Attorney Eric J Dirga, PA
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Expungement Jurisdiction Issues
Where to File the Petition Typically, there are no issues with where to file a petition to seal or expunge. An arrest was made in the same county where the charges were brought. The charges listed for the arrest were…
Read MoreFlorida Expungements and Predicate Sexual Offenses
In 2007 additional language was added to Florida’s expungement and sealing statutes that prohibited all sexually motivate offenses from qualification.
Read MoreFlorida’s Lawful Self-Defense Expungement
In recent years, Florida has added a couple more types of expungements to the current laws. These are the Human Trafficking Expungement, meant to address crimes committed by people who were being “trafficked” against their will, and the Lawful Self-Defense…
Read MoreCriminal Records Do Not Go Away On Their Own
There is a misconception that Florida criminal records go away after a specific time. This is incorrect. This belief is based, not on the fact that the record has disappeared – which it hasn’t, but that certain employment background checks…
Read MoreArrested When Visiting Florida
Florida had over 113 million visitors in 2016. That’s a lot (considering the state’s population is just under 21 million). Unfortunately, not everyone who visited returned home without first being arrested. I have been a criminal defense lawyer since 1995…
Read MoreHow Long Does a Florida Expungement Take
One of the most often asked questions regarding a Florida expungement or sealing is “how long does it take to complete?” The quick answer today is anywhere between 8-12 months or longer*, and I’ll explain why below. *As of August…
Read MoreAlternative Methods of Sealing Records
Many people desperately seek any method to seal their court records once it is determined that they no longer qualify to have their arrest record sealed or expunged by the typical means (sections 943.0585 and 943.059, Florida Statutes). This naturally…
Read MoreAn Arrest, A Background Check, Your Job
Unfortunately, people often find themselves wondering what impact a recent arrest will have on their current or future employment. This usually occurs soon after the arrest occurs or, if young, years later when the impact is felt. An “arrest” is…
Read MoreMisconceptions About Expungements
I wrote this post because of the misconceptions people have regarding an expunged (or sealed) record in Florida. This has led to a lot of confusion about these statutes. The first thing we need to define is what a “record”…
Read MoreYour Criminal Record and Your Job
A lot of people are concerned about how a criminal history record will affect them as it relates to their employment. Can they be fired, will they lose the promotion, what can they do to hide their criminal record from…
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