If you have a criminal record in Jacksonville, you may wonder if it’s possible to clear your name. The good news is that Florida law allows certain records to be sealed or expunged.
Handling the legal process to seal or expunge a record can be complex, but understanding your options is the first step toward a fresh start. Eligibility depends on factors such as the type of offense, the outcome of your case, and whether you have prior convictions.
At Malcolm Anthony, P.A., our Jacksonville criminal defense lawyers know how a criminal record can follow you. It can keep you from getting a job, renting a place to live, or even applying for certain licenses.
If you’ve been arrested in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida, you may wonder if there’s any way to move forward without your record holding you back. We’re here to help answer that question.
Instances When Someone Can Seal and/or Expunge a Criminal Record in Florida
In Florida, not every record qualifies for sealing or expungement. The state has strict rules about who can apply and when. But if your case qualifies, it can make a real difference in your life.
You may be eligible for sealing or expungement if:
- The charges against you were dropped, dismissed, or you were found not guilty.
- You completed a pretrial diversion program successfully.
- You’ve never had a criminal record sealed or expunged before.
- Your charges are not on Florida’s list of disqualifying offenses.
Keep in mind that if you have received a conviction, even if you received a withheld adjudication on certain charges, you may not qualify. Our Jacksonville criminal defense lawyers can help you review your eligibility and review your case.
What Type of Expungement Do You Need?
There are different types of record-clearing options depending on your age, case outcome, and criminal history. We help clients in Jacksonville figure out which one fits their situation best.
Juvenile Expungement
Juvenile charges can come back to haunt you as an adult. The good news is that Florida offers several ways to address juvenile records.
You may qualify for automatic expungement if you were arrested as a minor and didn’t have any criminal activity for five years afterward. In some cases, you may qualify for early expungement after successful program completion or other circumstances.
Adult Record Expungement
If you were arrested as an adult and the charges were dropped or dismissed, you may be eligible for a full expungement. This process removes the record from public view and limits who can access it.
We’ve helped many clients in Jacksonville and across Florida with adult expungements, even years after their cases ended. Whether your charges involved theft, battery, or another non-disqualifying offense, it’s worth looking into your options.
Our Jacksonville criminal defense lawyers handle these requests regularly and can tell you quickly whether your case meets Florida’s standards.
Incorrect or Erroneous Criminal Record
Sometimes, people come to us because of a record that never should have existed. Maybe you were misidentified during an arrest. Maybe your charges were supposed to be removed, but they still appear on background checks.
Correcting an erroneous criminal record requires a thorough understanding of Florida’s legal processes and meticulous attention to detail. Our experienced legal team in Jacksonville can assist you in identifying the inaccuracies to make sure your record accurately reflects your history.
If your record includes errors or arrests that should not be there, we can help fix it. Florida law allows people to challenge and correct inaccurate criminal history information. But you need the right documents, and the process can take time.
Our Jacksonville criminal defense attorneys understand how frustrating this can be. We’ll work with you to gather the correct paperwork and push to get the record corrected.
The Difference Between Sealing and Expunging a Criminal Record
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. Understanding the distinction can determine how much your past affects your future opportunities.
When your record is sealed, it becomes confidential and is removed from public view. Most standard background checks won’t reveal it, giving you better chances with employers, housing applications, and professional licenses. However, certain government agencies, law enforcement, and some employers may still access sealed records under specific circumstances.
Expungement goes several steps further. The court orders your record to be physically destroyed, with only a single copy preserved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). That remaining copy can only be released with a direct court order. This near-total elimination makes expungement the gold standard, but Florida maintains stricter eligibility requirements to qualify for it compared to sealing.
There’s an important limitation: Florida only allows you to seal or expunge one criminal record in your lifetime (with very rare exceptions). Whether you choose sealing or expungement for an eligible offense, that’s your single opportunity under state law.
This makes your decision critically important; if you later have another charge, you won’t get a second chance to clear your record.
Take Back Control of Your Future with a Criminal Record Expungement in Jacksonville
A criminal record shouldn’t define you. If your charges were dropped or dismissed, or if you were wrongfully arrested, you have options. Expungement and sealing laws in Florida give you a path forward, but they can be hard to handle on your own.
That’s why we’re here. At Malcolm Anthony, PA, we’ve helped clients all over Jacksonville and Florida clear their names and move on. Our experience in Florida courts and deep knowledge of expungement law gives you an advantage.
If you’re ready to get started or just have questions, reach out to our office today. You can also call us at (904) 285-4529 to schedule a private consultation. Let’s find the right path together.
