If you did some stupid things when you were younger and ended up with criminal convictions, these records might be causing problems with your life. Now that you are an adult and have grown up, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to clear up your criminal past. The good news is you might be able to get the convictions expunged. If you can successfully do this, you will no longer have these records following you wherever you go.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is a process that offers a way to remove convictions from your record. With this method, your criminal convictions will be completely wiped away, as if they'd never occurred. Another option you could use is through conviction sealing. This process is similar to expungement; however, the convictions are not erased from your record; they are simply hidden.

Both of these options can help you successfully get rid of the criminal charges you have lingering with you, and both options are good. When you can get your record expunged or sealed, you will no longer have to legally reveal this information on applications. It will be as if the crime never existed.

This could be beneficial for you if you are having trouble finding a job due to your criminal background. If the expungement goes through, you will never have to check "yes" on an application if it asks you if you have ever been convicted of a crime.

Why Is This Allowed?

Expungement is allowed for many reasons, but it is primarily designed to help people who have only committed one offense in their past. In other words, expungement is not a process you could use if you are a repeat offender, but you might be able to use it if you committed just one crime in your life.

In order to get a record expunged, you may need to contact a criminal defense attorney. Every state has different rules, requirements, and procedures for expunging a record, and your lawyer will know how to handle the request in the state you live in.

The first thing your lawyer will do is determine if the conviction can be expunged in your state. There are rules about expungement, and your attorney will know whether or not your conviction falls within the parameters of your state.

What Are Some Of The Requirements?

If your conviction is one that can be expunged, the next step your attorney will take is to determine if it could be expunged right now. In order to get a conviction expunged, you may need to wait for a certain amount of time. In some states, you may need to wait for one year. If you can go one year without committing any crime, you may be able to get the expungement. In other cases, you may be able to get the expungement as soon as you complete certain requirements, such as community service, anger management courses, or a jail sentence.

If you meet these conditions, your attorney can file a motion for expungement with the court. You probably will not need to go to court for this, but you may have to wait a few weeks or months to find out the court's answer. If the court approves your request, your conviction will be expunged, and you will no longer have to worry about it.

Getting a conviction expunged is really not a difficult process, as long as you meet the requirements in your state. To learn more about expungement and the process it involves, contact a criminal defense attorney in your area.