Criminal Record Expungement in Jefferson County

An expungement in Jefferson County often refers to legally eliminating an individual’s criminal record. Expungement is not generally available for criminal convictions but is possible for cases that were dismissed or for which there was a non-conviction. A Jefferson County expungement lawyer could assist you with filing a petition for expungement of your criminal record.

Contact a skilled defense attorney who understands the rules and regulations of expungement. Expungement could reopen doors to potential career and education opportunities. Schedule an appointment to discuss your case today.

Expunging a criminal record could potentially benefit someone in multiple areas. Even if a person was never convicted of any criminal offense, simply having an arrest record may adversely affect the way potential employers, landlords, and others view applications.

Typically, expunging a person’s record means there will no longer be a publicly accessible record of the violation, arrest, or non-conviction. Expungement could potentially benefit someone who is applying for employment, gaining membership in a professional organization, obtaining a state license for certain professions and applying for housing. A Jefferson County expungement lawyer could determine someone’s eligibility and then help them navigate the expungement process.

Expungement is detailed in Chapter 27 in Title 15 of Alabama’s code on criminal procedure. To have a criminal record expunged, a person must typically file a petition with the court. An attorney for expungement in Jefferson County could assist a person with filing the proper paperwork and completing other legal requirements that may be necessary when requesting expungement of a criminal record. It is important to note that criminal convictions and criminal records of arrest or charges for violent offenses are generally not eligible for expungement.

Expungement is often possible for criminal records pertaining to specific types of misdemeanor offenses, felony offenses traffic violations, and ordinance violations. Examples of felony charges that are eligible for expungement as per Section 15-27-2 of chapter 27, Title 15 of the Code of Alabama may include:

• Nonviolent felony offense charges dismissed with prejudice
• Nonviolent felony offense charges that were dismissed after successfully completing a court-ordered program
• Nonviolent felony offense charges that were no-billed by a grand jury

Examples of other, nonviolent charges that are often eligible for expungement as per Section 15-27-1 of chapter 27, Title 15 of the Code of Alabama may include misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, and municipal ordinance violations that meet one of the following conditions:

• The charges or violations were dismissed with prejudice
• The charges or violations were no-billed by a grand jury
• When the charged individual was found not guilty of the charges or violations
• When the charges were dismissed without prejudice and it has been at least two years, the charges have not been refiled, and the individual has not been convicted of any other offense or violation during the past two years

A Jefferson County expungement lawyer could assist you with learning about the expungement process. This may include determining if you have any criminal records eligible for expungement to the filing of a petition for expungement. Rather than worrying about making a mistake on the petition form or an error when filing and risking denial of your expungement request, allow an expungement attorney to help. Call a knowledgeable defense attorney today and schedule an appointment.