| The legal term is called expungement. Many people | | | | Under certain circumstances it costs nothing to |
| think they can not get an expungement or otherwise | | | | remove a felony charge from your record and other |
| clear their record. The fact is most of the people you | | | | times there may be a court fee. When an attorney is |
| talk to including and especially the majority of | | | | used you can expect anywhere from a free |
| attorneys have no experience in this area of the law | | | | representation to thousands of dollars. |
| for clearing up records. The fact is that this specialty | | | | 6. I was arrested (illegally) in Long Beach, CA in July |
| of law has been ignored. Anyone that wants to clear | | | | of 1967 for possession of less than one ounce of |
| the record and is eligible to do so can and has a | | | | marijuana. Because my basic civil rights were violated, |
| constitutional right to have the record cleared with | | | | the charges were dismissed at my arraignment. I will |
| few exceptions. | | | | be applying for a governmental job soon and do not |
| Top 10 frequently asked questions about | | | | wish to put this arrest on my job application. Do I |
| expungement. | | | | need to have this arrest expunged? Absolutely, even |
| 1. I committed one crime in my life and was | | | | dismissed cases have resulting arrest records that |
| convicted of a felony for embezzlement. I served | | | | must be expunged! |
| one week in jail and was ordered to pay a $86K | | | | 7. I am trying to join the military service. If I expunge |
| restitution. I have been on probation for 3 years now. | | | | my criminal record will they let me join? |
| Do I have a chance to remove my felony charge | | | | Expungements almost always clear all obstacles that |
| from my record? | | | | they presented by way of the record itself. |
| Nearly every conviction can be expunged with a few | | | | 8. I have already been turned down for trying to |
| exceptions such as child molesters, crimes while | | | | remove a felony from my record. Is there anything I |
| serving in government positions, treason and others. | | | | can do? |
| Each person's case is different and must be analyzed | | | | Absolutely. There is an approach that is almost |
| and understood. | | | | always overlooked even by the best attorneys |
| 2. How soon after a conviction can an expungement | | | | which is to file a civil rights action. |
| be applied for? | | | | 9. I am a non US citizen. Can I get an expungement |
| Depends again on the facts. Some expungements | | | | and can that prevent me from being deported? |
| may be started the day after the end of the legal | | | | Yes. Non citizens can get expungements and must |
| proceedings. | | | | do so. An expungement can help prevent you from |
| 3. I got busted for bad checks. Would an | | | | being deported for certain crimes. |
| expungement apply? | | | | 10. Am I allowed to get expungement on my own? |
| A federal or state expungement may apply | | | | In a perfect world we can all afford an attorney. The |
| depending on the quantity. One expungement can | | | | reality is most can not. Everyone has the right to act |
| free you of both records. | | | | on their own behalf. You can determine if it is |
| 4. I was told that the president is the only one who | | | | something you should do or secure the help of a legal |
| can remove a felony charge from your record. Is this | | | | professional. It depends on the facts of your case. |
| true? | | | | The states are overworked and have not paid |
| No. Presidents give pardons and pardons do not | | | | attention to this area if the law. You must bring to |
| erase the legal record. Expungement must still be | | | | their attention that you have a right to be free from |
| applied for and it is a process that goes through the | | | | the ongoing punishment of a legal record that does |
| court. | | | | not need to exist. You can and must help yourself. |
| 5. How much does an expungement cost? | | | | |