How Long Do Criminal Charges Stay on Your Record in Florida?

By Jonathan Blecher on September 3, 2025

Facing criminal charges in Florida can be overwhelming, and one of the biggest concerns many people have is whether those charges will follow them for the rest of their lives. The truth is, criminal records can have a lasting impact on nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, from job opportunities to housing, even long after a case has been resolved. Understanding how long criminal charges stay on your record in Florida, and what steps you may be able to take to remove or limit access to them, is crucial for protecting your future.

Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A., a seasoned Florida criminal defense attorney, has spent decades helping clients navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. Whether you are facing DUI charges, a felony conviction, or trying to determine if your record can be sealed or expunged, having the right legal guidance can make all the difference.

How Criminal Charges Work Under Florida Law

In Florida, a criminal record encompasses more than just convictions; it can also include arrests, dismissed charges, plea bargains, and other outcomes. Even if you weren’t found guilty, the charge may still appear on background checks by employers, landlords, or government agencies. Unlike traffic violations that eventually fall off a driving record, criminal offenses in Florida remain unless you take formal legal action to have them sealed or expunged.

The Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies on Your Record

The duration and effect of criminal charges on your record often depend on the severity of the charge.

Misdemeanors

Crimes like petit theft, first-degree misdemeanors such as simple battery, or a first DUI conviction, can stay on your record permanently unless sealed or expunged. Although misdemeanor charges may not carry the same penalties as felony charges, they can still affect background checks and employment opportunities.

Felonies

Felony convictions, including capital felony cases, sexual misconduct charges, and certain crimes involving moral turpitude, are generally much harder to remove. Once convicted of a felony, the record in Florida is often permanent. Felony convictions can also affect your ability to obtain professional licenses, qualify for government positions, and may result in a suspension of civil rights, such as voting or firearm ownership.

In short, both misdemeanor and felony charges can follow you for life unless you qualify for legal relief under Florida statutes.

The Expungement and Record Sealing Process

Florida law provides two main avenues for limiting access to your criminal record: record sealing and expungement.

Record Sealing

When your record is sealed, it’s removed from public access. Certain employers and government agencies may still be able to view the sealed record, but it won’t appear in most standard background checks conducted by private employers or landlords.

Expungement

This process goes further by destroying the criminal justice agency’s record of your arrest, charge, or case outcome, with only very limited access retained by certain government agencies. For many people, having a criminal record expunged provides a much cleaner slate than sealing.

Both processes require meeting strict eligibility requirements, including having no prior convictions for criminal offenses and no pending criminal charges. Certain crimes, such as DUI convictions or sexual misconduct cases, typically cannot be expunged or sealed.

Eligibility Criteria and Legal Requirements

Not everyone is eligible to have their criminal record expunged or sealed. Florida statutes establish clear rules, and eligibility criteria often depend on the type of offense and the outcome of the case. For example:

• Charges that were dismissed, dropped, or for where the defendant was found not guilty may often be eligible.
• A first-time offender with no prior criminal history may be eligible for record sealing under certain circumstances.
• If you entered a plea bargain that resulted in a withhold of adjudication, you may still be able to pursue sealing, depending on the charge.
• Convictions for felonies, violent crimes, sexual misconduct, and most DUI convictions are not eligible for expungement.

Because eligibility requirements are complex, consulting a Florida criminal defense attorney can help determine the best course of legal action.

The Impact of Criminal Records on Employment and Life

Having criminal charges on your record, even if they are dismissed, can limit your opportunities. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards often conduct background checks, and jobs in fields like education, healthcare, or government may deny applicants based on past offenses. For DUI offenders, the impact is even greater, since a DUI can appear on both your criminal and driving records, raising insurance rates, threatening licenses, and sometimes requiring a hardship license after suspension.

In addition, criminal records can limit:

• Employment opportunities in competitive fields.
• Professional licenses in areas such as law, medicine, or finance.
• Government positions requiring security clearances.
• Educational opportunities and housing applications.

The bottom line is that a criminal record can significantly impact nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, making the pursuit of expungement or sealing a crucial step.

Why Criminal Records Don’t Automatically Disappear

Many people believe that criminal charges “fall off” after a set period, typically seven years. While credit reports operate this way, criminal records in Florida do not. Once a charge is recorded, it typically remains in the court records and with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement unless you take legal steps to have the record sealed or expunged.

This means that unless you qualify and complete the expungement process, your criminal history could remain accessible to certain employers, government agencies, and law enforcement officers indefinitely.

How Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A., Can Help

Navigating the legal process of record sealing or expungement can be challenging. It involves strict deadlines, filing petitions with the court, and meeting specific eligibility requirements under Florida statutes. Having a seasoned Florida criminal defense attorney guide you through the process can significantly improve your chances of success.

Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A., provides comprehensive legal services to clients facing criminal charges, including DUI cases, felony convictions, and other serious criminal offenses. As an experienced DUI attorney and criminal defense advocate, Jonathan Blecher helps clients:

• Evaluate their criminal history and determine expungement eligibility.
• File petitions with the court and handle the legal paperwork.
• Advocate for clients before judges and criminal justice agencies.
• Provide tailored legal assistance to reduce the long-term impact of criminal charges.

With decades of experience defending individuals across Florida, Jonathan B. Blecher understands how to protect his clients’ rights and limit the damage a criminal record can cause.

Protecting Your Future

A criminal record doesn’t have to define your future. While charges in Florida can stay on your record permanently, options may be available to reduce their impact through sealing or expungement. The key is taking action, understanding your eligibility, and working with a skilled criminal defense attorney who can guide you through the process.

If you are concerned about how long criminal charges may stay on your record in Florida, or want to explore the expungement process, Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A., is here to provide the legal assistance you need. Contact the firm today for a free consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your future.