Overview of Federal Expungement Law

Clearing your criminal record (getting an expungement) for a federal crime is largely not available except with respect to an illegal conviction, a conviction under statute later deemed unconstitutional or a conviction that was obtained by way of government misconduct.

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Sealing Juvenile Criminal Records in Florida

Juvenile records may be expunged or sealed in Florida if the juvenile meets certain criteria. You can have a criminal record expunged only for a nonviolent offense. You must have completed a diversion program and petition for an expunction within 6 months of the completion date of the diversion program. Juvenile expunctions or sealing are not counted against the ability to seek future expunctions or sealing.

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What is the knock and announce rule?

The knock and announce rule is a legal rule mandating that police cannot just break down someone’s door in order to execute a search warrant. Under the knock and announce rule, police need to knock on the door, announce their authority to search the premises and wait a reasonable period of time before they enter. Only if a person fails to allow a search after the police identify themselves can the police forcibly come in.

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