Whether you’re applying for a job, looking for housing, pursuing a professional license, or just trying to move forward with your life, a Cocoa Beach background check can either validate your efforts—or unfairly hold you back. At DeGraff Hicks Law Group, we’ve seen firsthand how a simple error or an outdated report can derail someone’s future.
If you’re in Cocoa Beach, Palm Bay, Titusville, or anywhere in Brevard County, you’re likely to encounter background screenings at some point—whether it’s from an employer, landlord, state agency, or financial institution. These checks are often quick, automated, and far from perfect.
We regularly help people who are shocked to discover records that were supposed to be sealed, charges they were never convicted of, or even information that doesn’t belong to them at all.
Background check problems aren’t just inconvenient—they can be devastating. They can lead to job rejections, lost promotions, housing denials, revoked licenses, or even tarnished reputations. And worst of all, many people don’t realize that they have legal rights when something goes wrong.
That’s where we come in. Our Cocoa Beach attorneys at DeGraff Hicks Law Group are committed to helping individuals in our community fight back against unfair and inaccurate background checks.
Whether you need help disputing a report, sealing a record, or pursuing legal action against a company that violated your rights, we’re here to help you take back control of your future.
Call us today at phone] for a free, confidential consultation!
Why Choose Our Cocoa Beach Background Check Lawyer
When errors on a background check threaten your job, housing, or reputation, you need more than a quick fix—you need an advocate who understands the law and knows how to fight back.
Our Cocoa Beach background check lawyer has extensive experience challenging inaccurate reports, protecting clients under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and clearing up mistakes that could cost you important opportunities.
We take a hands-on approach to every case, from reviewing your report for errors to filing disputes with reporting agencies and holding them accountable if they violate your rights.
Whether you’re dealing with a criminal record that should have been sealed, an identity mix-up, or wrongful use of outdated information, we work to correct the problem quickly and protect your future.
With our firm, you get local knowledge, personalized attention, and aggressive representation dedicated to making sure background check errors don’t define your life.
Common Issues with Background Checks in Florida
Background checks are meant to provide accurate information, but errors happen far too often—and they can cost you a job, an apartment, or even a professional license.
Some of the most common problems with background checks include:
- Incorrect Criminal Records – Charges that were dismissed, sealed, or expunged may still appear.
- Mistaken Identity – Reports that mix up two people with similar names or birthdates.
- Outdated Information – Records that are no longer legally reportable under state or federal law.
- Incomplete Data – Missing details that make a record appear worse than it really is.
- Improper Use of Reports – Employers or landlords relying on background checks in ways that violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Even a small error can create major roadblocks in your life. That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced Cocoa Beach background check lawyer review your report, dispute inaccuracies, and hold reporting agencies accountable when they fail to follow the law.
Florida Laws on Background Checks
Cocoa Beach background checks are governed by a mix of state and federal laws designed to protect both employers and individuals.
Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies must follow strict rules when requesting, reviewing, and using background checks. At the same time, individuals have rights under both Florida law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to ensure their information is accurate, up-to-date, and not misused.
These laws exist to strike a balance: allowing organizations to evaluate applicants while preventing discrimination, identity mix-ups, and the use of old or irrelevant records. Violations of these rules can provide strong grounds to challenge a background check and protect your future opportunities.
Florida Statutory Requirements
Under Florida law, background checks are subject to specific statutory requirements, including:
- Employer Compliance – Many employers must comply with state-specific screening rules, particularly in industries like healthcare, childcare, and security.
- Level 1 vs. Level 2 Background Checks – Florida distinguishes between Level 1 checks (name-based) and Level 2 checks (fingerprint-based and more thorough), with stricter requirements for sensitive positions.
- Use of Criminal Records – Florida statutes limit how certain criminal records may be reported or used, especially if they’ve been sealed or expunged.
- Notification Obligations – Employers and landlords must provide notice if adverse action (like denying employment or housing) is taken based on a background check.
- Accuracy and Updates – Reporting agencies are required to provide information that is complete and current; outdated or incorrect records cannot legally be used.
If these statutory requirements are ignored, individuals may be entitled to challenge the background check, dispute the information, and in some cases, pursue damages for violations. A Cocoa Beach background check lawyer can help ensure that employers, landlords, and screening agencies are held accountable.
Discrimination Protections
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and EEOC guidance prohibit blanket exclusions based on criminal history when they disproportionately affect protected groups. Employers must perform individualized assessments of criminal history considering offense type, time elapsed, job relevance, and evidence of rehabilitation.
How We Help Clients with Background Check Issues
Our skilled background check attorneys offer comprehensive support when it comes to dealing with background check issues. Here’s how:
Review and Analysis
We’ll meticulously review your background reports—criminal, credit, rental, or employment—to identify mistakes, omissions, or violations of law.
Filing Formal Disputes
We assist in disputing inaccuracies with the consumer reporting agency, crafting detailed documentation to support corrections.
Legal Action When Needed
If errors persist or rights aren’t respected, we’ll pursue legal remedies under the FCRA or other relevant statutes.
Record Sealing or Expungement Assistance
We can help you pursue expungement or sealing of eligible criminal records—so they don’t appear in future checks.
When Employers or Landlords Violate Your Rights
Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies in Florida must follow strict rules when using background checks. Unfortunately, many fail to comply with these laws, leaving people unfairly denied jobs, housing, or professional opportunities.
Some of the most common violations include:
- No Proper Notice – Failing to notify you before taking adverse action based on a background check.
- No Copy Provided – Refusing to give you a copy of the background report used to make their decision.
- No Chance to Dispute Errors – Denying your right to correct inaccurate or outdated information.
- Using Sealed or Expunged Records – Considering records that legally should not appear.
- Discriminatory Practices – Applying background checks in ways that unfairly target or exclude certain groups.
These violations can have serious consequences, but you don’t have to face them alone. Our Cocoa Beach background check lawyer can step in to challenge unlawful practices, dispute inaccuracies, and hold employers or landlords accountable under Florida law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Preventing Background Check Problems in Cocoa Beach
You can reduce the risk of errors and wrongful denials by being proactive.
Here are a few steps:
- Request Your Own Report – Run a self-background check to spot mistakes before employers or landlords do.
- Check for Errors – Review criminal and credit records for inaccuracies or outdated entries.
- Seal or Expunge Records – If eligible, clear old cases so they don’t appear on future checks.
- Keep Financial Records Updated – Resolve credit disputes and monitor your reports regularly.
- Get Legal Guidance Early – A background check lawyer can help correct errors before they become costly.
Taking these steps now can protect your opportunities and avoid major problems down the road.
FAQs About Cocoa Beach Background Checks
Can an employer see an expunged record in Florida?
No. Expunged records are treated as though they never existed and should not be reported or considered.
How long does a criminal record stay on a background check?
Florida itself imposes no time limit—criminal convictions can appear indefinitely. However, FCRA limits reporting of other civil records (like bankruptcies or arrests) to seven years in most cases.
What can I do if my background check is wrong?
You can dispute inaccuracies with the reporting agency in writing—include supporting documentation. The agency must investigate within 30 days.
Do I have to tell an employer about sealed charges?
No—sealed charges should not appear in background screeners, and Florida law generally forbids employers from considering sealed or expunged records.
Don’t Let Mistakes Define You—We Can Help With Background Checks in Cocoa Beach
Don’t let background check errors cost you opportunities. Whether you’re being denied a job, housing, license, or contract because of inaccurate or improperly used information, you have rights—and we’re here to protect them.
For free, confidential consultations on Cocoa Beach background check disputes, report corrections, record sealings, or potential legal violations, contact DeGraff Hicks Law Group today at (321) 44-SHARK—or complete our online contact form to get started.
