Is it possible to clear your criminal record? That’s a question many people have, and for a good reason. Getting a fresh start and removing any previous legal issues from your record is a great way to get past various problems you had in your past. The best approach here is to try and obtain a fresh start, but can you do so? Let’s find out!
Figure out what’s on your record
Before you start planning a fresh start, you want to know what’s on your record. It’s possible to request a copy of that criminal record from the FBI, local courthouse or the state police. Here you want to focus on the charges/convictions present, whether they are arrests without convictions, misdemeanors or felonies. Note the jurisdiction of every incident as well.
Then, you want to learn the state laws. Every state has its own laws when it comes to record clearing. There can be pardons, sealings or expungements, in which case the record gets fully erased. In order to be eligible for any of these, you will have to surpass certain eligibility requirements. These include things like not having any new offenses, passing a waiting period of up to 10 years, fulfilling all the sentencing requirements, and the offense should also be eligible as well.
Get in touch with a legal expert
Although you can try to do everything yourself, let’s face it, you don’t have the legal expertise and knowledge that could speed things up. With a criminal defense attorney Greenville, you can get all the legal assistance and help. It will become easier to figure out all the steps to go through in order to clear your criminal record fast.
It’s in your best interest to obtain a fresh start and remove any issues from your record. Otherwise, you will end up having limitations when it comes to getting hired, and that can also affect many other aspects of your private life. Having a legal representative is the ideal and smart approach here, and something that could make a huge difference for your case.
File a petition
You will need to file a petition, asking for your criminal record to be cleared. In order to do so, you must complete various motions and forms. Additionally, you will need to gather court records, proof of rehabilitation, character references and other supporting documents. You also want to pay the filing fees, and attend the court hearing.
It’s also just as important to comply with all rehabilitation and probation requirements. Sometimes, the case is not eligible for expungement right away. In that case, you want to comply with all the records and guidelines, if possible. Fulfill any community service requirements, show your good behavior, attend any rehab programs and so on. The idea is to show you are a changed person, and all those issues are in your past.
What should you do if a sealing/expungement is offered?
You will need to make sure that the law enforcement database was updated and your record is not visible in any background checks. That way, if you want to work for a company and they require a background check, your record will appear as clean. Searching for additional remedies like a pardon, a certificate of rehabilitation, all of those might help. Naturally, it depends on the company who wants to hire you and what requirements they might have.
Is it possible to have a fresh start?
Absolutely, you can do that if you go through the steps shown above. It will take a while until you can do that, but results can be very good in the end. The most important thing is to understand that a fresh start will take a while, and you need to follow all the guidelines from your criminal attorney in Greenville, SC.
Once your record gets cleared, it’s very important to update your job applications and resume. You can also apply for any job that you’re qualified for, without having to worry about any convictions that might hamper your access. Aside from having access to a better job, you can also access other things, such as professional licenses, student loans, housing options and so on.
Closing thoughts
It’s not easy to clear your criminal record, it can require a lot of time and effort. However, if you stick with it, you won’t have a problem clearing the record and getting your previous life back. But it’s important to have a legal expert near you, which can offer any guidance and support that you may need. It’s not a walk in the park, but with enough assistance and help, you will be able to obtain that much-needed fresh start. This is a process that requires persistence and professional help, but it’s well worth all the effort!
