How Can I Get My Criminal Record Expunged in Florida?
You might have already paid the price for a criminal charge. You’ve been arrested, you’ve handled your case, and now you have a criminal record. Unfortunately, that record can hurt your future.
A criminal record doesn’t just hurt you because of the immediate penalties. It can also leave you struggling with indirect factors caused by your records being public. You may want to have your criminal record sealed, which means access to it will be restricted, or expunged, which destroys the files completely.
Now, you need to know, “How can I get my criminal record expunged in Florida?” Work with a lawyer from Hersem Law today to get the help dealing with your criminal record that you need.
Eligibility for Expungement
To get your record expunged, one of your first steps will be to find whether you’re eligible for a certificate of eligibility, which grants you the right to petition for expungement. To get started, then, you’ll need to prove that you meet the criteria to be considered for expungement in Florida.
Typically, you’ll be eligible for expungement if your criminal record doesn’t involve certain crimes, like the following offenses:
- Sexual misconduct
- Kidnapping
- Human trafficking
- Communications fraud
- Elder abuse
If you’re concerned about your eligibility, reach out to a Florida lawyer. We can review your record and help you determine whether you’re eligible.
The Expungement Process
Once you’ve determined that you’re eligible for expungement, you’ll need to gather your certificate of eligibility, your affidavit, and any other important materials you’ll need. Your lawyer can help you gather all the information you need to file your petition for relief.
You’ll then present this paperwork to the court that has jurisdiction over your case. From there, they’ll review your petition, then approve or deny it. Typically, the entire process will take around one year, although this time frame can depend on various factors.
If you’re denied, however, don’t think that that must be the end of your case. Instead, you’ll have a chance to review your denial and appeal the decision. The appeals process will often depend on the reason for your denial, so seek out an attorney if you’ve been denied and need help getting your criminal record expunged.
Seek Help with Your Record Expungement
Getting your criminal record expunged in Florida isn’t always easy. You might have thought that you’d handled every aspect of your case and had done the right thing, only to find that your petition for expungement had been denied.
It can be frustrating, but you don’t have to fight back alone. Instead, you can reach out to the attorneys at Hersem Law when you’re asking, “How can I get my criminal record expunged in Florida?”
Whether you’ve applied and have received a denial, or whether you’re not sure where to start, our attorneys understand how difficult your situation is. That’s why we want to help you recover from your criminal record, starting with a free strategy session with your defense lawyer.
When you’re ready to begin, your lawyer can help you work to get your case sealed or expunged, giving you a brighter future. To start, give us a call at 813-251-7291 or fill out the online form below to get started.
