Resource Guide
South Florida Courthouse Directory
Addresses, case types, directions, and transit options for the Miami-Dade, Broward, and federal courthouses where South Florida cases are heard.
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1989
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University of Miami School of Law
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SDFL (1991), MDFL (2001)
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Miami-Dade and Broward County cases are heard across several different courthouses, and knowing the right one saves a wasted trip. A few core questions come up regardless of the type of case.
- Which courthouse handles your specific type of case
- The difference between county court and circuit court locations
- Where federal cases in South Florida are heard
- What to bring and what is prohibited inside a Miami-Dade courthouse
- Parking and arrival time for a Miami-Dade or Broward hearing
- What to do if you are not sure which court your case is in
Quick Answers
Common Courthouse Questions
Fast answers to the questions people search for most before a South Florida court date.
What courthouse handles criminal cases in Miami-Dade County?+
The Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, at 1351 NW 12th Street in Miami, handles all Miami-Dade felony and misdemeanor criminal cases along with traffic court. It is a separate building from the civil courthouse at 73 W Flagler Street.
Where do I go for a domestic violence case in Miami-Dade?+
Domestic violence injunction filings and family court matters are handled at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami. Petition intake is also available at the North Dade and South Dade Justice Centers depending on location. See our post on the difference between an injunction and a restraining order in Florida.
Which Miami-Dade courthouse is closest to Metrorail?+
The Miami-Dade County Courthouse, Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, and Children's Courthouse are all within the Government Center complex, directly served by the Government Center Metrorail and Metromover station. The Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building is about a block from the separate Civic Center Metrorail station.
How do I get to the Broward County Courthouse without a car?+
A dedicated Broward County Transit bus stop sits directly outside the courthouse at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale, served by routes 1, 6, 30, and 40. The Brightline and Tri-Rail Fort Lauderdale station is also about a 10 to 15 minute walk away.
What is the phone number for the federal courthouse in Miami?+
The main number for the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Miami is (305) 523-5100. The Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse can be reached at (954) 769-5400.
Is there a Broward courthouse near Deerfield Beach?+
Yes. The North Regional Courthouse at 1600 W Hillsboro Boulevard in Deerfield Beach handles regional matters for North Broward County and is open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
11th Judicial Circuit
Miami-Dade County Courthouses
Miami-Dade splits its courts by case type across six separate buildings rather than one central courthouse. Confirming the correct building before a hearing matters, since the wrong location for a fast-moving calendar can mean missing your case entirely.
Criminal
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
📍1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125
🕐Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Handles: Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic court, jury service.
Transit: Civic Center Metrorail Station (Green/Orange Line), about a 1-block walk. Also served by Metrobus routes 7, 12, 17, 108, and 114.
Civil & Probate
Miami-Dade County Courthouse
📍73 W Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
🕐Hours vary. Call to confirm.
Handles: Circuit and county civil litigation, probate matters. Historic 1928 building; expect a security line at the entrance.
Transit: Government Center Metrorail and Metromover Station, directly connected to the building. Free Metromover connects to Brightline and Tri-Rail at nearby MiamiCentral.
Family & DV
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
📍175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128
🕐Family Division: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Handles: Divorce, custody, support, paternity, name changes, and domestic violence injunctions.
Transit: Government Center Metrorail and Metromover Station, a short walk away in the same downtown government complex.
Juvenile
Miami-Dade Children's Courthouse
📍155 NW 3rd Street, Suite 3318, Miami, FL 33128
🕐Hours vary. Call to confirm.
Handles: Juvenile delinquency and dependency matters.
Transit: Government Center Metrorail and Metromover Station, within the downtown government complex.
Traffic & DV Intake
North Dade Justice Center
📍15555 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 100, North Miami, FL 33160
🕐Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Handles: Traffic matters and domestic violence petition intake for North Dade.
Transit: Nearest stop is Biscayne Blvd at NE 156th St, about a 1-minute walk, served by local Metrobus routes along Biscayne Boulevard. No direct rail connection.
Traffic & DV Intake
South Dade Justice Center
📍10710 SW 211th Street, Suite 1200, Cutler Bay, FL 33189
🕐Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Handles: Traffic matters and domestic violence petition intake for South Dade.
Transit: Served by the South Dade TransitWay bus rapid transit line, which connects north to Dadeland South Metrorail Station, the southern terminus of the Metrorail system.
Not sure which building your case is in? The building and courtroom number is printed on your notice, citation, or summons. When in doubt, calling the office handling your matter beforehand is faster than guessing.
Southern District of Florida
Federal Courthouses
Federal cases in South Florida are heard in the Southern District of Florida (SDFL), with courthouses in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Federal (Miami)
Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse
📍400 N Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33128
☎(305) 523-5100
Handles: Federal criminal and civil cases for the Miami division of the Southern District of Florida.
Transit: Its own dedicated stop, the Wilkie D. Ferguson Metromover Station, about a 6-minute walk from Government Center.
Federal (Fort Lauderdale)
U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse
📍299 E Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
☎(954) 769-5400
Handles: Federal criminal and civil cases for the Fort Lauderdale division of the Southern District of Florida.
Transit: About a 10-minute walk from Broward Central Terminal and the Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station, both major regional transit hubs.
17th Judicial Circuit
Broward County Courthouses
Broward operates a main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale plus three regional courthouses spread across the county.
Main Courthouse
Broward County Courthouse
📍201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
☎(954) 831-6565
Handles: Civil, criminal, and family matters for the 17th Judicial Circuit.
Transit: A dedicated Broward County Transit stop sits directly outside the courthouse, about a 2-minute walk, served by routes 1, 6, 30, and 40.
Regional
North Regional Courthouse
📍1600 W Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
🕐8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Handles: Regional matters for North Broward County.
Transit: Broward County Transit Route 48 stops directly outside at Hillsboro B/Lock R, about a 2-minute walk. Also near the Deerfield Beach Tri-Rail and Amtrak station.
Regional
West Regional Courthouse
📍100 N Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324
🕐8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Handles: Regional matters for West Broward County.
Transit: Broward County Transit Route 12 terminates directly at the West Regional Terminal here.
Regional
South Regional Courthouse
📍3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33021
🕐Hours vary. Call to confirm.
Handles: Regional matters for South Broward County.
Transit: Broward County Transit routes 7 and 15 stop at Hollywood Blvd/South Circle Dr, about a 3-minute walk. Sheridan Street Tri-Rail Station is roughly a 29-minute walk.
Speak With Andre
Not Sure Which Court Your Case Is In?
The right courthouse depends on the type of case and where it was filed. Initial consultations are free and confidential, with no obligation to retain. Calling early in a matter usually creates more options than calling late.
First time in a South Florida courtroom? See our Courtroom Etiquette FAQ or the full Legal Terms Glossary for definitions of common legal terms. Wondering where your first appearance happens? See our Bail and Bond Guide or the Criminal Case Timeline. If your hearing is virtual instead, see our Zoom Court Hearing Guide. See our full Areas We Serve page for the firm's complete coverage area.
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