Florida Expungement Requirements
Expungement is the process of destroying or sealing a criminal record from state or federal records, requiring the court to treat the conviction as if it never occurred. Expungement not only removes your conviction from your record but also the public record in most cases. It’s important to note that expungement does not completely erase public records, such as news articles, Google or social media, as these platforms are separate from court-related matters. Certain legal actions may allow for these elements of public record to erase your criminal convictions, however.
If you have not been found guilty or adjudicated delinquent for committing a felony or any of the following misdemeanors, you may eligible for expungement:
- Assault
- Battery
- Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or other specified officers
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Open carrying of a weapon
- Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property
- Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor
- Exposure of sexual organs
- Arson
- Petit theft
- Neglect of a child
- Cruelty to animals
An expungement gives you the freedom to tell your employers, landlords and other members of the general public that you have never been convicted of a crime. While this is beneficial, certain entities are entitled to view your expunged record, nonetheless.
If the following circumstances apply, you may not lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrests covered by your expunged record:
- You are a candidate for employment with a criminal justice agency
- You are a defendant in a criminal prosecution
- You are concurrently or subsequently petitions for relief under Section 943.0585 or Section 943.059 or Section 943.0583
- You are a candidate for admission to The Florida Bar
- You are seeking to be employed or licensed by or to contract with the Department of Children and Family Services, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the Department of Education, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Health, the Department of Elderly Affairs, or the Department of Juvenile Justice or to be employed or used by such contractor or licensee in a sensitive position having direct contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly
- You are seeking to be employed or licensed by the Department of Education, any district school board, any university laboratory school, any charter school, any private or parochial school, or any local governmental entity that licenses childcare facilities
- You are seeking to be licensed by the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services within the Department of Financial Services
- You are seeking to be appointed as a guardian under Section 744.3125
Ready to Expunge Your Criminal Record in Central Florida? So Are We!
For the best chances of successfully achieving an expungement of your criminal record, you must retain proven, experienced counsel from Attorney Carrie Rentz. As a former prosecutor who has over 15 years of legal experience, she has a rare insight into both sides of the courtroom and can use it to strengthen your case.
We understand that people make mistakes but shouldn’t have to pay the price for the rest of their lives. Our firm views clients as human beings, not just another case number. As such, you can depend on Attorney Carrie Rentz to work to get your record expunged and move forward with your life as smoothly as possible.
Contact us online or call 407-904-7376 to talk with a lawyer. All residents of Orange County and Seminole County are welcome to call our offices for help expunging a case.