An expungement is an option some people may have regarding record sealing, deletion, and non-disclosure. Expungement is the process of legally eradicating criminal records. In certain jurisdictions, this includes not disclosing the existence of such documents and destroying or disposing of all copies in the custody or control of the agency charged with their maintenance.
Everything You Need to Know About Expungement
When you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, chances are that you want to get your life back on track. You may be having difficulty finding and maintaining employment, and the most seemingly unimportant job offers you may be considering sending out. If you have made a mistake in the past but have since learned from it and moved on with your life, an expungement could help. Understanding what expungement is and how it works can give you hope for getting your life back. Expungement is when a record of a conviction or arrest is sealed, and if the person has completed their sentence, in many instances, expunged. If the form is not deleted, it can haunt you when looking for employment, applying to colleges and universities, or even renting apartments. You will have difficulties finding a job or maybe even getting housing. This article will discuss how expungement can benefit you by avoiding some of these problems.
Expungement does not mean you can walk around with your head held high; there are still some severe consequences for having an arrest or conviction on your record. You will still have to explain the arrest or conviction and how you returned from it. If you hope to be accepted at a university, an employer, or even an apartment complex, expungement will most likely help. There are specific steps that you need to take to get the expungement that you desire. You may have had a good idea of what you wanted by now, but there is more that you need to know about expungement before moving forward with your decision.
The first step of getting an expungement is to find out if it is even available in your jurisdiction. If it is not available, then there is nothing else that you can do about it. If it is available, you need to find out what requirements there are. In some jurisdictions, you will have to prove you are a good citizen, and it could take several months for the courts to decide. You may also need to pay a fee or collateral for the court’s protection. If your petition is approved, you may need to plead guilty again at a special hearing. You should consult an attorney before proceeding with the expungement process on how to go forward. It is kept in mind that if an expungement has been granted by the court and not correctly carried out, this can result in additional consequences for you.
Consider reaching out to a misdemeanor defense lawyer to help you understand what expungement is and how it works can give you hope for getting your life back.