Expungement allows a person to have their criminal record cleared or sealed, meaning the record of their criminal conviction or arrest will no longer be publicly available and may not be used against them in future criminal proceedings or employment opportunities. This can provide a fresh start for our clients who have made mistakes in the past and want to move forward with their lives.
What is an Expungement in Florida?
According to the American Bar Association, expungement is a legal process whereby a criminal charge or conviction is removed entirely from your permanent record. Most individuals don’t realize that an arrest will appear on background checks even if they have not been convicted. This can create challenges and limitations that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Expungement can help you eliminate this record whether you were found not guilty or convicted of the crime.
The records are permanently erased when a criminal record is expunged. State and federal courts are instructed to respond as if the arrest or conviction never happened. If the process is duly completed, your records will be sealed from the courts and public records. Anyone searching for your criminal background will find nothing about the charges against you.