Expungement

Expungement of a record means that a criminal record is wiped from the slate. As a result, expungement makes the crime as if it never occurred. By successfully getting an expungement, each law enforcement agency will destroy their records of the crime. Expungement differs from getting a record sealed, which some people confuse the two for. By getting a record sealed, the file will remain intact but can only be released to other law enforcement agencies, so employers and other people cannot get a hold of the record but is not completely erased like an expungement will.

Now with the Internet able to give access to limitless amounts of information, expungement is being sought at a much greater frequency. People are contacting attorneys that specialize in expungement criminal law because of the growing paranoia that a tarnished record will affect their future. Employers have access to criminal records and it can influence the decisions made because of it and expungement can help prevent an otherwise debatable situation.

In some instances, charges that were dismissed can still appear on record to show that the individual is under indictment and expungement can help diminish any confusion about a situation. Although found to be innocent by the law, records can cause suspicion to law enforcement agencies, employers, and anyone else able to access the records if an expungement is not sought. Some states are changing their expungement laws in order to allow for some people to petition for the removal of records, though laws regarding expungement differ from state to state.

In any case, with services on the Internet that now allows a minimal charge to search criminal records, expungement has become almost an obsession for many people afraid of how their records will negatively influence their reputation. For more information on expungement, please contact us to confer with a criminal lawyer specializing in expungements and pardons.


Expungement State Laws

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…

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…

Arkansas Expungement

Expungement in Arkansas Expungement is the removal of police and court records from public inspection. With expungement, your records will not be physically destroyed, but rather sealed and treated as…

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….

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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….

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…

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…

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…

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….

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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 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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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,…

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…

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…

Application for Expungement

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...

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Expungement Forms

Filing for expungement is a difficult and time-consuming process. However, thanks to the Internet, forms can be easily found. Many websites provide PDFs and links for completing the necessary files and papers. Procedure Steps Filing for expungement is a step-by-step process that must be followed exactly. Before beginning, the first step is to research criminal...

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Expungement Letter

An expungement letter is a letter written for the purpose of sealing an arrest or conviction record. An expungement letter is not the same as an expungement form. Typically, expungement letters are formal letters written in accordance with a general outline. Online examples of expungement letters are available. Why is a letter preferred over a...

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