The storage of data in electronic formatting makes a lot of life’s tasks easier. For instance, when you need a prescription refill in most cases all you have to do is dial the pharmacy and enter some information in the automated system. Or, if you are making a dinner reservation at a favorite restaurant, the only information you need to give in order to secure your spot is the phone number the eatery has on file for you. But not all things are good to keep track of, and your criminal record is one of those things. If you have things on your record you prefer to keep private, you can ask the Court to enter an order of expungement, which will act as a sealing of your record.
However, you can only ask for an expungement in certain circumstances. Specific criteria must be met in order to have your record sealed, and according to Florida law these three things are what are required to obtain an expungement:
- You have been arrested, but charges were not officially filed against you.
- A not guilty verdict or finding was entered in the case against you.
- Any charges that were filed ended up getting dismissed.
You do not have to show each one of these three requirements, any one of them will work. Don’t see something on the list that fits your case? No need to worry right away, you may still be able to have your record expunged. In cases with other circumstances, you can still seek an expungement of your record. A good example of a type of special circumstances case is one where there is no dismissal or not guilty verdict, but rather you resolved your case by going on probation. If you were successful on probation, and at the end of the term received a reduction in the charges against you, expungement remains a possibility. In order to determine if you are eligible for expungement, and if doing so would be beneficial to you, a careful legal analysis of your case must be performed. Our team of criminal defense attorneys has helped countless people with this undertaking, and can help you too! Call our office today for a review of the facts of your case, so you can make a decision that works for you. We will review the charges you want to have expunged, and let you know if you qualify.
For more information about expungement of criminal histories, call an experienced defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. We offer an initial consultation for no charge, and look forward to helping you resolve your case in a satisfactory way.