Panama City Expungement Lawyer
Many productive, law-abiding individuals have made mistakes and have records related to criminal activity. Broadly defined, criminal records include documentation regarding an arrest, investigation, or court proceeding, or any official record of involvement with a law enforcement agency. In many cases, the documents are a matter of public record, meaning that anyone sufficiently motivated may access them. Criminal records often contain embarrassing or sensitive information that individuals justifiably would rather not be accessible to the public. In some cases, the mere existence of a record can result in personal stress, damage to your reputation and result in adverse consequences.
The good news is, in many cases, a criminal record can be expunged. Expungement is the legal process through which information regarding a criminal matter is removed from a person’s record. When a record is expunged, the public no longer has access to it, and governmental entities cannot view the record without a court order. Because the expungement process can be complicated, it is highly advisable for anyone seeking to have a record expunged to retain a Panama City criminal defense law firm as soon as possible.
How expungement can help you
There are many ways that expungement of a criminal record can improve a person’s life. Some of the things that may be significantly easier after an expungement include the following:
- Obtaining employment – More and more employers are requiring that job applicants submit to a full background check. In most circumstances, a person who has had their criminal record expunged is legally allowed to deny the existence of any record.
- Getting an apartment – Many landlords may be hesitant to rent to an individual with a criminal history. As a result, it may be significantly easier for a person whose record has been expunged to secure an apartment or other housing.
- Being approved for a loan – Some lenders believe that lending to a person with a criminal record involves a significant degree of risk. As a result, individuals with a criminal record often receive a much higher interest rate than people who do not have a record. In some cases, the existence of a criminal record may even result in an outright denial from a lender.
Some additional benefits of Expungement include:
- Your record is removed from government offices such as the Clerk’s Office, Local Law Enforcement Agencies, State Attorney’s Office.
- Your record is no longer a Public Record under Florida law.
- The State of Florida can no longer disseminate information pertaining to that record to private citizens or corporations.
- In most situations, you can lawfully deny that the arrest occurred.
In addition to these tangible benefits, having a criminal record expunged often gives a person significant peace of mind. When a criminal record exists, it could potentially be accessed by friends, family, coworkers, even potential romantic partners. Expungement can ensure that any record is highly restricted and not accessed by anyone who is simply curious about your past.
Contact a Panama City expungement attorney today to schedule a free consultation
A criminal record can cause significant problems in your day-to-day life. As a result, individuals who have a discoverable record of an arrest or conviction should discuss their options with an experienced expungement lawyer. Florida attorney Dana Morris has been practicing law for 22 years, has been a criminal lawyer for 12 years and has been a criminal defense attorney for 9 years. He works hard to secure the best possible outcome for each client he represents. He is qualified to handle a wide variety of criminal matters, from a probation violation in Panama City to serious violent crimes. To schedule a free consultation with Mr. Morris to discuss whether your charges can be expunged or sealed, please call our office today at (850) 257-5680 or send us an email through our contact form available online.