St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyer John Lesch
Have you been asking questions and seeking advice about criminal record expungement? If so, one of the topics you have probably discussed is who will be able to view your record after the expungement has been finalized. Expungement gives former offenders another chance at having a clean record. When your record is expunged, this will give you the ability to seek employment and housing without worrying you will be denied both because of your criminal history.
If you have done your time and turned your life around for the better, the past minor offenses you made should be put behind you and everyone else. If you qualify to have your record expunged in Minnesota, that is the path you could walk, but it does not happen that way for everyone. Many people are under the impression that once criminal records are expunged, everything will be gone forever.
WHO WILL KNOW ABOUT MY EXPUNGED RECORD?
The public will not be aware of your past history if your criminal record has been successfully expunged, but there are groups of people who will be able to obtain access to your criminal record. Landlords and others who use background checks before making a decision will not know about your expunged records. If your record has been expunged, many states will grant you the permission to choose the “No” option as it pertains to having a criminal record.
Public officials and people who are part of the criminal justice industry will have access to your record after it has been expunged. However, access to this information will only used when necessary. Here are some of the people who will be able to view your criminal record:
- Prosecutors and judges will have access to your full record, and this record can be used against you if you are in court
- Professional agencies will also have access to your full criminal record if you attempt to seek a profession that requires a license to practice it
- Public employers can have access to your un-expunged criminal record. If you are being considered for a job working in a school, a human service agency, or a criminal justice agency, access to your criminal record will be granted
WILL MY RECORD BE VISIBLE IN BACKGROUND REPORTS?
When a pre-employment background check is part of your job application, there should be no information on the report that pertains to your expunged record. However, it is important to know that copies of the expunged record will still be available in other public and private databases.
When a background checking company requests information, the information that has been requested will come from a variety of sources. So, if a conviction does not show up in one database, it does not mean it will not show up in another. This can happen because the record is expunged or it could happen because of incorrect data. If the county where your record was expunged has not deleted the record, that record will show up on a background report.
The Lesch Law team understands how difficult it can be for people to obtain employment, housing, and more because of a decision that was made. An expungement can be used to eliminate those problems and provide you with a chance to move on with your life. We represent clients who are looking for assistance in getting their criminal records expunged.
The team at Lesch Law will explain the expungement process, review your case, and determine if you are eligible to have your criminal record expunged. For additional information, contact us today. We are available 24/7 and can be reached at 651.302.7009.