Ocala Expungement Attorneys
Nobody’s perfect, and unfortunately, one moment of bad judgment can stay on your criminal history and possibly ruin your life forever. The good news is that if you were never convicted of the crime, there are two main ways you can handle your criminal record: expungement and record sealing. These processes limit access to your criminal history and in some cases can even remove charges from your record. This can give you peace of mind and free up opportunities in your life. Contact an Ocala expungement attorney to learn more about the expungement process and whether or not it can help you.
Record Sealing vs. Expungement
Record sealing and expungement are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Under Florida law, you can request expungement or record sealing if an indictment or charging document was not filed or was later dismissed. What this means is that you could not be convicted of the crime. Keep in mind, though, that this is a one-time request. You cannot request expungement or record sealing multiple times.
Record sealing refers to the act of sealing your criminal record and keeping it confidential from the public and future employers. Your criminal history also will not show up in a public background search. However, the existence—but not the specific contents—of a criminal record can be disclosed in certain cases, such as if you are seeking to practice law in the state of Florida, you are looking to buy a firearm, or you are seeking employment with certain agencies.,
Expungement, on the other hand, physically destroys your criminal records and keeps them confidential from the public. One copy of your record will be kept by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Certain agencies may be informed that you had your records expunged, but they will not know the contents.
What Crimes Disqualify Me?
Under Florida law, you qualify for expungement or record sealing only if you have never been convicted of a crime. If you have been only arrested or charged, you qualify for these processes.
There are some crimes that would automatically disqualify a person from record sealing or expungement. They include any felony as well as the following misdemeanors:
- Assault
- Assault on a law enforcement officer or a firefighter
- Battery
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Open carrying of a weapon
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or firearm on school property
- Unlawful use of bombs or other destructive devices
- Exposure of sexual organs
- Petit theft
- Neglect of a child
- Cruelty to animals
- Arson
Contact an Ocala Expungement Attorney Today
Not all criminal records can be expunged or sealed. It will depend on the crimes you were charged for and whether or not you were convicted.
An expungement can help clean up your criminal record and hide it from employers and even government agencies. This can give you more freedom in your life. The criminal defense attorneys at Meldon Law have experience with record sealing and expungement. They can help you get the results you desire. To learn more and see if you qualify, call our Ocala expungement attorneys today at (800) 373-3000.
