Can Others Find Out if I Have a Criminal Record in Florida?

In life, there are certain things that people like to keep private and reasonably so. An individual may not want to talk about their dating life. They may not want to discuss if they’ve ever tried drugs, if they’ve ever filed for bankruptcy, if they’ve ever gotten arrested for DUI, and whether they’ve ever been convicted of a crime. After all, these are private matters and it’s understandable why someone may not want to be open about them.

What about you? If you have a criminal record, you may not go around town telling people about the time you were arrested for DUI or the time you were arrested and charged with battery after you got into a fistfight at a bar (it was self-defense), or the time you were caught selling a little marijuana to an undercover cop.

Is a Criminal Record Public Information?

If you’re like most people, you may not want anyone to know about your criminal record except for maybe your parents, your siblings, and your best friends. You’re probably not comfortable with potential employers, the family courts, potential landlords, and perhaps your exes finding out about your shenanigans. That said, is your criminal record public information? That is the question.

I wish I had more encouraging news for you. Unfortunately, if someone were to contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), and they requested your criminal record information, it is their responsibility to grant them access, even if they are a member of the public.

If someone wanted to get their hands on your criminal history information (for Florida), all they’d have to do is contact the CJIS and pay a $24.00 fee.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website: “The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), is the central repository for criminal history information for the state of Florida. In addition to maintaining criminal history information, it is our responsibility to provide public access to this information when requested.”

If you’re interested in defense representation or an expungement, I invite you to contact my firm today for a free case evaluation!