The Kendall City Court Docket is the daily record of court hearings, filings, and case actions for people who live in Kendall, Florida. Even though Kendall has no city government, court cases still move through a real docket system.
That system runs through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. The clerk keeps an online portal where anyone can look up a case by name, case number, or court date. This page shows you exactly how to use that portal, what each docket entry means, and where to call for help.
What a Court Docket Is and Why Kendall Residents Search It
A court docket is a written list of every action taken in a court case. It shows the case number, the names of the people involved, the charges or claims, the judge assigned, and the date of each hearing. Lawyers, defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, and the public all use the docket to track what happens next.
People in Kendall search the docket for many reasons. A driver may want to know the date of a traffic ticket hearing. A defendant may need to check a bond amount. A victim may want to see if a case has been dropped. A business may want to confirm a civil judgment. The docket is the first place to look for answers in all of these situations.
Why Kendall Uses Miami-Dade County Records
Kendall is an unincorporated community. It sits inside Miami-Dade County but has no city hall, no city judge, and no local courthouse. The 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida covers Kendall, and the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court stores every docket entry. The clerk is Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Esq. His office is the only public source for Kendall court records.
Types of Cases on the Kendall Court Docket
The Kendall docket holds several kinds of cases. Each kind has its own division inside the clerk’s office. Knowing the case type helps you find the right records faster.
Traffic Court Dockets
Traffic court dockets cover moving violations, speeding tickets, red-light camera citations, and careless driving charges. Most Kendall traffic cases are heard at the Miami-Dade Traffic Hearing Office. You can pay fines, request a hearing, or check a court date through the clerk portal.
Criminal and Misdemeanor Dockets
Criminal dockets hold felony, misdemeanor, and criminal traffic cases. Misdemeanor dockets cover charges like petty theft, simple battery, and first-time DUI. The criminal division also lists bond hearings, arraignments, and trial dates. The COIN (Criminal Justice Online Case Search) system covers all criminal docket records for Kendall.
Civil Court Dockets
Civil dockets cover disputes between people or businesses. These include small claims up to $8,000, county civil claims up to $50,000, landlord-tenant cases, and contract disputes. Civil dockets also show money judgments, liens, and civil appeals.
Ordinance Violation and Bond Dockets
Ordinance violation dockets cover local code violations handled by Miami-Dade County code enforcement. Bond dockets list the amount of money or surety required to release a defendant before trial. You can check bond status on the same portal you use for criminal dockets.
How the Kendall Court Docket System Works in 2026
The 2026 docket system runs on the Miami-Dade Clerk’s online platform. The system updates every day as clerks add new filings, judges issue orders, and parties pay fees. The portal shows the same data that you would see if you walked into the courthouse and asked the clerk for a file.
Where the Records Live
All Kendall docket records live at the official Miami-Dade Clerk website. The main address is miamidadeclerk.gov. The criminal search tool sits at the COIN system. The e-filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com handles new filings.
Search by Name, Case Number, or Date
The portal lets you search three ways. You can type a full or partial last name. You can enter a case number if you already have one. You can also enter a date range to see every hearing on the docket that day. Each method returns a list of matching cases with basic details.
Step-by-Step Search Through the Miami-Dade Clerk Portal
Searching the Kendall docket takes only a few minutes when you follow these steps. The portal works on phones, tablets, and computers. You do not need to create an account to view public records.
- Open the Miami-Dade Clerk website at miamidadeclerk.gov.
- Click on “Search Court Records” or “Public Records.”
- Pick the case type from the drop-down menu: criminal, civil, traffic, or family.
- Type the last name of the party you want to find. Add a first name if you know it.
- Press the search button. The portal returns a list of cases that match.
- Click the case number to see the full docket sheet.
- Read the docket entries from top to bottom. The newest entry appears at the bottom.
What You Will See on a Docket Entry
Each docket entry shows the date, a short description of the action, the judge or clerk who made the entry, and the result. For example, you might see “Arraignment – Defendant enters plea of not guilty – Judge Lopez.” This tells you the case is moving forward and a trial date will follow.
Reading a Kendall Court Docket Entry
Docket entries use legal words. The list below explains the most common terms you will see on a Kendall docket sheet.
| Term | Plain Meaning |
|---|---|
| Arraignment | First court date where the defendant hears the charge and enters a plea. |
| Pretrial Conference | A meeting between the judge, lawyers, and parties to plan the next step. |
| Disposition | The final outcome of the case, like a guilty plea, dismissal, or verdict. |
| Bond Set | The judge orders a money amount to release the defendant before trial. |
| Subpoena Issued | A court order telling a witness to appear at a hearing. |
| Case Continued | The court moves the hearing to a later date. |
| Warrant Issued | The judge signs an order for the arrest of a person who failed to appear. |
Common Status Codes
Status codes tell you where the case stands. “Open” means the case is still active. “Disposed” means the case has reached a final outcome. “Pending” means a motion or request is waiting for the judge. “Warrant” means an arrest order is active. “Sealed” means the court has closed the file to the public.
Hearing Types on the Docket
Kendall dockets list several hearing types. Arraignment hearings happen within days of an arrest. Pretrial hearings happen weeks later. Trial dates are set last. Bond hearings can happen at any time, even on weekends. Some civil dockets also list mediation, where a neutral person helps the parties settle.
Kendall Court Appearance, Arraignment, and Pretrial Dockets
If you have a Kendall court date, the docket will tell you where to go. Most criminal and traffic hearings take place at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building or the Miami-Dade Courthouse in downtown Miami. Some traffic cases are heard at the South Dade Justice Center. Civil cases are usually heard at the courthouse on NW 1st Avenue. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Bring a photo ID and your case number.
Missing a court date can lead to a warrant for your arrest. The docket will show “Failure to Appear” as a new entry if you miss a hearing. Call the clerk’s office right away if you cannot make a date. A lawyer can sometimes file a written plea to stop a warrant.
Bond Docket and Pretrial Release
The bond docket shows the amount of money needed to release a defendant before trial. Bonds can be cash, surety, or a signature bond. A surety bond requires a bail bondsman who charges a fee. A signature bond only requires a written promise to appear. Some defendants qualify for pretrial release under supervision instead of paying cash.
To check a bond amount, search the criminal docket by name. The bond amount appears in the most recent entries. You can pay a cash bond at the clerk’s office or online. The office accepts cash, money order, and most major credit cards.
Privacy Rules That Affect the Kendall Court Docket
Florida law balances public access with personal privacy. Administrative Order AOSC24-65 from the Florida Supreme Court controls electronic access to court records. The general public gets User Role 7 access, which shows case numbers, party names, and docket entries. Attorneys of record get higher access to see sealed documents in their own cases.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 automatically seals some records. Adoption files, juvenile dependency cases, mental health records, and substance abuse files are never shown to the public. Social Security numbers, bank account details, and minor children’s names are removed from public docket views. These rules apply to every docket entry tied to a Kendall address.
Public Records Requests for Sealed or Offline Files
Some records do not appear on the public portal. You can ask the clerk for older files, certified copies, or sealed records through a public records request. Send your request by email to cocpubreq@miamidadeclerk.gov. You can also call the public records line at (305) 593-1352. The clerk charges a small fee per page for copies.
Include the case number, party names, and the type of record you need. The clerk will tell you the cost and the timeline. Most requests take five business days to process. Sealed records require a court order before the clerk can release them.
Filing Documents and Tracking Filings Online
Kendall residents and their lawyers file new court papers through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal covers all 67 Florida counties, including Miami-Dade. It runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Lawyers must use the portal for most filings. Self-represented parties can also file through the portal after they register.
Once you file a document, it appears on the docket within hours. You can log in to the portal any time to see the status of pending filings. The portal also sends email alerts when a new entry shows up on your case. This is the fastest way to track a case without calling the clerk’s office.
Common Mistakes When Searching the Kendall Court Docket
Many people run into the same problems when they search the docket. The list below shows how to avoid the most common errors.
- Typing the wrong name format. Use the legal last name, not a nickname.
- Searching the wrong county. Kendall cases live in Miami-Dade, not Broward or Palm Beach.
- Looking for traffic tickets before the clerk enters them. New tickets can take 7 to 14 days to appear.
- Confusing a civil case number with a criminal case number. The prefixes are different.
- Missing a hearing because the docket was not checked. Always confirm a date 48 hours before the hearing.
Nearby Courthouses and Resources for Kendall Residents
Kendall sits in the southern part of Miami-Dade County. Several courthouses serve residents in the area. The main Miami-Dade Courthouse handles felony and major civil cases. The South Dade Justice Center in Cutler Bay handles misdemeanors, traffic, and county civil cases closer to home. The Hialeah Courthouse covers cases from the northern part of the county.
Other public websites offer useful tools. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site at flclerks.com lists services for all 67 counties. The Florida Courts site at flcourts.gov explains court rules and procedures. The MyFloridaCounty portal at myfloridacounty.com lets you pay traffic fines and search official records.
The Miami-Dade County Clerk website is the official starting point for every Kendall court docket search.
Official Contact Details for Kendall Court Docket Records
Office: Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Main Phone: 305-275-1155
Public Records Phone: 305-593-1352
Public Records Email: cocpubreq@miamidadeclerk.gov
Civil Court Address: 20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 6.240, Miami, FL 33128
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on county holidays)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kendall City Court Docket
Does Kendall have its own city court?
No. Kendall is an unincorporated community in Miami-Dade County. It has no city government and no local courthouse. Every Kendall court case is handled by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court and the 11th Judicial Circuit. The clerk’s office keeps the docket, schedules hearings, and stores filings for all Kendall cases. Residents must use the Miami-Dade portal, call the county clerk, or visit the downtown courthouse to access docket records.
How do I find my court date on the Kendall docket?
Search the Miami-Dade Clerk portal by your last name. Open the matching case to see the docket sheet. The next hearing date appears in the latest entry. You can also call the clerk at 305-275-1155 and ask for your next court date. The clerk needs your full legal name and date of birth to find the case. Plan to check the docket 48 hours before any scheduled date in case of last-minute changes.
Can I search the Kendall court docket for free?
Yes. The public search portal at miamidadeclerk.gov is free for basic docket views. You do not need an account to see case numbers, party names, and hearing dates. Certified copies and full document images cost a small fee per page. The clerk accepts credit cards, cash, and money orders. Some third-party sites charge for the same data, but the official clerk portal is free.
What happens if I miss a court date on my Kendall docket?
The judge will likely mark you as failed to appear. The court may issue a warrant for your arrest. Your driver’s license can also be suspended in some cases. Contact a lawyer or the clerk’s office right away. A lawyer can file a written plea or ask the judge to recall the warrant. The sooner you act, the easier it is to fix the problem and avoid more serious penalties.
How long does it take for a new case to show up on the Kendall docket?
New cases usually appear on the portal within 24 to 72 hours after the clerk enters them. Traffic tickets take longer, often 7 to 14 days. E-filed documents can show up the same day they are filed. The portal refreshes overnight, so a search in the morning often shows the newest entries from the day before. Patience helps, but you can also call the clerk to confirm that a recent case has been entered.
Can I get a copy of a sealed Kendall court record?
Sealed records require a court order. You must file a written motion asking the judge to open the file. Common reasons include legal research, personal background checks, or errors in the seal. The judge reviews the motion and decides whether to grant access. The clerk cannot release sealed records without this court order. Most motions take 30 to 60 days to be decided by a judge.
Are juvenile records part of the Kendall court docket?
Juvenile dependency and delinquency records are sealed by Florida law. They do not appear in public docket searches. Only the minor, the parents, the lawyers, and authorized agencies can see juvenile files. Some adult criminal cases that started as juvenile cases may show up in the public docket after the defendant turns 18. Adoption records are also sealed and never appear in public searches.