Numerous individuals who we served had the same set of questions asking whether Level 2 Background Screening will reveal applicants’ sealed or expunged criminal history to regulatory or licensing state agencies. Just to make the subject more detailed we decided to post the basic information about sealed and expunged records in Florida, as well as the list of agencies which will actually receive these historical records.
FAQ:
Why do I have a criminal history record when the charges against me were dropped/dismissed?
The Florida Legislature has determined that Florida criminal history records are public unless the record is sealed or expunged. See Section 943.053(3), Florida Statutes, which provides for public access to criminal history records. The term “criminal history information” is defined, tracking the federal definition, at Section 943.045(4), Florida Statutes. A criminal history record is created when a person is arrested and fingerprinted, and includes the disposition of that arrest, whether it is a conviction, acquittal, dismissal of charges before trial, or other disposition.
What is the difference between having a criminal history record sealed vs. expunged?
When a criminal history record is sealed, the public will not have access to it. Certain governmental or related entities, primarily those listed in s. 943.059(4)(a), Florida Statutes, have access to sealed record information in its entirety.
When a record has been expunged, those entities which would have access to a sealed record will be informed that the subject of the record has had a record expunged, but would not have access to the record itself without a court order. Such entities would receive only a caveat statement indicating that “Criminal Information has been Expunged from this Record”.
Exclusion for Certain State Agencies to Receive Sealed or Expunged records as part of Level 1 or Level 2 Screening
The subject of a criminal history record sealed under this section or under other provisions of law, including former s.893.14, former s.901.33, and former s.943.058, may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrests covered by the sealed record, except when the subject of the record:
- Is a candidate for employment with a criminal justice agency;
- Is a defendant in a criminal prosecution;
- Concurrently or subsequently petitions for relief under s.943.0585 or s.943.059;
- Is a candidate for admission to The Florida Bar;
- Is seeking to be employed or licensed by or to contract with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF), the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), or the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) or to be employed or used by such contractor or licensee in a sensitive position having direct contact with children, the developmentally disabled, the aged, or the elderly as provided in s.110.1127(3), s.393.063, s.394.4572(1), s.397.451, s.402.302(3), s.402.313(3), s.409.175(2)(i), s.415.102(4), chapter 916, s. 985.644, chapter 400, or chapter 429;
- Is seeking to be employed or licensed by the Department of Education, any district school board, any university laboratory school, any charter school, any private or parochial school, or any local governmental entity that licenses child care facilities; or
- Is seeking authorization from a Florida seaport identified in s.311.09 F.S. for employment within or access to one or more of such seaports pursuant to s.311.12 F.S. or s.311.125 F.S.
- Is attempting to purchase a firearm from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer and is the subject to a criminal history background check under state or federal law.
IDENTICO LLC is FDLE authorized Live Scan vendor serving South Florida. With any question related to Level 2 background screening please call us at (954) 239-8590 or visit us online at www.myidentico.com for more information. Visit our office located at 3948 Pembroke Road, Suite E, Pembroke Park, FL, 33021 for all fingerprinting, background screening or drug testing needs.
Sincerely,
IDENTICO LLC.