Sealing and Expungement of Records
Even if you are arrested and convicted of a crime, there are options for you in the State of Florida that can keep your record clean to a point. In some cases, your attorney can ask that the records be sealed or even expunged from the system. Grozinger Law, P.A. has experience in these types of cases and if you are looking for an attorney in the Orlando area, Patrick Grozinger is the first call you should make. Getting records sealed or expunged is not a guaranteed process, but it is one that will require the work of an attorney that can provide the best defense for your situation and case. The first thing that you have to find out is whether you are eligible or not.
According to Florida law, in order to have the option for sealed or expunged records an adult in the court system must apply to have your records sealed or expunged. Filling out an application does not mean you will have your records sealed, it only indicates that you wish to have the court look at that option. Reasons that you might want your records sealed or expunged include:
- Expunged records are no longer considered public
- All files of the case are removed from the police and court system as well as your record
- You do not have to acknowledge the cases that were sealed or expunged in the future
- It helps with job placement, getting a bank loan and even adoption
- Having the record cleaned for you also gives you peace of mind knowing that you will not have to relive that case every again
If you are looking to have your records sealed or expunged from your court file, you should contact an attorney. If you live in the Orlando area, contact Patrick Grozinger at Grozinger Law, P.A. for the best defense and advice when dealing with this type of case. You might have questions related to an sealed or expunged records, so some of the more commonly asked questions were posted below.
Where is the application for Certification of Eligibility?
In the state of Florida, you can find the application and learn about the process at the clerk of courts in all of the 67 counties.
Do I need a copy of my criminal record before applying for eligibility?
Although it may not be required for the application process, anyone that has a record can request it so they can make sure it is correct and complete. This might help when applying, but is not necessary for the process.
What is the difference between sealed or expunged records?
When your records are sealed, that means that the public will not have access to them. Government agencies, however, can still request access to them. If the record is expunged, it is not accessible to any person or agency without a court order.
If I am denied during the application process, can I appeal?
You can ask for the denial to be reviewed to see if the denial had to do with incorrect or incomplete information. If the information was correct, but you feel that you should still have your records sealed, the application can be reviewed for that reason as well.
How many records can be sealed or expunged at one time?
According to Florida law, you can only have one record of one proceeding sealed at a time.
If you find yourself in a situation where you would be better off with sealed or expunged records, make sure you consider an attorney and call Grozinger Law, P.A. for more information.
