HOW CAN I CLEAR MY CRIMINAL RECORD? (EXPUNGEMENT)

HOW CAN I CLEAR MY CRIMINAL RECORD? (EXPUNGEMENT)
As a criminal defense attorney in Seattle, Washington, I get just as many questions about what to do after a criminal conviction has been put on a person’s record as I do questions about defending a person before the conviction is entered. Many people find themselves facing trouble getting jobs, applying for loans, getting licenses, getting into schools and finding housing due their criminal record. If you are experiencing trouble due to a criminal conviction on your record in the State of Washington, there are ways to clear your record. If you meet certain eligibility criteria, you can clear your record by filing a motion to vacate the conviction. This process is commonly referred to as “expungement.”

If you expunge a criminal conviction in the State of Washington, the record will reflect that the conviction has been vacated. This means that the conviction no longer exists. If you are successful in getting the conviction vacated or “expunged,” you will not have to tell potential employers about the conviction on a job application.

When you have a criminal conviction expunged, the fact that the conviction is vacated will be reflected in the court records as well as the Washington State Patrol Records. You may be eligible for an expungement for both misdemeanor and felony convictions. Some convictions are not eligible. For example, violent felonies and crimes against a person are not eligible for expungement, but most other felonies are. When you get a criminal conviction expunged, not only do you clear your criminal record, but you can also have certain rights restored including your right to possess a firearm.

If circumstances are such that you are not eligilble for expungment, you may still be able to get the desired effect through another process known as “sealing” criminal records. I will discuss sealing records and expunging noncriminal information and arrest records in another post. If you are interested in finding out if you are eligible for an expungment of a criminal conviction and would like an attorney help you clear your criminal record, you can call Attorney John E. Gross at (206) 618-1629.