In this episode of Come Back With a Warrant, criminal defense attorneys Monica Ishak and Brandon Dinetz break down what happens when someone is arrested for the first time and wants the case dismissed, sealed, expunged, or removed from their record.Monica and Brandon explain the difference between diversion, plea deals, deferred prosecution agreements, pretrial intervention, plea in pass agreements, DUI diversion, drug court, veterans court, mental health court, and other alternatives that can sometimes help a person avoid the full consequences of a criminal prosecution.They also discuss why diversion can be a major win in a criminal case, especially when it gives a client a path to dismissal without having to take the risk of trial. But they also explain that not every diversion program works the same way. Some programs require no admission of guilt, while others may involve a plea, probation, court conditions, restitution, treatment, or a withhold of adjudication.This episode also covers one of the most common questions criminal defense lawyers get: “Can I get this off my record?” Monica and Brandon explain the difference between expungement and sealing in Florida, why a dismissal matters, why a withhold of adjudication matters, and how a conviction can prevent someone from getting a case removed from their record.They also talk about the frustrating reality that even when a case is dismissed, sealed, or expunged, private websites, news outlets, mugshot pages, YouTube videos, Facebook groups, and third-party companies may still keep arrest information online. In other words: sometimes the criminal case is legally gone, but the internet does not forget.Topics CoveredDiversion in criminal casesDeferred prosecution agreementsDPA criminal case meaningPretrial interventionPlea in pass agreementsDUI diversion in Palm Beach CountyReckless driving reduction from DUIWithhold of adjudicationAdjudication vs. withholdDrug court diversionVeterans courtMental health courtCompetency in criminal casesFirst time offender programsDomestic violence diversionFTOP domestic violence casesRestitution in diversion agreementsCommunity service and court costsTheft course and anger managementTrial risk vs. diversionClient control and plea decisionsPublic defender vs. private attorney strategyFirst-time arrest in FloridaHow to get a case dismissedNolle prosequiNo file decisionExpungement in FloridaSealing a criminal record in FloridaDifference between sealing and expungementCan a dismissed case still show up online?Mugshots and public recordsWhy arrests stay onlinePrivate websites and criminal recordsHow a criminal case can follow you 🎧 Leave us a 5 Star Review! Follow us for legal hot takes, episode updates, and a peek into our lawyer lives. 📺 YouTube: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Podcast📸 Instagram: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod🎵 TikTok: @ComeBackWithAWarrant.Pod Find us everywhere and join the conversation! Subscribe to our newsletter for episode guides and latest pod updates: https://come-back-with-a-warrant-podcast.kit.com/fe483fdf18 📞 Need help with a DUI case in West Palm Beach?Contact The Ishak Law Firm or BD Law to discuss your options at (561) 316-8433 or (561)398-4683.
