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Being accused of a crime you did not commit is one matter, but having a record of your wrongful arrest after you successfully contested the charges is another. If you are innocent of a crime, the law could entitle you to expunge any records related to your arrest or charge.
If you have questions about actual innocence expungement in Jacksonville, now is the right time to ask an attorney. You could have the opportunity to clear your criminal record if you meet the qualifications. At the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A., we can help you with every step of this process. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced expungement attorney today.
How Expungement Works
Expungement is a tool for clearing your record, but it is only available in cases where you have never been convicted. The state does not acknowledge actual innocence expungement, but you could be eligible to have your arrest records destroyed if you have never been convicted of a crime.
Expungement is a process where the government destroys certain entries in your criminal record. This includes any record related to an arrest for a charge you were ultimately found innocent of. While law enforcement can no longer access these records, there is a notation of the expungement.
This process differs from sealing, which is more likely to be available due to the lower eligibility thresholds. However, sealed records are only removed from public view and are still available to law enforcement.
There are strict eligibility requirements for expungement. You cannot have a criminal record, and you are not eligible if you have pled guilty or been convicted of the charge you hope to expunge. In addition, you are only allowed to clear your record one time through sealing or expungement. If you have gone through the expungement process before, whether in Jacksonville or elsewhere, you cannot do so again—even if you have an actual innocence claim.
Why Do I Have a Criminal Record if I Was Never Convicted?
A common misconception is that your criminal record only reflects charges for which you received a conviction. In reality, authorities make other notations long before the resolution of your case.
First, there is a record of your arrest(s). Law enforcement will note the date of the arrest as well as the specific charge. When a background check reveals that the authorities have charged you with a crime, it can leave a bad impression—even if you were never convicted.
Your record could also mention specific charges you faced despite never being arrested. When prospective employers note that you faced charges or prosecution for a criminal offense, it can limit your chances of being hired.
While not as damaging as having a conviction on your record, there are still consequences that come with the public knowing about arrests or charges. You could have the chance to clear your name through innocence-based expungement in Jacksonville.
Why Expungement Matters
Expunging an arrest in Jacksonville from your record due to factual innocence can be valuable in several ways. The most important benefit comes with having a clean record during background searches. This can improve your chances of being hired by a prospective employer while also avoiding potential rejection by a landlord.
Finally, you also gain the reassurance of knowing that should the public review your background, they will not find any evidence of the wrongful arrest.
Talk to a Lawyer in Jacksonville About Expungement Based on Innocence
Expunging your criminal record could change your life forever. If you are ready to pursue actual innocence expungement in Jacksonville, reach out right away to learn how we could help. Problems? Pick Porter!™