About Expungements

If you have a past criminal record but have been leading a productive, law abiding life since your conviction, you may be eligible for an expungement, which is the process of sealing the record of your prior convictions. When a record is expunged, it does not disappear entirely. However, it is amended so that it indicates you pled not guilty and the charges against you were dismissed.

Many individuals believe that juvenile records are automatically sealed on their 18th birthday, which is incorrect. If you have a juvenile criminal record, you must file a petition in court seeking to have it sealed.

To be eligible for an expungement, you must have complied with all the terms of your probation. With the exception of certain jobs such as law enforcement and those requiring state licenses, an expungement allows you to omit your criminal conviction from employment applications. Expunged records are still accessible under certain circumstances, and can affect future court cases. Unfortunately, certain crimes, including any criminal conviction for which you served time in state prison, cannot be expunged from your record.

Expungement Lawyer in Fresno

In order to be eligible for an expungement, you must meet certain requirements, which are strictly followed by the courts. Some of the requirements are as follows:

• Successful completeion of all probation terms, or early release
• Payment in full of all fines and restitution;
• No pending criminal charges, and not on probation for another crime

The court will determine your eligibility for an expungement on a case-by-case basis. An expungement request must be carefully prepared and presented to the court, and should be made by a criminal defense attorney experienced in handling expungements. Brian Andritch has worked in the field of criminal law for a decade, both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney, and has the skill and experience necessary to seek an expungement on your behalf.

A criminal record can hinder your ability to find a job, particularly in these difficult economic times and even if you have the experience and are highly qualified for the job you seek. A criminal conviction, even for a misdemeanor DUI, can derail your job application by making you appear less desirable as an employee than other applicants or even scaring off potential employers completely. An expungement can improve not only your ability to get a job, but your chance to get the loan or place to live you need or desire. If you have paid your debt to society and lived a productive, law abiding life since doing so, you may be eligible for an expungement. Attorney Brian Andritch can assist you in determining your eligibility, and will advise you in full regarding what an expungement does and does not do, and how it can benefit you.

Contact Brian Andritch, Fresno Expungement Attorney, if you seek legal representation to assist you in cleaning your criminal or juvenile record.