The cost to Expunge a Florida criminal arrest record

To seal a record according to sec. 943.059, Fla. Stat., or to expunge a record according to sec. 943.0585, Fla. Stat., there is no difference in cost to our client.  It takes approximately 6-9 months to start and complete a sealing or expungement. 

Legal Experience Counts - We have been expunging records since 1997

Due to the length of time involved we split our legal fees into two separate payments.  The first payment is due when we are hired.  The second legal fee payment is due when we receive your Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement [FDLE].

Costs are expenses that are required to be paid in each petition to seal or expunge a criminal records case.  There is a processing fee to be paid to FDLE (usually $75) and there are court costs paid to the clerk of court (varies, usually around $60-100).  We will notice you when these costs are ready to be paid.

Travel expenses are those expenses incurred for required hearings.  Typically we do not charge a hearing fee.  However, if the hearing is required in a distant county and there is no alternative except to travel there then there is a cost for that expense.  Local hearings do not incur a travel cost.  We try to find local coverage for long-distance hearings or try and get permission to appear telephonically.

Upfront Costs and Legal Fees to Seal or Expunge Your Criminal Record with a Free Determination that you Qualify

• Legal Fees for expungement of criminal record
  The current legal fees are two equal payments of $475.  The first payment is due when we are hired.  The second payment becomes due if and when we receive your Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE.  If we don't receive your Certificate of Eligibility and we can't fix that with FDLE, you owe nothing.
• Costs to expunge criminal record
  Currently the FDLE processing fee is $75.  Court costs vary by jurisdiction and usually amount to between $60 and $100 due towards the end of the process.
• Travel Expenses
  Travel expenses vary by county.  Usually it is no more than $250 however, we try and minimize that expense by appearing telephonically (no additional cost) or have another attorney cover the hearing (usually less).

Possible Extraordinary Costs/Fees

• Out-of-the-ordinary research may incur additional fees and costs. This is rare.
• If you are not sure about your past and we need to do research to determine you qualify our fee is $199.  This is applied to your fee if you hire us.
• Cost to travel if our presence is required at an out-of-area hearing but this is also rare.
• Rebuking a denial by FDLE on issuing a Certificate of Eligibility. We are quite successful in this area and usually the fee is minimal if any.