Sealing Your Record

Sealing or expungement of criminal records has become increasingly important in today’s world. With nearly everyone wired to the Internet, and the easy accessibility of public records on-line, your privacy has become greatly diminished. All members of the public may easily obtain such information free of charge.  Sealing or expungement of criminal records can eliminate public access to a prior mistake or indiscretion. 

Criminal records are maintained by the investigating police agency, the State Attorney’s Office, the Court, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Corrections, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Even if your charge did not result in a formal conviction, those records are still open for public inspection.

The effect of sealing or expunging your criminal record allows you to truthfully state, with limited exception, that you were never arrested or charged with a criminal offense. It makes the information about your case non-existent to employers, co-workers, neighbors,  members of the public, licensing authorities, and other governmental agencies.

If your criminal charge arose out of Hillsborough County, my office can help. I can often determine your eligibility for a sealing or expungement over the phone. In most cases your attendance in court is not necessary to seal or expunge your records.