Can a Juvenile Record Be Expunged in Florida?

Yes, a Florida juvenile record may be expunged if the offense meets the eligibility requirements, the juvenile has completed any required diversion program or sentence, and there are no disqualifying convictions.

Florida law allows juveniles who were arrested, adjudicated delinquent, or participated in diversion programs to petition the court to seal or expunge their records under specific circumstances. Expungement removes the record from public view, allowing the person to lawfully deny that the arrest or adjudication occurred. Sealing restricts access but does not eliminate the record entirely.

Lopez Law Group helps families in St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and throughout Pinellas and Manatee County navigate Florida’s juvenile expungement process, determine eligibility, and file petitions with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and circuit courts. Early action protects young people from background check barriers that affect employment, education, housing, and military service.

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Key Takeaways for Juvenile Record Expungement in Florida

• Juvenile records in Florida do not automatically disappear at age 18 and may appear on background checks for employment, housing, and education unless sealed or expunged
• Florida allows expungement for juvenile arrests without conviction, diversion programs like civil citations, and certain adjudications of delinquency if no disqualifying adult convictions exist
• The expungement process requires filing a petition with the circuit court, obtaining a certificate of eligibility from FDLE, and paying filing fees
• Expunged juvenile records are physically destroyed and removed from public databases, while sealed records remain accessible to certain government agencies and law enforcement
• Call Lopez Law Group at (727) 933-0015 if you need guidance on juvenile expungement in St. Petersburg or Bradenton

What Is Juvenile Record Expungement in Florida?

Juvenile record expungement in Florida means the physical destruction and removal of arrest records, court records, and related documentation from public view and government databases. Florida Statute § 943.0582 governs expungement for juvenile diversion programs, while Florida Statute § 943.0585 covers expungement of criminal history records for arrests that did not result in conviction.

Once a juvenile record is expunged, the person may lawfully deny the arrest, adjudication, or program participation occurred, except when applying for certain government positions or professional licenses that require full disclosure.

Expungement differs from sealing. Sealing restricts public access to records but allows law enforcement, courts, and certain government agencies to view them.

Who Is Eligible for Juvenile Expungement in Florida?

Eligibility for juvenile expungement in Florida depends on the type of offense, the disposition of the case, and the person’s criminal history after the juvenile incident. The following must be true to be eligible:

• Completion of diversion program or sentence. Juveniles must complete all terms of their diversion program, probation, community service, restitution payments, and any other court-ordered sanctions before filing for expungement.
• No disqualifying adult convictions may exist. Florida law prohibits expungement if the person was convicted as an adult of a felony or certain misdemeanors after the juvenile offense. A single adult conviction might disqualify the person permanently.
• No pending criminal charges may exist at the time of filing. The petitioner must have no open criminal cases, active warrants, or pending charges in any jurisdiction when they file the expungement petition.

Juveniles seeking expungement of an arrest without conviction must wait at least six months after the case disposition. Juveniles seeking expungement of an adjudication after sealing must wait the statutory period required under Florida law.

What Is the Process to Expunge a Juvenile Record in Florida?

After the waiting period has elapsed and you determine that your record is eligible for expungement, you can begin the process.

The process to expunge a juvenile record in Florida involves multiple steps, filings with FDLE and the circuit court, and compliance with strict procedural requirements:

• Obtain a certified disposition from the clerk of court showing the final outcome of the case
• Apply for a certificate of eligibility from the FDLE
• File a petition for expungement with the circuit court
• Serve notice on required parties, including the state attorney’s office, arresting agency, and any other agencies listed in the petition
• Attend the hearing if the court schedules one
• Obtain the order of expungement from the judge, if granted

Your juvenile expungement lawyer can handle this process for you, gathering necessary documentation, filing petitions, and serving the correct parties.

Does a Juvenile Record Go Away at Age 18 in Florida?

No, juvenile records in Florida do not automatically disappear when the person turns 18. Florida Statute § 943.053 requires FDLE to maintain juvenile criminal history records and make them available to law enforcement, courts, and authorized agencies.

Juvenile arrest records, adjudications of delinquency, and diversion program records remain in FDLE’s database and local law enforcement systems unless sealed or expunged through the legal process. Background checks conducted by employers, landlords, colleges, and military recruiters may reveal juvenile records even years after the person reaches adulthood.

This misconception that juvenile records “go away at 18” causes serious problems for young adults who apply for jobs, college admissions, housing, or military service without realizing their juvenile history remains visible.

Automatic Expungement at Age 21 and 26

Florida law provides for automatic expungement of certain eligible juvenile records at age 21, or at age 26 if the juvenile was committed to a correctional facility, subject to certain eligibility conditions. While automatic, this process can be supplemented by filing an early petition for expungement to clear records sooner and avoid potential barriers.

Do Juvenile Records Show Up on Background Checks in Florida?

Yes, juvenile records in Florida might show up on background checks depending on the type of check conducted and the status of the record:

Fingerprint-based background checks conducted through FDLE or the FBI show juvenile arrests, adjudications, and diversion programs unless the record has been sealed or expunged. These checks are required for jobs in education, healthcare, childcare, law enforcement, and positions requiring professional licenses.

Commercial background checks conducted by private companies may show juvenile records if the company purchases data from court records, arrest logs, or other public sources. Florida law restricts public access to juvenile records, but private databases sometimes compile information before restrictions take effect.

Name-based background checks are less likely to reveal juvenile records because they rely on publicly available databases that exclude confidential juvenile information. However, if a juvenile was charged as an adult or if the record was inadvertently made public, name-based checks might reveal the information.

Do Sealed Juvenile Records Show Up on Background Checks in Florida?

Sealed juvenile records do not appear on most employer background checks, but they remain visible to law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, judges, and certain government agencies.

Employers who conduct fingerprint-based background checks through FDLE receive results that exclude sealed records, protecting applicants from disclosure during the hiring process. However, jobs requiring high-level security clearances, positions with law enforcement agencies, or applications for professional licenses in fields like law or medicine might require disclosure of sealed records even though they don’t appear on standard background checks.

Expungement provides stronger protection than sealing because expunged records are physically destroyed rather than merely restricted.

Will Expunging a Juvenile Record Help with Jobs or College Applications in Florida?

Yes, expunging a juvenile record in Florida removes barriers to employment, college admissions, housing, and military service by eliminating the record from background checks and allowing the person to lawfully deny the incident occurred:

Employment applications often ask whether the applicant has been arrested or convicted of a crime. Once a juvenile record is expunged, the person may answer “no” to these questions. Employers who conduct fingerprint-based background checks through FDLE will not see expunged records.

College and university admissions require disclosure of criminal history on applications, and juvenile records might disqualify applicants from scholarships, financial aid, or competitive programs. Expungement allows applicants to present themselves without the stigma of a juvenile offense.

Professional licensing in Florida requires background checks for licenses in law, medicine, nursing, teaching, real estate, and other fields. Juvenile records might delay or prevent licensure even if the offense occurred years earlier.

Military service requires extensive background checks, and juvenile records might affect security clearances, officer commissions, or eligibility for certain military occupational specialties.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Expunge a Juvenile Record in Florida?

No, Florida law does not require a lawyer to expunge a juvenile record, but legal representation significantly improves the chances of success and reduces the time and stress involved.

The expungement process requires accurate completion of FDLE applications, proper drafting of the expungement petition that complies with Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, service of process on all required parties, response to objections if filed, and representation at hearings if the judge schedules one.

Lopez Law Group handles juvenile expungement cases in Pinellas and Manatee County, reviews criminal history to confirm eligibility, prepares and files all required paperwork, and represents clients at hearings. We identify potential disqualifiers before filing and help them explore alternative options.

FAQ for Juvenile Record Expungement in Florida

Can a Juvenile Felony Be Expunged in Florida?

Maybe. Some juvenile felonies might be expunged if the juvenile was not adjudicated delinquent or completed a diversion program and has no disqualifying adult convictions. Violent felonies like murder, sexual battery, robbery, and aggravated assault might be ineligible for expungement even if other eligibility criteria are met.

Can I Expunge Multiple Juvenile Offenses in Florida?

Yes, Florida law allows expungement of multiple juvenile offenses if each offense meets eligibility requirements and the person has no disqualifying adult convictions. Each offense requires a separate petition, FDLE application, and court filing.

What Happens if My Juvenile Expungement Petition Is Denied in Florida?

If the court denies a juvenile expungement petition, the petitioner may appeal the decision, refile after addressing the reasons for denial, or explore sealing as an alternative. Common reasons for denial include disqualifying adult convictions, pending charges, incomplete documentation, or ineligible offenses.

What Happens to Juvenile Records if I Move Out of Florida?

Juvenile records in Florida remain in FDLE’s database even if you move to another state, and they may appear on FBI background checks conducted by employers, landlords, or licensing agencies nationwide. Florida expungement removes the record from FDLE’s system and directs the FBI to update their database, but processing delays might cause the record to appear temporarily on federal background checks for several months after expungement.

Can Employers in Florida See My Juvenile Record if I Don’t Tell Them About It?

Yes, employers who conduct fingerprint-based background checks through FDLE or use private background check companies that access court records may discover your juvenile record even if you don’t disclose it. Florida law requires disclosure of criminal history for certain jobs in education, healthcare, finance, and positions working with children or vulnerable adults, and failing to disclose a known juvenile record when required might result in termination or denial of employment.

Protect Your Future with Juvenile Record Expungement

Juvenile records in Florida create barriers to employment, education, housing, and military service that follow young people into adulthood. Expungement removes these barriers by physically destroying the record and allowing lawful denial of the arrest or adjudication.

Lopez Law Group offers free, confidential consultations for juvenile expungement matters in St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and throughout Pinellas and Manatee County. We review criminal history, determine eligibility, handle FDLE applications and court filings, and represent clients at hearings.

Call (727) 933-0015 to speak with a Florida criminal defense attorney who understands juvenile expungement and the steps required to clear your record.

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