Got A Felony? Expunge Your Criminal Record

If you are suffering the consequences of a criminal record

, you do not need me or anyone else to tell you the limitations a felony conviction can have on your immediate and long term job prospects. Holding your breath at the prospect of every potential employer's background check becomes old fast.

States differ in the way they handle felony convictions. In the harsher jurisdictions, like Alabama, the only individuals eligible to expunge their record are those who have charges against them dismissed or retired. In contrast, in a state like California, there is a myriad of ways that one can address their criminal record. In between are states like Georgia and Tennessee that offer deferred judgment to first time, qualified offenders.

It is important that you do your research prior to deciding on what can be done with your criminal record. In addition to expungements, there are other methods depending on the state. Some states allow you to alternatively "seal" your record, such as Maryland. In other states, offenses pardoned by the governor can then be expunged. This is the case in West Virginia.

Nowadays, with the job market so tight, it is imperative that you do all you can to minimize the impact of your criminal record. The economy is sluggish at best, and as long as the job market remains as tight as it currently has been, even a minor criminal record can mean the real difference between an employee and earning a living and continued unemployement.

In fact, even an accusation of criminal conduct can be detrimental to a job application. In practically every instance, a charge that has been dismissed can ultimately be sealed or expunged. Even if you have never been convicted of a crime, the evidence and stigma of the accusation can still linger. Despite the best intentions of human nature, the beyond reasonable doubt standard is largely a legal concept. Everyday experience works more pragmatically on a "probably" standard. As such, it is in your best interest to erase every bit of public evidence relating your engagement with the criminal justice process.

The first thing one should do is retain an attorney experienced in expungement law to review your record. The best thing to do is discuss your options with a licensed attorney - there are dozens of scam expungement websites happy to take your money whether or not you are eligible for relief from your criminal record. The difference is that a licensed lawyer has an ethical obligation to be up front with you about the state of the law, and is much less likely to take your payment without some assurances about what is a likely result. Regardless, delay works against you as laws often change.

by: Nathan Moore

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