Why a Criminal Record Can Hold You Back
A criminal record—even for charges that were dismissed—can create unexpected barriers in many aspects of your life. Understanding these impacts is the first step toward taking control of your future.
Employment & Career Advancement
Professional & Occupational Licensing
Business Bonding, Insurance & Financing
Housing, HOA & Apartment Approvals
Firearm Eligibility Considerations
Federal Grants, Loans & Programs
Personal Relationships & Reputation
Important Notice: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Licensing & Professional Barriers
Criminal records frequently appear during individual and company licensing reviews, including administrative investigations or hearings. Records may affect licensing in Florida and other states, even when a case was dismissed.
Industries Commonly Affected Include:
General Eligibility Overview (Florida)
Understanding the basic requirements is essential before pursuing expungement or sealing. While each case is unique, here are the general criteria that apply in Florida:
- Case resulted in dismissal, no-file, withhold of adjudication, or diversion
- No convictions of any kind in Florida or elsewhere, including criminal traffic convictions
- No prior sealing or expungement of any criminal record
- Offense is not statutorily barred from expungement/sealing
- Eligibility for FDLE Certificate of Eligibility
Eligibility depends on the entire criminal history. This overview is educational only and not a determination of eligibility. A formal evaluation is required to assess your specific situation.
Expungement vs. Record Sealing
Understanding the difference between sealing and expungement is crucial for setting realistic expectations about your case outcome.
| Feature | Record Sealing | Expungement |
|---|---|---|
| Public View | Limited Access | Removed |
| Law Enforcement Access | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Process? | No | No |
| Guarantees Outcomes? | No | No |
Watch & Learn: Expungement Explained
Eligibility Self-Check Checklist
Use this interactive checklist to get a preliminary sense of whether you might be eligible. Click each item that applies to you:
Check all that apply to you:
✓ You May Be Eligible!
Based on your responses, you may be a candidate for expungement or sealing. However, this is only a preliminary assessment. A qualified attorney needs to evaluate your complete criminal history to provide a definitive answer.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationThis checklist is for educational purposes only and does not determine eligibility. Only a qualified attorney can evaluate your specific circumstances and provide a definitive answer.
Pre-Consult Eligibility Self-Screen Worksheet
Complete this worksheet to organize your information before speaking with an attorney. This will help make your consultation more productive.
Your Case Information
Educational use only. Not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by completing this form.
Ready to Clear Your Record?
Don't let your past continue to hold you back. Schedule a consultation with Mayersohn Law Group to discuss your options and take the first step toward a fresh start.
Call (954) 334-2829