If you’ve been convicted of a crime in Florida—or even just arrested—you might be wondering:
“Will this show up on background checks?”
“Will I be able to get a job or rent an apartment?”
The short answer: Yes, a conviction can seriously impact your ability to move forward—but there may be legal solutions available to help.
👔 How a Criminal Record Affects Employment in Florida
Most employers conduct criminal background checks before hiring. If you have a conviction on your record, it may:
- ❌ Disqualify you from jobs in finance, healthcare, education, or government
- 📉 Limit your career growth due to professional license restrictions
- 🚫 Lead to automatic rejections during pre-employment screening—even for non-violent offenses
In some cases, pending charges can be enough to stall or deny employment altogether.
🏠 How a Criminal Record Affects Housing
Landlords and property managers also conduct background checks—and many deny applications based on criminal records, especially for:
- 🔍 Drug-related convictions
- 🚫 Violent offenses
- ⏳ Pending charges (not just convictions)
Some apartment complexes have policies that automatically disqualify applicants with any criminal record—regardless of the circumstances.
🧼 Can You Clear Your Record?
This is where sealing or expungement may be life-changing.
If your charges were:
- Dropped or dismissed
- You were found not guilty
- You received a withhold of adjudication
…then you may be eligible to seal or expunge your record under Florida law.
✅ Once your record is sealed or expunged:
- Employers and landlords will not see it on background checks
- You can legally deny that the incident ever occurred (with limited exceptions)
Fighting for the best possible outcome in your case can determine whether your charges are eligible for sealing or expungement
📞 Don’t Let a Past Mistake Hold You Back
At Michael White, P.A., we help clients across Fort Lauderdale and South Florida seal and expunge eligible records—so they can rebuild their lives with confidence.
📲 Call (954) 270-0769 or schedule a free consultation today to find out if you’re eligible.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions: Criminal Records and Background Checks in Florida
Q1: Will a criminal conviction show up on background checks in Florida?
A: Yes. Most employers and landlords use background checks that will reveal felony and misdemeanor convictions, and in some cases, even pending charges.
Q2: Can I be denied a job in Florida because of a criminal record?
A: Yes. Many employers, especially in regulated industries like healthcare, education, finance, or law enforcement, may reject applicants with criminal convictions.
Q3: Can a landlord deny my rental application if I have a conviction?
A: Yes. Landlords in Florida can lawfully reject rental applications based on criminal history—especially for violent crimes, drug offenses, or property-related crimes.
Q4: Can sealing or expunging my record help with jobs or housing?
A: Absolutely. Once sealed or expunged, your record won’t appear in most private background checks, and you can legally deny the incident in most applications.
Q5: Do pending charges affect job or housing applications in Florida?
A: Yes. Even pending charges may show up in background checks and result in employment or housing denials. That’s why early legal intervention is crucial.