FL S0298

Revises petition requirements for expunction and sealing of criminal history records to allow individuals with prior misdemeanor convictions specified in s. 943.051(3)(b) to petition if those convictions occurred more than 10 years before the application date.

Changes language from "prior to" to "before" in sworn statements for both expunction and sealing petitions regarding criminal history.

Amends certificate of eligibility criteria for both expunction and sealing to permit individuals with older misdemeanor convictions to apply if the convictions are outside the 10-year lookback period.

Clarifies that acquittals and not guilty verdicts qualify as grounds for expunction eligibility, removing previous language requiring that trials produce specific outcomes.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.