You have likely heard that a criminal record can follow you for a lifetime. However, you may not know that an arrest record alone (without a conviction) can also impact your life. You still have a record and must disclose the prior arrest when asked on applications. That can affect your employment outlook, housing, and so much more.
Fortunately, you do have a possible course of action. As long as you were not convicted of the crime, you might qualify for expungement. In fact, you might even qualify if the judge withheld adjudication of guilt.
Before moving forward, it is essential to know if you qualify. Thus, contact our West Palm Beach expungement attorney today to discuss your situation.
Florida has some of the toughest eligibility criteria for expungement in the country. However, you might qualify if:
Record expungement is meant to give people a fresh start, and the State of Florida expects people to use the change in circumstances to their advantage. Thus, you are allowed to expunge only one record during your lifetime. Therefore, if you have multiple arrests but no convictions, you can only choose one record to expunge.
There is one caveat, though. If you have multiple related charges, the court might allow you to expunge them all. So consult with a West Palm Beach expungement lawyer before moving forward. After reviewing your record, the lawyer can provide guidance and help you take the necessary steps.
In many cases, you can file for expungement if a case goes to trial, but the court withholds adjudication of guilt or if you were found not guilty at trial. However, some charges can only be expunged if dismissed or dropped before trial.
You can find the list of disqualifying offenses in Sections 943.0585, 943.059, and 907.041 of the Florida Statutes. Those charges include sexual battery, kidnapping, arson, and other serious offenses. Additionally, if you were charged with conspiring to commit one of the listed crimes, you are not eligible for expungement.
With so many statutes and guidelines, it can be challenging to determine if you are eligible or not. Thus, consult with an expungement attorney in West Palm Beach to discuss your particular situation.
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Ronald S. Chapman has practiced criminal defense in Florida state and federal courts since 1990, handling DUI cases in Palm Beach County involving first arrests, repeat offenses, injury, and property damage. Over the years, his case reviews have focused closely on testing records, officer reports, and the events leading to the arrest.
That experience can be really important when choosing a DUI defense lawyer, since the attorney you work with may affect how your license issues, criminal case, and defense strategy are addressed.
Ron Chapman is a solo criminal defense practitioner with more than 36 years of experience and 500+ jury trials and hearings. His clients work directly with him throughout their criminal defense matters.
When you choose Ronald S. Chapman, P.A., you work directly with the attorney handling your criminal defense matter. Early representation can be considered before formal charges are filed, if appropriate. If you are facing criminal charges or an investigation in West Palm Beach or Palm Beach County, Contact Ronald S. Chapman, P.A. for a meeting to discuss your situation and your options.
If you successfully expunge your criminal record, you will have disclosure protections. That means you will not have to disclose that you had a criminal record. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, you must disclose your criminal history if applying for a job with law enforcement or for certain jobs in the medical field. Those are just some of the exceptions. Learn more by speaking with a West Palm Beach expungement lawyer today.
If you have previously been found guilty of a charge, you cannot apply for expungement unless adjudication was withheld. This is true if you were found guilty at trial Thus, it is vital to seek legal counsel if charged with an offense. Your attorney will work tirelessly to help you avoid a conviction.
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
