Sealing and Expungement of Criminal Records

Fort Lauderdale Attorney Handling Expungements and Record-Sealing

The consequences of an arrest in Florida to your ability to get a job, get credit, rent an apartment, or other things in your life can be long-lasting—even if you were never found guilty of anything. At the Law Offices of Patric L. Jones in Fort Lauderdale, we may be able to clear your criminal record through sealing or expungement and give you the fresh start you need.

An arrest record can result in denial or loss of employment. It can also hurt you when you are applying for credit, buying insurance, or looking for an apartment, as many creditors, insurance companies, landlords and employers in Broward County conduct background checks.

When can I have my criminal record sealed?

If the disposition of your case was an "Adjudication Withheld" (this means your case was not dismissed, but you were also not convicted), our firm can often get your record sealed. There are certain criminal charges that are not eligible to be sealed in Florida, please call our office to find out if your charges are eligible.

Record-sealing results in your criminal record being closed to the public. Certain groups of people will still be able to see it, such as police, the government, the military, and certain employers such as schools and day care centers where you would be working with children. However, landlords, insurance companies, lenders, and most employers would not be able to see it.

When can I have my criminal record expunged?

If the criminal case against you was dismissed, you may be able to have the record expunged. An expungement erases the records as if it never happened. Again, there are a list on entities that can access your record if it is expunged. Please contact our office for a list of these entities.

Will I have to disclose to anyone that my record was sealed or expunged?

In most cases, no. You do not have to reveal you have a sealed or expunged record when you are applying for credit, insurance, an apartment, or most jobs. You would have to reveal your criminal record if you apply for certain licenses, including realtor, lawyer, and contractor. However, most of these entities will not hold the arrest against you if your record was sealed or expunged.

How long does record-sealing or expungement take?

The process can takes 6 months to a year with a lawyer's assistance.

Free consultation with a lawyer by phone or in person: To talk about clearing your record with attorney Patric L. Jones, call 954-779-1994 or contact our law firm by e-mail. We serve clients throughout Broward County, Florida, from our office in Fort Lauderdale and our satellite office in Coral Springs.