How Can I Have My Florida Criminal Records Expunged? 

It’s not uncommon to have your Florida criminal records expunged so you can make a fresh start. You want to start over with an expunged arrest record. However, the first step is to find out if you are eligible. Florida laws only allows people who have not been convicted to expunge their record. There are certain crimes that may automatically disqualify you. Florida law prohibits more than one expungement in a lifetime.

You Can Only Have Certain Crimes Expunged or Sealed

The courts will expunge your record if the charges were dropped. They will also expunge them if you have not been convicted. In addition, Florida law allows for many criminal offenses to be removed from your record. The courts will also dismiss juvenile arrests and charges. That means most non-violent crimes, without conviction or adjudication, can be expunged. Under Florida law, the following low-level offenses may be eligible for expungement:

• • Underage consumption, purchase, or possession of alcohol
  • Disorderly conduct

• Shoplifting
• Public intoxication
• False identification
• Traffic rule violations

The Courts Will NOT Expunge or Seal These Offenses

The courts will not expunge your criminal history if you were found guilty of a crime. Florida considers crimes that are not eligible for expunction tend to be sexual, violent and serious in nature. Below are some examples:

• Assault and battery
• Kidnapping
• Drug trafficking
• Arson
• Carjacking
• Manslaughter or homicide
• Murder
• Terrorism
• Human trafficking
• Child abuse

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has also issued full list of ineligible offenses with reasons for denying expungement or record sealing requests.

How Do I Know If I Qualify For Record Expungement?

Misdemeanor offenses and crimes that do not fall under FDLE’s ineligible list may qualify for expungement or sealing in Florida if you meet the following criteria:

• You have never had a previous record sealed or expunged in Florida
• You’ve never pleaded guilty of any criminal offenses you were charged with.
• You’re not currently under any type of court supervision, probation, house arrest or pretrial release
• You haven’t entered a guilty plea or no contest to a crime that is not eligible for sealing or expungement under Florida law.

How To Seal or Expunge Your Record in Florida

Florida law requires you get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the state. Obtaining this is a complicated legal process. It requires each form to be completed and submitted properly. If not, it will be denied even if you meet all eligibility requirements. You may attempt to file for expungement on your own or hire an attorney to represent you.

Having an attorney review your case may also help ensure the best possible outcome. There are exceptions to the law and to the types of crimes that qualify for expunction or sealing services. 

Sealing or Expunging a Criminal History

For those who did commit the crimes they were charged with, you still have the option to have your arrest and criminal records sealed or expunged. The first thing you need to do is find out if the crimes you were charged with and were found guilty of committing.