Hillsborough County plans record expungement clinic
TAMPA (FOX 13) - Jesus Perez makes no excuses for his past, but also doesn't want to keep reliving it.
"I always have a wall in front of me or close in front of me: Education, the military told me I couldn't join, things like that," said Perez.
Perez got into some legal trouble in his late teens and early 20s and his past rears its ugly head every time he looks for a job. "The jobs that I've always wanted to get I could never get because they always check your background,” he continued.
Perez is just one of many who are looking to expunge an old criminal case on their record, and now it may be possible. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office is offering to expunge or seal an old criminal case -- if you are eligible.
Prosecutor Kendrick Donnelly tried to explain some of the requirements. "Let’s say you got arrested and there are multiple charges under that arrest. Those all would be sealed under the same thing.”
First, it has to be an adult criminal case that occurred in Hillsborough County. If it happened somewhere else you are out of luck.
Secondly, it’s important the case did not result in a conviction. If it did, you won't be able to seal it.
The expungement event is taking place on Saturday, September 29 at Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor City campus, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Perez will be there and knows this may be his best chance to leave his past in the rearview mirror and never look back.
"I recommend to anybody, just keep your nose clean. It’s not worth it, it’s not worth it because this is a lifetime thing," he added.
LINK: If you want to know if your qualify, you will need to pre-register at: http://sao13th.com/Expungement.htm