Proving your innocence after facing criminal charges can be a long, difficult road. Some people wait for years to be heard at trial. While having these charges dismissed or securing an acquittal means the threat of a conviction is gone, there are still aspects of your criminal history that can follow you for years to come.
Much of your criminal history remains part of the permanent record, even after an acquittal. The good news is that expungement could be an answer for you. If you have questions about actual innocence expungement in St. Petersburg, contact a dedicated criminal attorney today to learn more about your options.
Expungement is the process of removing public access to a criminal record. It is typically done in Florida after a person is acquitted or if their charges were dropped.
An expunged record does not mean a person’s criminal history is deleted or erased. Instead, public access is limited to those records in most cases. This includes access not only by the public but also by some law enforcement agencies. In most situations, expunged records are only accessible through a court order. This is different than the process of sealing records, which are out of view of the public eye but available to law enforcement without court intervention.
There are some limitations on the ability to expunge a criminal record. This includes serious offenses like kidnapping and homicide. The good news is that if your actual innocence led to an acquittal, you could be eligible for expungement in St. Petersburg. This is true even for the most serious of offenses.
Most people do not realize that every criminal case is part of the public record—even when someone is found not guilty or has their charges dropped. Under Florida law, the public has permanent access to certain records involving arrests and prosecution unless they are sealed or expunged. That means even if a defendant was acquitted at trial, there is more work to do to clear their name.
An individual’s criminal history begins the moment they are arrested, fingerprinted, and charged with a crime. From that point on, the state will update those records depending on how the case turns out. Unfortunately, they will remain open to the public even after a dismissal of all charges or a victory at trial.
The good news is that anyone in this situation may have the opportunity to have those records expunged. It is worth noting that an individual can generally expunge only one criminal charge in Florida during their lifetime. There is an exception that allows for multiple charges when they all stem from the same incident. This prohibition remains in place for people seeking an expungement in St. Petersburg due to their innocence.
If you were acquitted of a charge or had your case dismissed, there are steps you can take to clear your name. Actual innocence expungement in St. Petersburg can be a complex process, but the results are always worth it. Instead of leaving this information out in the open, let a skilled attorney help you take steps to clear your name.