Free legal tool · Florida statutes 943.0585, 943.059, 943.0584
Can my Florida criminal record be sealed or expunged?
Five questions. Real statutory analysis. Honest answer at the end — including when the answer is no, and what your remaining options are.
Question 1 of 5
How did your case end?
If your case is still pending, choose the last option.
Florida sealing & expungement — frequently asked questions
›What is the difference between sealing and expungement in Florida?
Sealing (§ 943.059) hides your record from public view — it still exists with FDLE, but most employers and the public cannot see it. Expungement (§ 943.0585) physically destroys the record at every agency except FDLE. Cases that were dismissed are eligible for expungement; cases that resolved with adjudication withheld are eligible for sealing first, then expungement after 10 years.
›Can a DUI be sealed or expunged in Florida?
No. DUI is explicitly listed in Florida § 943.0584 as an ineligible offense — it cannot be sealed or expunged, even when adjudication was withheld. The only remedy for a DUI on your record is a Governor's Full Pardon. This is the single most surprising part of Florida record law and one of the strongest reasons to fight a DUI charge to a reduction (reckless driving) rather than accepting a DUI plea.
›How much does it cost to seal or expunge a record in Broward or Miami-Dade?
The FDLE Certificate of Eligibility fee is currently $75. Court filing fees in Broward and Miami-Dade are roughly $42. Most attorneys charge a flat fee for the full process (FDLE application, petition drafting, court hearing). Total out-of-pocket including legal fees is typically $1,000–$2,500 depending on case complexity.
›How long does the sealing/expungement process take in Florida?
The FDLE Certificate of Eligibility currently takes 9–12 months. Once issued, the petition can be filed immediately, and Broward and Miami-Dade typically schedule the hearing within 60–90 days. Total timeline from start to sealed/expunged status: usually 10–14 months. The FDLE backlog is the bottleneck — start as early as possible.
›Will sealing my record show up on background checks?
Sealed records are removed from public-facing background checks (employers, landlords, schools). However, certain agencies — law enforcement, the Florida Bar, the Department of Children and Families, schools hiring teachers — can still see sealed records under Florida § 943.059(4)(a). Expunged records (the stronger remedy) are not even visible to these agencies, with very narrow exceptions.
›Can I seal or expunge a domestic violence case in Florida?
Almost never. Domestic violence offenses are on the § 943.0584 ineligible list. Even a domestic battery plea with adjudication withheld cannot be sealed. This is one of the most consequential collateral effects of a DV plea and why we always push for a reduction to a non-DV charge before accepting any plea.