A Dismissed Case Does Not Automatically Disappear.
Florida sealing and expungement eligibility depends on disposition, adjudication, prior history, prior relief, and the offense. Start with the complete record.
FLORIDA RECORD SEALING & EXPUNGEMENT
Sealing and Expungement Are Different Remedies
Court-ordered sealing generally restricts public access to the record while specified agencies retain access under Florida law. Court-ordered expungement generally requires agencies to physically destroy or obliterate qualifying records, subject to statutory exceptions and retention of a protected FDLE record.
Neither remedy means that every reference vanishes from every private database, news report, or independent record. Disclosure obligations also contain statutory exceptions.
Eligibility Requires an Individual Review
Eligibility can depend on the final disposition, whether adjudication was withheld or imposed, prior convictions, prior sealing or expungement, pending cases, and whether the charged or related offense is excluded by statute.
A dismissal, no-file, acquittal, or withheld adjudication does not by itself guarantee relief.
The Certificate and Court Stages
For the ordinary court-ordered process, an FDLE Certificate of Eligibility is generally the first step. The certificate confirms statutory eligibility for the application; it does not itself seal or expunge the record.
The petition, supporting documents, service, prosecutor response, and court decision are separate. Even with a certificate, the court retains the role assigned by statute.
Documents to Have Ready
Arrest information and agency
Case number, county, and court disposition
Charging document and amended charges
Judgment, plea, dismissal, no-file, or acquittal records
Prior Florida and out-of-state history
Information about any earlier sealing or expungement relief
What Happens After You Call
We obtain basic identifying and case information and complete a conflicts check.
Dan reviews the disposition, adjudication, offense, prior history, prior relief, and available records.
You receive a clear explanation of apparent eligibility, missing documents, limitations, and the process.
If representation begins, the scope and fee are confirmed in writing.
Sealing and Expungement FAQs
Is my record automatically cleared when charges are dismissed?
No. The court and agency records ordinarily remain unless a qualifying process is completed or another law provides relief.
Does a Certificate of Eligibility clear the record?
No. FDLE describes the certificate as the first step. A petition and court order are still required for ordinary court-ordered sealing or expungement.
Can every offense be sealed or expunged?
No. Florida law contains offense-based exclusions and other eligibility limits. The original and amended charges, disposition, adjudication, and related conduct must be reviewed.
Will the record disappear from every background check?
Not necessarily. The order governs covered official records, but private databases, independent publications, and statutory access or disclosure exceptions may remain relevant.
Can I deny the arrest after relief is granted?
Florida law permits denial in many circumstances but lists exceptions. The correct answer depends on the question, setting, licensing body, employer, and current statute.
Request a Confidential Eligibility Review
Call (941) 313-2559 or send a brief message using the form below. Please do not include confidential information before a conflicts check.