Who Qualifies For An Expungement?

Raleigh Expungement Attorney Dewey Brinkley

Who Qualifies For An Expungement?

Having a criminal record in North Carolina can present significant barriers for individuals seeking gainful employment, affordable housing, family unification, and a myriad of other benefits and opportunities. Unfortunately, even if you changed your ways, or even if you made a mistake (or handful or mistakes) in your past, the criminal record will live on; employers and other individuals may look at your criminal record without even considering other factors, such as your qualifications or the fact that you haven’t been in trouble for years.

In North Carolina, an expungement is the destruction of a criminal record according to a court order. By expunging your record, you will restore “yourself” (in the eyes of the law) to the status you held before the criminal record existed. Furthermore, with rare exception, if you have an expunged record, you may truthfully and without committing perjury refuse to acknowledge that the criminal incidents occurred.

However, at the Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley in Raleigh NC, one question we often hear is, “Do I qualify for a record expungement?” By contacting Raleigh expungement attorney Dewey Brinkley, we can go through your criminal record with you and determine whether or not you’re eligible for a record expungement. If so, we’ll work with you, as well as Raleigh and Wake County courts, to go through the expungement process and get your life back on track (and without the criminal record hampering you down!).

For a free, no-obligation consultation with attorney Brinkley, call our Raleigh NC criminal defense law firm today at (919) 832-0307.

Types of Record Expungements Available

There are many different types of record expungements available to North Carolina residents, and whether you were convicted or your case was dismissed, you can expunge your record. By expunging your record, you do not have to say you were ever arrested, charged or stood trial for the expunged offense. This is true even if you were found guilty of the charges.

The different types of criminal record expungement in North Carolina include:

  • Juvenile records
  • Drug offenses for people 21 and under
  • Cases of identity theft
  • Old misdemeanor larceny offenses
  • Misdemeanor possession of alcohol (under 21)
  • Misdemeanor for juveniles before 18th birthday
  • Dismissed or not-guilty cases
  • Certain gang offenses (under 17)
  • Non-violent felony offenses (under 18)
  • Older Nonviolent Misdemeanor and Felony Convictions, after a 15-year wait

Are You Eligible for Expungement in North Carolina?

In order to be eligible for expungement, you need to meet some of the age and wait requirements that are listed above. For instance, for nonviolent misdemeanors and felonies, you need to wait 15 years after the conviction. For a drug offense that occurred when you were under 21, you may be eligible for an expungement as well.

Additionally, you need to have a clean record. Any subsequent misdemeanor or felony violations may make you ineligible for an expungement.

The specific eligibility requirements for criminal record expungements also depend on the crime that you were arrested for. As an example, if you were arrested for identity theft and were found non-guilty (or your case was dismissed), you may be eligible for an expungement.

Call the Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley for Your Record Expungement

Having a criminal record can pose countless difficulties in your life, and if you meet the eligibility requirements for a record expungement, you can erase the criminal record from your life. To know if you’re eligible for a record expungement, call Raleigh expungement attorney Dewey P. Brinkley today. Free consultations are available by calling (919) 832-0307.

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