Criminal Defense Attorney Helping St. Cloud and Minnesota Clients Move Forward with Expungement

If you have a criminal record in the United States, you are likely all too aware of the fact that a lot of your past is publicly available information. A criminal record can come up for potential employers and housing, limiting your opportunities many years after the fact. Did you know, however, that in some cases your record can be sealed or expunged so that it is no longer publicly available?

Neuville Law Office believes that you should be able to move on from your mistakes, which is why Luke uses his expertise to help clients navigate the process for getting their records expunged or sealed. Though the process can be complicated, Luke understands how it works and can guide you through each step to maximize your chances of an expungement.

Record Sealing vs. Expungement

The main difference between getting your record sealed and having it expunged is that sealing means your record is no longer accessible to the public and expungement means that it is deleted altogether. Convictions for violent crimes and crimes of a sexual nature are never eligible for record sealing or expungement.

Getting a Record Sealed

A sealed record includes not just your criminal record but also any police reports and court records involved in your arrest. Typically, you can get your record sealed if you were charged but never found guilty, if you were arrested but never charged, or if the charges against you were dropped. Sealed records are still available to the police and courts in certain situations, but will not be accessible to the public.

Getting a Record Expunged

Getting a record expunged means that your criminal record will effectively be deleted. The requirements for expungement vary depending upon the severity of your conviction. One important factor is whether you had any gross misdemeanor or felony convictions in the ten years leading up to your arrest. Additionally, it is essential that you have no convictions for a certain period of time after the completion of your sentence for the conviction that you are seeking to have expunged. For misdemeanor convictions, this period is two years; gross misdemeanors, four years; and felonies, five years.

Leave the Past in the Past

Everyone deserves to be able to move on from their mistakes. At Neuville Law Office, Luke will work diligently to have your record expunged or sealed. Though the process may seem daunting, Luke has the professionalism and expertise to guide you through the process from beginning to end. Though not everyone is eligible for expungement or record sealing, hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney is the best way to maximize your chances of success.

If you live in St. Cloud or Minneapolis and are trying to get a criminal record expunged or sealed, call Neuville Law Office today at (612) 354-2622 to schedule a free initial consultation with a skilled criminal defense attorney.