Important Things to Know About Expungements
Having a criminal record has a lot of negative effects on an individual. Regardless if you’ve already faced the punishment for what you have done, it still stays on your record. And with this, it would be hard for you to get employed or simply get a place to rent, which is just one of the many consequences of having a not-so-good record.
Luckily, there is now the practice of expungement or expunction in which your arrest record will be sealed like it never happened. You can then start fresh as you go on with your life.
Expungement Explained
In the legal system, this is simply a process of sealing or setting aside the criminal record of a certain individual. But take note that this is not as simple as it may sound. You will have to appear before a judge who will decide whether or not to approve your appeal.
In order for you to get rid of your bad record, you shall undergo a proceeding. Before that, you are also required to file a set of documents. This could be a lengthy process, but if you seek the assistance of an experienced expungement lawyer, such as the one that you can find on this website, all your efforts will surely pay off. You can go through this process on your own, but it would still be a lot better to get legal help.
Eligibility
Not all people with criminal records are eligible for expungement proceedings. This depends on several factors, which include the nature of the committed offense and the length of time since the conviction. They will also have to take a look at your criminal history. If you have committed the same offense a few times, then your appeal might not be granted.
Furthermore, you have to remember that the process that you will have to go through will depend on the laws of the jurisdiction where you live in. Take note that in some states, such as New York and Arizona, there is no expungement law.
Legal Effects
Once your appeal has been approved, you no longer have to disclose your criminal records when applying for a job. Your prospective employer will no longer find your arrest record if they conduct a background search since it has already been sealed.
In other words, you will be free to move on with your new life without having to worry about people accessing your criminal history and judging you for it. You will have peace of mind.