Clearing Your Criminal Record
Clearing Your Criminal Record
In these uncertain economic times, it is important now more than ever to assure that you have a clean criminal record that will not affect your ability to find or keep a job, or obtain specific licenses and permits. The difference between getting a job or not often may be whether you can check "no" when asked if you have ever been convicted of a criminal offense. Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to have your criminal record expunged. The expungement of your criminal record, when accomplished by an experienced attorney, will allow you to legally check "no" when applying for a job with a private employer. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor and were not sentenced to probation or have successfully completed probation: If this is your situation, it is highly likely you will be able to have your record expunged, and at minimal cost. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor and are still on probation: Even though you have not yet completed your probation, it is still possible to have you record expunged. If this is the case, it will be necessary to file a motion to terminate probation. The court will grant such a motion when it serves the "ends of justice." This means you must have a good reason, i.e. you are unable to find a job or obtain licensure. If a motion to terminate probation is not granted, it will still be possible to have your record expunged upon completion of the terms of your probation. If you have been convicted of a felony and have successfully completed probation, but did not serve time in state prison: First, it will be necessary to file a motion to have your felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor. After the felony is reduced to a misdemeanor, you may file a motion to have the record expunged. If you have been convicted of a felony and have not yet completed probation, but did not serve time in state prison: Even if you haven't yet finished your probation, it is STILL possible to have your record expunged! It will be necessary first to file a motion to terminate probation, then to have the felony reduced to a misdemeanor, and then to file the motion for expungement. If you have been convicted of a felony and sentenced to state prison: Believe it or not, even if you have spent time in state prison, the law still allows a person to improve what is on their record. It will be necessary to file a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon. Expunging a criminal record at times may seem to be a complicated process. However, with a skilled attorney on your side, it is often possible to greatly improve upon what a potential employer may find in your past. Depending on the court, this process may take a few weeks to several months. If you have unwanted black marks on your record, you need to act today. Because in these uncertain times, can you afford NOT to have a clean record? Contact the Law Office of Scott R. Ball for a free and completely confidential consultation today.
