Largo Seal & Expungement Lawyer
A criminal history lasts a lifetime. Unfortunately, criminal arrests or convictions don’t automatically “fall off” your criminal record. Instead, you might end up having to answer questions about your history for decades to come. You’ve paid your debt to society—there must be a way to put your past behind you.
Florida does allow certain offenders to have their records sealed or expunged. These options can essentially erase your history in the eyes of the public. Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff can meet to discuss your options. A Largo seal and expungement lawyer with our firm can review your record and determine if you are eligible.
Sealing versus Expungement
We have helped people with criminal history seek:
- When you seal a record, the public cannot view it. This includes any employer where you apply for a job or landlord who is renting an apartment. You can then tell a potential employer that you have no criminal history. However, government agencies can still view the record.
- With an expungement, your record is hidden from everyone, including government agencies. However, it isn’t destroyed. A person can only see the record if they have a court order.
Unfortunately, sealing and expungement are not available for all Florida defendants. For example, you aren’t eligible if you are under court supervision or have prior adult convictions or adjudications of delinquency. Before beginning the process, find out if you are eligible.
Some records cannot be sealed or expunged, even if you are otherwise eligible for relief. As an example, you cannot seal certain sexual or violent offenses, as well as drug trafficking offenses. Those are a permanent part of your record.
Please call our office. We can do all the work for you if hired:
- Review whether you are eligible for either having your record sealed or expunged.
- Analyze whether your criminal history is eligible.
- Determine what other steps you need to take before applying for relief.
- Review all possible avenues for expunging records, including administrative expungement, if applicable.
- Fill out your packet of paperwork and ensure all information is accurate.
- Submit the packet to the appropriate agency to receive a Certificate of Eligibility.
- Attend the court hearing to discuss whether you should have your records sealed or expunged.
- Seek other options if you are not eligible for sealing or expungement.
Some records—including juvenile records—should be eligible for automatic expungement. Nonetheless, certain issues could arise, or you might request an early expungement of a juvenile record. Get the legal help you need by reaching out to Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff.
Ready to Deal with Your Criminal History? Contact Our Largo Seal and Expungement Lawyers
Anyone with a criminal record can face problems in the years to come—denied job opportunities, rejected rental applications, and difficulties obtaining a professional license. Now is the time to check if you can seal or expunge your criminal history and put the past behind you. Call our office to speak with a Largo seal and expungement lawyer about your case.
