Is it Possible to Seal a Felony Charge- Florida

[william1971]

What is the name of your state (FLORIDA)?

Within the State of Florida:

I currently have a felony charge for aggravated assault. I served 3 years Probation and fines for restitution. I finally completed my years of Probation and ready to put that whole thing behind me. I've been looking into sealing my record of the felony charge seeing how it was my first offense, but what I've come across hasn't been promising. I'm not certain on this but I believe I pleaded 'no contest' on all charges.

What I want to know is; can I have the felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor after I've served my sentence, If not - is it possible to expunge/seal my record of this charge? What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[FlyingRon]

No, there is no reduction, expungement, or sealing of adult CONVICTIONS.
Your only hope is a pardon/clemency order and that order need explicitly authorize the sealing as well. It doesn't matter how you pleaded, you were adjudicated guilty and you are not eligible for sealing/expunction on these or any other criminal history as a result.

 

[william1971]

Flying Ron: I think I'm just going to have to break down and speak with a lawyer and see what my options are. There's no way I can let this felony stay on my record. I'll write to legislature and have them write a new law if I have to.

 

[FlyingRon]

You can try with the legislature but I think that's a tough road. What incentive do they have to allow felons to dodge responsibility for their crimes?

Your better bet would be to try to petition the governor for a pardon. Agreed, a lawyer would be your best bet in drafting that.

 

[william1971]

You can try with the legislature but I think that's a tough road. What incentive do they have to allow felons to dodge responsibility for their crimes?

Your better bet would be to try to petition the governor for a pardon. Agreed, a lawyer would be your best bet in drafting that.

Well Flying Ron, I don't think this is a case of "dodging responsibility for my crime" as you put it, seeing as how I did serve my full sentence out to completion and paid my dues. It's more a question of, I'd like to move on with my life and do something with it without having something like a felony on my record limit me or hold me back from bettering myself.

I definitely need to speak to a lawyer!