Florida Lawyer for Sealing Criminal Records
In Florida, when you are granted a sealing your criminal records, it means that your police and court records are literally sealed, protected from public view. Once this is accomplished, your entire record — including booking photos, fingerprints, disposition and arrest record — is no longer available to the public, with the exception of seven specific circumstances.
Once your record is sealed you can legally respond that you have never been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime when asked in an interview, a job application, or any other instance. A sealed record also restores your right to vote, to hold office and to serve on a jury.
If you are a college student with your whole life in front of you, and you have made a mistake in your past, record sealing is essential for obtaining future jobs, housing, better credit ratings and insurance.
The basic process involves:
- Obtaining a certified copy of the deposition of your case along with a letter showing that your probation was successfully terminated, if you were placed on probation.
- Applying to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for a Certificate of Eligibility.
- A determination by the FDLE of eligibility.
- Filing the Certificate of Eligibility, an affidavit, a petition, and an Order with the appropriate authority in the county where your case was disposed of.
Many applications are handled and approved without a hearing. However, there are times when a prosecutor simply will not agree to seal your record. This is when your application for record sealing has to go to court. When that happens, Attorney Robert Serrone will be ready, armed with nearly 30 years of criminal trial experience.
Contact Us Today
We can help you restore your good name and reputation. Call Florida lawyer Robert Serrone at 888-531-8969 or contact us online. Robert Serrone, P.A. helps clients in sealing and expunging criminal records in the Fort Lauderdale area, Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, South Florida and throughout the entire State of Florida.
