Verified by Licensed Bail Bond Professionals•Last updated: March 2026
Definition: The court-ordered process of physically destroying or sealing a criminal record so that it is no longer accessible to the general public. In Florida, expungement means the record is physically destroyed (not just sealed).
Category: Post-Case · Statute: F.S. 943.0585 · Source: Florida Legislature
Florida Statute 943.0585 — Expunction of Criminal History RecordsFlorida allows expungement of criminal records when charges were dropped, dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or when adjudication was withheld.
Eligibility for Expungement
- Charges were dropped or dismissed (never went to trial)
- You were acquitted (found not guilty)
- Adjudication was withheld and probation completed
- No prior expungements or sealings in Florida
- No current pending criminal charges
Expungement vs. Sealing
- Expungement — Record is physically destroyed. Only available for dismissed/acquitted cases.
- Sealing — Record still exists but is hidden from general public. Available for withheld adjudication cases.