Three Reasons Why You Need To Expunge Or Seal Your Criminal Record

By Author: Alex Smith
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Having a criminal record hanging over your head can be very disturbing. Even if you were never convicted, but arrested for the crime, it will still show up on your record. In Florida you have options: you can seek an expungement or criminal record sealing. Over the past decade, there is an increased need to have a clean past. It is no longer just employers that will check your criminal record, landlords will do it as well. Even small business owners routinely use the internet to dig out information about potential tenants and employees.

In Florida expunging or sealing your criminal record ensures that your criminal record is no longer accessible to the public, and this also allows you to lawfully deny the existence of any prior record. Consider it a second chance. What is the difference between a sealing and an expungement? There are several, but the key difference is in who qualifies. The Florida expungement is only for people whose cases were dropped or dismissed, and they have no prior convictions. The sealing is for people who entered a plea but had the Adjudication Withheld and no prior convictions. Here are ...
... some of the benefits that you can expect from having your Florida criminal record sealed or expunged.

1. Better job opportunities as well as increased earning capacity

A Florida criminal record shuts the door on most job opportunities. I get calls all the time, from potential clients, who say that they have all qualifications for a great job opportunity and are told that if they did not have the criminal record, they would be hired. Most employers run background checks on potential employees. Nowadays, you are not just risking having your record on a background check but also on the internet. An Order from the Court Sealing or Expunging your Florida criminal record or arrest will ensure that the websites remove your name from their site. Having a criminal record can also prevent you from obtaining certain professional licenses. During these tough economic times, the last thing that you want to stand between you and your dream job, or any job at all is a criminal history. You can avoid this by expunging or sealing your Florida criminal record.

2. Better educational opportunities as well as funding for your education

Did you know that a Florida criminal record can cost you a scholarship or grant? A Florida criminal history can also deny you an opportunity to enroll in some colleges, or take vocational programs. In addition most educational loan opportunities require you to provide disclosure on information about your criminal history during the loan application process. Don’t lose valuable educational opportunities; find out all of your options when it comes to your Florida criminal record.

3. Better housing opportunities

A clean Florida record will increase your opportunities to get into a better rental property. If you are looking to rent a house, you know that most applications ask about your criminal history and landlords perform background checks. Even an arrest can prevent you from getting an apartment that you want. An expungement of your Florida criminal history would mean that the arrest does not show up Google.

A youthful mistake should not haunt you for the rest of your life. Florida criminal record sealing or expungement will give you an opportunity to leave your past where it belongs—in the past.

There are several benefits to having your Florida record sealed or expunged. You no longer have to wait until you are denied opportunities before investing in your future.

About Author:

Jacksonville criminal defense attorney, Kate Mesic, focuses on Civil disputes, Clear Criminal Record, Sealing of Criminal Records and other cases. For more details about expungement or sealing of criminal records visit at www.mesiclaw.com.