If you have been convicted of a crime, it will go onto your criminal record. Having a criminal record can negatively impact your future opportunities as potential employers and educational institutions can view your record; however, there are actions you can take in order to expunge your record. Once your record has successfully been cleared, you will not be required to disclose prior convictions or arrests on applications for housing, employment and more. Generally, when a potential employer, institution or school runs a background check, the expunged record will not appear. To find out if you are eligible for expungement, contact Funk, Szachacz & Diamond for a free consultation. Our expungement attorney will go the extra mile in order to secure a brighter future for you. Call (312) 313-1338 to learn more.
Seeking To Clear Your Criminal Record?
Reach Out To Our Attorney
We understand mistakes happen. However, we believe you deserve a second chance. Let us help you seal your criminal record for good!
Get Started With A Free ConsultationExpungement Attorney
Everyone Deserves A Second Chance: (312) 313-1338
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Kepler Funk
Attorney
As a criminal attorney in Melbourne Florida, Kepler B. Funk is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He has appeared pro hac vice in other jurisdictions including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Texas and Kansas.
Mr. Funk is a Florida Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney. Further, he was selected to serve, as one of only nine Florida attorneys, on the Florida Bar's Board Certification Committee for Criminal Trial Law. Further, he served as Vice-Chair of that committee. Mr. Funk is a LIFE Member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and previously sat on its Board of Directors. Additionally, he is a member of the International Criminal Defense Attorney Association, International Criminal Bar and is on the list of approved defense counsel to appear in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands and in the Extraordinary Chambers for the Courts of Cambodia. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, the American Bar Association and is a former member of the Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court and Board of Directors Member of the Children's Home Society.
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Keith Szachacz
Attorney
Keith Szachacz graduated Cum Laude from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics. Mr. Szachacz served as a Judge on the Student Hearing Board and was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. He received his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1992. As a criminal attorney in Melbourne Florida, Mr. Szachacz is a member of the Brevard County Bar Association, The Florida Bar, American Association for Justice, American Bar Association, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, U.S. District Court- Middle District of Florida, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.
Mr. Szachacz and the firm represented Colleen Shipman, the victim of an attack by former astronaut Lisa Nowak. The firm protected Ms. Shipman’s interests during the State of Florida’s prosecution of Lisa Nowak. In addition, ABC’s 20/20 Primetime News Program, with anchor Chris Cuomo, featured a one hour story about Colleen Shipman under the supervision of the firm.
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Alan Diamond
Attorney
Alan Diamond Melbourne FL defense attorney has been the attorney of record in over 11,000 criminal cases. Mr. Diamond graduated from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies. He received his law degree in 1992 from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill College of Law.
During his career as a criminal attorney in Melbourne Florida, Mr. Diamond has handled numerous cases in both State and Federal Court. Specifically, Mr. Diamond successfully defended a NASA Space Shuttle quality assurance specialist who was indicted for 166 counts of fraud involving the Space Shuttle in Federal Court. Alan Diamond has also successfully represented victims of felonies as well as those people seeking injunctions for protection. In addition, he has tried cases of all types, from misdemeanors to homicides in both State and Federal Court. He has significant jury trial experience representing those accused of a myriad of crimes including; rape, DUI, murder, burglary, drug trafficking, sex crimes, computer crimes and others.
Our Most Notable Cases
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6 felony counts of Performing Lewd Acts Upon a Minor
Dismissed
A tennis pro, Mr. D. was arrested and accused of 6 felony counts of Performing Lewd Acts Upon a Minor. After nearly three years of investigation by the firm, the government eventually dismissed all felonies against Mr. D.
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Two Counts of Sexual Battery and False Imprisonment.
Acquitted
Mr. B., a law school graduate, was arrested and charged by the government with two counts of Sexual Battery and False Imprisonment. Although DNA matched Mr. B. to the alleged victim, Mr. B. was acquitted of all charges after jury trial.
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Trafficking, Conspiracy to Traffic
Dismissed
Mr. M. was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone, Conspiracy to Traffic in Oxycodone and Acquiring a Controlled Substance by Fraud. After a year-long investigation by the attorneys, the Government dismissed all felonies and Mr. M. was not convicted of any crime.
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Double Murder
Reversal of conviction and death sentence
The attorneys were asked to serve as appellate counsel for Mr. B. after he was convicted of two murders and sentenced to death. The attorneys agreed to become Mr. B’s appellate counsel. They successfully briefed and argued before the Florida Supreme Court for the unanimous 7-0 reversal of his conviction and death sentence.
Put Your Case in Capable & Competent Hands
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Our Attorneys are Certified by the Florida State Bar.
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We Value Integrity & Handle Each Case Honestly.
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Our Team is Backed by a Track Record of Success.
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Our Attorneys Will Personally Handle Your Case.
How Do I File For Expungement?
At Funk, Szachacz & Diamond, we understand how tedious, intimidating, and complex legal procedures can be. If you have been convicted of a criminal offense and are seeking to clear your record, talk to an attorney from our law firm. We can help you properly file the necessary paperwork. In order for a judge to seal your criminal record, you will be required to complete these steps.
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Secure a copy of the Judgement Order.
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Complete all expungement forms.
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Make copies of all paperwork.
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Notarize your “Poverty Affidavit.”
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Turn all forms into the Clerk’s office.
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Attend your court hearing.
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Gain Employment
Sealing your criminal record may remove the potential difficulty of gaining employment.
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Become A Citizen
If you are not a citizen of the United Sates, having a clean record can help you become one.
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Qualify For Housing
Expunging your record will make it easier for you to buy a home & qualify for government housing.
Get Your Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
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Questions
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Can I Seal My Criminal Record?
Answer
Your record cannot be expunged if you have been found guilty of any of the following criminal offenses: a drivers’ license violation, a first-degree felony, a second-degree felony, a first-degree misdemeanor committed against a minor, or a bail forfeiture in a traffic case.
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Why Should I Pursue Expungement?
Answer
Many employment, apartment and license applications require the applicant to state whether or not they have been convicted of a criminal offense. When the answer is yes, the chances of your application being rejected are high. Pursuing expungement will increase your chances of securing future employment.
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Do I Need To Hire An Expungement Attorney?
Answer
Due to the sensitive and complex nature of record-sealing matters, we advise you to enlist our assistance. We can ensure all your paperwork is properly completed and presented in a timely manner. With our team on your side, you will increase your chances of success.
What Factors Are Taken Into Consideration During Sentencing?
- The type of drugs and narcotics involved
- The quantity of drugs and narcotics
- Nature and variety of prior criminal convictions
- Overall criminal history of the defendant charged
- Whether the defendant is curently on probation
- The actual or potential harm to the public
- The financial benefit to the defendant
- The defendant's age
- The defendant's own dependence on drugs or narcotics
- The defendant's psychiatric history
- Evidence of rehabilitation