In order to keep the costly blemish of a criminal history out of the sight of potential employers, a record number of Floridians have had their criminal records sealed or expunged. The rush to hide police and court records seems to have taken root with the beginning of the current recession. In 2008, over 14,000 Floridians were successful in sealing or expunging their criminal records. This number represents a two-fold increase from 2007, demonstrating the growing awareness that a criminal history can be a huge impediment to new employment opportunities.
Hiding past mistakes from future employers
In today’s economic climate, employers have the privilege of choosing from scores of qualified applicants when hiring new personnel. With a record statewide unemployment rate of 11.5%, Florida is home to many job seekers who are eager to set themselves apart from the crowd. However, those with a criminal record face an undesirable distinction that can prevent them from finding work in such a competitive marketplace. In our prior blog article, “Seal or Expunge Your Pinellas County Criminal Record & Land that New Job,” we explained how easy it is for employers to glean the criminal histories of job applicants from convenient public electronic databases that provide access to court records. In another blog article, “The Sealing & Expungement of Pinellas County Criminal Records,” we described how Florida Statute sections 943.0585 and 943.059 determine your eligibility for a sealing or expunction, and the enormous benefits that come from these remedies referenced in Rule 3.692 Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Learn more on the subject of sealing and expunging your Pinellas county criminal records by watching our video.
You can read more details about the remedy of sealing or expunging your criminal history record at our website.
An attorney can help cut through the red tape
Because of past abuses by the courts, the Florida legislature enacted laws that now make the process of petitioning to seal or expunge a Pinellas County criminal record a multi-task endeavor:
1. Your attorney must secure a “certificate of eligibility’ from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
2. Rule 3.989 Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure requires the client to sign an affidavit prepared by his attorney;
3. A separate Petition to Seal or Expunge is filed with the Clerk of Court and later reviewed by Pinellas County’s Chief Circuit court judge;
4. Copies of all legal pleadings are served upon the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office who is charged with the duty of reviewing the documents for accuracy and eligibility.
5. The criminal defense attorney is ultimately required to prepare in proper form a court order that directs all agencies having information about the criminal case to either seal or expunge their records;
6. Your attorney can thereafter direct the Pinellas County Clerk of Court to forward certified copies of the judge’s order to all appropriate governmental and law enforcement agencies.
Our law office has significant experience in sealing and expunging Pinellas County criminal records. If you have been previously arrested or charged with a criminal offense arising out of Clearwater / St. Petersburg, or other area within Pinellas county we can help.
Contact our office at (727) 578-0303
We can often determine your eligibility to have your record sealed or expunged right over the phone.
Visit: www.defensehelp.com for possible solutions to criminal charges.
Visit: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com for information related to a Pinellas county DUI charge & your driving privilege.
Related Links:
Obtaining Copies of Your Criminal Records
Avoiding Post Arrest Publicity
St. Pete Times Not Happy With Their Inability to Access Criminal Records
Its very true our past effects our future and those with a criminal record face an undesirable distinction in any job that can prevent them from finding work in such a competitive marketplace.
Posted by: Mississippi hip recall attorney | January 24, 2013 at 11:08 AM