Florida Record Sealing and Expungement Attorney
An arrest doesn't have to follow you for the rest of your life. If your case was dropped, dismissed, or resolved without a conviction — and sometimes even if it wasn't — you may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged under Florida law.
What sealing and expungement do
Sealing makes your criminal record confidential from most of the public, including most employers and landlords. Expungement goes further: the record is physically destroyed by criminal justice agencies, with only limited exceptions. Either remedy can help you pass background checks for employment and housing, apply for professional licenses without disclosure obligations to most agencies, and move forward without an old mistake defining your future.
Are you eligible?
Florida's sealing and expungement statutes (§§ 943.0585 and 943.059) have specific eligibility rules. In general, you may qualify if you have never been convicted (adjudicated guilty) of any criminal offense in Florida or any other state; the charge you want sealed or expunged did not result in adjudication; you have not previously had a Florida record sealed or expunged; and the offense is not on the statutory list of exclusions. Eligibility rules change, and one disqualifying conviction anywhere in the country can affect your application. The only way to know with certainty is to have an attorney review your record.
The process, and what to expect
Record review — Clyde pulls your complete Florida criminal history and reviews any out-of-state records you disclose. Certificate of Eligibility — if you qualify, the firm prepares and files your application with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); processing currently takes several months. Petition to the court — once FDLE issues your certificate, Clyde files a petition with the court that handled your original case, along with a proposed order. Hearing (if required) — some judges grant petitions on the paperwork; others require a brief hearing, and Clyde appears with you if one is set. Order and distribution — once the court signs the order, copies go to FDLE, the arresting agency, the clerk, and any other agency that maintains a record. Most uncontested matters take six to twelve months from intake to final order, depending on FDLE timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my record be invisible to everyone?
No. Sealed and expunged records remain accessible to certain agencies — including law enforcement, courts considering subsequent charges, and a defined list of employers in sensitive fields (healthcare, education, child care, law enforcement). For most other purposes, you can lawfully deny that the matter occurred.
Can I do this myself?
You can. People do. The challenge is that errors at the FDLE stage can take months to surface, and an incomplete application can result in denial with no refund of the filing fee. Working with an attorney shortens the cycle and reduces the risk that one missed disclosure derails the petition.
Do you handle voting rights restoration?
Yes. Florida Amendment 4 restored voting rights to many Floridians who have completed their sentences, but the process of confirming eligibility and obtaining documentation is not automatic. Clyde has handled voting rights restoration matters pro bono through Community Legal Services and accepts them as paid matters as well — including the case featured by News 6 in December 2025 in which a Central Florida man recovered his right to vote thirty years after losing it. See Recognition & Press for the editorial coverage.
Need a Seal & Expungement Attorney in Florida?
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