A criminal conviction will not only have short term effects such as jail time and expensive fines, it can also lead to long term limitations due to it being placed on your criminal record. When attempting to find employment, rent an apartment, or apply for school, individual can be turned down because of their criminal record.
Fortunately, for individuals who qualify to have their record sealed or expunged, there is a way to keep a minor offense from having a major impact on your future. If you would like to have your record sealed or expunged in Florida, a West Palm Beach defense attorney can assist you in the process.
Record Sealing or Expungement Lawyer in Palm Beach County Records
Meltzer & Bell, P.A. represent clients in Palm Beach County, including the cities of Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Wellington, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Belle Glade or anywhere else in the county who are seeking to have their criminal records sealed or expunged. We also assist people in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
We understand the long lasting effects a criminal conviction can have on your future, and we will fight to get your life back on track. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (561) 557-8686. The team of attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. will work together from start to finish to achieve the best possible result in your case.
Information Center for Record Sealing or Expunging in Florida
- Process of Having Your Record Sealed or Expunged in Palm Beach County
- How Do I Know if I am Eligible to Have My Record Sealed or Expunged?
- Assisting Clients in Having their Records Sealed or Expunged in West Palm Beach
Process of Having Your Record Sealed or Expunged in Palm Beach County
If an individual seeks to have his or her record sealed or expunged, he or she must first submit an application to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE will then determine whether or not the applicant is eligible. If the individual is deemed to be eligible for a record sealing or expungement, he or she will be issued a certificate of eligibility.
Once the applicant has received their certificate of eligibility, they must file a petition with the court, in which they formally request to have their record sealed or expunged. This petition must include:
- A certificate of eligibility
- A sworn statement that states the offender has not been previously adjudicated guilty of any offense under Section 943.051(3)(b) of the Florida Statues
- A sworn statement that states the offender has never had his or her record sealed or expunged
- A sworn statement that states the offender is eligible to have his or her record sealed or expunged
After the petition is filed with the necessary documentation, the court will determine whether or not the offender will have his criminal record sealed or expunged.
How Do I Know if I am Eligible to Have My Record Sealed or Expunged?
In Florida, an individual can be deemed eligible for a record sealing or expungement if:
- The offender is not in a diversion program
- The individual has not been adjudicated of crime at any time in their life.
- The offender has not previously had his or her record sealed or expunged
If the offender meets the criteria of eligibility mentioned above, he or she can still be deemed ineligible if he or she has been convicted of any of the following offenses:
- DUI
- Assault
- Battery
- Carrying Concealed Weapon
- Open Carry of a Weapon
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Sexual Assault
- Aggravated Assault
- Drug Trafficking
- Kidnapping
- Arson
- Carjacking
- Terrorism
- Homicide
- Manslaughter
- Stalking
- Child Abuse
More information on having your record sealed or expunged, or for a full list of crimes that will make you ineligible can be found in Section 943.051 of the Florida Statutes.
Assisting Clients in Having their Records Sealed or Expunged in West Palm Beach
If you have been convicted of a crime and you would like to have your record sealed or expunged in Palm Beach County, including the cities in and around Wellington, Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, contact Meltzer & Bell, P.A..
We also handle sealing and expunging in Broward and Miami-Dade County as well as throughout the State of Florida.
As experienced criminal defense lawyers, Lawrence Meltzer and Steven Bell will be available to oversee your case throughout the entire legal process. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (561) 557-8686.
