{"id":2619,"date":"2019-04-02T18:59:07","date_gmt":"2019-04-02T18:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trls.org\/?p=2619"},"modified":"2019-05-20T10:08:31","modified_gmt":"2019-05-20T14:08:31","slug":"sealing-expunging-criminal-history-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trls.org\/sealing-expunging-criminal-history-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Sealing\/Expunging Criminal History Records"},"content":{"rendered":"
FLORIDA CRIMINAL RECORDS<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em>Sealing\/Expunging Criminal History Records <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Criminal records can be barriers to employment and housing. Sealing or expunging a criminal record may remove the barrier. The following applies to Florida criminal records only. If you were arrested in another state, you must determine that state\u2019s laws and apply there. There is no sealing or expunging of federal criminal charges.<\/p>\n If you were ever arrested in Florida, you have a criminal record even if no criminal charges were filed or the charges were dropped. An arrest creates a criminal record. Those records are available for public view, unless you were arrested as a juvenile. Contrary to popular belief, the records are permanent. They do not \u201ccome off\u201d your record after seven years or at any other time. Sealing<\/strong> a record means that it is removed from public view. Expunging<\/strong> a record means it is physically destroyed, except for one copy kept by the FL Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).<\/p>\n Eligibility<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to the above, to be eligible to expunge<\/em><\/strong> a record:<\/p>\n OR<\/p>\n Procedure<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Effect <\/strong><\/p>\n Once a record is sealed or expunged, you may lawfully deny it, unless you are:<\/p>\n In addition, there are federal laws that require disclosure, such as when seeking to join or work with the U.S. Military or in areas covered by homeland security.<\/p>\n Clemency<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n If ineligible to seal or expunge a criminal record, you can request a pardon from the conviction from the FL Office of Executive Clemency Board 10 years after completion of your sentence. A pardon forgives the conviction but does not erase, seal, expunge the record or indicate innocence. You must admit the crime when applying for work or housing.<\/p>\n Restoration of Civil Rights for Convicted Felons<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n When convicted of a Florida felony, you lose your right to vote, sit on a jury, hold public office and possess firearms. However, you can immediately<\/strong> register to<\/strong> vote<\/strong> using a Florida driver license or FL identification card if you:<\/p>\n For restoration of other civil rights (and for those convicted of murder or sex crimes who want to restore the right to vote), you must wait five to seven years, depending on the criminal charge, from the completion of your sentence to petition the FL Clemency Board to restore your civil rights. You must wait eight years to petition for restoration of firearm rights.<\/p>\n
\nProvided by Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.
\nApril 2019<\/p>\n\n
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