What is sealing a criminal record?
It is a legal
process which limits access to criminal records. Sealed records are not public records and will not appear in an ordinary
criminal record check. Only certain criminal justice professionals under limited circumstances may inspect a sealed
conviction record.
What is a conviction?
You have been ‘convicted’ if you
were found guilty, you plead guilty or if you plead no contest. You do not have to have been sent to prison or even
paid a fine to have been convicted.
Why
Is Sealing A Criminal Record Important?
Your past may prevent your present
and/or your future opportunities. Thanks to the Internet. In todays society, it's now very common to check a persons criminal background. This short list below are those that may very well
check your criminal background.
- Professional or Independent Contractors
- Businesses; Big, Small, Side Hustles, Self-Employed, etc.
- HOA - Home Owners Associations
- Social Media Marketing Platforms
- Schools, Colleges, Vocational
- Medical Staffing Agencies
- Private
Home Health Care Services
- Relatives
of Senior Living and Companion Care
-
Employers Of All Kinds
- Landlords
- and Every Public Housing Authority Does a Criminal Record Search of Applicants.
A job applicant whose record has been sealed cannot be asked about a conviction unless it has a direct and substantial relationship
to the job being sought. (However, state law prevents some businesses from hiring job applicants with criminal records.)
If this fits you, call our office today 954-944-5228. To determine if you are eligible to have your record sealed.
Who is eligible to have criminal records sealed?
An eligible offender has one felony conviction or one felony
and one misdemeanor or two different misdemeanor convictions. A single incident may lead to several criminal charges,
i.e. such as when a person is charged with assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after a fight. If there
are several convictions from acts committed at the same time, this is still considered one conviction. Related criminal
acts committed within a three-month period can be counted as one conviction if they are listed in the same indictment or complaint
even if they did not occur at the same time. A minor misdemeanor does not count as a ‘conviction’ under
this statute. A minor misdemeanor usually results in a ticket not a court appearance. Having one or more
minor misdemeanors will not prevent you from having a felony or misdemeanor convictions sealed. Juvenile offenses are
not considered ‘convictions.’ They may be expunged through juvenile court.
Can anyone get his/her record sealed?
No. A judge must agree to seal the records.
Non-Lawyer: D.P.O., Inc.
specializes with Pro'Se documents only. We do not provide legal advise. We specialize in transcribing information exactly as
provided in writing by our clients, in order to complete Florida Supreme Court Approved Forms, County Court and FDLE
Forms without modification to any of its contents. We recommend that if you have specific questions related to any service
please contact our office at 954-944-5228.
A request for a certificate of eligibility for an expunction or sealing of a criminal
record will be denied if the defendant was found guilty or pled guilty or nolo contendere, even if the adjudification of guilt
was withheld, on any violation of the following: FDLE as listed in "Reason For Deniel" for offenses listed
in S.943.0585 and 943.059 F.S.
