Set-Aside and Expungement of Convictions


If you have previously entered a plea of guilty or no contest in a criminal or traffic matter you may have the ability to set-aside that conviction.  Many times people enter a plea without the advice of an attorney. This can cause many unforeseen difficulties, such as loss of your license or even more serious penalties. Having an attorney look at your case and explain your options to you about setting aside the convictions may give you chance at a better outcome. Different jurisdictions have varying rules about setting aside convictions, so it is important to talk to a local attorney that can advise you whether or not you could eligible to set the conviction aside. We have successfully set aside convictions throughout the Kansas City area. Time is usually extremely important, as you may lose the ability to set-aside the conviction if more than a year has passed.

Expungement of Convictions

Expunging a conviction clears or “erases" it from your record, except in certain situations. This takes the conviction and arrest out of the public record, and can be beneficial in advancing your career and saving you embarrassment from past mistakes or indiscretions. Previous convictions may be costing you jobs, education, and housing opportunities and you may not even know it. 

In Kansas, most misdemeanors can be expunged three (3) years from the time probation ended, or if there was no probation then three (3) years from the date of conviction. A skilled attorney can advise you whether or not you are eligible for an expungement, and how to start the process to cleaning up your record. Additionally, some felonies can be expunged in Kansas at five (5), seven (7), or ten (10)years. There must be no pending felony charges, and the person’s behavior and circumstances must warrant expungement. Some violent and dangerous felonies are not eligible to be expunged in Kansas (i.e., murder, rape, etc).

In Missouri, the expungement law is quite a bit stricter and no expungement is allowed for serious or violent felonies. However, there are certain misdemeanor crimes that can be expunged. Alternatively, Missouri offers “closure”of some criminal records which will seal the record from being discoverable by the general public.