Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

Why do large employers in Florida only require 7 year background checks, while private employers can get ANY information for as many years as they wish? Is that legal?

I have a few blips on my record...from 16 years ago. Big companies have no problem hiring me...but small companies say I am a Felon. (adjudicated felon 20+ years ago) I pass the background checks/drug tests for big companies, but I never get that far with smaller ones. What is the deal? Will I have to seal my record in order to work for a small firm? (Or build the small firm myself?)


Asked on 12/15/11, 8:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

There is no "requirement" that any employer do any background check, and there is no 7 year requirement. Some large companies may do two or three years, some will go all the way back as far as records go. The same goes for small companies. It's all a matter of how bad they want to know your background. As far as sealing your record, that would be impossible since you have been convicted, and once convicted of ANYTHING at ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, then you can not get your record sealed no matter how old.

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Answered on 12/16/11, 1:03 pm


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