How to Have Things Expunged Off Your Record in Columbus, Ohio
- 1). Determine whether any of the charges resulted in dismissals or acquittals. Under Ohio law, all misdemeanor or felony charges that were either dismissed or resulted in acquittals may be successfully expunged. For dismissals or acquittals a person may file to have the record sealed after the order of dismissal or acquittal is entered on the court record without any further waiting time. A person must wait for a period of two years before filing to seal the record of a no bill issued from a grand jury.
- 2). Obtain and fill out an application to expunge the records of dismissals, acquittals, or no bills. File it with either the Franklin County Clerk of Court for felony charges or the Franklin County Municipal Court for misdemeanor charges. Send a copy to either the Franklin County prosecutor, the Columbus City prosecutor and attend any hearing scheduled by the court.
- 3). Determine if your felony or misdemeanor conviction or convictions are eligible to be expunged. Generally, only first-time convictions may be expunged. In addition, certain convictions may never be expunged.
- 4). Obtain and fill out an application to expunge the records of first-time convictions. File it with either the Franklin County Clerk of Court for felony charges or the Franklin County Municipal Court for misdemeanor charges. Send a copy to either the Franklin County prosecutor, the Columbus City prosecutor and attend any hearings scheduled by the court.
Source...