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Sealing and Expungement Attorney Serving Bartow, Lakeland, and Central Florida
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Lakeland Sealing and Expungement Lawyer - Criminal Law
Experienced attorney providing Criminal Record Sealing and Expungement Legal Services in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, Polk County, and the greater Central Florida area.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule a Free Consultation with sealing and expungement lawyer, Robert A. Norgard.
A past arrest or criminal charge does not have to dictate the rest of your life. However, many people mistakenly believe that if their charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in a "withhold of adjudication," their criminal record automatically disappears. In Florida, the reality is that any interaction with law enforcement creates a permanent, public digital footprint. This background information is easily accessible to employers, landlords, banks, and professional licensing boards in Lakeland, Bartow, and across the state.
An accessible criminal record can severely restrict your employment prospects, housing opportunities, and financial security. Fortunately, Florida law provides a legal path to clear your name and restrict public access to your past. At the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard, based in Bartow, Florida, we provide comprehensive, precise legal representation to help individuals successfully navigate the complex processes of criminal record sealing and expungement throughout Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, and all of Polk County.
Petitioning to clear a criminal record requires a flawless understanding of Florida's strict statutory criteria. The paperwork and administrative steps are highly meticulous, and a single procedural error can result in an immediate denial by the state, forcing you to restart a multi-month process from scratch.
Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer
Elite Representation for a Clean Slate: Attorney Robert A. Norgard has practiced criminal law in Florida for more than 40 years. He has been Board-Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 1995—a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of all practicing lawyers in the state.
Our firm brings exceptional insight to the record-clearing process. We know exactly how state prosecutors evaluate these petitions, how the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) processes applications, and how to present a compelling case to local judges to ensure your petition is granted.
While both sealing and expunging a record remove your history from public view, they are governed by distinct statutory requirements and apply to different case outcomes. It is critical to understand these legal mechanisms under Florida Statutes § 943.0585 (Expungement) and § 943.059 (Sealing).
Criminal Record Expungement (F.S. § 943.0585)
Expungement results in the physical destruction of your criminal history records by the arresting law enforcement agency, the booking facility, and the clerk of the court. The only entity that retains a highly secure, confidential copy of the record is the FDLE.
- Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for a statutory expungement, your criminal charges must have been completely dismissed by a judge, dropped by the prosecutor (Nolle Prosequi), or resulted in an acquittal (a "Not Guilty" verdict at trial).
- The Primary Benefit: Once your record is successfully expunged, you can lawfully deny the arrest, charge, or incident ever occurred in almost all standard employment, housing, and personal scenarios.
Criminal Record Sealing (F.S. § 943.059)
Sealing does not physically destroy the criminal record, but it closes it off from public view, rendering it completely confidential and secure. The general public, online data miners, and private background check companies will no longer have access to it.
- Eligibility Requirements: You typically qualify to seal a record if you entered a plea of guilty or no contest (nolo contendere) and the presiding judge formally entered a Withhold of Adjudication—meaning the court opted to place you on supervision or impose a fine without formally convicting you of the crime.
- The Primary Benefit: Like expungement, a sealed record allows you to lawfully deny the incident occurred on most standard applications. However, certain government agencies, law enforcement entities, and specialized licensing boards (such as those governing education, healthcare, or firearms) will still retain internal access to the sealed file.
The Lifetime Limit Rule: Under Florida law, an individual is generally permitted to seal or expunge a criminal record only once in a lifetime. Because you only get one opportunity to clear your background, choosing the correct charge to target and executing the petition flawlessly is absolutely critical.
It is vital to note that Florida law explicitly prohibits certain offenses from ever being sealed or expunged, even if the judge withheld adjudication. If you were charged with or pleaded to any of the following offenses, the record must remain public under current Florida statutes:
- Sexual battery or any sexual misconduct offenses involving minors.
- Arson, carjacking, home invasion robbery, or kidnapping.
- Aggravated assault, aggravated battery, or stalking.
- Burglary of a dwelling (a residential home).
- Domestic violence offenses resulting in an adjudication of guilt.
Crucially, you cannot have any formal criminal convictions (adjudications of guilt) on your record for any offense—in Florida or any other state—to be eligible to seal or expunge a separate eligible charge. If you have been convicted of a simple misdemeanor driving offense or a minor theft, you are permanently disqualified from clearing any other part of your record. Our legal team will thoroughly audit your entire multi-state background to confirm your absolute eligibility before you spend time and money on a petition.
The legal pathway to a clean record is an unforgiving, administrative process that routinely takes between six and twelve months to complete. Retaining an experienced criminal defense firm ensures your case is handled efficiently and successfully at every phase:
- Securing the FDLE Certificate of Eligibility: The first phase requires obtaining an official certificate from the FDLE in Tallahassee. This involves submitting perfectly executed fingerprint cards, certified court dispositions from the Polk County Clerk of Courts, and a precise, notarized application. Mistakes or omissions here are the primary cause of multi-month state delays.
- Obtaining State Attorney Clearance: For an expungement, the specialized application must be formally reviewed and signed off by the Office of the State Attorney in the circuit where the arrest occurred. Our long-standing professional relationships within the Central Florida legal community help ensure this phase is navigated smoothly.
- Filing the Formal Petition and Proving Your Case: Once the certificate is secured, we file a formal Petition to Seal or Expunge with the court. While many petitions are granted electronically, prosecutors hold the legal right to file an objection, and judges retain ultimate discretionary power to deny the request. If an objection is filed, Attorney Robert A. Norgard will appear in court to argue aggressively that clearing your record is in the absolute interest of justice.
The long-term advantages of a sealed or expunged criminal record—restored peace of mind, unlocked career opportunities, and a completely restored public reputation—are too valuable to leave to chance or procedural errors.
Let our veteran legal team manage the entire process for you, avoiding the bureaucratic traps and securing your fresh start. Contact the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard today to schedule your free, completely confidential consultation. We are ready to review your eligibility at our office in Bartow, or we can assist you directly over the phone.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule your Free Consultation with Lakeland criminal record sealing and expungement defense attorney, Robert A. Norgard.
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