Expungement is a valuable process that can help to reduce the impact that your criminal record can have on your future. It is important to work with an experienced criminal law attorney to determine eligibility for expungement and to identify the outcome that it may have on your life. I am knowledgeable regarding the various legal processes that can help you to move forward after your criminal conviction. Here are a few important things to keep in mind about the expungement process.

Your Criminal Record Can Haunt You

Many people find that their criminal record can haunt them over time. It can make it difficult for them to obtain a good job or work in certain fields. This impact may be further compounded when the original conviction was in a juvenile court and the record follows the individual into their adult life. Working with me can help you to find the appropriate avenue for moving beyond your criminal conviction and rebuilding your life.

Eligibility for Expungement

Determining whether or not you are eligible for expungement will depend largely on the crime and several other factors. For example, felonies are much more difficult to expunge than other types of crimes. Each state will also have different laws regarding expungement, so some cases may be eligible for expungement in certain states but not in others. The crime committed will further impact the eligibility for expungement. For example, first degree felonies such as homicides, various types of sexual crimes, or certain crimes against people are not eligible for expungement in the state of Utah. It will also be important to keep in mind the time that has passed since the initial conviction. Most states, including Utah, require the individual to serve their sentence or pay their fines before they will be eligible to file for expungement. The expungement period does not begin until the latter of both have been completed. I can help you to go over the details of your case and identify if you are eligible for expungement.

Benefits of Expungement

There are many reasons why states have begun to see a reform toward expungement laws. Expungement comes with a great deal of benefits for both an individual and their larger community. Having your conviction expunged can help to prevent barriers to obtaining employment, housing, or an array of other processes. On a larger scale, it is economically advantageous for citizens to be able to be employed. These are just a few of the benefits of expungement. If you are considering expungement, it can be extremely beneficial to consult with me to learn about how this process can improve your particular situation.

What is Expungement?

In order to determine if seeking an expungement is the right choice for you, it is crucial to understand what an expungement is. To expunge something is to erase it or otherwise remove it completely. Legal expungement, therefore, is a situation in which the record of your criminal conviction is sealed from the state or federal record. When you are awarded an expungement, the court will be ordered to treat the initial criminal conviction as though it had never occurred in the first place.

A Legal Pardon

A legal pardon is not the same thing as an expungement. When a legal pardon is awarded, it is essentially extending “forgiveness” for a crime. These situations do not dictate that the crime didn’t take place and, in fact, accepting a pardon often includes formally admitting that the crime did occur.

Usually a State Affair

In most situations, an expungement will take place at the state level. Federal crimes are incredibly difficult to have expunged. It is also important to note that every state will have different laws that will impact your eligibility to obtain an expungement for your particular case. The most common reasons that people seek expungements are for juvenile records or drug-related crimes. Other crimes may be eligible for an expungement, but these are the most popular reasons. I am knowledgeable about the process in Utah and can help to provide you with the best services to guide you through this process.

Number of Convictions

It is important to remember that the number of criminal convictions on your record will affect your ability to obtain an expungement. The degree of your convictions will also influence whether you will be eligible to receive an expungement or not. This is a key reason why it is crucial to work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to obtain an expungement. You will not want to go through the process only to find out you are not eligible due to the number or nature of your criminal convictions.

Limitations of Expungements

Though expungements can certainly be valuable additions to your case, it is important to note that they do have their limitations. Expungements are concerned solely with the court. Being awarded an expungement won’t remove the information about the crime from the social media, press, Google, or other public areas. So while this can remove the crime from your record, it can’t necessarily prevent other people from finding out about the crime. You can consult with me to learn more about the potential limitations of expungements and what the best approach will be for your particular situation.

When you intend to seek an expungement, it will be essential to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney. I can help to provide you with the best guidance throughout the process. There are additional reasons that you should consider the services of an attorney, such as for assistance with your DUI case, especially for commercial DUIs and DUIs with enhanced penalties. To learn more about expungement and the advantages of working with a criminal defense attorney, contact me today!