Expungement in Florida is a process by which certain criminal records are sealed or destroyed. This means that the public, including potential employers and landlords, will no longer have access to the records. In order to be eligible for expungement, an individual must meet certain criteria set forth by state law. Generally speaking, individuals who were arrested but not convicted of a crime may be eligible for expungement. Additionally, individuals who were convicted of a crime but completed their sentence successfully may also be eligible for expungement.
The process of expungement begins with filing a petition with the court system in the county where the conviction occurred. The court will then review the petition and determine whether or not it meets all of the criteria necessary for expungement. If approved, the court will issue an order to seal or destroy all official documents related to the conviction. Once this is done, any information regarding the conviction can only be accessed by law enforcement and other government agencies in certain situations.