Longwood Expungement Lawyer

Longwood Expungement Attorney

A criminal record, even something as small as an arrest without any conviction, can follow you for the rest of your life. Small mistakes and misapplications of justice shouldn’t be allowed to hurt your future. This is why many people work with a Longwood expungement lawyer, like one at Robert B. Fisher, P.A., to get their criminal records expunged.

Reasons to Get a Record Expunged

Even when your charges get dropped or your case dismissed, any type of criminal record can hurt many aspects of your future. All it takes is someone seeing that you have a criminal record to decide that you’re not right for something.

Employment consequences are an incredibly common result of a criminal record. In Florida, 81% of collateral consequences from convictions are related to employment. Jobs working with children, the disabled, or other sensitive populations are even more likely to deny applicants with criminal records.

On top of job searching, a criminal record can affect other areas of your life, like: 

• Housing, especially renting
• Student loans
• Eligibility for support programs
• Jury service

Expungement vs. Sealing of Records

If you are one of the 1 in 3 American adults who have a criminal record, it’s important to understand your options. Sealing and expungement can do similar things, but they are not the same.

Sealing Records

When criminal records are sealed, the records remain, but access to them is restricted. This means the details of your record will no longer be entirely public. However, many potential employers, landlords, and others can still request access to the sealed record. A sealed criminal record is still likely to have many consequences.

Expunging Records

If you get a record expunged, it is completely deleted or destroyed in the court’s record. Only the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will retain a confidential copy of the record.

This makes it significantly harder for most people to see your record. Certain jobs or situations, such as applying to work for law enforcement, may still enable someone to request access to the record. However, getting a record expunged opens up many opportunities you might not have had before.

Juvenile Criminal Records

Florida’s expungement laws include provisions to protect juvenile offenders. Certain individuals, usually those who go through a pretrial diversion program, can be eligible to have their records automatically expunged when they reach a certain age or enough time has passed.

This helps young people get a second chance after making a mistake, so it won’t ruin the rest of their life. Not all cases will be eligible, though. Even for juvenile offenders, it can be wise to hire an expungement lawyer to get advice and make the process smoother.

Juvenile automatic expungement is typically the only way that a case can be automatically expunged in Florida. All other attempts at expunging a criminal record must go through the normal legal process, which can be very long and difficult to navigate alone.

Former Prosecutor

Call 407-389-4529 or contact the office online to schedule your initial consultation.

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Why Hire an Expungement Lawyer?

Although it may seem like it should be simple, the expungement process is anything but. To get records expunged, you must: 

1. Confirm that you’re eligible.
2. Obtain an application, and get all the needed signatures.
3. Submit it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
4. File the subsequent Certificate of Eligibility with the county court’s clerk.
5. Participate in any required court appearances.

Not understanding this process can lead to mistakes that hurt your chances. Working with a Longwood expungement attorney, like Robert B. Fisher, P.A., makes the process easier for you. We can show you what you need to do and file all the right paperwork. If needed, we can advocate for your desires in court hearings.

FAQs

How Much Does an Expungement Lawyer Cost in Florida?

The cost of an expungement lawyer in Florida can vary from case to case. The expungement process can also have its own legal costs. When considering an attorney for your case, ask them how much they think it will cost. Even if the cost seems high, remember that experienced legal aid can greatly improve your efforts.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Expunge My Record in Florida?

You do not technically need a lawyer to pursue expungement in Florida, but it can make your case more likely to succeed. In one study, those who had legal counsel achieved some sort of record clearing in 70% of their cases, but those without help attained success only 13% of the time. Getting a lawyer’s guidance can really impact the outcome of your case.

What Disqualifies You From Expungement in Florida?

The most common disqualification for expungement in Florida is being found guilty. A conviction, whether it’s for a felony or misdemeanor, means the record is not eligible to be expunged. Often, having previous records expunged can disqualify you from pursuing expungement a second time as well. It’s important to check that you qualify before starting the legal process.

How Long Does It Take for an Expungement in Florida?

The time it takes to expunge records can differ, but it typically takes many months. You have to go through a lengthy legal process to be granted an expungement. Rare exceptions, like when administrative expungement is an option, can make the process a bit faster. In general, don’t expect to be done within a month or two.

Prosecutor Turned Aggressive Defender

Robert B. Fisher, P.A., has over 45 years of experience practicing law. As a former prosecutor, he understands criminal cases from both sides of the courtroom. He knows how important it is not to let one mistake interfere with the rest of your life.

When you want a criminal record expunged, you need a professional criminal defense attorney who can help you reach your goals. From confirming eligibility to filing your petition at the Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court, our office can assist with expungement cases.

Contact us today for a free consultation. You can tell us more about your case, and we can show you the right way to get what you need.