What is the clean slate law in Florida?
Asked by: Jarod Johns PhD | Last update: March 9, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (30 votes)
The Clean Slate Initiative passes and implements laws that automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free, and expands who is eligible for clearance.
What is the Clean Slate Act in Florida?
The idea behind “clean slate,” is that if someone who has committed a low-level, non-violent crime can stay crime free for a period of time, his/her record is automatically sealed. Law enforcement and regulatory authorities will still have access to the records.
What crimes can be expunged in Florida?
Felonies Eligible for Expungement in Florida
Common ones include grand theft (3rd degree), possession of controlled substances, and certain types of fraud. Certain Drug Offenses: First-time drug possession offenses can often be expunged, especially if you've completed a drug court program.
Does your criminal record clear after 7 years in Florida?
No, felonies in Florida do not automatically disappear after 7 years. Criminal records, including felonies, remain part of your public record unless they are sealed or expunged.
What is the Clean Slate Act of 2024?
The Clean Slate Act, launching by the end of 2024, will allow eligible individuals to have their criminal records sealed, promoting personal growth. To mark its rollout, I am hosting a Clean Slate Panel and Free Clinic on November 16, 2024 (12pm-5pm), at City College.
Clean Slate Florida Interview
What is the clean slate rule?
The clean-slate rule is a legal doctrine in criminal procedure that allows for the retrial of a defendant who appealed and obtained a reversal of an earlier conviction. This means that the double-jeopardy prohibition, which prevents a person from being tried twice for the same crime, does not apply in this situation.
How long does a felony stay on record?
In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years in Florida?
Florida has no laws limiting how far back an employer can seek criminal convictions in a candidate's past. However, the state does abide by national laws, including the FCRA. The FCRA's Seven-Year Rule mandates that arrests not be reported for more than seven years on any background check.
Does Florida follow the 7 year rule?
Before 1998, the FCRA also prohibited Consumer Reporting Agencies from reporting criminal convictions that were more than seven years old. That restriction has since been eliminated. The FCRA's time limits also do not apply to education or employment information.
Can a felon buy a house in Florida?
Yes, convicted felons can own property. Federal laws do not prevent felons from doing so.
How much does it cost to get a record expunged in Florida?
An expungement in Florida typically costs around $995, but can vary depending on attorney fees and the complexity of your case.
Will my expunged record show up on a background check in Florida?
In Florida, an expunged record should not show up for anyone, such as during background checks performed by private employers, landlords, and other non-exempt businesses. But law enforcement officers, some licensing boards, and federal organizations may still have access to your records sealed or expunged.
Will a sealed record show up on a gun background check?
FBI for background checks related to firearms. Courts can still access your sealed convictions and may count them for the purpose of sentence enhancement or for establishing the elements of a subsequent crime.
What Cannot be expunged in Florida?
There are specific crimes that cannot be expunged in Florida. These include: Violent Crimes: Crimes such as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and assault are not eligible for expungement. Sexual Offenses: Sexual offenses, including sexual battery, child molestation, and child pornography, cannot be expunged.
Which states are clean slate states?
Currently, 12 states have enacted some form of Clean Slate Law: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware , Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia. Advocacy groups are lobbying to add the remaining states.
What is the Clean Needle Act in Florida?
On June 27, 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) that allows county commissions to authorize sterile needle and syringe exchange programs for people who inject drugs. Disease prevention must be the goal of every exchange program.
Do felonies go away after 7 years in Florida?
A felony conviction in Florida will typically remain on your record indefinitely. It does not automatically disappear or “fall off” after a certain period. However, under certain conditions, you may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged, which can hide or remove the conviction from public view.
What is the 183 rule in Florida?
Establishing Florida Residency for Tax Purposes
To become a Florida resident for taxes, you must: Reside in Florida for 183 days per calendar year. Maintain a physical presence in Florida most of the year. Have a stronger tie to Florida than the previous state.
What is a red flag on a background check?
A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.
Do felonies go away after 7 years?
Felonies stay on your criminal record for the rest of your life. However, if you seek expungement, it is possible to clear your record of the offense.
How long are you considered a felon in Florida?
Our experienced criminal defense attorney will build a strategic defense strategy for your case. If you have been adjudicated guilty of a felony in the state of Florida, the felony will likely remain on your record permanently unless you ask your governor for clemency to restore some of your rights.
How to expunge your record in Florida for free?
- Step 1: Obtaining and Completing the Application. ...
- Step 2: Submit Application to the State Attorney's Office. ...
- Step 3: Submit completed application to FDLE. ...
- Step 4: Complete and File a “Petition and Affidavit to Expunge or Seal” ...
- Step 5: Filing the Petition.
Is a felony on your record for life?
A felony will stay on your record forever in California unless you choose to take action and get the conviction removed. This is called the “expungement process” and generally requires the help of a legal representative to get underway. Rather than the federal courts, state courts handle the expungement process.
Do federal felonies show up on background checks?
The federal employment background check process is conducted using the PACER database. PACER provides public access to more than one billion documents in federal courts. When conducting federal background checks, the results may include federal felony and misdemeanor convictions across all federal district courts.
How long do most convictions stay on your record?
Simply stated, a misdemeanor conviction will stay on a person's record for the rest of their life. With that said, an option people have to remove the misdemeanor from their record is more formerly known as expungement.