Get A Second Chance In Life With Expungement
If you are someone with a criminal record, you already know how difficult it can make your life. A mistake in your past can keep you from maintaining or gaining employment, finding a place to live or receiving a loan for a college education, but it does not have to.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, L.P.A. Co., our criminal defense team has collective decades of experience. Our lawyers know how much a criminal history can interfere with a person’s future, and they are dedicated to helping our clients earn the outcomes they deserve in their cases.
How Does Expungement Work?
It’s a common misconception that a successful expungement will erase charges from your record. Instead, Ohio courts will go through the process of sealing your criminal record. Once your record is sealed, then you will have no obligation to disclose any information surrounding your arrest. Effectively, it will be as though the offense never took place at all.
Who Qualifies For Expungement?
Not every type of criminal charge can qualify to be expunged and sealed. Before you reach out to our team, be sure that your charges:
- Were nonviolent
- Were nonsexual
- Did not involve a minor
- Were either a misdemeanor or a felony of the third, fourth or fifth degree
Additionally, you cannot file for expungement immediately after your conviction. For misdemeanor charges, you need to wait at least one year after your case is closed; for felony convictions, you must wait three years.
Can A Drunk Driving Conviction Be Expunged?
No, driving under the influence (DUI) convictions are not eligible for expungement in Ohio. However, if you were charged with DUI but were not convicted, then you can have the record of the charge sealed.
How Do You Start The Expungement Process?
The process of having a criminal record sealed in Ohio begins with submitting an application to the court where you were convicted. For misdemeanor charges, this would be a municipal or county court. For felony charges, it would be the court of common pleas in the county where you received the charge you want to expunge. Our attorneys can help you prepare and submit the application and guide you through the rest of the process every step of the way.
Do You Need An Attorney To Have Your Criminal Record Sealed?
Ideally, yes. While it is possible to go through the process pro se, or without legal representation, having a lawyer at the helm increases your chances of success. To ensure that your endeavor to have a criminal record sealed isn’t a waste of time and energy, enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Take The First Step Toward A Fresh Start Today
When you have already paid your debt to society for your charges, you should not have to keep suffering collateral consequences. To schedule your initial consultation with our team at our Independence office today, call 216-710-6700 or email us here. Our attorneys look forward to helping you clean your slate and move forward after your charges.