the United States. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public the right to see government records. Booking and arrest data are public by default. You do not need to tell the agency why you want the records.
What Is Always Public
Booking dates, release dates, and charges are public. The name, sex, age, and race of the arrested person are public. The booking photo is public. Bond amounts and court dates are public. The address of the jail is public.
What Is Exempt from Public View
Active criminal intelligence data may be private during an open case. Social Security numbers are redacted. Home addresses of certain protected people may be redacted. Juvenile records are private. Sealed or expunged records are private.
Appealing a Denied Request
If an agency denies your request, they must name a Florida statute that allows the denial. You can appeal to the agency head. You can also file a lawsuit in circuit court. Some legal aid groups help with public records cases for free.
Visitation Rules for Homestead Inmates
People in jail can see visitors during set hours. The Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center allows video visits and in-person visits. Visitors must book a time slot online. Each visit lasts up to 30 minutes. Children under 18 need a parent or guardian.
How to Schedule a Visit
Visit the Miami-Dade Corrections website to book a time. Create an account with your name and ID number. Pick a date and time that works. You receive a confirmation email. Arrive 15 minutes early with a photo ID.
Dress Code and Rules
Visitors must wear modest clothing. No hats, sunglasses, or tank tops. No phones or bags inside the visit room. Drugs, weapons, and alcohol are banned. Failure to follow rules ends the visit and may ban future visits.
Children and Family Visits
Children under 18 must be with a parent or legal guardian. Birth certificates may be required. Visits with young children often happen in family-friendly rooms. Call the jail before bringing a child to learn the rules.
Common Charges Seen in Homestead Bookings
Homestead is a city in southern Miami-Dade County. Local arrests cover a range of charges. Theft and shoplifting lead the list. Drug possession and sales are also common. Traffic offenses and DUI cases appear often. Domestic violence charges make up a smaller share but rise during holidays.
Misdemeanor Charges in Homestead
Common misdemeanors include petty theft, simple battery, and trespassing. Driving on a suspended license is a frequent misdemeanor. Disorderly conduct and open container charges also appear. These charges often carry low bonds and short jail stays.
Felony Charges in Homestead
Felonies include burglary, robbery, and aggravated assault. Drug trafficking and weapons charges are felonies. Fraud and identity theft charges are felonies. Felony bonds are higher, and jail time is longer.
Federal Charges in Homestead
Some arrests involve federal agencies like the ATF, FBI, or DEA. These suspects go to federal court, not county court. Federal cases are tracked by the U.S. District Court. Federal jail records are not on the Miami-Dade portal.
What Happens to Records After Release
A booking record stays in the system after release. The record shows the release date. The arrest remains on file unless a court orders it sealed or expunged. Background checks often pull these older records. Some records stay available forever online.
Sealing a Record in Florida
A person can ask the court to seal a record under Florida law. Sealing hides the record from public search. Police and certain agencies can still see it. To seal a record, you must file a petition with the court. Not every case qualifies.
Expunging a Record in Florida
Expungement destroys the public record. The case file is removed from public databases. You must meet strict rules to get an expungement. A lawyer can help you file the right papers. Expunged records may still show up on FBI background checks.
Victim Notification and Safety
Victims of crime have the right to know about an inmate’s release. Florida operates a victim notification service called VINELink. You can sign up for free alerts by phone or email. The system tells you when the inmate is released, moved, or escapes.
How VINELink Works
Go to vinelink.com and create an account. Enter the inmate’s name and date of birth. Pick the case or booking number. You receive an alert each time custody status changes. The service is free and runs 24 hours a day.
Protection Orders After Release
A court can order an inmate to stay away from the victim after release. The order goes into a national database. Police can arrest the person for breaking the order. Violations carry felony charges in many cases.
Background Checks and Booking Records
Employers and landlords often run background checks. These checks pull booking data, court data, and release data. A booking without a conviction still shows up in many reports. Florida law limits how employers can use old arrest data in hiring.
FCRA Rules for Background Reports
The Fair Credit Reporting Act sets rules for background check companies. They must give you a copy of the report if they deny you a job. You can challenge wrong facts in the report. Errors must be fixed within 30 days.
Ban the Box in Florida
Florida has a Ban the Box law for public jobs. State agencies cannot ask about arrests on the first job application. The law protects people with old records. Private employers still have their own rules.
Common Mistakes When Searching Records
Many people search the wrong database. They look at city police sites for jail data that only the county keeps. Others miss the booking number and search by name only. Both lead to wrong or empty results. Use the right system for the right job.
Wrong Agency Searches
The Homestead Police Department does not run the jail. They cannot show you release dates. You must use the Miami-Dade Corrections portal for jail data. The HPD Records Unit only has arrest reports.
Spelling and Date Errors
Wrong spellings return no results. Wrong birth dates also return empty lists. Try different spellings and date formats. Common nicknames may not match legal names on file.
Real Examples of How Records Are Used
People use booking and release records for many reasons. Parents check on a missing teen. Landlords screen tenants. Lawyers track case progress. Employers run background checks. Journalists write stories on crime trends. Victims check release dates for safety. Each use relies on the same public database.
Family Use Cases
Families often search to confirm a loved one is safe in jail. The record shows the housing location and bond amount. Family members can plan a visit or send money to the inmate’s account. Knowing the release date helps plan pickup.
Legal Use Cases
Defense lawyers pull booking records to plan a case. They check the booking time to challenge arrest facts. They pull release data to track client custody. They use court records to build the defense file.
Key Contacts and Addresses
The Homestead Police Department handles local arrest reports. Miami-Dade Corrections handles booking and release data. The Clerk of Court handles court case files. The contact list below shows the right place for each type of record request.
Homestead Police Department
The Homestead Police Department is at 45 NW 1st Ave, Homestead, FL 33030. The phone number is (305) 247-1535. The Records Unit helps with arrest reports and local police records. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public lobby hours run 24 hours a day for emergencies.
Miami-Dade Corrections Department
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation is at 1550 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33125. The phone number is (786) 263-7000. The inmate search line runs 24 hours a day. The records office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitation hours run daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by appointment. The main jail address for in-person bond payment is the same building.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court is at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. The phone number is (305) 275-1155. The website is miamidadeclerk.gov. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk handles case files, not jail records.
Official Websites
Homestead Police Department: www.homesteadpolice.com. Miami-Dade Corrections Inmate Search: www.miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch/. City Public Records Portal: homesteadfl.justfoia.com/publicportal. Clerk of Court: www.miamidadeclerk.gov. Homestead Police Records Unit: www.homesteadfl.gov/210/Reports-Public-Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common things people ask about Homestead City Booking and Release Records. Each answer gives clear, direct facts based on Florida law and current Miami-Dade County rules. The answers below address how long records last, privacy rules, and ways to access the data.
How Long Does a Booking Record Stay Online?
Booking records stay online for several years on the Miami-Dade portal. The exact time depends on the case type and outcome. Felony records often stay longer than misdemeanor records. Sealed or expunged records are removed from the public view. The jail also keeps paper records for many years. Private third-party sites may keep mugshots forever. You can ask Google to remove outdated links to your mugshot. Search engines honor removal requests for records that were sealed or expunged. Always check both the official portal and major search engines when tracking old records.
Can I Remove My Booking Photo from the Internet?
You can only remove a mugshot if the court seals or expunges the record. Private mugshot sites often refuse to remove photos unless you pay a fee. Florida law limits how third-party sites can charge for removal. A lawyer can help you file the right motion in court. You can also send a Google removal request under their outdated content policy. Many mugshot sites ignore takedown requests, so legal help is often needed. Some credit reporting bureaus will drop mugshot links from search results on request. Keep records of every request you send.
Are Juvenile Records Public in Homestead?
Juvenile records are not public in Florida. They are sealed by state law. Parents or guardians can ask the juvenile court for records about their child. The public cannot search juvenile records on any online portal. Only the minor, parents, and certain agencies can see the file. Juvenile records can still affect future cases. Some juvenile records follow a person into adult court. Talk to a juvenile defense lawyer if you need a copy of a juvenile file.
How Do I Check If Someone Got Released Today?
Use the Miami-Dade inmate search portal. Type the person’s name. The custody status field shows if the person is still in jail or was released. The release date and time appear under the booking record. The portal updates every hour. You can also call the jail records line at (786) 263-7000 for faster updates. VINELink subscribers get release alerts by phone or email. Bond postings after business hours often show release the next morning.
Can I Send Money to an Inmate in Homestead?
Yes. You can send money through the jail’s approved vendor. The vendor charges a small fee. Money goes into the inmate’s commissary account. Family members can use the account to buy food, hygiene items, and phone time. Online deposits are the fastest method. You can also send money by phone or at a kiosk in the lobby. The jail does not accept cash by mail for security reasons.
What If the Police Refuse to Give Me Records?
The police must give you the records or cite a Florida statute for any denial. You can appeal to the police chief. You can also file a lawsuit in circuit court. Legal aid groups in Miami-Dade help with public records cases for free. Keep a copy of your original request and the denial. Write a clear appeal letter that cites Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Most denials get reversed when you show you know the law. You can also contact a local journalist for help with a story on denied requests.