Is your court hearing being held via Zoom? Learn more about Remote Court Hearings by Zoom
Court Services
Confidential Orders
Court Appointed Counsel System (CACS)
AO-2019-43-GEN (Amendment 2) - Administrative Order Establishing Procedures for Appointment of Counsel in Criminal and Civil Proceedings
Attorneys may send CACS comments or questions to: CACS@browardclerk.org
[This service is for Court Appointed Attorneys only. Attorneys should include Florida BAR number in all correspondence.]
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Apply for Criminal Indigent Status
If you cannot afford a private attorney and need a public defender, refer to Florida Statute 27.52 for eligibility criteria.
How to Apply for Criminal Indigent Status (Public Defender)
- To apply for Criminal Indigent Status, you must submit a completed Application for Criminal Indigent Status form for processing.
- The application will be reviewed and either approved or denied based on the guidelines in Florida Statute 27.52.
- After submission, you will receive written notification regarding the status of your application
- If approved, you must pay a $50 fee to the Clerk of Court within seven (7) days, as required by Florida Statute 27.52.
Submission Methods:
Email the completed Application for Criminal Indigent Status form to FelonyeClerk@browardclerk.org.
Ensure you include your signature to verify the information is correct and truthful.
Pay the $50 Public Defender fee online (this option is only available for some court cases).
- Go to the Case Search page to locate your case by name or case number.
- Click the Pay Fine/Fee button to submit your payment using American Express, MasterCard, or Visa.
You may mail, or hand-deliver, the completed Application for Criminal Indigent Status to the appropriate Clerk of Court division where your case is filed.
Be sure to sign the application to confirm that the information provided is accurate and truthful.
In-Person Payment: The $50 Public Defender fee can be paid in person. Pay by Cash, Money Order, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. NOTE: Photo ID is required for in-person credit card payments.
Mail Payment: If mailing your payment, send a Money Order (drawn on a U.S. bank only) made payable to the Clerk of the Courts. Include the case number and clearly indicate the payment is for the $50 Public Defender fee. Do not send cash by mail!
Submission Locations:
- Felony Division, 201 S.E. 6th Street, North Building, 1st Floor, Room: 1882, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Juvenile Division, 201 S.E. 6th Street, West Building, 5th Floor, Room: 05180, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Traffic and Misdemeanor Division, 201 S.E. 6th Street, West Building, 1st Floor, Room: 1130, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Apply for Civil Indigent Status
Civil Indigent Status, as defined by Florida Statute 57.082, offers financial assistance to individuals involved in civil legal matters who cannot afford court fees. If granted indigent status, individuals are exempt from paying filing fees, summons costs, and service fees by the Sheriff. However, certain fees, such as those for copies or preparing an appeal record, are only deferred, and the individual may enter into a payment plan to cover these deferred costs.
How to Apply for Civil Indigent Status
To apply for Civil Indigent Status, you must submit a completed Application for Civil Indigent Status form when filing your case.
After submission, you will receive written notification regarding the status of your application.
Submission Methods
Complete and electronically file the Application for Civil Indigent Status form through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Be sure to sign the application to confirm that the information provided is accurate and truthful.
You may mail, or hand-deliver, the completed Application for Civil Indigent Status form to the Clerk of Court at the appropriate Civil Division at the time of filing.
Be sure to sign the application to confirm that the information provided is accurate and truthful.
Submission Locations:
- Circuit Civil Division, 201 S.E. 6th Street, Central Courthouse, 4th Floor, Room: 04130, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- County Civil Central Courthouse, 201 S.E. 6th Street, 3rd Floor, Room: 03170, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- County Civil North Regional Courthouse, 1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Room: 160, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
- County Civil South Regional Courthouse, 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Room: 100, Hollywood, FL 33021
- County Civil West Regional Courthouse, 100 North Pine Island Road, Room: 170, Plantation, FL 33324
Brenda D. Forman
Connect with Us
TranslateMain Courthouse Location
201 SE 6th Street
Fort LauderdaleFlorida, US 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Public Records Custodian Pursuant to 119.12(2), F.S.
Public Access to Judicial Records Pursuant To Rule 2.420
Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.
Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
© 2025 - All rights reserved