Misdemeanor Expungement

Misdemeanors such as DUI, petty theft, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, reckless driving and some drug possessions are considered “lesser” criminal acts – but they are still criminal acts. They are usually punished with fines or time in a local jail, and can result in the loss of everyday privileges like professional licenses, public offices or public employment.

Expungement generally refers to the cleansing of your criminal record, or the sealing and destruction of arrest and/or conviction information. An expungement proceeding can potentially make the underlying criminal records dismissed through state or Federal repositories. These records are said, then, to be “expunged.”

A misdemeanor expungement is not a pardon. When you have your misdemeanor expunged, your criminal record is not erased. However, the finding of guilt in your misdemeanor case will be changed to a dismissal. This is important, because you can then honestly and legally respond to a question about your criminal history by saying you have not been convicted of a crime.

Depending on the courthouse, the expungement process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, so it’s important to get started as soon as possible.