FL S1142

Expands eligibility for expunction of criminal history records to include cases where a judgment of acquittal or verdict of not guilty was rendered by a judge or jury.

Modifies the certificate of eligibility process for expunction to recognize acquittals and not guilty verdicts as grounds for expunction, removing previous language limiting expunction to cases where charges were dismissed before trial.

Allows records previously sealed for 10 years to be expunged without the 10-year waiting period if a judgment of acquittal or verdict of not guilty was rendered, or if all charges were dismissed before trial.

Adds new eligibility criteria for sealing certificates to clarify that records relating to specific serious offenses (including sexual predator/offender violations and other felonies) cannot be sealed if the defendant was found guilty, pled guilty, or was adjudicated delinquent.

Takes effect July 1, 2018, except for modifications to the sealing certificate process which take effect immediately upon becoming law.