Fix your Florida Criminal Record: Sealing and Expunging
Wrongful decisions and mistakes can cause you or someone you know to have problems in the future. A criminal record will follow you around when applying for jobs, financing vehicles and trying to purchase a home. The best way to take care of this situation is to have a Miami criminal defense lawyer seal or expunge your record.
Process of Expunging
Miami criminal attorneys can assist you in expunging your record in many ways.
• The lawyer will let you know if you qualify for the option of sealing or expunging your record. Most lawyers will not charge you until you have qualified for the process.
• You will be able to de-stress and relax while the Miami defense attorney handles all of the necessary paperwork.
• The lawyer will mail any documents to you that need a signature. You will always stay informed of anything that progresses in your case.
• Once the date is set for a hearing, which may not be necessary, the attorney will contact you with all of the information.
Miami criminal lawyers can expunge criminal records as well as juvenile records that are delinquent and diverse. The biggest advantage to hiring a Miami criminal defense attorney is that you do not even have to drive to the office. The entire process can be handled through the mail and over the phone.
Sealing or expunging your record is a low cost start to improving your life. Once the misdemeanor, felony or other criminal charge is dismissed, the public will not be able to access the information. It will be easier to apply for a job and/or a loan. The police and legal authorities may be the only people who can access the information that was expunged.
Many law firms offer student and military discounts to those individuals who qualify for the process. The length of the entire process can vary, but the average length of three to six months depends on the following criteria:
• Whether your case is going to be expunged or sealed (expungements take a little bit longer because of legal requirements)
• The longevity of your case can also depend on the county that is handling it. Some counties are more time efficient than others.
• The Florida Department of Law Enforcement must file the certificate of eligibility; however, this can take up to five months.
• The individual judge has the final say to the process, and this can take a few months as well.
Sealing or expunging your record is rarely a completed process within 2 months. If someone tells you this is possible, you may want to research the specific Miami defense lawyer. It is great to find out what areas of law your Miami defense attorney is most qualified in and the outcome of his or her previous clients.
It is easier to qualify for sealing or expunging of your record if you have never been convicted of a previous crime. Find your local Miami defense attorney to help you with the lengthy process and help your criminal record. Contact us at (305) 571-9800 to speak to a Florida attorney about expunging your record.
