First, to avoid misinterpretations and misunderstandings, I’d like to clarify two things:

1. This petition is NOT seeking to enact a completely different law than the one that is currently in place, it seeks to amend or modify Florida statute 943.0585 and 943.059.

2. This petition is NOT for or about the expungement or sealing of Sex crimes, murder, child or elderly abuse,  human trafficking, manslaughter,  kidnapping, domestic violence, Voyeurism, Aggravated battery, Illegal use of explosives, Robbery, aircraft piracy, carjacking, robbery home invasion, aggravated stalking, child pornography, terrorism or the violation of sex offender registration laws.

Did you know that driving without a valid drivers license could land you in jail with a second-degree Misdemeanor charge?

Also, did you know that people have been thrown in jail for using someone else's WIFI and they were charged with a Felony?

Basically, when you hear the word 'criminal' don't automatically assume that the person committed a monstrous, heinous crime.

In fact, the definition of a criminal is someone who has broken a law. Therefore, if you have ever gone past the speeding limit, you have broken a traffic law and are technically a criminal. Yeah, okay, it was just a traffic law, but you still broke the law. Breaking traffic laws can cause just as much harm to others as other crimes, but we don’t send people to jail for it unless they’re being extremely reckless. Thankfully, we don’t go to jail for breaking traffic laws because if we did, we would all have an arrest record, be publicly labeled a criminal and denied jobs or other benefits for the rest of our life. Sadly, millions of people are labeled criminals and current laws don’t allow them to have a second chance at life. A chance to chase their goals and dreams without restrictions. Simply because they made a poor choice years ago. Some made bad choices 20 years ago and haven’t been arrested since then, but it’s still stopping them from getting a job. Others want to work but when they apply for jobs, they don’t get hired and then people call them lazy or unambitious. If no-one hires them, how can they provide for themselves and their families? If you were in their shoes, how would you provide for your family? This effects the person labeled as a 'criminal' and their children or other family members. You can’t tell someone to get a job and then block them from getting one. Also, it’s not fair to permanently limit the type of jobs or careers they can get. People can and do change, and when they do change, they should be given another chance to pursue their ambitions. No-one should be permanently labeled a criminal. Would you want to be labeled for something you did years ago? Allowing everyone to work will benefit everyone and the economy. Sign this petition and give everyone a fair chance to pursue happiness and the American dream.

                                         Misdemeanors
Currently, Florida laws allow for ONE misdemeanor charge to be sealed or expunged and it disqualifies those that were convicted.

This petition seeks to amend it by allowing two misdemeanor charges (regardless of conviction) to be sealed or expunged under the following conditions:

1. If the charges were dropped, dismissed or you were found not guilty, the first incident qualifies for sealing or expungement and there’s no wait time. However, the court proceedings must be complete.
2. If convicted or if adjudication was withheld, the first incident qualifies for sealing after one year, IF all sentencing requirements have been met and you were not arrested since the incident.
3. A second misdemeanor incident doesn’t qualify for expungement, but it can be sealed after 5 years IF you have not been arrested since then.

                                             Felony
Currently, Florida doesn’t allow Felons to seal or expunge their records.

This petition seeks to amend it by allowing Felons to ‘seal’ their records, NOT expunge it, under the following conditions:

1. All sentencing requirements must be met, including the completion of parole or probation.
2. Third-degree felony - The first sealing can occur 2 years after the incident and the completion of sentencing requirements if you have not been arrested since then.
3. Second-degree felony - The first sealing can occur 3 years after the incident and the completion of sentencing requirements if you have not been arrested since then.
4. First-degree felony - The first sealing can occur 5 years after the incident and the completion of sentencing requirements if you have not been arrested since then.
5. For all felonies, the second sealing can occur 10 years after the incident and completion of sentencing requirements, if you have not been arrested since then.

                                           Expungements
The current law doesn’t completely expunge records. When someone applies for employment at certain agencies, the FDLE informs the employer that the applicant had something ‘expunged’ but it doesn’t give further details without a court order.

This petition seeks to amend it by removing that ‘notice’, for the following reasons:

1. The current expungement laws are strict and only those who have NEVER been arrested before, with one minor offense, no felonies and dropped charges etch, qualify for it.
2. Adding that notice nullifies the purpose of having a record expunged and causes a person who wasn’t found guilty or convicted to not get hired at certain jobs for the rest of their life.
3. If the minor alleged offense qualified for 98% erasure, then it's 'minor' enough to be completely erased.

More info will be available soon at www.thedreamlaw.com

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