Clearing Your Name Through Expungement

To have a criminal record sealed, you have to petition a judge and prove that the presence of the criminal record is causing a hardship for you. Perhaps this hardship is difficulty getting a job or finding a place to live. Not all criminal convictions can be expunged, which is why you should consult with a St. Paul expungement lawyer to see whether the potential exists.

At Lesch Law Firm, our attorney will evaluate your criminal record, the amount of time that has passed and the hardship that the record is creating. You will receive a straightforward answer as to whether the record can be expunged. It’s important that you know what to expect when pursuing the sealing of your record. We will give you realistic expectations and guide you through the expungement process.

Differences Between Appeals And Expungements

Appeals and expungements are distinct legal modifications to the court’s decision and involve reviewing trial records for legal errors and presenting arguments to a higher court. A successful appeal can grant an opportunity for a new trial, resulting in new sentencing or dismissing the charges altogether.

Expungement, on the other hand, does not challenge the conviction itself but seeks to seal the criminal record from public view. Expunging a record can reduce the long-term consequences of a conviction, allowing the convicted to have an easier time securing employment or housing. Expungements often require demonstrating that the criminal record is causing significant hardship and sealing the record will not be a detriment to the public.

Helping Get Your Record Sealed In Minnesota

When a criminal record is sealed, law enforcement, the FBI and similar entities can still see it. Those who can’t see the criminal record include employers and landlords. Anyone who performs a background check won’t be able to see a sealed record, nor will they know that a sealed record exists.

All in all, expungement can be a major victory for someone working to move ahead in their life. However, offenses like driving while intoxicated (DWI) and murder (felonies) can’t be expunged. Other offenses, like reckless driving, simple assault and misdemeanor theft, could be expunged if you meet the qualifications. Some of the qualifications include:

• At least two years have passed since the conviction.
• You can demonstrate that expungement won’t endanger the public.
• You can demonstrate that the record is causing a life-altering hardship.

It is also possible for charges to appear on your record. If a case was resolved in your favor, then the chances of expungement increase. The chances of expungement also increase if you have completed a diversion program.

Helping You Navigate The Expungement Process In Minnesota

There is a very strict timeline that must be followed throughout the expungement process. In addition to needing proper guidance and representation, this is another reason why it’s beneficial to have a St. Paul expungement lawyer in your corner.

Once an expungement is granted, it can take 60 days for the expungement documents to be filed.

Seek A Fresh Start Today

If you have been convicted of a crime and the resulting criminal record is causing you hardships in your life, you may be able to have the conviction expunged from your record. To see if your conviction is expungable, call us at 651-393-9550 or reach out to us online for a free consultation.