Nowadays there are records of everything; from your prescription history to how many times last month you got a massage or haircut. Some records are harmless, but others can create real problems in your everyday life. A criminal record can make it hard to get a job, a loan, to rent an apartment, or even a car rental. But, there is good news! In certain instances you can wipe the slate clean and have the evidence of a criminal past erased from your record.

The circumstances for an expungement are limited, and to figure out if you qualify a consultation with a criminal defense attorney is beneficial. Under Florida law you will qualify to seek expungement of your record in any of the following instances:

● Charges were never filed, even if you were arrested.

● Charges were filed, but later dismissed.

● The result of your case was a finding of not guilty.

These three reasons you can expunge a criminal record are not the only reasons expungement is available. Your case is unique and the facts will dictate what you are entitled to seek. For example, in cases where you were put on probation, you can have the charges expunged if you were successful on all the terms of your probation. You also will have had to pay all the fines due in order to seek expungement. An expungement of your record makes it impossible for the charges to be seen by most people, but there are still those with access. For instance, if you are seeking a job with the government the charges might still be visible to that particular governmental agency. The same is true of jobs in law enforcement. If you have charges you’d like to have expunged, call our office to find out if you qualify and how to initiate the process.

If you have questions about how to wipe your criminal slate clean, call a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast for help. Call us today to schedule an appointment that includes a free initial evaluation of the facts of your case.