Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

In 2007, I got a ticket at Panama City Beach, FL for minor in possession of alcohol. At the time, I did not thing anything big about it and paid the ticket; however, I did not realize that it was a second degree misdemeanor. The result of this ticket was Adjudication Withheld. In 2009, I got a misdemeanor Battery charge in Okaloosa County, FL and got a lawyer, and the result was Adjudication Withheld. I am currently trying to get into medical school, and I was wondering if I could get these sealed or expunged, or if it would matter? Thanks


Asked on 5/01/11, 8:31 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

You can get one of them sealed but not both because the law only allows one incident to be sealed. Since they are misdemeanors, it "shouldn't" mean that you wouldn't be able to get a medical license, but even if you get either sealed, you MUST disclose it anyway. It's still a good idea to get one sealed. It is strictly up to you which one you decide to seal, but from an employer standpoint and not as legal advice, I would probably choose the battery charge to be sealed. Contact an attorney in the county where you are doing the sealing and they should be able to better advise you.

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Answered on 5/02/11, 6:31 am
Karen Kilpatrick http://www.ExpungeRecordFlorida.com

Yes, it sounds like you are eligible to seal one of the records at this juncture. On July 1, the Florida legislature is considering enacting an amendment to the record sealing and expungement statutes that will allow you to seal more than one record, under certain circumstances. So there is a possibility in the near future that both can be sealed. Even though you may have to reveal the existence of a sealed record under certain circumstances (for example, to become a licensed doctor in the future), at least they will no longer be public record that anyone can see, which is a benefit in and of itself to protect your public reputation. Please feel free to visit my site www.ExpungeRecordFlorida.com for more information.

Good luck

Karen

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Answered on 5/02/11, 7:29 am


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