Expungements & Record Sealing in Clearwater
Criminal Defense Attorneys Helping Protect Your Future
After a criminal case is dismissed or dropped, or a sentence has been served, the crime is still public record for the world to see. Criminal charges may affect your ability to get a job, move to a new address, enroll in school, or build personal relationships. If your life has been negatively affected by your criminal record, you may need the assistance of a Clearwater criminal defense attorney to assist you with sealing or expunging your record.
At Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A., we have three offices in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and New Port Richey where we handle criminal defense cases. We have an extensive background both as prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties and we’d be glad to speak with you about how to seal or expunge your record.
What Is Expungement & Record Sealing?
Sealing or expunging a criminal record in Florida is a process by which your arrest record may be concealed or removed from public view. Once your records have been sealed or expunged, they are removed from view by the general public, but they may still be seen by law enforcement agencies under certain circumstances.
Sealing a criminal record prevents the public from having access unless they have a court record. Only certain government officials may be able to see it. Expunging a criminal record prevents the public from seeing a record, as they will simply be told the record has been expunged if they request to see it.
Who is Eligible for Sealing or Expungement?
Certain types of offenses may be eligible for expungement or sealing, while others are not. It is recommended that you consult with a knowledgeable Clearwater criminal defense attorney who has experience handling the expungement and record sealing process.
- A few examples of crimes which may be eligible include:
- Petty, non-violent offenses
- Juvenile offenses
- Low-level drug crimes