Why You Need the Services of a Defense Lawyer To Expunge a Case
If you’ve been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime in your past and would like to remove or expunge the record, you should consider seeking professional legal help to best understand and prepare your case. Generally speaking, an expungement is the long process of petitioning the court and asking a judge to seal a court record. In any misdemeanor case, where the sentence has been fully satisfied or probation is granted and successfully completed, and there are no new or pending criminal charges, an expungement is likely available. While felony cases are handled differently, an expungement is available and granted based on an individual’s situation and current status. However, before trying to expunge a criminal conviction, you should consult with a defense attorney to ensure that it is properly done.
A defense lawyer would be best able to aide you in determining if your particular charge or case will qualify for expungement. Basically, you and your lawyer will need to decide if your case meets the court requirements and also decide to what extent or cost you are willing to undergo to clear your record. Depending on the type of criminal charges and sentence originally received, there may be different legal options available to you. To expunge your record, if qualified, a lawyer can proceed with reopening your criminal case, requesting a dismissal to have the conviction set aside, closing the case again, but this time, without a conviction.
Typically, criminal convictions can be expunged for both felony and misdemeanor cases. While there is no guarantee of expungement, a good defense lawyer working on your behalf is better prepared to convince the judge that sealing your criminal record will help you with continuous rehabilitation and that doing so is not a threat to public safety. Thus, you should keep in mind that before deciding if it is worthwhile to ask the court for an expungement, you too must be prepared and knowledgeable about your case and commit to carrying out the process.
There are many benefits to expunging or clearing past criminal convictions from your record. One of the main benefits is a fresh start without having a criminal background lingering from your past that can prevent you from entering certain professions as well as obtaining gainful. An expungement will greatly increase your chances for employment as your background record will no longer reflect a criminal history. Ultimately, your chances for expungement are greatly improved if your defense lawyer can prove and show that you’ve made changes in your life to positively affect those around you, including your family and other members of society.
For those who have a past conviction, seeking and receiving an expungement can be a great investment in your future. Whether you need to expunge a misdemeanor or a felony, a lawyer can be of significant assistance in helping you change your life for the better. Overall, a skilled defense lawyer can help clear your criminal record, which can improve your life, self-confidence, and lead to better employment opportunities.
Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher who makes his home in the American South. He has often used TexasDefenseLaw.com. as a resource while writing about Houston defense lawyer. He recommends checking out their site.