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"The Second Chance Program aims to reintegrate individuals back into the community and help open doors to change lives"

If your criminal history record is ordered sealed you may lawfully deny the existence of the record, except when you are:

  • Applying for a job with a criminal justice agency,
  • A defendant in a criminal prosecution,
  • Applying for another sealing or expungement,
  • Applying for admission to the Florida Bar,
  • Seeking employment or licensing by the Department of Children and Family Services, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or in a sensitive position having direct contact with children, the developmentally disabled, the aged or the elderly,
  • Seeking employment or licensing with the Department of Education, any district school board, university laboratory school, charter school, any private or parochial school or any local governmental entity that licenses child care facilities,
  • Attempting to purchase a firearm and are subject to a criminal history background check, and
    Seeking authorization from a Florida seaport for employment within or access to one or more seaports.

Your sealed record is available only to you, your attorney, criminal justice agencies for their criminal justice purposes, judges in the state courts system for the purpose of assisting them in their case-related decision-making responsibilities, or any of the groups listed above when you apply for employment, licensing or access authorization.

When your criminal history record has been ordered expunged, it may be lawfully denied, with the exception of the same circumstances listed above (except number 7). A record that has been ordered expunged is to be physically destroyed or obliterated (except for the record held by FDLE) and is not available to anyone without a court order, even you.

Remember – you are only permitted to have one criminal history record sealed or expunged in your lifetime, so make your choice carefully.

If you have any additional questions contact our Community Outreach Division at 305-547-0724.