FORMER STATE PROSECUTOR
Sealing or Expunging Your Criminal Record Tampa & Hillsborough County
Sealing or expunging 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 online, your privacy has become greatly diminished. All members of the public may easily obtain such information free of charge. Sealing or expunging 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 system, 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 (to varying degrees) 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 nonexistent 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 of your criminal record over the phone. In most cases your attendance in court is not necessary to seal or expunge your record.
If your criminal charge arose out of other Tampa Bay area counties I can refer you to other competent, experienced attorneys to provide you with this valuable service.