Sealing or Expunging a Criminal Record

CAN I SEAL OR EXPUNGE MY CRIMINAL RECORD?

Is your criminal history causing problems in employment, housing, education, or in any other situation where your criminal background may be an issue?  Florida law may allow you to seal or expunge your Florida criminal arrest record.  If the Court has withheld adjudication of guilt in your case you may be eligible to seal your arrest record, depending on the charge.  If your case was dismissed by the Court, Nolle Prossed by the State, dropped or abandoned by the State, or if you were found not guilty by a judge or a jury, you may be eligible to expunge your arrest record.  Cases that have been resolved through a diversion program and ultimately dismissed by the State may also be eligible to be expunged.

BENEFITS OF SEALING/EXPUNGING ARREST RECORD

When a record is sealed, the public will not have access to it through the government databases.  That means that most agencies will not have access to the information regarding this arrest or subsequent action in the case.  However, there are several agencies who are exempt from this rule pursuant to §943.059(4)(a), Florida Statutes and will still have access to your record.

You may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged if any of the following applies to you:

• You were arrested and formal charges were never filed by the State;

• You were arrested and the charges were dropped, abandoned, or a Nolle Prosse was entered by the State;

• You were arrested and the charges were dismissed by the Court;

• You were arrested , charged, and entered a plea, but received a withhold of adjudication by the Court;

• You were arrested, charged, and found not guilty by a judge or jury;

• You were arrested and completed a pretrial diversion program and the charges were ultimately dropped.

You will not qualify to seal or expunge your arrest if any of the following apply to you:

• You were convicted (adjudicated guilty) of the crime you want to seal or expunge;

• You have ever been convicted (adjudicated guilty) of ANY crime (misdemeanor, felony, or criminal violation, including DUI, Driving While License Suspended, Reckless Driving, or any other criminal traffic offense);

• If the crime you want to seal or expunge is one of the “ineligible offenses” listed by Florida Statute;

• You have already sealed or expunged a record in any jurisdiction;

• You are currently on probation or other court supervision.

If you have any questions or if you are interested in having your record sealed or expunged, please contact our office at (850) 222-2000 to set up a FREE consultation.

You have TOO MUCH AT STAKE not to protect your legal rights.

CONTACT US TODAY to schedule your FREE consultation.