Removing the Past
for a Better Tomorrow.

If you have been arrested in Ft Myers or have a criminal record in Lee County, Florida, you must petition the court within the county for a criminal arrest record expungement or sealing. This is the first and most important step to removing that black mark from your past.

Attorney Eric J. Dirga has over 25 years experience with Florida expungements. Today he focuses his practice primarily on criminal arrest record expunging and sealing. He is dedicated to helping people get a second chance.

⚖ Ft. Myers Record Expungement Attorney

I have represented people seeking record expungements and sealings in Ft. Myers and all of Lee County since 2002. The courts usually require a hearing for petitions to Seal or Expunge. Today with the wide use of video/remote hearings these hearings are much easier. Hopefully, they will continue to utilize these great tools.

Find out if your Lee County arrest record qualifies to be sealed or expunged.

When I represent you for your record expungement or sealing, I will try to make it as easy for you as possible. I will do the following:

• Prepare all documentation
• Obtain all necessary records to expunge record
• Submit necessary application and documents
• Answer all questions from FDLE (if any)
• Prepare the petition, affidavits, and orders to expunge record
• Serve all necessary parties
• File the petition and necessary documentation to expunge record
• Answer all objections from SAO (if any)
• Represent you in court

All you have to do is:

• Notarize three documents, and
• obtain your fingerprints.

The cost for this service comprises the legal fee, the costs to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and to the Clerk of Court. You can find a breakdown of all the expungement fees and costs on my website.

The Benefits of an Expunged or Sealed Record in Lee County

Florida law provides many benefits for people who have their criminal record sealed or expunged. A criminal arrest record expungement or sealing destroys/removes official government records referring to your arrest from the public record. The public will no longer have access to your arrest information from online government sources, such as the Clerk of Court or Law Enforcement Agencies.

Additionally, private companies that sell public information will purge this information from their databases once they realize it is no longer a public record. This can be facilitated through notification or simply the passing of time.

You will have the legal ability to deny the arrest occurred. There are a few exceptions to this but this ability is one of the most powerful. Backing this up with a certified letter from the Clerk of Court indicating that no record exists is all that you should need.

Learn more specific information about ⚖ Florida Record Expungement.

Main entrance for Courthouse in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Lee County Government Offices

Government offices in Lee County, Florida, that maintain arrest record data and would be required to seal or destroy their records upon the granting of a record expungement or sealing.

Lee County Clerk of Court is located inside Courthouse.

Local Law Enforcement Agencies in Lee County

Lee County Law Enforcement Agencies that keep arrest record information. All Sheriff’s Offices maintain arrest data from all county arrests including their own.

If a Hearing is Required

Lee County typically requires a hearing as just a matter of procedure. Since Covid, hearings have been remote using ZOOM or Zoom-like services. This saves everyone time and money. Hopefully, the Lee County courts continue to utilize this great tool in the future.

If an in-person hearing is required, I encourage you to attend if you are within driving distance. If you are not, I may be able to appear without you and get this done. Regardless, I will discuss your options with you beforehand.

Lee County Courthouse Location

There is a paid parking lot for the courthouse directly south of its southern entrance. To the east is an area of shops and dining establishments which has 2-hour free parking. If you plan on trying to park for free, plan on enough time to find a spot and walking. If you think you will be there longer than two-hours, avoid the zip-parking spots.

For More Information About Our Representation

List of our other ⚖ Expungement Locations.