The Difference Between a Seal and an Expunge

By: John Guidry II

Is there a difference between a seal and an expunge? Not much of a difference. So, you can stop reading right here if you want.

What I’m about to do is bore you with the slight differences between a seal and an expunge. Because, no matter what, your case is hidden from view on a seal or expunge. However, there are some little things that can trickle out on a seal that might not be able to trickle out on an expunge. Here’s what I mean:

When you expunge something the clerk of court is ordered by law to absolutely destroy your record. I mean shred it, then cross-shred it, burn it, throw the ashes over the Gulf of Mexico, or whatever they want to do.

However, on a seal, that’s not quite it. On a seal, they are only ordered to hide and vanish and make your record disappear so that nobody can see it. But, that sort of thing could show up on a very deep background check.

Some of my clients prefer an expunge over a seal because an expunged case is shredded, so if someone asks the clerk at a later time so see your sealed file–the clerk will not have it.

That’s not true of a sealed case. A case that has been sealed will still exist somewhere, and that means that it may be possible for someone to actually “unseal” the record and see what’s inside. I have had many clients have their records “unsealed” when they have applied for certain security clearances or even when my clients become lawyers (many have!) The Florida Bar requires that the case be unsealed so that the Bar can review the allegations. If the case was expunged, the Bar (or any other government agency) would not be able to see the case even after they “un-seal” the record.

So, for those of you applying to be some sort of spy with the FBI or the CIA or the Secret Service, well then, this sort of thing may pop up on a computer screen.

Again, there is not much of a difference between a seal and expunge.

There are some jobs, there are some instances where you have to own up to a seal or expunge. That is true. And, there’s a list on my website and others that say, look, if you’re talking to these people, you’re going to have to disclose this.

But for 99.999% of the people out there, it will be hidden from their view. There is no difference between a seal or expunge.

About the Author

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.