A criminal record can haunt a person for years after they have fulfilled the demands of the court. No matter how much they have tried to rehabilitate themselves or how well they have sought to make amends for their wrongdoing, they still may find it hard to get certain jobs or to procure student loans. Take a look below where we have compiled five steps for expunging a criminal record. If you feel you qualify, the best course of action is to contact a lawyer who can help you prepare the documents you need and who can affirm your eligibility for criminal record expungement.
1. If you have been convicted of a motor vehicle crime, you must prepare a motion with the court in which you were convicted. To complete the packet, you will need to include a set of fingerprints and a certified check. As of this writing, the State of Oregon asks for $80.00 to complete a motion to expunge motor vehicle crimes.
2. If your crime was committed and prosecuted under the juvenile justice system, it is possible to have the matter ″set aside. ″ A Multnomah County attorney can help you with this paperwork. Once successful, you can confidently state on any legal document that you have never been arrested or convicted of a crime. Make sure that your record has remained clean for the past five years since the crime.
3. Determine what sort of crime you were convicted of. A Class C felony, for instance could qualify. You might also be able to expunge a misdemeanor, violation, or a felony, which might be treated as a misdemeanor. A Portland criminal attorney that has a specialty in drug offenses can consult with you on your old drug charges. New legislation covers even very serious drug crimes, but they must be well in the past. Your attorney can help you determine if your infraction qualifies.
4. Perform a criminal background check on yourself to be certain that there are no errors. Make sure that there are no outstanding warrants which you might not be aware of and that you are ready to precede with the expungement process. A good criminal attorney can help you with this.
5. Double-check all of the current policies and procedures of the State of Oregon. Your Multnomah County criminal attorney can check to ensure that you have a good case for expungement. Be sure to include any proof of community service, all personal recommendations, and your excellent work record. Your case is only helped when you can prove that your time since committing a crime has been beneficial to the state and society in general.