During the 2019 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed a new law which requires
certain criminal records to be automatically sealed. To be eligible to have your criminal records automatically sealed, one of the following events must occur:
No charging documents are filed in your case,
If a charging document is filed in your case, either the State Attorneys office files a nolle prosequi (which drops the charges against you) or the charges against you are dismissed by the Court,
A judge or jury finds you not guilty (unless you are found not guilty by reason of insanity), or
A judge renders a judgment of acquittal (finds the evidence presented at trial insufficient to prosecute).
Although automatic sealing sounds great, there is one catch. Automatic sealing of a criminal history record does not require the court or the arresting agency to seal your records. Because of this, the arrest record may still be visible on many background checks, and if you wish to conceal your arrest record, you may have to follow the traditional sealing process set out under Section 943.059, Florida Statutes.
The presence of a criminal record may affect your status with your university, your current employment status, future job prospects, and your eligibility for professional licensure. Because of this, it is very important you protect your future by consulting with legal counsel. At the Law Office of Lee Meadows, we provide you with affordable legal representation from an experienced attorney. If you have any questions, please call the Law Office of Lee Meadows to schedule a free consultation.
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