When you get charged or convicted of a crime in Florida, you immediately have a criminal record. While many people make mistakes when they are young, a record of the incident could follow them for the rest of their lives.
A criminal record impacts your personal relationships, employment opportunities, and housing. It can affect your ability to get a job, get a loan, or rent a place to live. Anyone wanting to run a background check can see your criminal record.
Fortunately, the court can sometimes expunge your criminal record. When looking to get rid of your criminal record, contact a Clermont expungement lawyer for assistance. Our dedicated defense attorneys could fight to have your history wiped clean.
Expungement Process in Florida
The court can only erase records involving specific crimes in Florida. When you plead guilty, nolo, or get convicted of a crime, your record may not be eligible for expungement. While the court might expunge a misdemeanor conviction, it cannot expunge a felony conviction, traffic offense, or charges for driving under the influence. Sometimes, the court will expunge your record even when you have not been convicted.
Different expungement procedures are in place, depending on the crime you are arrested for or convicted of. When you get arrested—but not convicted—for a crime and meet certain requirements, the court could expunge or seal your record. To qualify, you cannot have a prior expunged or sealed criminal record or have another pending case. There is a separate process for administrative expungements when you are arrested by mistake. When you are curious about erasing your criminal record, speak to a hardworking attorney in Clermont about filing on your behalf.
Filing for Expungement in Clermont
Although the public can view all criminal records under Florida law, it cannot see expunged or sealed records. Under Title XLVII Chapter 943.0585, the Florida court can expunge anyone’s criminal record, provided they successfully apply and receive a certificate of eligibility.
To apply for a certificate of eligibility for expungement of your criminal record, you must follow the process laid out by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement:
- Fill out the FDLE application for a Certificate of Eligibility;
- Submit fingerprint form (FD 40-024) and include name, date of birth, race, sex, agency, social security number, and signature;
- Obtain a copy of the disposition of the case for expungement from the Clerk of Court, State Attorney, or police department.
- Submit payment of $75 via check or money order before the expiration date;
- If represented by an attorney, submit a letter.
Once the court erases your criminal record, the public can no longer view it. When you want to petition the court for expungement, contact a diligent lawyer in Clermont for assistance with the filing process.
Hire an Expungement Attorney in Clermont to Have Criminal Records Sealed or Expunged
We all make mistakes, but a criminal record could follow you for the rest of your life, impacting your personal and professional life. Hire a Clermont expungement lawyer to help you expunge or seal your criminal record so that you can move forward with your life.
While the court can only expunge certain records, a Florida expungement lawyer can advise you of your options. We are dedicated to helping our clients overcome their mistakes and will assist them through the entire expungement process.
