Orlando Expungement Lawyers
Even years after an arrest, a criminal record will continue to have a significant effect on your life. A criminal record may limit the places you can live and your job opportunities.
The best way to reduce or eliminate these effects is to talk with an experienced attorney about expungement or sealing your criminal records. At the Orlando, Florida, law firm of Moses and Rooth, Attorneys at Law, we have a great deal of experience with this kind of work. We will work diligently to guide you through the process to help you achieve the best possible results.
If your case is properly expunged, you may be able to say that you have never been charged with a criminal offense.
Florida Law on the Seal and Expungement Process
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement allows certain criminal records to be expunged or sealed.
- Expungement: Expunged criminal records are removed from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. If your records are properly expunged, you may be able to answer “no” to questions on job applications and other documents that ask if you have a criminal record.
- Sealing: Sealed records are placed under highly restricted access. Restrictions for sealing may not be as strict as expungement.
Expungement FAQs
How Long Does An Expungement Usually Take?
Unfortunately, expungement cannot take effect immediately upon request. The level of your criminal offense(s) determines the length of time you must wait to have your record(s) expunged. For example, if it is just a misdemeanor offense you will have to wait one year, but if you have at least three to five felonies (fourth or fifth degree) the waiting period is five years.
Is It Possible To Request The Expungement Of A Juvenile Record?
Yes, you can request the expungement of a juvenile record. Once a juvenile record is expunged, it will be removed from the court’s records and kept elsewhere. There are cases where juvenile records are sealed automatically, like in the case of a juvenile who drinks underage but then goes through a diversion program. However, more serious criminal offenses, such as murder or rape, cannot be sealed.
Why Do I Need An Attorney To Get My Criminal History Sealed Or Expunged?
Expungements are not simply given out to everyone who asks. It can be very difficult to convince a judge to grant you your request, and much like any other legal process, expungement entails filing a large amount of paperwork. Very often, when an individual attempts to request expungement on their own, they mistakenly commit errors and quickly become overwhelmed and discouraged.
However, with the help of an experienced Orlando expungement attorney, you can feel confident your request is being managed and submitted professionally and efficiently. The lawyers at Moses and Rooth have years of experience in submitting expungement requests and can effectively present your case to a judge.
If you are wanting to request expungement in Orlando, contact Moses and Rooth Attorneys at Law at 407-377-0150 to learn more.