If you have been accused of or convicted of a crime, one of the things you may be considering is how the expungement process works. Expungement is never guaranteed, and you may have to work with your attorney to file the appropriate documents. If you want your record expunged, you will have to show why you believe this is a decision the court should make.
When you commit a crime, you normally have to tell everyone about it when you apply for housing, a job, or other important things in life. Unfortunately, that can hinder you since some employers or housing associations may not want someone with a conviction on his record working or living in the area.
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In some cases, there will be a court hearing where the merits of your case for expungement will be considered. If the court decides that your legal records should be expunged, then your record of arrest or conviction will be sealed. That means that for the majority of situations, that conviction or arrest no longer appears on your record.
For instance, once your record is sealed, you will no longer have to tell potential employers about your criminal history. If you want to go to school, the school does not need to know about the past mistakes, either. Even though most situations will now no longer result in disclosing this information, expungements are not all-inclusive. Certain government agencies may still be able to look into your record, even if it has been sealed. Sometimes, a conviction that has been sealed can still be used as evidence in further cases, which is something to consider.