Sunrise City traffic ticket records are public court files held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Every citation written inside Sunrise city limits ends up in this single county-wide system.
The records include the driver name, citation number, charge, fine amount, court date, and final outcome. Sunrise sits in the western part of Broward County, Florida, with about 100,000 residents and busy roads like Sunrise Boulevard, Oakland Park Boulevard, and the Sawgrass Expressway. Tickets can come from the Sunrise Police Department, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol, but every one of them lands at the same clerk office.
What Sunrise City Traffic Ticket Records Contain
Each ticket creates a digital court file that anyone can pull up. The record shows the date the ticket was issued, the agency that wrote it, the statute the driver is charged with breaking, and the fines or fees tied to the charge. The record also tracks the case from the day it is filed to the day it closes.
Who Writes and Files the Tickets
Three main law enforcement agencies write traffic tickets in Sunrise. The Sunrise Police Department handles most local violations. The Broward Sheriff’s Office covers parts of the city that fall under their patrol areas. The Florida Highway Patrol writes tickets on state roads like the Sawgrass Expressway. All three agencies send their tickets to the Broward County Clerk of Courts for processing.
Types of Tickets Stored in the System
The clerk system stores both moving and nonmoving violations. Moving violations include speeding, running a red light, unsafe lane change, and driving without a valid license. Nonmoving violations include parking tickets, expired registration, and equipment violations. Criminal traffic charges like DUI and driving with a suspended license also live in the same system but get handled in a different court division.
How Long Records Stay Available
Most traffic ticket records stay online for years after the case closes. Paid tickets remain visible for at least five to seven years. Convictions and points stay on a Florida driving record through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, often for up to 11 years. Serious offenses like DUI can stay visible for much longer.
The Broward County Clerk Runs the System
The Broward County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller handles every traffic ticket record in Sunrise. Clerk Brenda D. Forman runs the office. Under Florida Statute 318.14, anyone who gets a noncriminal traffic citation must respond within 30 calendar days. The response can be paying the fine, asking for a court hearing, or electing traffic school.
Office Locations Close to Sunrise
Sunrise residents can visit any of the four Broward Clerk traffic service branches. The closest is the Traffic West branch at 100 North Pine Island Road, Room 110, in Plantation. The main office sits at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. A North branch operates in Deerfield Beach, and a South branch runs in Hollywood. All four branches can answer questions about Sunrise traffic tickets.
| Clerk Location | Address | Best For Sunrise Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic West Branch | 100 N. Pine Island Rd, Room 110, Plantation, FL | Closest drive, short wait times |
| Main Office | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | Full services and record requests |
| North Branch | Deerfield Beach, FL | Northern Broward access |
| South Branch | Hollywood, FL | Southern Broward access |
How to Reach the Clerk Office
The clerk office phone line is (954) 831-6565. Phone hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Walk-in service at all branches runs on a first-come, first-served basis. The clerk email for traffic questions is TrafficeClerk@browardclerk.org. The main website at browardclerk.org holds search tools, payment links, and court calendars.
Court Jurisdiction Over Sunrise Tickets
Sunrise falls under Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit. Tickets filed in Sunrise go before judges in Broward County traffic court. Some minor civil traffic infractions can be decided by a traffic hearing officer, while more serious charges go to a county court judge.
How to Search Sunrise City Traffic Ticket Records Online
The Broward Clerk website gives free public access to Sunrise traffic ticket records. Users can search by citation number, name, or case number. The search shows the case status, fine balance, hearing dates, and final outcome. The statewide PayFLClerk portal at payflclerk.com also lets users look up and pay Sunrise tickets by selecting Broward County from the county list.
Search by Citation Number
Searching by citation number gives the most exact result. The citation number sits on the top of the printed ticket. Drivers should enter all letters and numbers exactly as shown, including the dash if one appears. The search pulls up the matching case in seconds, along with the fine balance and next deadline.
Search by Full Name and Date of Birth
Name searches need a last name, first name, and date of birth to narrow the result. Florida law restricts full driver record lookups to the named driver, but basic case status and amount due are public. The name search works for checking the status of one’s own ticket or verifying that a citation got closed after payment.
When New Tickets Show Up in the System
A new ticket can take 5 to 10 business days to appear in the online system. If a driver got a citation in the last week and sees no result, waiting a few more days often solves the problem. Calling the clerk office at (954) 831-6565 can also confirm whether the ticket has been entered yet.
How to Pay a Sunrise Traffic Ticket
Paying the fine closes the case and counts as a guilty plea. Drivers who pay must accept the charge on their record. Under Florida Statute 318.18, base moving violation fines start at $60, and nonmoving violations start at $30. Court costs get added on top of the base fine, and the total due is printed on the back of the citation.
Online Payment Methods
Online payment is the fastest way to close a Sunrise traffic case. Drivers can pay through the Broward Clerk site at browardclerk.org or the statewide PayFLClerk portal. Both sites accept credit cards and debit cards. A processing fee applies to every card payment. The payment posts the same day in most cases.
Phone, Mail, and In-Person Payment
Phone payments can be made at (954) 831-6565 during business hours. Mail payments go to P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610, with a check or money order. In-person payments can be made at any Broward Clerk branch or at any AMSCOT location in Florida, where cash payments have no extra clerk fee.
Payment Plans for Larger Fines
Drivers who cannot pay the full amount can ask for a payment plan. The plan must be set up in person at a clerk branch. A $25 processing fee applies to new plans. After the plan starts, monthly payments can be made by mail or in person only. Missing a plan payment can restart the case and add late fees.
Three Options to Respond to a Sunrise Traffic Ticket
Florida law gives every driver three ways to answer a traffic citation. The choice affects both the driving record and the wallet. Drivers should weigh each path before the 30-day deadline passes.
Pay the Fine and Close the Case
Paying the fine is the simplest path. It counts as a guilty plea and closes the case. Moving violations add points to the driving record. Nonmoving tickets add no points but still need payment within 30 days. The total amount due shows on the back of the citation.
Contest the Ticket in Court
Drivers who want to fight the charge can request a hearing. Both the driver and the citing officer appear before a judge. If the judge finds the driver guilty, the fine can go up to $500. School zone and construction zone violations can reach $1,000. The request must be made within 30 days of the citation date.
File a Written Plea of No Contest
A conditional plea of no contest is open to drivers whose tickets did not involve a crash. The driver mails in a no contest plea with the fine payment. No court appearance is needed. No points go on the record. The driver can still appeal the fine amount in writing. Email the request to TrafficeClerk@browardclerk.org.
Traffic School and the 18% Fine Reduction
Sunrise drivers can elect a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course to keep points off the record. The course also gives an 18% cut in the fine. The clerk withholds adjudication, which means no conviction appears on the public record. The election must be made within 30 days of receiving the citation.
Who Qualifies for Traffic School
Most noncommercial drivers qualify. The clerk allows traffic school five times in a lifetime and once every 12 months. CDL holders cannot elect traffic school. Drivers caught going 30 mph or more over the speed limit cannot elect the course either. Drivers with a crash tied to the citation may also be blocked.
Course Deadlines and Approved Providers
After electing traffic school, the driver has 90 days from the citation date to finish the course. State-approved providers list on the FLHSMV site at flhsmv.gov. Most providers offer online courses that drivers can finish from home. After completing the course, the driver must verify the clerk received the completion certificate.
What Happens If the Course Is Not Finished
Missing the 90-day deadline brings the full fine back. A late fee gets added. Points hit the driving record. A license suspension can follow if the case stays unpaid for 180 days. Drivers should not rely on the traffic school to send in the certificate and should call the clerk at (954) 831-6565 to confirm the file is closed.
Fines, Points, and Penalty Schedules
Florida law sets a clear fine schedule for moving violations. Sunrise tickets follow the same state schedule. Base fines go up for faster speeds, and court costs get added on top of every ticket.
Speeding Fine Schedule by Speed
Speeding fines depend on how many miles per hour over the limit the driver was going. The base amounts run $25 for 6 to 9 mph over, $100 for 10 to 14 mph over, $150 for 15 to 19 mph over, $175 for 20 to 29 mph over, and $250 for 30 mph or more over. Court costs push the total much higher.
| Speed Over Limit | Base Fine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 9 mph | $25 | Plus court costs |
| 10 to 14 mph | $100 | Plus court costs |
| 15 to 19 mph | $150 | Plus court costs |
| 20 to 29 mph | $175 | Plus court costs |
| 30 mph or more | $250 | Plus court costs, no traffic school |
Other Moving and Nonmoving Violations
Running a red light, running a stop sign, and careless driving all carry base fines of $60 with court costs added. Nonmoving violations like expired registration, no proof of insurance, and broken equipment start at $30. Each violation may add points to the record based on the Florida point system.
Doubled Fines in School and Construction Zones
Tickets written in active school zones or construction zones double in cost. Fines for both moving and nonmoving violations get doubled when warning signs or workers are present. Points on the record also follow the normal rule for the underlying charge.
License Suspension Risks for Unpaid Sunrise Tickets
Failing to act on a Sunrise traffic ticket can lead to license suspension. Florida law treats unpaid tickets as a serious matter, and the state tracks every unpaid case through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) system.
The 30-Day Deadline and Late Fees
Under Florida Statute 318.15, a $16 late fee gets added once the 30-day deadline passes. The fine balance grows with every month the case stays open. Drivers should not assume silence will clear the ticket. The system keeps counting fees and time until the case is closed.
How the State Gets Notified
If 180 days pass with no action on the ticket, the Broward Clerk sends the case to the FLHSMV. The state then marks the driver license as suspended. A $60 reinstatement fee gets added to all other fines and fees. The suspension stays on the record for seven years after the case closes.
Steps to Get a Suspended License Back
Paying the full fine, late fees, and reinstatement fee clears the suspension. The driver must also pay any other open tickets on the record. After payment, the suspension lift request goes from the clerk to FLHSMV, which can take a few business days. Driving on a suspended license can lead to arrest and new charges.
Point Accumulation and Driving Record Effects
Points from Sunrise tickets add up with points from tickets in other Florida cities. The Florida point system triggers automatic suspensions once a driver crosses certain thresholds in set time periods.
How Florida Tracks Driver Points
FLHSMV keeps a master driving record for every licensed Florida driver. Each moving violation adds a set number of points. Speeding adds 3 to 4 points. Running a red light adds 3 points. Reckless driving adds 4 points. The full list of point values lives on the FLHSMV site.
Suspension Thresholds
Florida sets three suspension triggers. Twelve points in 12 months leads to a 30-day suspension. Eighteen points in 18 months leads to a 3-month suspension. Twenty-four points in 36 months leads to a full-year suspension. A driver can request a hearing to contest any of these suspensions.
Checking Your Point Balance
Drivers can check their point balance through the MyDMV Portal at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov. A free driving record printout is also available for a small fee. The point total updates after each ticket closes. Drivers can also call FLHSMV at (850) 617-2000 for help with the record.
Official Contact Details and Location
Sunrise traffic ticket records are managed by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The nearest clerk branch to Sunrise is the Traffic West office in Plantation, but drivers can use any of the four branches or contact the office by phone, email, or mail.
Official Website: https://www.browardclerk.org/
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Email: TrafficeClerk@browardclerk.org
Main Office Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Nearest Branch to Sunrise: Traffic West, 100 North Pine Island Road, Room 110, Plantation, FL
Phone Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Walk-in Hours: First come, first served at all branches
Mail Payments: P.O. Box 14610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-4610
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunrise City Traffic Ticket Records
The questions below cover the most common issues Sunrise drivers face when looking up or paying traffic tickets. Each answer pulls from Florida law, Broward Clerk rules, and current FLHSMV policy. Drivers who need case-specific help should call the clerk office at (954) 831-6565 during business hours. The clerk email and website offer another way to ask questions and check case status. New tickets take 5 to 10 business days to appear online, so a short wait is normal after a stop.
How Long Do I Have to Pay a Sunrise Traffic Ticket?
Florida law gives every driver 30 calendar days from the date on the citation to pay the fine, request a court hearing, or elect traffic school. Missing the deadline adds a $16 late fee under Florida Statute 318.15. After 180 days of no action, the clerk reports the case to FLHSMV, and the driver license gets suspended. Paying the fine before the 30-day deadline is the simplest way to keep the case clean and avoid extra fees. Drivers who need more time can set up a payment plan in person at any clerk branch.
Can I Look Up Someone Else’s Sunrise Traffic Ticket?
Florida law makes basic case status and fine amounts public records. Anyone can look up a Sunrise ticket by citation number to see if a case is open or closed. Full driving record details, including points and personal address, are private and only available to the named driver, law enforcement, or the courts. Name searches need a first name, last name, and date of birth to get a clean result. Drivers who need a third-party record check should use the public case search on browardclerk.org.
What Happens If I Ignore a Ticket From Sunrise?
Ignoring a Sunrise ticket leads to growing fines, late fees, and a license suspension. The clerk adds a $16 late fee after 30 days. After 180 days of no action, FLHSMV suspends the driver license. The driver must then pay the full fine, late fees, and a $60 reinstatement fee to get the license back. Driving on a suspended license in Florida is a separate criminal charge that can lead to arrest and a new ticket. Paying or responding within the 30-day window avoids all of these problems.
Do Sunrise Tickets Show Up on Background Checks?
Paid noncriminal traffic tickets do not show up on most criminal background checks. Moving violations that lead to a conviction can appear on driving record checks for insurance or employment purposes. Criminal traffic charges like DUI, driving with a suspended license, or reckless driving do show up on criminal background checks. The FLHSMV record stays active for up to 11 years for serious violations and at least 5 to 7 years for paid tickets. Insurance companies often check the driving record before offering a policy rate.
How Do I Find My Citation Number?
The citation number sits at the top of the printed ticket the officer handed out. The number usually contains letters and numbers, like a state abbreviation followed by a serial code. The back of the citation also has the same number next to the case detail box. Drivers who lost the paper copy can call the clerk at (954) 831-6565 and give the officer name, date of stop, and license number. The clerk can look up the citation number using those details.
Can I Get a Refund If I Already Paid and Then Won in Court?
Drivers who pay a ticket and later win a court challenge can request a refund. The driver must file a written motion with the Broward Clerk within a set window after the court ruling. The court must order the refund, and the clerk processes the payment back to the original method. Card refunds can take several weeks. Drivers who paid by cash at AMSCOT must claim the refund at the clerk office. Refund requests without a court order do not get processed.
Will a Sunrise Ticket Affect My Insurance?
Most moving violations in Sunrise affect car insurance rates. Insurance companies pull driving records when policies renew, and points on the record often lead to higher premiums. Nonmoving violations like expired registration usually do not affect rates. Tickets that get dismissed, with adjudication withheld, or closed through traffic school often have no impact on insurance. Drivers who keep the record clean for three to five years after a ticket often see rates drop back to normal.