HOW TO EXPUNGE A FLORIDA CRIMINAL RECORD
Don’t Let Past Hurt Your Future
Living with a Florida criminal record can be difficult, and it certainly can be frustrating to be held back by mistakes made in your past. A Florida criminal record can prevent you from landing a good job, getting the housing you want, obtaining professional licenses, qualifying for government services and programs, and countless opportunities otherwise available if you didn’t have a Florida criminal record.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) provides easy access to most of its records to the public. To make matters worse, countless online background check sites now exist, providing potential employers, landlords, and anybody with an internet connection easy access to view your Florida criminal history in minutes
Know Your Options
Fortunately, Florida State law provides for the sealing and/or expungement of many criminal records kept by the FDLE in its CJIS databases, making them inaccessible to potential employers, landlords, the general public, and most government agencies. Our law firm offers the following Florida criminal record removal services:
Florida Criminal Record Sealing
arrow_drop_downFlorida Criminal Record Sealing
Sealing a Florida criminal record will make it completely inaccessible to the general public, however, the FDLE may disclose the existence, but not the specifics, of the sealed criminal record to a limited number of criminal justice and state licensing agencies. A sealed Florida criminal record can typically be fully expunged 10 years after it has been sealed.
Florida Criminal Record Expungement
arrow_drop_downFlorida Criminal Record Expungement
Expunging a Florida criminal record removes it from the public record. According to Florida law, in most cases you can legally deny the arrests covered by the expunged record. When a record is expunged, agencies that would have access to a sealed record will be able to know that criminal information has been expunged from the record. But, they would only have access to the record through a court order.
This Information is for You
Since the majority of people reading this aren’t lawyers, we’ve tried to simplify the legal jargon on our website, so regular people may follow along and get the information needed to understand their rights. However, before we get started, we should be clear that some of this information can get complicated, and, in many cases, it’s best to seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer.
To help you understand your rights, our lawyers have developed a tool that can be helpful in figuring out your options. This tool can’t be perfectly accurate in every situation, but our lawyers have invested substantial time and resources working to make it as accurate as possible.
You can get started by using our Secure Eligibility Test, or you can give us a call at (844) 947-3732 to see if our legal staff is available for a free consultation. Be aware that our staff is often busy with current clients and a high volume of calls and appointments. If you’re serious about getting rid of your record, your best bet is to take our secure, confidential Eligibility Test and then schedule an appointment to discuss your results and options.
Florida Expungement Services
arrow_drop_downA Florida expungement would result in the destruction of a criminal record, making it completely inaccessible to the general public. The only agency that would retain a record of the arrest is the FDLE. If you qualify for a Florida Expungement, you can move forward in life as if the criminal event never occurred. However, not everybody with a Florida criminal record is eligible for expungement.
To qualify for a Florida Expungement, the charges from the arrest record you are seeking to expunge must have (i) never filed by the state; (ii) been dismissed prior to trial; (iii) been dismissed nolle prosequi by the state; or (iv) have been sealed for at least ten years.
In addition, you must meet the following general eligibility requirements:
You must not have any pending charges or warrants
You must not have previously expunged or sealed any other Florida records
You must not have a previous conviction for certain misdemeanors or felonies, some of which include: assault, battery, child neglect, and certain weapons crimes (you can find a full list of prohibited offenses by clicking HERE)
You were not found guilty or adjudicated delinquent for any other criminal offenses stemming from the same arrest you are seeking to expunge and
The arrest record cannot relate to certain serious criminal offenses, some of which include: arson, kidnapping, homicide, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and a number of sex crimes (you can find a full list of these prohibited offenses by clicking HERE).
Florida Record Sealing Services
arrow_drop_downSuccessfully sealing a Florida criminal record will make it completely inaccessible to the general public. Rather, a sealed record will be kept on file by certain government agencies. However, the record remains sealed from the public unless a court order is obtained. The FDLE may disclose the existence, but not the specifics, of the sealed criminal record to a limited number of criminal justice and state licensing agencies. A sealed Florida criminal record can typically be fully expunged 10 years after it has been sealed.
The eligibility for record sealing in Florida is similar to the expungement requirements described above. However, record sealing applies to charges in which you were (i) acquitted; or (ii) if adjudication was withheld by the court. In addition to the eligibility requirements described above relating to expungements, you must no longer be under court supervision relating to the arrest or alleged criminal activity to which record sealing relates.
What You Need to Do to Get Rid of Your Record
If you are tired of having a criminal record hold you back, reach out to us by taking our Secure Eligibility Test or by giving us a call at (844) 947-3732. Our law firm has helped thousands of people with criminal records move on in life, leaving many of the negative effects of a criminal record behind. Our experienced attorneys and legal staff are here to help you figure out what criminal record clearing services best fit your needs, and then help you accomplish your goals. Using our secure, confidential Eligibility Test is the best way to get the process started.
Some of the potential benefits of expunging your criminal record in Florida include:
- Removing a finding of guilt from your criminal record to help you get a better job
- Becoming eligible for professional licenses you previously did not qualify for
- Restoring your Second Amendment Right to bear arms
- No longer being treated as a felon
- Increased eligibility for student loans, housing assistance, and government programs
- Improving your ability to obtain higher-paying job opportunities
- Improving access and admission to college and other educational resources
Florida’s expungement and record sealing rules can be quite complex. The process is typically lengthy and difficult to navigate without an attorney experienced in these matters. Our law firm is happy to help guide you through the process—we strongly encourage you to take our free, confidential Eligibility Test or give us a call toll free at (844) 947-3732 to discuss your eligibility and the process of expunging or sealing a criminal record in Florida. The entire process can take as long as 12 months in Florida, so the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work helping you put your past mistakes permanently behind you!
You can trust that you will get exceptional service from our law firm, as we have an A Rating from the Better Business Bureau, and prestigious attorney rating services such as Thompson Reuters and Avvo list our attorneys as Super Lawyers and Superb Attorneys. Our law firm has attorneys licensed to practice law in all Florida state courts, provides low price guarantees, and is here to fight for you and put your criminal record behind you!
Florida Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an Expungement and a Record Sealing in Florida?
arrow_drop_downA successful Florida expungement will result in the destruction of a criminal record, making it completely inaccessible to both the general public and criminal justice agencies. Whereas sealing a record in Florida would only erase the criminal record from the general public, but still accessible to certain law enforcement and state licensing agencies.
Do I Qualify for an Expungement/Record Seal in Florida?
arrow_drop_downThe easiest way to find out is by taking our confidential, free Eligibility Test. In the alternative, you can refer to the above paragraphs to have a better idea of your eligibility. Give us a call at 844-947-3732 to speak with a criminal records analyst or attorney today!
I Do Not Qualify, is There Anything Else I Can Do?
arrow_drop_downIf you are not qualified for the above services but are still looking for ways to improve your life, one of our affiliates has an alternative to remove your records and personal information from the private online background check databases that matter the most. You can find out more about this service at www.recordshield.com. Note, however, that this is not a legal service that, and is not a substitute for an expungement.
How Much Do I Pay For the Services?
arrow_drop_downCurrently we charge $795 for services in Florida. We offer payment plans based on the client’s needs, and a refund policy when circumstances apply. Contact us today to get a tailored quote – we always offer discounts to clients ready to take actions!
What do I Need To Do to Get Started?
arrow_drop_downIf you are reading this – you have already started the right course of action! Contact us so that our experts can start handling your expungement/restricted access right away.
Why should I choose WipeRecord to handle My Expungement/Record Sealing?
arrow_drop_downHaving your record expunged/sealed is not an easy process – there are many subtle rules that need to be followed for you to be successful. Hiring us to obtain a satisfactory result on your behalf will give you peace of mind, ensuring it is done correctly and as quickly as possible, and increasing your chances of success. We will handle any objections the District Attorney may present, send a licensed attorney to argue your case in court if need be, and write letters to potential employers indicating that your case has been reopened and is in the process of being removed from your criminal record, all at an unbeatable price.
How Long Do I Have to Wait for the Petition to be Granted?
arrow_drop_downThe most frequently question we hear from clients is – how long do I have to wait? We understand the importance of working efficiently so we try our best to move things forward. However, an expungement usually takes several months to obtain, depending on the particular county, and sometimes the particular court.
Am I Required to Go to Court?
arrow_drop_downTypically, clients do not have to show up in court for us to do our job. Under rare circumstances where you are required to attend a hearing, we will be there every step of the way and make sure you have nothing to worry about.
How do I Learn About My Case Status once I Hire WipeRecord?
arrow_drop_downWe strive to make our clients informed and assured of every processes of their case. Clients get a monthly update of their case from our paralegals, and one can always contact us by either phone or email for an update.Our law firm is currently finishing up a custom client portal, where clients can obtain information about their case online by simply logging in.
I am interested In Getting My Gun Rights Restored. What do I do?
arrow_drop_downUnfortunately, firearm rights restoration is complicated and frustrating in most states – contact us directly and let us know if we can help!