If you’ve been convicted of a crime in the past, one of the things you might be interested in is expunction. Expunction is a process in which your arrest or criminal conviction is sealed from the public. Once that expunction occurs, employers, landlords and others will not be able to access your past criminal record.
Why is that important? If you have a criminal record, you may have noticed that it’s harder to get a job, more difficult to rent a property or difficult to get into school. Having an expungement literally hides away the conviction, making it possible for you to have a fresh start.
An expunction isn’t necessarily gone, even if it is inaccessible for most people. If, for instance, you commit another crime similar to the crime that was expunged, the courts may have access to the sealed files for legal purposes. Any conviction under seal is typically considered proof of prior convictions.
In your day-to-day life, an expungement makes a major difference. If you want to go through the process to have a criminal record expunged, then you’ll need to talk to your attorney about the specific process for your area and type of crime. Some types of crimes are not eligible for expungement, although many are after a certain length of time.
Our website has more information on having convictions expunged. It’s always a good idea to look into this option, especially if it’s been a long time since your conviction. With the right help, you could have a fresh start in life with no criminal background.