An expungement is a legal process that erases a criminal case from all records. The physical copy of the court records and any other documents related to an expunged case will be destroyed.

If you’re granted an expungement, anyone who accesses your criminal record won’t be able to see that you were arrested or charged with a crime. You also won’t be required to disclose the information on job applications or other forms, making it easier to secure employment, housing, and other opportunities. This is where expungement can be much more beneficial than a dismissal.

In Florida, expungement is available to a limited group of people. Only those whose cases have been dismissed, dropped, or acquitted are eligible for expungement. However, certain types of charges, including manslaughter, homicide, sex offenses, burglary, and drug trafficking are ineligible for expungement.

You may only have one expungement granted in your lifetime. If your case meets the eligibility requirements, you can file a petition with the court to have it expunged with the help of our criminal defense lawyers in Orlando. The court will review the petition and determine whether or not to grant it.

On the other hand, certain types of careers may protect you from immediate job loss. For instance, individuals employed by federal, state, and county agencies are entitled to “due process” before they can be terminated from their jobs. Tenured teachers who are employed by the public school system are one example of workers who fall under this category.

“Due process” means that the employer must notify the employee in advance of their impending termination and allow them to defend themselves at a hearing.

During the hearing, the employer must demonstrate that they have a compelling reason for the termination. While your employer may still choose to fire you, this added layer of protection gives you the opportunity to explain your circumstances in a formal setting and potentially avoid job loss.