Florida Lawyer Protecting You with Sealed Records and Expungements
Being arrested for a criminal offense is not only embarrassing, stressful and scary; it can damage your future.
Even after your case has been disposed of, the black mark of "conviction" on your record remains and can hold you back in life. Your criminal record is accessible to the public, to potential employers, schools, financial aid offices, landlords, and neighbors.
I can help you keep your record confidential.
I am criminal defense attorney Tim Flaherty, and you need to know that a criminal charge does not have to be an indelible mark on your record. I can help you either remove it or keep it from public view. My dedication to protecting your rights goes far beyond a pre-trial negotiation or a jury's verdict.
There are two processes in Florida that may be available to you that will protect you and your record: sealing your records and expunging them.
Record Sealing vs. Expungement.
When your records are "sealed", the conviction is still there but the public will not have access. Only governmental officials as defined in Florida statutes will be able to view it.
Expungement is different. Once your criminal record has been expunged, it has been “wiped away” as if no charge, arrest or conviction ever happened. No one will ever be able to know about it unless they have a court order.
Florida law allows record sealing or expungement in certain cases. You must ask yourself the following:
- Have I had a sealed/expunged prior arrest on my record?
- Have I pleaded “guilty” or “no contest” to the offense I wish to have expunged?
- Have I been found guilty of a crime as an adult?
If you can answer “no” to the above questions, you may qualify for record seal or expungement. However in Florida, certain crimes are not eligible for record seal or expungement under any circumstances:
Call me for facts.
Contact my office today and schedule a free consultation to discuss whether you are eligible for record sealing or expungement.
