Now more than ever it is possible for people to search you online, and find out things about your personal life. Many times the information found is something you would rather keep private, but without the security of a sealed record or restricted access to certain data, the unfortunate result is that your private information can fall into anyone’s hands. This includes a potential employer, a school admissions counselor, or even a landlord at an apartment you’ve been considering. But there are things you can do to safeguard your personal information, it simply takes a quick phone call to a knowledgeable attorney.
The process of making your personal information private again is referred to as expungement. At least when the matters you seek to keep private are contained on a criminal arrest record. Three good reasons to have your records expunged include the following:
- An expungement will keep the general public from being able to view your history, which could mean the difference between getting a job you’ve applied for or being passed over for another applicant. We all make mistakes, but those mistakes should not follow us around forever and impact our ability to earn a living.
- An expungement will keep an online “stalker” from learning things about you that you prefer to keep private. In this day and age, it is unfortunate that people from our past sometimes take to the internet to see what we’ve been up to the past few years. If the information out there in cyberspace includes an arrest record, anyone with internet access may be able to find and view the record.
- An expungement will keep an unsavory company from “republishing” information about you. No one wants their name and photo to show up on any kind of “list”, but there are some companies that do just that – in the name of safety. When your record is no longer available for public viewing, you can rest assured these types of companies will not be using your image.
It is important to keep in mind that not every type of crime is eligible for an expungement, and the facts of your case have to be just right in order for the Judge to grant your request. We know what to look for, and can let you know if seeking an expungement will help you. It is also good to know that even with an order of expungement, certain law enforcement agencies still have access to your records. So, if you are thinking about asking the Court to seal your records, call us first. We will talk it over with you, and let you know if the results likely in your case are the types of results you want.
For answers to your questions about records expungement, call a competent criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast for help. We offer representation for a wide range of offenses, call us to schedule an appointment.