Having a criminal record carries long-lasting social consequences that go well beyond the hefty legal fines and penalties you face immediately. There are, however, certain circumstances in which a criminal record can be sealed or expunged, making it difficult or impossible for potential employers or others to know you were charged or convicted. The difference this can make in terms of your future is difficult to overstate, and an experienced Florida sealing and expungement lawyer at The Umansky Law Firm can help.
We can review your eligibility and oversee the expungement or sealing process for anyone, anywhere in Florida.
If you have a criminal record, it is a matter of public information. Both sealing and expunging your record can help protect your privacy in this regard, but they are distinct legal actions that have different effects.
When a record is sealed, it is hidden from the public’s view. Certain government agencies, however, can still gain access to the information. If your record is sealed, it means that, in most situations, you have the legal right to deny the charge in question.
If your record is expunged, the effect is more permanent in nature. For all practical purposes, the record is destroyed. Even government agencies, other than law enforcement, will be unable to access the information. Expungement affords you the legal right to deny that you were ever charged or arrested for the given offense.
In other words, a sealed record still exists, but it’s far more difficult to access. When a record is expunged, however, it is erased for virtually all purposes.
Both seals and expungements are only available under highly specific circumstances. For example, if one of the following applies to your record, you may be eligible to take advantage:
Finally, to have your record sealed or expunged, it must be the first time you’ve done so. If you sealed or expunged a record in the past, you won’t be afforded another opportunity. However, when criminal charges are closely related, which is referred to as having sufficient nexus between them, they may be expunged or sealed together.
There are certain criminal charges in Florida that can’t be sealed or expunged even if they didn’t lead to a conviction. These include all the following:
A criminal record can have lasting effects on your future, and not the least of these are the social consequences. For example, a criminal record can affect your social standing overall, which can have lasting implications for you and your family.
A criminal record could also interfere with your ability to further your education in terms of acceptance to the school of your choice, as well as your access to financial aid. This, in turn, can also limit your career opportunities moving forward. A college education can open many doors, and if your college career is thwarted, it could diminish your earning potential well into the future.
The fact is that employers tend to engage in due diligence when it comes to hiring, and having a criminal record could leave you out of the running for the kind of job you’re looking for. Having a criminal record can also make obtaining the professional licensure you need to work in your chosen profession out of reach.
In other words, having your record sealed or expunged comes with considerable advantages that shouldn’t be overlooked.
A committed Florida sealing and expungement lawyer at Umansky Law Firm is well-versed in the legal process of having records locked away or destroyed, and we channel our experience for every client we faithfully represent. If you want to learn more about what a criminal record seal or expungement could mean for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out by contacting or calling us today.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
