In recent years, Broward County Courts have begun administratively (without a hearing or without notice to the defendant) dismissing bench warrants for misdemeanor crimes that are considerably old; like 20, 30 years old.
If you were arrested in the Fort Lauderdale area - even if you were just issued a Notice to Appear - in the 80s or 90s and you never appeared in Court, check the Clerk of Court's website to see if your warrant was administratively dismissed.
If it was, congratulations. You may expunge the arrest record if you're otherwise eligible.
If it was not, contact a Broward County criminal defense attorney to see if the warrant can be set aside, possibly without you having to travel to Fort Lauderdale at all.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney serving Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach.