Sealing Criminal Records

Expungement and Sealing Criminal Records Attorneys in Boca Raton, FL

One mistake in your past should not keep you from achieving your goals and being treated fairly by employers and landlords in the future. Fortunately, there is a way to get that second chance in Florida. Depending on the circumstances of your prior offenses, you may be eligible to have your criminal records expunged or sealed.Here are some of the most common causes of personal injuries in Boca Raton.

If you need to seal or expunge your criminal record, you must contact an attorney who knows the process and can work on your behalf. The highly experienced team at Lavalle, Brown, Ronan & Schwencke, P.A. is here to assist.

Sealing of Criminal Records vs. Expungement

Sealing criminal records is different from having them expunged. When an individual’s criminal record is sealed, the public cannot access it. That means it’s hidden from employers, landlords, and any other non-government entities. However, certain government groups and agencies can still access the individual’s criminal record. When a criminal record is expunged, even those government groups cannot access the individual’s record. They can see that a record does exist but cannot view it without a court order.

Benefits of Sealing or Expunging Criminal Records

A criminal record can present problems for an individual when he or she seeks employment, housing, and other opportunities that require applicants to submit to a criminal background check. In short, sealing or expungement is a second chance for individuals with criminal records to clean their slate and live within the confines of the law. Chapter 11C-7 of the Florida Administrative Code details the procedure and requirements for expunging and sealing a criminal record in Florida.

With the help of the experienced team at Lavalle, Brown, Ronan & Schwencke, P.A., you can enjoy the many benefits of having your records sealed.

• Sealing your record can protect your privacy. Regardless of your past, you have a right to privacy when operating a business or going about your daily life. Many forms of criminal records are public information, and any citizen or resident could potentially access these records. There is in many cases very little oversight to the process, which could lead to somebody gaining your records with the intent of causing harm to your business or personal reputation. Sealing or expunging records can eliminate risk.
• A criminal record could severely limit your job prospects, potentially ending your career. Mistakes do not need to be carried for life, and by sealing or expunging your records, you can ensure that your past doesn’t impact your career potential. Banks and loan providers may run record checks before offering you finance. This could limit your ability to gain a competitive mortgage, vehicle financing, business loan, or a personal loan. Sealing criminal records can increase your creditworthiness, giving you more financial freedom.
• Universities and other tertiary education providers may reject an enrollment application based on your criminal record. If you plan to study in the future then it is in your best interest to have your records sealed or expunged.Students with criminal records may also have limited access to federal aid.
• Housing providers such as landlords and property management agencies may reject a tenancy application if you have a criminal record. If you want the freedom that comes from being able to reside where you choose, you will need to have your records sealed.

From privacy to job and housing prospects, the reasons for sealing or expunging your criminal records are compelling. The team at Lavalle, Brown, Ronan & Schwencke, P.A. is ready to offer legal assistance and representation.

Are There Limitations on Criminal Records That Can Be Sealed or Expunged?

In most circumstances, any individual who has not been found guilty of a crime as an adult and has not previously expunged or sealed his or her criminal record may qualify to have his or her record sealed or expunged. There are certain crimes that cannot be removed from one’s criminal record, though. They are as follows:

• Any conviction of a misdemeanor or felony as an adult.
• Any conviction of arson, battery, cruelty to animals, assault, concealed carry of a weapon, neglect of children, or unlawful use of bombs or other weapons as a juvenile.
• A seal or expungement currently pending for another offense.
• Any unsatisfied court-ordered financial obligation such as a fine or restitution payment.
• Any prior sealing or expungement from another state other than the automatic sealing of juvenile records or sealed records of arrests made by mistake.

Additionally, an individual may not remove a record if he or she was convicted of the specific charge.

Also note that in Florida, all juvenile criminal records are expunged at age 24 or 26, depending on the individual’s criminal record and arrest history as an adult.

Our Boca Raton Sealing Criminal Records Attorneys Can Help

If you are interested in sealing or expunging your criminal record, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with an attorney who knows the process and can work on your behalf to have the court seal or expunge your record. Lavalle, Brown, Ronan & Schwencke, P.A. can work through this process with you. Although it can be a confusing, difficult process, removing an arrest from your criminal record can be one of the smartest choices you make, and it will help you greatly in the future. Call Lavalle, Brown, Ronan & Schwencke, P.A. today at 561-395-0000 to get started on the sealing or expunging process today.

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