Clear Your Criminal Record in Broward County

Seal and Expunge Criminal Records in Broward County

A criminal record can follow you for years, affecting your job prospects, housing applications, and professional standing in Broward County. Sealing or expunging your record can remove it from public view or destroy it entirely—but eligibility and the process depend on your specific charge and circumstances.

What Does It Mean to Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record in Broward County?

Sealing and expungement are two different legal remedies that hide or destroy your criminal record, but they work in different ways.

Sealing a record means the record remains in the system but is hidden from public view. Law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing boards can still access a sealed record under Florida law. You cannot legally deny the arrest or conviction occurred if asked directly by these agencies.

Expungement is stronger: the record is destroyed or returned to the court and treated as if the arrest or conviction never happened. Once expunged, you can legally answer “no” when asked if you were arrested or convicted—with narrow exceptions for law enforcement inquiries.

Both options are available to Broward County residents under Fla. Stat. § 943.0585 (sealing) and Fla. Stat. § 943.059 (expungement). Broward County courts handle these petitions following state law, though timing and procedures vary by courthouse.

Sealing vs. Expungement: Which Is Better for Your Situation?

The right choice depends on your eligibility and what you need from your record.

Sealing works best when you want the record hidden from employers and the public but understand that law enforcement, courts, and professional licensing boards retain access. This is often the only option available for convictions.

Expungement is stronger because the record is destroyed. You can legally answer “no” to arrest or conviction questions (except when asked by law enforcement or in certain licensing contexts). Expungement is available for dismissed charges, acquittals, and first-time offenders who completed diversion programs.

Your circumstances matter. If you’re a licensed professional in Broward—a nurse, attorney, real estate agent, or contractor—sealing or expunging your record protects your career and your ability to renew or maintain your license. If you’re seeking employment or housing, either remedy improves your prospects because background checks won’t reveal a sealed or expunged record.

Who Can Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record in Broward County?

Eligibility depends on your charge type and what happened in your case.

You’re likely eligible for expungement if:

• Your charge was dismissed
• You were acquitted (found not guilty)
• You were a first-time offender and completed a diversion program
• Your case was nolle prossed (the State Attorney declined to prosecute)

You may be eligible for sealing if:

• You were convicted but do not qualify for expungement
• Your conviction was for certain felonies under recent Florida law changes (an attorney can advise on your specific charge)

You are generally not eligible for expungement if:

• You were convicted of a violent felony or sex offense (though sealing may be possible)
• Your case involves a sex crime; these carry lifetime registration requirements under Florida law and have strict expungement limits

First-time offenders and licensed professionals are core candidates for record sealing or expungement. If your arrest or conviction is jeopardizing your professional license or career in Broward, taking action now can protect your future.

How to Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record in Broward County

The process involves several steps, all of which must comply with Broward County court rules and Florida procedure.

Step 1: Determine eligibility. Review your charge, disposition (dismissed, acquitted, convicted), and criminal history. Not all records qualify for expungement; some qualify only for sealing.

Step 2: Obtain your criminal history. Request your record from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) or the Broward County Clerk’s office. This document is essential for your petition.

Step 3: File a petition with Broward County Circuit Court. The petition must be filed in the Criminal Division of the court where your case was handled. It must state why you’re eligible and request sealing or expungement.

Step 4: Serve the State Attorney’s office. Florida law requires you to serve the State Attorney with a copy of your petition. They have the right to object.

Step 5: Attend a hearing if necessary. Many petitions are granted without objection from the State Attorney. If the State Attorney objects, you’ll attend a hearing before a judge to argue your case.

Step 6: Obtain the order and follow up. Once the judge grants your petition, the Broward County Clerk and FDLE process the actual sealing or expungement. This takes additional time.

An attorney handles these steps to ensure your petition meets all local Broward court requirements and follows Florida procedure correctly. Mistakes can delay or deny your petition.

How Long Does It Take to Seal or Expunge a Record in Broward County?

Timeline expectations help you plan ahead.

From filing to final court order, most petitions take 2 to 6 months, depending on the court docket and whether the State Attorney objects. Broward County courts process these petitions regularly, but delays are common during busy periods.

After the judge grants your petition, the Broward County Clerk and FDLE require additional weeks or months to process the actual sealing or destruction of your record. Once complete, the record is hidden or destroyed.

Expedited handling is sometimes possible if you have urgent circumstances (job offer, licensing deadline). An attorney can advise whether your case qualifies.

What Does It Cost to Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record in Broward County?

Costs include court fees and attorney fees.

Court filing fees in Broward County vary depending on the petition type. This fee goes to the Broward County Clerk.

Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of your case, whether the State Attorney objects, and whether a hearing is required. Dismissed charges and uncontested petitions often cost less than contested cases.

Patrick Wilson Law offers a free consultation to review your record, discuss your eligibility, and explain the cost for your specific situation. You’ll know what to expect before moving forward.

Why Seal or Expunge Your Broward County Criminal Record?

The reasons are practical and personal.

Employment: Employers in Broward and South Florida routinely run background checks. A sealed or expunged record won’t appear, improving your job prospects and allowing you to move forward without the burden of disclosure.

Professional licensing: If you hold or seek a professional license—nursing, law, real estate, contracting, or other fields—a criminal record can trigger discipline or denial. Sealing or expunging protects your career.

Housing and credit: Landlords and lenders conduct background checks. A clean record improves your chances of approval.

Peace of mind: Moving forward without a public criminal record hanging over you.

Legal standing: An expunged record allows you to answer truthfully that you were not arrested or convicted (with limited exceptions for law enforcement).

Broward County Criminal Records: What’s Public and What Can Be Hidden?

Understanding what’s public matters.

Arrest records and mugshots in Broward County are public unless sealed or expunged. Court records, including charges and dispositions, are accessible to the public unless sealed. Online mugshot sites and arrest record databases often retain old information, but sealing or expunging your record is the legal remedy.

Sealing hides the record from public view but does not erase it; law enforcement and courts retain access. Expungement removes the record from public databases and destroys it in most cases, so it won’t appear in background checks or online searches.

Patrick Wilson Law: Seal and Expunge Records in Broward County

Patrick Wilson Law handles seal and expunge petitions for Broward County residents across all charge types and circumstances. Whether you’re a first-time offender, a licensed professional whose career is at stake, or someone seeking to restore your record, we manage the entire process.

We handle eligibility review, petition drafting, filing with Broward courts, and representation at hearings. We’re familiar with Broward County court procedures, judges, and the State Attorney’s office—local knowledge that matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a criminal arrest or conviction is holding you back in Broward County—affecting your job, your professional license, or your future—sealing or expunging your record may be possible. Contact Patrick Wilson Law for a free consultation to review your record and learn your options. Call 786-761-1719, leave us a message, or schedule a free consultation.