Fort Lauderdale Expungement Lawyers Defending Your Rights from Start to Finish
Just because you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime doesn’t mean you’re a criminal for life. In many cases, Florida law provides opportunities to clear your record through a process known as expungement.
If you or someone you love is facing the possibility of a lifelong criminal record, it’s important to explore every option for clearing that record. An experienced Fort Lauderdale expungement lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options and guide you through the complex expungement process.
At George Reres Law, P.A., we have years of experience handling all types of criminal defense matters in state and federal courts throughout Florida. We know the ins and outs of the expungement process, and we’ll put our experience and knowledge to work for you.
What Is Expungement?
In Florida, expungement is the legal process of sealing criminal records so they are no longer publicly accessible. Once a record is expunged, it’s as if the arrest or conviction never happened.
However, it’s important to understand that an expunged record is not destroyed. The record still exists, but it is sealed from public view. In some cases, law enforcement and other government agencies may still have access to sealed records.
Who Is Eligible for Expungement in Florida?
Not everyone is eligible for expungement in Florida. The eligibility requirements vary depending on the type of criminal record you want to expunge.
Generally speaking, you may be eligible for expungement if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You have never been convicted of a crime (with some exceptions)
- Your arrest did not result in a conviction
- You have completed your sentence, including any probation or community service requirements
- You are not currently serving a sentence for any other crime
- You are not currently on probation for any other crime
If you were arrested but not convicted, you might be eligible to have your arrest record sealed through a process known as sealing. Sealing is similar to expungement, but it has different eligibility requirements. An experienced Fort Lauderdale expungement lawyer can help you determine if you are eligible for sealing or expungement.
What Are the Benefits of Expungement?
There are many benefits to having your criminal record expunged. Perhaps the most important benefit is that, once your record is expunged, you can legally say that you have never been arrested for a crime when applying for a job, housing, or educational opportunities.
In addition, an expunged record cannot be used against you in court if you are ever charged with a crime in the future. And, once your record is expunged, you may be able to possess firearms and vote again (if your rights were taken away as a result of your arrest or conviction).
How Does the Expungement Process Work?
When a person is arrested for a crime, that arrest becomes a part of their criminal record. Even after their case has been resolved, that criminal record continues to follow them around for the rest of their life. This can make it difficult to find employment, housing, or financing.
Fortunately, expungement can help erase a criminal record. Expungement is the legal process of destroying, sealing, or hiding records of a criminal conviction. This process can be beneficial for people who have made mistakes in the past and are looking to move on with their lives.
The first step in the expungement process is to determine if you’re eligible. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state but generally include having no felony convictions, completing all sentencing requirements, and waiting a certain amount of time (usually five or ten years).
If you are eligible, you will need to file a petition with the court. The court will review your petition and make a determination based on your eligibility and the severity of your crime. If the court approves your petition, they will issue an order of expungement. This order will cancel your conviction and destroy all records of the arrest and prosecution.
The expungement process can be complicated and confusing, so it’s important to seek legal advice from an experienced expungement attorney. An expungement lawyer can help you understand your eligibility and guide you through the petition process. If you’re ready to start fresh and move on from your criminal record, contact an attorney today and start the expungement process.
How Can an Expungement Lawyer Help Me?
An expungement lawyer can help you clear your criminal record. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, you may be eligible to have your record sealed or destroyed. This means that the public will not be able to see your criminal history.
An experienced expungement lawyer will know the laws in your state and can help you navigate the process of getting your record sealed or destroyed. An expungement lawyer can also help you understand the potential steps of having your record expunged. Expungement lawyers can also represent you during any hearings and can help you prepare what is needed.
If you are seeking employment, an expungement can give you a clean slate and allow you to move on with your life. If you have been denied housing or credit because of your criminal record, having your criminal records expunged can help you move forward with your life. While criminal justice agencies will still have a record of your criminal arrests and criminal charges, it will be wiped clean from public records.
Call Our Fort Lauderdale Expungement Lawyers Today!
At our criminal defense law firm, we value the attorney-client relationship. We understand how sensitive your case is and will do everything in our power to help you through this difficult situation. You are not alone when you hire us.
Attorney George Reres has been a criminal defense attorney for years. He knows the ins and outs of the legal system and has a wealth of experience to offer his clients. He is incredibly familiar with the legal process of getting a criminal history record expunged. Whether it is for juvenile crimes or other misdemeanors, attorney George Reres can work to have your criminal records sealed or expunged – helping you move on with your life. Contact George Reres Law, P.A. today at 954-543-1186 to get the criminal defense attorney you need for your case.