Expunction is the act of destroying information, including criminal records. If your record is expunged it is no longer public; therefore, no other agency will have access to such records. Certain government agencies will receive a statement saying that there is a record that has been expunged. Only one arrest record may be expunged per proceeding, unless the court determines that another charge was directly related to the record you are seeking to have expunged. Further, this can only be done one time in your life.
There are a number of criminal offenses that cannot be expunged. A list of these offenses is enumerated in the Florida Statutes. This entire process from application to Order can take from six (6) to eight (8) months, so it is not something that can be done last minute for a specific purpose. In some cases you will have to have your case sealed for a period of time before it can be expunged. Your case can only qualify if you have received a withhold of adjudication and it remains a withhold.
Some types of crimes on your record may cause you difficulty in obtaining employment, and it is best to have this type of matter taken care of before you commence the employment process due to the length of time this process takes. An arrest itself cannot be sealed or expunged; it is just the charge and the sentence that may be sealed or expunged.
Learn more about clearing your record
For more information about your record sealing and expunction options, you can contact the attorneys at
Schwam-Wilcox & Associates
To schedule a complimentary appointment
Call 407-245-7700, or send us an email to schedule a complimentary consultation. Our attorneys are ready to listen and help!
If you are in need of a criminal defense attorney (lawyer) in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake or other counties throughout Florida call Schwam-Wilcox & Associates at 407-245-7700, or Contact Us by completing the form below to schedule a consultation. Schwam-Wilcox & Associates is a firm you can trust, and our attorneys are ready to help you with your legal needs. The main office is conveniently located near Winter Park in Orlando, with appointments also available in The Villages.