Florida Record Sealing & Expungement
Florida lets you seal (§ 943.059) or expunge (§ 943.0585) certain court records. Core eligibility: no prior convictions, you can do it only once in a lifetime, and the case must have had adjudication withheld — a conviction can't be sealed or expunged, which is why all DUIs are excluded. A statutory list of disqualified offenses (§ 943.0584), such as murder, sexual battery, and drug trafficking, can never be sealed or expunged even with no priors.
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
This is general information, not legal advice, and these eligibility rules can be amended — confirm the current law against the statutes and talk to a Florida attorney.
Florida lets you clear certain court records two ways: sealing (§ 943.059) and expunction (§ 943.0585).
Core eligibility
The same core rules apply to both:
- You must have no prior convictions — you’ve never been adjudicated guilty of any offense.
- You may do this only once in a lifetime.
- The case in question must have had adjudication withheld.
That last point is the heart of it: a conviction cannot be sealed or expunged. This is exactly why all DUIs are excluded — because § 316.656 bars any court from withholding adjudication for DUI, a DUI is always a conviction.
Disqualified offenses
Even with no priors, some offenses can never be sealed or expunged. Section 943.0584 lists them — for example murder, sexual battery, lewd offenses on minors, burglary of a dwelling, and drug trafficking. If your charge is on that list, sealing and expunction are off the table regardless of your record.
Sealing vs. expunction
Both limit who can see the record, but they work differently in how the record is treated. Which one fits depends on the disposition of your case, so it’s worth confirming with an attorney before you apply.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Who can seal or expunge a record in Florida?
- Generally, someone with no prior convictions whose case had adjudication withheld, and who has not previously sealed or expunged a record (§§ 943.059, 943.0585). It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
- Why can't a DUI be sealed or expunged in Florida?
- Sealing and expunction require that adjudication was withheld. Because § 316.656 bars any court from withholding adjudication for DUI, a DUI is always a conviction — and convictions can't be sealed or expunged.
- Are some offenses never eligible in Florida?
- Yes. A statutory list of disqualified offenses (§ 943.0584) — including murder, sexual battery, lewd offenses on minors, burglary of a dwelling, and drug trafficking — can never be sealed or expunged, even with no prior convictions.
Sources
Related guides
- Florida Assault & Battery Charges In Florida, assault (§ 784.011) is an intentional threat plus apparent ability that creates a well-founded fear of imminent violence — no contact required — and is a second-degree misdemeanor. Battery (§ 784.03) is actually touching or striking someone against their will, a first-degree misdemeanor. Aggravated assault (§ 784.021) with a deadly weapon is a third-degree felony, and aggravated battery (§ 784.045) is a second-degree felony.
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