01
Charges were dropped or you were found not guilty.
You may be able to expunge the record. We check how each charge ended and whether you meet the other rules. A dismissed case does not make every record private.
Pompano Beach Expungement & Record Sealing Lawyers
The case may be over. You still deserve to know what can be done about the record.
An old arrest on a job or housing check can bring back a problem you thought was behind you. Miller & Jacobs reviews whether your Florida record qualifies for relief and helps you seek it through the right process.
Discuss Your Record →Free consultation · 954-465-8733
Partner-led
Mr. Miller or Mr. Jacobs handles the matter
Pompano Beach
Office on South Federal Highway
Florida Bar since 1995
Both partners admitted in 1995
Free consultation
A conversation about your options
Find the answer you need
How your case ended matters.
Some Florida records qualify for sealing or expungement. We check the charge, the court’s final decision, your record history, and whether supervision has ended before recommending a path.
You do not need to know the legal term for the outcome. Start with the paperwork you have.
Prepare for the first call
Your case outcome
What we examine
02
The judge withheld adjudication.
This means the court did not formally convict you. Sealing may be an option, but some offenses remain barred even with a withhold. We review the plea, the charge, and proof that supervision ended.
03
You have a conviction or an earlier sealed record.
That history can rule out the usual court process. We check prior cases, including traffic crimes and cases from when you were a child. We then explain whether an exception or another form of relief may apply.
The charge name is only part of the answer.
Some guilty or no-contest pleas block relief even if the judge withheld adjudication.
Florida’s law lists those offenses.
We check both the charge and how the case ended.
If your case is still open, our
Pompano Beach criminal defense lawyers
can review the charge and explain how the outcome may affect your record.
You may have dealt with the case years ago. Having to explain it again can feel like starting over.
We take that concern seriously. The first step is to find out which records can be protected and what may still need to be disclosed.
Sealing and expungement offer different protection.
Both can limit public access to an eligible record. Neither is a promise that every trace of an arrest will disappear.
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Record sealing
The record is kept but access is restricted. Certain agencies can still see it for purposes allowed by law, including some employment and licensing checks.
Florida’s sealing law
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Record expungement
Criminal justice agencies generally destroy the covered record. FDLE keeps a confidential copy that requires a court order to release. Certain agencies may still learn that an expunged record exists.
Florida’s expungement lawThe steps toward a court order.
For the usual court-ordered process, FDLE first decides whether you may apply to the court. The judge then decides whether to grant the request.
01
Review the record
We confirm the case outcome and prior history, then identify the relief the law may allow.
02
Prepare the application
We assemble the required records and fingerprint form. Expungement also needs a certified statement from the prosecutor.
03
FDLE checks eligibility
FDLE reviews the complete packet. A certificate lets you petition the court; it does not itself seal or expunge the record.
04
Ask the court
We prepare the petition and sworn statement, serve the required parties, and address any objection or required hearing.
05
Check the follow-through
If relief is granted, we follow up on the certified order and explain record access, personal copies, and disclosure duties.
One deadline to protect: an FDLE certificate is valid for 12 months from issue. We track that date while preparing the court filing.
Broward forms & instructionsLet’s look at the record that concerns you.
Tell us where the case was filed, how it ended, and why it matters now. If a job or license application has a deadline, mention it when you call.
Missing a document? We can identify what you need.
Prefer to write?
Request a consultation.
Helpful for the first review
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Case number and final court paperwork
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Proof that probation or diversion ended
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Any earlier sealing or expungement order
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The background report or application at issue
Keep copies before a record becomes harder to obtain.
Speak with the team in Pompano Beach.
When Miller & Jacobs accepts your matter, Mr. Miller or Mr. Jacobs remains responsible for the representation. You can ask about the options, the cost, and what the work will cover.
Mark J. Miller
Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1995. His legal career includes work as an Assistant State Attorney.
Meet Mark
Rick S. Jacobs
Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1995. He served as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade.
Meet RickPompano Beach office: 1600 S Federal Highway, Suite 1101, Pompano Beach, FL 33062.
Questions about the record and what comes next.
The right answer depends on your full record and the type of relief involved. These are useful points to discuss in the first review.
How long does it take?
How long does it take?
Plan in months. FDLE currently describes a wait of about 12 weeks or longer for complete applications. Gathering records and the court stage add time. We check the current wait and your file before discussing timing. No lawyer can promise when an agency or judge will act.
What does sealing or expungement cost?
What does sealing or expungement cost?
The consultation is free. FDLE’s application fee is $75. Court processing, records, fingerprints, and attorney fees may add to the total. We discuss the scope and legal fee before you hire us. Ask what is included and what costs are separate.
FDLE application requirements
Can more than one arrest be cleared?
Can more than one arrest be cleared?
The usual court process covers one arrest or incident. A judge may include other arrests if they directly relate to it. A prior court order can limit a new request. Separate paths, such as some forms of juvenile relief, have their own rules. We check your prior orders before you choose which record to pursue.
What can I say on a job application afterward?
What can I say on a job application afterward?
Florida law often lets you deny a covered arrest after relief. There are exceptions. Some jobs and licenses still require you to report it. Examples include work in criminal justice, schools, and care settings, and admission to the Florida Bar. Show us the form so we can review the exact question.
Will the order remove a mugshot or online background report?
Will the order remove a mugshot or online background report?
It may not. Private websites and screening companies can keep earlier copies. A court order does not remove every online record. Save the report or web address. We can check who holds the information and explain what you may need to do next.
FDLE’s guidance on internet records
Can I apply without hiring a lawyer?
Can I apply without hiring a lawyer?
Yes. You can apply on your own. Broward’s State Attorney offers free help and holds workshops. A lawyer can review whether you qualify, find missing records, prepare your court papers, and address objections. We can explain what that work would involve in your case.