Broward County Criminal Court Statistics
Broward County, home to Fort Lauderdale and approximately 1.9 million residents, is Florida's second-most populous county and a major center of criminal court activity. The 17th Judicial Circuit, which serves Broward exclusively, processes a high volume of criminal cases. This guide examines outcomes using our analysis of FDLE Clerk Case data.
Court Structure
The 17th Judicial Circuit's criminal operations are centered at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Key components include felony trial divisions, county court misdemeanor divisions, domestic violence court, drug court, veterans treatment court, and mental health court.
Case Volume and Demographics
Broward County's criminal caseload reflects its large, diverse, and heavily urban population. The county includes major cities like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Coral Springs. The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) generates a significant portion of cases.
Key Outcomes
Overall Case Patterns
Our analysis reveals patterns in how the 17th Circuit resolves criminal cases, influenced by the State Attorney's prosecution policies, available diversionary programs, and the judicial bench composition.
Top Charge Categories
The most frequently prosecuted charges include battery, drug possession, DUI, theft/larceny, domestic violence, and drug sale/trafficking. The county's tourism economy and major transportation corridors influence the charge mix.
Notable Features
- Tourism impact — Fort Lauderdale tourism and cruise ship traffic generate seasonal charge spikes
- Port Everglades — The major seaport generates drug trafficking cases
- School safety focus — Enhanced threat assessment since the 2018 Parkland shooting
- Bond reform — Participation in pre-trial release reform efforts
Broward vs. Neighboring Counties
Despite geographic proximity to Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, Broward shows different criminal case outcome patterns. Compare them:
Facing Charges in Broward County?
Visit our Broward County page for detailed charge-by-charge data, and consult with a criminal defense attorney who practices in the 17th Circuit.