Am I Able to Expunge my Florida Child Abuse Arrest?

A child abuse arrest can drastically affect an individual’s employment opportunities, housing options, personal reputation, and criminal record. If you have been arrested for child abuse in Florida but were not convicted, you may potentially be eligible to have your arrest record expunged. 

Consulting with a top expungement lawyer in Florida with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan can help you learn if expungement is an available possibility for you.

Can a Child Abuse Arrest Be Expunged in Florida?

In Florida courts, the ability to expunge a child abuse arrest depends on several factors, primarily the final disposition of the case. If the charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in an acquittal, you may be eligible to have the arrest record expunged. However, if you were convicted of the offense, expungement is generally not an available option.

The law additionally prohibits the expungement or sealing of certain serious offenses, including those that involve violence or harm to children. However, if your case was resolved without a plea or conviction and meets the state eligibility criteria, expungement may still be a possibility.

Eligibility Requirements for Expunging a Child Abuse Arrest

To qualify for expungement in Florida, you must meet specific eligibility requirements, including:

• The case must have been dropped, dismissed, or resulted in a not-guilty verdict.
• You must not have been convicted of the offense or pled guilty or no contest.
• You must not have any prior criminal convictions on your record.
• You must not have previously had a record sealed or expunged in Florida (except for certain juvenile records).
• The offense must not be classified as ineligible for expungement under Florida law.

A review of your case by an experienced expungement attorney in Florida with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan can help determine whether you qualify for expungement under these criteria.

The Expungement Process for a Florida Child Abuse Arrest

If you meet the eligibility requirements, the expungement process involves several steps:

1. You must first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This will require you to submit fingerprints, pay a processing fee, and provide all documentation related to your case.
2. Once the FDLE approves your application, you must file a petition for expungement with the court that originally handled your case. This includes providing the court with supporting documents and an affidavit confirming your eligibility.
3. The court will proceed to review your petition, and in some cases, require a hearing. If the prosecution does not object and you meet all legal requirements, the court will likely grant the petition.
4. Once your expungement is approved, the record will be removed from public access.

Contact Attorney Tim Sullivan for More Details About Expungement

Attorney Timothy F. Sullivan is the number one expungement lawyer in Florida. He has extensive experience handling expungement cases in Florida and can provide the legal guidance needed to help you get your record cleared, if possible

If you were wrongly charged with child abuse, you should be represented by the best Florida expungement attorneys. To receive a complimentary case consultation, do not hesitate to call our office at (727) 291-9717.