Expunging Criminal Records – Things You Need to Know
Expunging criminal records can literally wipe out the little mistakes you did years or months ago. Here are some important things you need to know for that.
DO I NEED A LAWYER TO EXPUNGE MY CRIMINAL RECORDS?:
The only means for clearing your criminal records is to get a court order which expunges or seals your arrest. But there's a problem here. The majority of the states haven't yet made it easy to follow a "standardized" method to file the essential paperwork from the court.
There are some states, where each of the counties has its specific or unique filing procedure. And in some cases of jurisdictions, you'll need to show up in court. But in others, there's no question of hearing. The expungement or sealing laws could turn out to be quite complicated.
Additionally, the filing or hearing process usually gets easier (and much more effectual) when handled by any experienced lawyer who's got the understanding regarding expungement laws applicable in your case or jurisdiction. There are also some instances when you need an attorney to files sorts of paperwork in correct manner – which makes a big difference at the end of the day.
CAN ALL SORTS OF CRIMINAL HISTORIES BE EXPUNGED?:
Keep in mind that this article is meant to be an in general resource. So it's not definite to particular states and jurisdictions. Usually, however, all sorts of criminal records may not be expunged.
In most of the instances, cases where you had been acquitted (i.e. found to be not guilty in the trial) or were just released without any conviction (this includes cases you weren't charged or all the charges had been dismissed) could be expunged.
Many states will allow expungement for minor offenses despite the fact that you actually received supervision or court diversion, or similar kind of sentence and a fixed amount of timescale has already passed since that supervision and/or court diversion terminated (such time period could range between one to five years usually).
In general, besides the successful completion of the supervision and/or court diversion (or the expiring of the necessary amount of timeframe), it's also a must that you don't have any kind of cases imminent (from the time you've filed the expungement papers, till the day when the order of expungement is declared by the court).
And also remember that it's usually valueless if the state orders expungement in some cases you were convicted in but ended up receiving probation. Usually, these cases involve little amounts of cannabis or prostitution or similar things.
DO I NEED A LAWYER TO EXPUNGE MY CRIMINAL RECORDS?:
The only means for clearing your criminal records is to get a court order which expunges or seals your arrest. But there's a problem here. The majority of the states haven't yet made it easy to follow a "standardized" method to file the essential paperwork from the court.
There are some states, where each of the counties has its specific or unique filing procedure. And in some cases of jurisdictions, you'll need to show up in court. But in others, there's no question of hearing. The expungement or sealing laws could turn out to be quite complicated.
Additionally, the filing or hearing process usually gets easier (and much more effectual) when handled by any experienced lawyer who's got the understanding regarding expungement laws applicable in your case or jurisdiction. There are also some instances when you need an attorney to files sorts of paperwork in correct manner – which makes a big difference at the end of the day.
CAN ALL SORTS OF CRIMINAL HISTORIES BE EXPUNGED?:
Keep in mind that this article is meant to be an in general resource. So it's not definite to particular states and jurisdictions. Usually, however, all sorts of criminal records may not be expunged.
In most of the instances, cases where you had been acquitted (i.e. found to be not guilty in the trial) or were just released without any conviction (this includes cases you weren't charged or all the charges had been dismissed) could be expunged.
Many states will allow expungement for minor offenses despite the fact that you actually received supervision or court diversion, or similar kind of sentence and a fixed amount of timescale has already passed since that supervision and/or court diversion terminated (such time period could range between one to five years usually).
In general, besides the successful completion of the supervision and/or court diversion (or the expiring of the necessary amount of timeframe), it's also a must that you don't have any kind of cases imminent (from the time you've filed the expungement papers, till the day when the order of expungement is declared by the court).
And also remember that it's usually valueless if the state orders expungement in some cases you were convicted in but ended up receiving probation. Usually, these cases involve little amounts of cannabis or prostitution or similar things.
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