If an arrest occurred in Sarasota County, the statewide eligibility
rules are only the first half of the analysis. The Sarasota Clerk
maintains the court file, the Office of the State Attorney for the
Twelfth Judicial Circuit handles the prosecutor certification required
for an expunction application, and the petition returns to the Sarasota
court after FDLE issues a Certificate of Eligibility.
The Dunn Law Firm is based in Sarasota and handles record-clearing
matters under Florida Statutes §§ 943.0584, 943.0585 and 943.059.
Eligibility depends on the entire incident, disposition and history. A
dismissal or withhold is important, but it is not a complete answer.
The Sarasota County path
- Locate and review the court case. Sarasota ClerkNet
permits anonymous searching of basic case information, with online
criminal records generally available from 2003 forward. Older files and
certified copies require assistance from the Clerk’s Public Access
department. - Order the certified disposition. FDLE requires a
certified disposition for every case and charge listed in the
application. If probation or diversion was involved, gather the official
termination or completion documentation as well. - Complete the correct prosecutor step. For an
expunction application, FDLE requires the certified-statement page
completed by the appropriate prosecutor. The Twelfth Circuit State
Attorney directs Sarasota County applicants to submit the application,
with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to its Sarasota office at 2071
Ringling Boulevard, Suite 400. A sealing application does not use that
expunction-only certification step. - Submit the complete FDLE packet. The packet
generally includes the notarized application, fingerprints, certified
disposition, any supervision-completion proof, prosecutor certification
when required, and FDLE’s $75 fee. FDLE says eligibility review is
typically about 12 weeks after receipt of a complete packet, while its
current FAQ warns that processing is presently taking more than 12
weeks. - File the court petition in Sarasota County. The
Sarasota Clerk instructs petitioners to file the original petition,
affidavit, Certificate of Eligibility and proposed order. The Clerk
lists a $42 filing fee, plus copy and certification charges. - Serve the required agencies and follow the court’s
direction. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.692 and the
statutes require service on the prosecutor and arresting authority. A
judge may decide the matter on the filings or set a hearing; no outcome
or no-hearing process should be promised.
The Clerk lists filing access at 2000 Main Street in Sarasota and at
the Venice branch, 4004 South Tamiami Trail. An attorney may use the
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal where authorized, but the correct case
number, division, document type and service list still matter.
Why a Sarasota review is more than completing forms
A Sarasota file may include counts that were amended, consolidated,
dismissed at different times, or resolved through diversion. The intake
should reconcile the arrest report, charging document, docket and
certified disposition before choosing sealing or expungement. It should
also preserve copies before relief is entered, because public access
changes after a signed order is processed.
Frequently asked Sarasota County questions
Where can I check a Sarasota criminal case?
Use the Sarasota Clerk’s ClerkNet court-record service for basic
public case information. For older cases, unavailable images or
certified dispositions, contact the Clerk’s Public Access department
rather than relying on an unofficial background-check site.
Where does the expunction prosecutor certification go?
The Twelfth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s official instructions
list its Sarasota office at 2071 Ringling Boulevard, Suite 400,
Sarasota, Florida 34237, and request a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Confirm the instructions before sending sensitive material.
What does the Sarasota Clerk require after FDLE approves
eligibility?
The Clerk’s published process lists the original petition, affidavit,
FDLE Certificate of Eligibility and proposed order. Service copies must
reach the agencies that hold the record. Exact requirements should be
rechecked for the case and current filing method.
Will I have to appear in Sarasota?
Possibly. Much of the preparation and filing may be coordinated
without an office visit, but the court controls whether it sets a
hearing and how any appearance occurs. No remote or no-hearing result
can be guaranteed.
Call (941) 866-4352 or request a record-clearing
review. Be ready to provide the case number, arrest date, every
charge and the final outcome. Submission does not create an
attorney-client relationship.
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