A Single Lapse in Judgment Shouldn't Impact You Forever
If you have a criminal record, even for a minor offense, it can create significant problems in many areas of your life. Employers, lenders, landlords and others will routinely run background checks. Any notation on your record can often be the difference between getting the job, getting the loan, getting the apartment, or not.
The good news is that Florida law provides ways for you to avoid these negative consequences. Through the process of criminal record sealing or expungement, you are able to clean up your record so that prior offenses do not show up on routine criminal background checks. There is a specific process required to seal your record or get an expungement, and certain criteria need to be met before you are eligible. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate these sometimes complex legal matters.
Florida Criminal Record Sealing Attorneys
The dedicated criminal defense lawyers at McIntyre, Panzarella, Thanasides, Hoffman, Bringgold & Todd, P.L., have helped numerous clients to regain their futures after a criminal conviction had put them at risk. There are many advantages to record sealing and expungement. Among other things, you are able to answer "no" on applications that ask if you have been convicted of a crime.
Our Tampa expungement attorneys provide a complete review of your case to determine if your record is able to be expunged or sealed and that all criteria have been met. Under Florida law, the records for some offenses are ineligible for sealing or expungement. We help you complete and submit the appropriate documentation to the court and provide strong representation at every step of the process.
What Is the Difference Between Record Sealing and Expungement?
Once a record has been sealed, no one has access to it without a court order. In some cases, law enforcement and some government agencies will have access to a sealed record without a court order. If a record is expunged, the record is destroyed. It is as if the offense never happened. Nobody, not even a government agency has the ability to view an expunged record.
Contact our office today to discuss your case and learn more about your options for expunging or sealing a criminal record.
