Sealing or expunging a criminal record in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach is a process that is conducted primarily by a Miami-Dade County criminal defense attorney. However, there are a few things that are required of the client:
APPLICATION
As I have discussed before, the application is the first step when sealing
or expunging a criminal record. If expunging your record, the application
must be submitted to the State Attorney's Office in the county in
which you were arrested. If sealing your record, the application can be
sent directly to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Click here to find out the differences between sealing and expunging your record.
This application, which I always provide to my clients, must be signed
and notarized by you, the applicant. You need only fill out Part A, or
the top half, of the application. You must sign it and notarize it. Make
sure the notary puts a stamp on it, not just a signature. You may get
your application notarized at your bank (usually free of charge), at a
Kinkos, PakMail, or UPS store for a small fee, or by a friend or family
member who is a notary. You may not notarize your own application.
FINGERPRINTS
In order to process your application, FDLE needs your fingerprints. They
will compare these fingerprints against a national database to ensure
that you are eligible to have your record sealed or expunged. If you are
in Miami-Dade County, your fingerprints can be taken at your local
Miami-Dade Police Department location.
Two Forms of ID are REQUIRED. One with picture. Expired IDs are NOT valid.
Must bring fingerprinting card
Cost: $5.00
Fingerprinting and background checks are provided Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.
- 5 p.m. at the locations listed below. Walk-ins are accepted; however,
appointments are recommended in order to reduce wait time.
If you live in Broward County, you may get your fingerprints taken through the
Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO), or through your city's police department. Call the number for
the BSO office that serves your area, or the police department for your city.
BSO District Offices:
Cooper City: (954) 432-9000
Dania Beach: (954) 926-2400
Lauderdale Lakes: (954) 497-1646
Weston, Southwest Ranches, West Broward: (954) 389-2010
North Broward area: (954) 786-2100
Parkland: (954) 753-5050
Pompano Beach: (954) 786-4200
Oakland Park: (954) 202-3131
Other Agencies:
Coconut Creek Public Safety: (954) 973-6700
Coral Springs Police Department: (954) 344-1828
Ft. Lauderdale Police Department: (954) 761-5630
Hallandale Police Department: (954) 457-1400
Hillsboro Police Department: (954) 427-6600
Hollywood Police Department: (954) 967-4481
Lighthouse Point Police Department: (954) 942-8080
Miramar Police Department (954) 431-4600
Pembroke Pines Police Department: (954) 431-2200
Plantation Police Department: (954) 797-2100
Sea Ranch Lakes Police Department: (954) 943-8860
Wilton Manors Police Department: (954) 390-2150
If you live in Palm Beach County, you may call the Fingerprinting Services
Bureau of the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) at (561) 686-4246
to find locations and to schedule appointments.
AFFIDAVIT
When an expungement or sealing application has been approved by FDLE and
a certificate of eligibility has been issued, it is time for your attorney
to file a petition with the court in which your case was disposed. In
order to properly file this petition, the attorney must attach an affidavit
which is signed and notarized by the client.
I provide all paperwork to my clients. All you need to do is sign and notarize
the application and affidavit, get the fingerprints taken, and return
all three documents (application, affidavit, and fingerprint card) to me.
It doesn't matter where you live. Many of my clients mail in their
papers to me from all over the world. You do not need to come to my office,
although I always welcome in-person visits from my clients.
I am a criminal defense attorney who handles numerous expungement and sealing
petitions in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach courts. I handle both
felony and misdemeanor petitions. It does not matter, so long as you are eligible.
Call me today to discuss sealing or expunging your criminal record.