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May 21

Expungement FAQ

Am I guaranteed the right to a sealing or expungement?

The entire process should take about 6-8 months, but there is no set time frame. We try our hardest to complete your case as soon as possible, but the majority of the time delay is the result of the backlog at the FDLE and in the court system. Currently, the FDLE is about 5-6 months behind schedule.

How many charges can I seal or expunge?

Only charges stemming from one arrest or criminal incident may be sealed or expunged. Multiple charges stemming from a single arrest or incident may be sealed or expunged if the court orders it.

How a licensed Attorney can help you?

By hiring an attorney, you can be sure that your petition for criminal record sealing or expungement will be handled in a timely and professional manner. Although most firms charge between $500 and $1,000 dollars, plus filing fees and court costs, our fee is only $375, plus a $75 charge paid to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. If you request that we obtain a certified copy of your final disposition, there is a $25 fee charged. WE PAY ALL COURT COSTS! In the event a court hearing is required, an additional appearance fee of $250 dollars is charged. Most petitions for sealing or expunging do not require a court hearing, however. This means you normally pay no more than $450-$475, no additional costs or fees! We invite you to compare our low fee to other law firms and form services. Rarely do other firms fees include court costs, which can run between $40-80. For details on the fees breakup click here

What if I was a Juvenile when I was arrested?

Florida law provides that an arrest that occurred while an individual was a juvenile may be eligible to apply for a Juvenile Diversion Expunction. If a juvenile has successfully completed a prearrest, postarrest, or teen court diversion program, that individual may apply to have that incident expunged. A juvenile diversion expunction does not count as a sealing/expungement for purposes discussed in this website, so that individual may still apply for a sealing/expungement if they are arrested again later. However, an application for a juvenile diversion expunction must be filed within six (6) months of completing the diversion program. After that time frame, the individual would have to apply for a regular sealing or expungement. We are happy to help you apply for juvenile expunction (the fee for a juvenile expunction application is $275, plus the $75.00 application fee), please contact as soon as possible so you do not miss out on your window of opportunity!

11:30 PM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Law

Basics of Expungement

Expungement (or expunction) is the process of sealing or destroying the records pertaining to a case from a general review. These security background checks are performed by employers for new and existing employees and by other agencies. As part of the increased workplace security, many individuals, including those who have been employed for long period of time, have lost their jobs after background checks revealed criminal background. Expungement, can help you remove your record from appearing in background checks, but the records might not completely disappear and may still be available to law enforcement agencies. Each state offers its own definition of expungement.

Florida Attorney Michael T. Heider provides expungement services. For more details visit his website.

11:25 PM | Add a comment | Permalink | Blog it | Law