Knowing The Requirements
If you are unfairly accused of a criminal act, you may be eligible for expungement of the act from your record. Contact an expungement lawyer today to see if you qualify even if you were declared “not guilty” that criminal charge is still on your record and comes up during every background check run by potential employers, mortgage lenders, landlords, and others. It affects countless situations throughout the rest of your life. Wouldn’t it be great if you could get it blocked out from your record, so no one needs to know that it ever occurred? That’s just what an expungement lawyer can do for you!
The Florida Expungement Requirements
You’ll first meet with an expungement lawyer to determine your eligibility. To be eligible for expungement in many states, several factors must be in line. The case you are filing to have expunged needs to be closed and you must never have been convicted of a crime, either during that closed trial or another trial. In other words, you should never have received a verdict of “guilty.” You can’t expunge multiple cases, and you can’t be on parole or probation while applying for the expungement.
After determining your eligibility, there’s a bunch of paperwork you’ll need to gather and complete: an application, fingerprinting form, and a certified copy of the disposition of the case you are asking to be expunged.
You can obtain an application for a Certificate of Eligibility from your state’s Department of Law Enforcement. Usually either you can get a hard copy from your local office or you can download a PDF copy on the website. Once you’ve accurately filled out the application, you’ll need to have it notarized. Usually you’ll sign the form in front of the notary, and then they’ll notarize it. Notaries typically charge a small fee.
Section A requires your personal information and a list of the charges which you wish to expunge. Once you’ve completed Section A of the application, you’ll need to contact your expungement lawyer to complete Section B.
More About Expungement
Next, you’ll complete the fingerprint form that comes with the application. An official must be the one to document your fingerprints. You can’t do them yourself at home!
Finally, you’ll need to get a certified (or stamped copy) disposition of the case you wish to have expunged. You’ll need to contact the clerk of court in that county and ask for a certified copy. After all the filling out of the paperwork accurately and all the appropriate officials have their signatures, you’ll need to seal it all, along with the processing in a large envelope, and send it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In some cases, you will need to appear in court in order to obtain expungement for your criminal record. In others, the application can be processed and accepted without a court appearance. Finally, in some cases, the expungement is denied. If your expungement lawyer has helped you complete a thorough review of your eligibility; also you should have no problem.
The Smith & Eulo team will make sure you receive the complete, personal attention you are entitled to.
Need expungement in Florida?
If you or your loved one are in need of a Community Control attorney, call us at 407-930-8912 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Orlando location, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:
- Daytona Beach
- Kissimmee
- Melbourne
- Lakeland
- Ocala
- Tampa
- Fort Myers
- Sanford
- Miami
- Jacksonville
- Fort Lauderdale
- Sarasota
- Clearwater
*Additional Orlando Florida & Orange County Legal Resources