Gainesville Expungement Lawyer

Helping Clear Criminal Records in Alachua County

Getting a job can be challenging, especially if your record needs to be cleaned. A criminal record, even one that shows only arrests and no convictions, can cost you career opportunities. It is important to understand that there may be opportunities for clearing your record, depending on your situation.

At Barbarette & Quirk, our Gainesville criminal defense attorneys can help you explore your options. We have more than four decades of experience and the resources to handle various cases. We can help walk you through your options and provide you with legal counsel when you need it. We make ourselves available to clients around the clock to best serve their needs.

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Call Barbarette & Quirk today at (352) 356-4999 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our expungement attorney in Gainesville!

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What Is The Difference Between Record Sealing & Expungement?

In Florida, the main difference between a record being expunged and a record being sealed is that an expungement involves the essential deletion of the record. In contrast, when a record is sealed, it still exists, but it can only be viewed by certain government entities.

• Some differences between expungement and record sealing include:
• Expungement: This is a comprehensive option that may be valid if you were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, a drug crime, or another crime where you were acquitted or the charges were dismissed. When your arrest record is expunged, nobody will be able to see it. Some agencies will simply see a notice that your criminal history has been expunged.
• Criminal record sealing: When your record is sealed, most potential employers and other entities will not be able to see the information that was sealed. However, certain government entities will still have access to the information. Still, sealing your criminal or arrest record may provide necessary relief and improve your chances when pursuing a job.

Who is Eligible for Expungement in Florida?

Not all criminal records are eligible for expungement in Florida. To be eligible for expungement in Florida, an individual must meet certain criteria, which includes:

• The individual must not have been convicted of the offense in question. This means that the case must have been dismissed, the charges were dropped, or the individual was found not guilty.
• The offense in question must not be one of the ineligible offenses under Florida law. Ineligible offenses include but are not limited to, sexual offenses, homicide, and certain drug offenses.
• The individual must not have any prior convictions except for minor traffic violations.
• The individual must have completed all terms of their sentence, including probation, and paid all fines and restitution.
• The individual must not have any pending criminal charges.
• The individual must not have previously had their record sealed or expunged.

It's important to note that even if an individual meets these criteria, expungement is not guaranteed. The court will consider the specific circumstances of each case and may deny a petition for expungement if they determine it is not in the interests of justice to grant it.

How Long Does it Take to Expunge a Record in Florida?

The time it takes to expunge a record in Florida can vary depending on the case's complexity and the court system's workload. Generally, the process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months, or longer in some cases.

To start the process, the individual must first file a petition for expunction with the court in the county where the case was originally filed. The petition must include specific information, such as the case number, the charges, and the date of arrest.

The court will then review the petition and conduct a background check to ensure the individual is eligible for an expunction. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order to expunge the record.

The order will be sent to various law enforcement agencies and other entities to have the record removed from their systems. This process can take several months to complete, and the timing can vary depending on the specific agencies involved.

Contact Our Gainesville Expungement Attorney Today

When you meet with us for a free case consultation, our Gainesville criminal defense lawyers will review your case and let you know what legal options make the most sense. If we take on your case, we can move forward through the process, helping you obtain a certificate of eligibility and other required documents. We are committed to standing by your side and pursuing all opportunities to clean your record.

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Contact Barbarette & Quirk today to schedule a FREE consultation with our expungement lawyer in Gainesville! ​​​​

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