Seal or Expunge Your Florida Criminal Record

A past mistake should not define your future. At The Law Office of Chaye R. Smith, PLLC, we can help you petition to seal or expunge a criminal record allowing you to move forward with a clean slate. We offer a straightforward process to help you protect your most important asset, your good name. 

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Our Services & Flat Fee Pricing 

 

We believe in transparent and affordable pricing. We handle record sealing and expungement cases for a $1,000 flat fee.

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If you need a payment plan, you can begin the process with a $500 down payment, with the remaining balance due in 60 days.

 

• What the Flat Fee Includes: Our fee covers all legal work, preparation of your petition and other documents, and any required court appearances. 

• What Costs Extra: You will be responsible for third-party costs. These include the $75 application fee paid to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), fees for certified copies of documents, and the filing fee charged by the Clerk of Court. These costs rarely exceed $200.

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Our services also include contacting data mining companies (like MugShots[.]com and Arrests[.]com to demand they remove your mugshot and arrest details after you record has been successfully sealed or expunged. Never submit payment to these companies to remove your record as it encourages them to add your mug shot to their sister sites.

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Why Sealing or Expunging Your Record is Crucial

 

In today's digital world, an arrest record, even for a case that was dropped, is easily accessible. Landlords, employers, and anyone with a computer can search public records and find embarrassing details about your past. Private data-mining websites often post mugshots that can appear in a simple Google search, causing significant harm to your reputation. 

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Once sealing or expungement is completed under Florida law, you can legally deny or fail to acknowledge the arrest on most job applications and other inquiries. 

 

The Process Explained

We handle the legal complexities so you don't have to. Our office will guide you through every step from start to finish. 

1. Eligibility Review: We first confirm that you and your specific criminal record are eligible under Florida law. 

2. Application for Certificate of Eligibility: We prepare and submit the necessary application to the FDLE on your behalf. 

3. Petition the Court: Once we receive the Certificate of Eligibility, we draft and file a formal petition with the appropriate court. 

4. Final Order: We coordinate with the State Attorney's Office and the judge to obtain a final order to seal or expunge your record. 

5. Follow Up: After the judge signs the order, we ensure that all relevant agencies are notified to officially seal or destroy the records. 

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Your involvement is simple. You will need to answer a few questions, sign the documents we prepare, and provide us with a fingerprint card (we will give you instructions on how to get this done). 

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Ready to clear your name? Schedule a consultation today. 

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Am I Eligible to Seal or Expunge My Record?

 

Eligibility depends on how your case was resolved and the nature of the charge. A major change in Florida law in 2019 means that out-of-state convictions no longer disqualify you from sealing or expunging a Florida record. 

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Requirements to Expunge Your Record 

 

You may be eligible for an expungement if your case was resolved without a conviction. This typically means:

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• The charges against you were dropped (nolle prosequi). 

• The case was dismissed by the court

• You were found not guilty at trial. 

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An expungement results in the physical destruction of your record by the court and law enforcement agencies. 

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Requirements to Seal Your Record 

 

You may be eligible to seal your record if you entered a plea but the judge withheld adjudication of guilt. This means you were not formally convicted of the crime. After a record has been sealed for ten years, you may then be eligible to have it expunged. 

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Disqualifying Offenses for Sealing

 

Even if adjudication was withheld, Florida law prohibits the sealing of certain offenses. You cannot seal a record if the charge was for one of the following, among others:

• Murder, Manslaughter, or Homicide

• Kidnapping or False Imprisonment

• Sexual Battery or other specified sexual offenses

• Robbery or Carjacking

• Arson

• Aggravated Assault or Aggravated Battery

• Domestic Battery by Strangulation

• Burglary of a Dwelling

• Child Abuse

• Drug Trafficking

• Stalking or Aggravated Stalking

 

This is not a complete list. We will review your specific charge to confirm its eligibility.

 

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