Types of Criminal Charges That Can Be Expunged
Certain crimes in the United States have significantly dropped from the past years. It was reported that from 2023 to 2024, incidents of robbery dropped by 10%, carjackings fell by 32%, and motor vehicle theft decreased by 24%.
Life gets so much harder when you have a criminal record because it affects different aspects of your life. Getting a job becomes more difficult, and so does finding a house. But there is still hope. Some criminal charges can be cleared from your record like they never happened.
Expungement lawyer Eric Alan Berg, Esq., says that expungement can include crimes of violence, including spousal abuse. He added that expungement attorneys can help you get a felony conviction erased and expunged from your criminal record.
But not every charge can be erased, and many people don’t know they might qualify. Find out which charges can be expunged and how to clean your record.
Misdemeanor Offenses
As you may know, some misdemeanors can be wiped. If a defendant files for expungement, they may be able to start over.
Misdemeanor charges are petty theft, disorderly conduct, and possession of small amounts of drugs. According to https://www.jamespaynelaw.com/, drug-related charges range from possession of small amounts to large-scale trafficking operations. Penalties for these crimes depend on the type and quantity of the substance, the presence of prior convictions, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
Once you have served your time in jail and been on probation, you can ask to have your criminal record wiped. People can live their lives without having to worry about their past once their crime record is erased.
Check the rules in your state because they might be different. This can definitely help you get a job, a place to live, or peace of mind.
Don’t let a misdemeanor prevent you from succeeding in life!
Non-Violent Felonies
More severe punishments are given for nonviolent felonies than for misdemeanors, but many of these charges can still be dropped.
When convicted of a crime, understanding your rights for expungement becomes critical. This includes theft, fraud, or other property offenses-without hurting anyone.
An expunged record is very useful in circumstances such as employment, housing, or further education. But an applicant needs to have his application requirements checked in his state.
All of your criminal sentences should be over, including any probation or parole. You should also no longer be facing any charges. If you want to have a good future, you should clear your record.
Drug-Related Charges
If you’ve faced drug-related charges, you might be surprised to learn that many of these charges are expungable. Most of the common offenses for expungement are possession of small quantities of controlled substances and distribution of small quantities.
Your case for expungement may be strengthened by completion of a drug treatment program or meeting other requirements.
Eligibility factors usually include the drug type, the amount charged, and whether you’ve been in trouble once or twice since. You will want to check into state laws, as most states vary widely in their regulations.
Juvenile Offenses
While some juvenile offenses are quite grave and may attract serious consequences, most charges are subject to expungements, giving the offenders a second chance.
If you were a troubled child, remember that not all mistakes should define your future. Some commonly expungeable juvenile offenses are petty theft, simple possession of drugs, or some forms of misdemeanor vandalism.
An expungement application is also in order after whatever has been done, including probation or after some set amount of time in which there has been no repeat offense.
Cleaning your record would allow you to present a clean sheet for the easy application of jobs, colleges, or residences.
This is a step that will open your life for new chances and will free you to grow without the shadow of those offenses.
Certain Traffic Violations
Some traffic offenses appearing minor and inconsequential might remain forever etched in your records and can harm your rate. Some criminal violations, like a speeding ticket or running a red light, can be expunged with conditions.
You may be able to get an expungement after having a clean record for a while. Be aware that laws might differ from state to state.
Major offenses like DUI and reckless driving normally cannot be expunged. However, having the lesser offenses expunged greatly beautifies your driving record, which means lowering insurance rates for you and just letting this burden of the past go.
Such decisions ultimately provide you with the opportunity to move forward and travel in the present with a fresh start.
