Applying for an Expungement in Your State
Each state has its own laws and procedures for expungement. Before you begin, double-check your local laws. Those with multiple criminal convictions in some states are not eligible for expungement. Before you can apply in any state, you must have been released from your sentence for a period of time, with no further criminal incidents. Be prepared for a lengthy and time-consuming process. Generally, expungement is not a quick or simple process.
Many people prefer to seek pardons rather than expungement. Pardons are an executive action that can remove any long-term consequences of a conviction. The application process for pardons also varies by state. Attempt to have your record expunged first if your state has a more generous expungement law. If your jurisdiction’s expungement law is stringent, you may wish to seek a pardon.
A criminal record can also be “sealed.” Sealing a criminal record is usually reserved for juveniles. Juvenile records are automatically sealed in some states. In other states, the juvenile must remain out of trouble for several years into adulthood before the record is sealed. Adult criminal records are not usually sealed.
If you want to get your criminal record expunged, keep in mind that it is possible. Check with the state where you were convicted to learn about the expungement laws. Be prepared for a lengthy process, but keep in mind that your criminal record can be expunged if you demonstrate sufficient rehabilitation.
Getting Your Criminal Record Expunged
Expungement of a criminal record essentially means that the record no longer exists. If you apply to have your criminal record expunged and are granted permission, your record will be treated as if it does not exist. There are some restrictions to receiving an expungement, depending on where you live and the laws in that state. It is, however, possible to have your criminal record expunged.
When Will Records Not Be Expunged
Some records will not be permanently erased. Some states, for example, keep separate registries for child abuse and sexual offenses. If you have sexual charges, it may be impossible to have your record expunged under state law.
If you apply for a government job or a job that requires government security clearance, the employer is likely to discover your entire criminal record, even if you believe it has been expunged. If you are applying for a government job, it is best to disclose your expunged conviction.
Why Get an Expungement
People seek expungement for a variety of reasons. Some people seek expungement because they are embarrassed. This is most likely the case if you made a single mistake and have a clean record aside from the one offense.
Some apply for expungement in order to vote or possess a firearm again; the restrictions that come with a felony can be extremely difficult to deal with. Expungement is always obtained after a thorough examination of the individual’s needs and level of rehabilitation. Expungements are handled on a state-by-state basis and are typically granted by the court where the conviction was obtained.
Expungment Laws by State
Florida Expungement
Expungement in Florida Expungement is the legal process by which a person’s criminal history record is erased, but only if that person was not convicted. Expungement means that a person’s…
Georgia Expungement
Expungement in Georgia In Georgia, all records pertaining to incidents surrounding a crime can be erased. This includes the arrest and trial records, as well as the detention records. Before…
Wyoming Expungement
Definition of Wyoming Expungement In Wyoming, expungement does not always imply the physical destruction of criminal files, as is commonly assumed. Expungement is the symbolic destruction of criminal files so…
Wisconsin Expungement
Wisconsin Punishment The state of Wisconsin refers to the sealing of criminal records and the physical destruction of court documents as expunction rather than expungement. Expunged records can be obtained…
West Virginia Expungement
Expungement in West Virginia The process of sealing criminal records is known as expungement. This prevents the general public from viewing individuals’ criminal histories. After serving their sentences and fines,…
Washington Expungement
We all have baggage, both literal and metaphorical. A healthy relationship is frequently hampered by emotional baggage. However, having a criminal record can make it difficult to get jobs, loans,…
Virginia Expungement
Getting a Criminal Record Expunged in Virginia Expunction of a criminal record occurs when a person’s criminal record is sealed, making it no longer public. Obtaining an expungement has numerous…
Vermont Expungement
Contrary to popular belief, an expunged record does not completely disappear. An expunged record, on the other hand, is removed from public view and cannot be accessed. The records are…
Utah Expungement
Petition for Expungement in Utah In order to obtain expungement in Utah, a certification of eligibility must first be obtained. This certification is obtained through the Utah Bureau of Criminal…
Tennessee Expungement
Arrests and convictions are typically not automatically expunged or sealed after a number of years in the case of individuals over the age of eighteen. A written application for expungement…
South Dakota Expungement
South Dakota Expungement of a Criminal Record An expungement of a criminal record occurs when a judge seals a person’s criminal record. As a result, the record is no longer…
Rhode Island Expungement
For first-time offenders, Rhode Island has established expungement procedures. These laws apply to both misdemeanor and felony offenses. A copy of the conviction record will be provided upon request by…
Pennsylvania Expungement
Expungement in Pennsylvania In Pennsylvania, expungement is defined as the removal of information while leaving no trace or evidence of the information. This is typically applied to criminal and arrest…
Oregon Expungement
Expungement in Oregon According to Oregon law, anyone who has had a criminal conviction expunged may legally state that he or she has no criminal record. When an expungement is…
Oklahoma Expungement
Expungement in Oklahoma In Oklahoma, a court can order that a criminal record or arrest record be removed from public view. When a record is expunged, it is marked as…
Ohio Expungement
Expunge means to completely erase or destroy something, such as a criminal record. Each state has its own set of rules regarding expungement. In Ohio, there are two types of…
North Dakota Expungement
Expungement in North Dakota There is no statutory process in North Dakota for sealing or expunging criminal records. However, if the individual was not otherwise acquitted, the court may order…
North Carolina Expungement
Expungement in North Carolina North Carolina law allows for the expungement of certain records. Expunction is the legal removal of arrest and conviction records. When a record is expunged, it…
New York Expungement
Sealing of a New York Criminal Record For certain crimes, the state of New York allows for the sealing of records. Any person convicted of a majority of drug, marijuana,…
New Mexico Expungement
Expungement in New Mexico In the state of New Mexico, expungement entails destroying any records, samples, identification of, and information pertaining to any DNA records. When the final disposition of…
New Jersey Expungement
Expungement in New Jersey The past can be a difficult place to revisit, and the consequences of our decisions often make it hard for us to move forward. In particular,…
New Hampshire Expungement
New Hampshire Arrest Record Annulment Rather than give expungement or the sealing of records for all past convictions or arrests, New Hampshire provides annulment of records. Particular stipulations follow an…
Nevada Expungement
Sealing of Nevada Records The state of Nevada does not have a statute for expunging criminal convictions. As a result, only a few people are eligible to have their records…
Nebraska Expungement
The process of legally destroying or erasing arrest and conviction records found in files and on computers is known as expungement. This can also include any other files related to…
Montana Expungement
Expungement in Montana Expungement, as defined by the United States, is the legal destruction of criminal records and arresting files. After a record has been expunged, it cannot be accessed…
Missouri Expungement
How do I expunge my record in Missouri? Expungement in Missouri refers to the legal destruction of any criminal records and files. If records can’t be destroyed, they’re crossed out….
Mississippi Expungement
Expungement in Mississippi The state’s laws allow certain criminal records to be expunged, meaning that the record is sealed from public view and no longer considered to exist for most…
Minnesota Expungement
What can be erased is determined by the state’s jurisdiction. Expungement renders files inaccessible to the general public and law enforcement agencies. Under certain conditions, only certain government officials will…
Michigan Expungement
Expungement in Michigan After an expungement is granted in Michigan, the records can no longer be accessed for civil or general law enforcement purposes. A set-aside record can be taken…
Massachusetts Expungement
Expungement in Massachusetts There is no provision in Massachusetts for expungement of convictions. Some adult cases, such as those involving the dismissal or acquittal of criminal charges, are immediately sealed….
Maine Expungement
In the state of Maine, expungement is the removal of previous criminal records from public view and from the view of law enforcement officials. When a record is expunged, the…
Louisiana Expungement
Expungement in Louisiana The process of legally erasing and destroying records and the information contained in each file is known as expungement. This includes files stored in computer databases. Juvenile…
Kentucky Expungement
When a criminal record is expunged, information in files, computers, and all records pertaining to the criminal charge are sealed from public view, and in some states, the records are…
Kansas Expungement
Expungement in Kansas Expungement in Kansas is intended to assist reformed individuals in contributing to society. Those with expunged records have new opportunities because expungement removes criminal records from civil…
Iowa Expungement
Expungement in Iowa The legal process of erasing, destroying, or erasing information in files or records from computers and folders containing criminal charges is known as expungement. Even if records…
Indiana Expungement
Expungement in Indiana The legal destruction of arrest and criminal records from all files and computer databases is known as expungement. Even though these files have been destroyed, they have…
Illinois Expungement
Expungement in Illinois Any arrest in the state of Illinois, as well as throughout the United States, will be recorded. Even if an arrest does not result in a conviction,…
Idaho Expungement
Expunged records, according to Idaho law, cannot be accessed for civil or general law enforcement purposes. Expungement is the legal removal of previous records in order for those who qualify…
Hawaii Expungement
The sealing of criminal history records as determined by the state of residence is known as expungement. In the state of Hawaii, any records relating to a minor’s arrest for…
Delaware Expungement
Expungement in Delaware The Delaware Expungement Process can provide individuals with a fresh start and the opportunity to move on from their past mistakes. The expungement process, which is governed…
Connecticut Expungement
Expungement in Connecticut In Connecticut, expungement is the process by which previous criminal records are erased and destroyed. These records are erased through the operation of law and a retention…
Colorado Expungement
Document Expungement in Colorado Although not all past criminal records can be expunged, in most cases, any correctional facility, court, criminal justice, or law enforcement agency files can be affected…
California Expungement
Expungement of a Criminal Record in California The California Penal Code Section 1203.4 allows anyone who meets certain criteria to have their record expunged by filing a petition for dismissal….
Arkansas Expungement
Expungement in Arkansas The legal removal of criminal history records is known as expungement. This is a privilege granted to those who meet certain criteria. According to Arkansas Code No….
Alaska Expungement
In the state of Alaska when an expungement is granted it does not mean that the prior criminal conviction is destroyed; it is simply erased from public viewing. Expungement refers…
Arizona Expungement
Expungement in Arizona Expungement is the process of clearing a criminal record you may have. Both felony and misdemeanor r convictions can be cleared through expungement. The Federal Government allows…
Alabama Expungement
Expungement Alabama Basics Expungement is the legal elimination of an individual’s criminal record. The record will subsequently be erased. This can include striking out, obliterating, or destroying records. Each state…
Texas Expungements
Expunctions in Texas “Have you ever been arrested for or charged with a crime?” That sentence appears on almost every job application. Unless the job is for the federal government,…