If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you are likely aware of the after effects your record. It can affect getting a job or finding a home. Some employers refuse to hire and landlords refuse to rent to people who must affirm a criminal past. However, if you expunge criminal record, you can avoid many of these negative consequences.
Expungement is a court process that seals the records of your arrest or conviction. Nearly all locations have laws that allow citizens to expunge these events from their records. While the process varies by location, once you have the activity expunged, you no longer are required to disclose it. If a job or housing application asks if you have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime, the answer is now, “No.”
The process is a great way to get a new start. To begin the process, you need to know the jurisdiction’s processes. You can check with the court or the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. In some cases, your best option is speaking with an attorney.
One of the first pieces of information you need to know is if you qualify for expungement. Some locations only allow expungement for misdemeanors and not for felony convictions.
In many cases, you must finish serving your sentence, along with any probation it includes. Some judges may be willing to reduce the probation period, allowing expungement sooner, with good reason.
While the expungement hides the activity in most cases, it can still show up in certain circumstances. Police departments and state licensing boards are often able to see expunged records.
Some jurisdictions offer certificates of actual innocence. These are the best types of expungements. Instead of just sealing the record, it shows that the court should have never created it. If someone is charged with a crime, but the charges are dropped, the certificate shows the individual was innocent.
When the arrest occurred to an underage person, expungement is often easier. Even individuals with juvenile drug charges have a better chance of expungement than adults. The courts usually require the individual reach age 18 before it allows him to petition to expunge the crime or arrest.
If you were arrested on drug charges, you may have the option of expunging the crime by opting for a diversion program. Once the individual completes the diversion program, the charges are expunged and no longer count against him.
A mistake that resulted in an arrest or criminal conviction in the past need not haunt you for the rest of your life. Explore your options to expunge the record for a fresh start.
