Thomas C. Grajek | October 21, 2025 | Criminal Defense
If you’ve recently checked your Florida court record and noticed that your criminal case (such as one based on a drug crime or weapons offense) status is listed as “disposed,” you may be wondering whether that means your case is completely over. In criminal law, disposed simply means the court has reached a final resolution in your case. The judge has entered a final order or judgment, and the case is now considered closed on the court’s docket.
However, this does not always mean the outcome was favorable or that the matter is truly over for you. This blog post will explain what you need to know; reach out to a defense attorney for a consultation if you need legal help.
What “Disposed” Can Mean in a Florida Criminal Case
A disposed case can have several different outcomes, depending on how your case ended.
Some of the most common include:
- Dismissal or dropped charges: The prosecution may have decided to drop the case due to a lack of evidence or other issues.
- Acquittal: If your case went to trial and the jury (or judge) found you not guilty, it is considered disposed upon acquittal.
- Conviction: If you were found guilty (whether by plea or verdict), the case becomes disposed once sentencing is complete.
- Pretrial diversion or deferred prosecution: Some defendants are offered diversion programs. Once you successfully complete the program, the case may be disposed and closed without a conviction.
- Nolle prosequi (no prosecution): This means the state formally decided to stop prosecuting the case.
So, “disposed” does not automatically mean you were convicted or cleared. Instead, it just means the court process is finished.
How Disposition Appears on a Criminal Record
When a criminal case is disposed, the final result (called the disposition) becomes part of your permanent record.
The record may show outcomes like:
- “Dismissed”: The charges were dropped or thrown out
- “Adjudicated guilty”: You were convicted of the charge
- “Adjudication withheld”: You were found guilty or pled no contest, but the judge withheld a formal conviction
- “Not guilty”: You were acquitted
These distinctions are important because they affect your criminal history and whether you can later seal or expunge the record.
Can You Reopen or Appeal a Disposed Criminal Case?
Although a disposed case is officially closed, there are certain circumstances where you can still take legal action:
- Filing an appeal: If you believe there was a legal error during your trial or sentencing, you can appeal to a higher court. In Florida, you usually have 30 days from the date of disposition to file an appeal.
- Post-conviction relief: In some cases, you can challenge your conviction through a motion for post-conviction relief, such as alleging ineffective assistance of counsel.
- Record sealing or expungement: If your charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in a “withhold of adjudication,” you may qualify to have your record sealed or expunged.
Each of these options has strict deadlines and eligibility rules, so it’s best to consult a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Grajek Criminal Defense Attorneys to Learn More About Your Case Status
Seeing “disposed” on your case file may bring relief, or it may raise new questions. While it means the court process is done, it doesn’t always mean you’re in the clear. The disposition could still affect your criminal record and future legal rights, making it important to have a solid grasp on where you stand going forward.
If you’re unsure what your case disposition means or want to explore options to clear your record, contact an experienced Florida criminal defense lawyer at Grajek Criminal Defense Attorneys for an initial consultation today.
For more information, please contact the Lakeland criminal defense attorneys at Grajek Criminal Defense Attorneys, for a consultation. We serve all areas in Lakeland, Polk County, and throughout Florida.
Visit our convenient location:
Grajek Criminal Defense Attorneys
112 E Poinsettia St
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 688-4606