Criminal

Circuit Criminal

The Circuit Criminal Division hears major criminal (felony) cases where the resulting penalty can be death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary for one year (365 days) or more. The judges and support personnel of this division are located at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building.

County Criminal

The County Court Criminal Division consists of minor criminal misdemeanor cases ,criminal traffic matters, municipal and county ordinance violations and Civil Traffic Infractions. Minor criminal misdemeanor cases includes violations such as petit theft, simple battery and trespassing. Criminal Traffic matters, includes violations for DWLS( Driving While license suspended ), DUI (Driving under the influence), NVDL(No valid drivers license) . Civil Traffic infractions, which are non criminal related violations, consists of moving and non-moving violations. Moving violations such as speeding and  running a red light, may assess points on your license , whereas non-moving violations, such as Expired registration or no seatbelt, will not  assess points against your license.   Criminal Traffic matters  as well as minor misdemeanor violations ,are exclusively handled by Judges and may be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for less than one year.  A higher percentage  of Civil Traffic violations are heard by Civil Traffic hearing Officers however, accident cases with injuries and those in which a judge is requested are heard by judges. The county court criminal judiciary and their staff are located at the main courthouse location, REG(Richard E Gerstein Justice Building), located at 1351 NW 13 Street Miami , FL 33125 and at the 5 branch locations (North Dade Justice Center, South Dade Justice Center, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables. The county court criminal operations staff is also assigned at the main courthouse and the 5 branch locations.

Programs and Services

Department of Translation and Interpretation

Court Interpreters interpret and translate verbal and written communications from a non-English to English language in court proceedings.

Court Reporting Services

Court reporting provides "word-for-word" record of everything said in criminal, juvenile and domestic violence case proceedings.

Criminal Mental Health Project

The CMHP serves individuals with serious mental illnesses, who become involved or are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system.

Mental Health Administrator's Office

The Office is responsible for "incompetency to proceed" and "not guilty by reason of insanity" cases.

Court Care

Court Care provides a safe and supervised drop-in childcare facility for children who must be in court in connection with matters involving the children or their parents or guardian.

Juror Transport Service

Since March 1, 2023, the Administrative Office of the Courts has provided jurors serving at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building with an Uber Ride to the surrounding parking lots or to the Civic Center Metrorail Station. Jurors can sign up and request an Uber with the designated Traffic Court Coordinator in the lobby. This service is provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts to ensure the safety and convenience of all jurors serving in the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building.

Drive Legal Program (County)

The program enables violators with a suspended driver’s license to be removed from collection agencies and pay off fines through community service, reducing the amount of court costs to be paid, in order to obtain a valid driver’s license.