How to Get Expungement of a Felony Conviction

Felonies Last Beyond the Bars

Expungement of a felony conviction is available in many states to those who have the right situation regarding their original condition, meet the criteria since the felony conviction, and have the determination to move through the expungement legal processes to wash the felony conviction off the record. Here is how to go about it.

Instructions

1. 

   Check with the reporting agency if the felony is a false charge.

   If you have not actually been charged with a felony in a court of law where the judges gavel fell, then you likely can skip the felony lawyer, find the reporting agency, and request a change. By law they have only a certain number of days to assess and address the felony on your record and get you an expungement of a felony if that is the case. If you were convicted of a felony legitimately however, read on.

2. 

   Research your state expungement requirements.

   To get expungement of a felony conviction you will need to exactly fit the state requirements in which you were convicted. If you have changed states of residency it will still need to be addressed in the state of your conviction. Usually you can get a good idea simply by typing in the name of your state and felony expungement into a search engine. If you have trouble locating the requirements a felony lawyer can help. Usually the requirements include number of felony charges (usually only one), the amount of time since the felony was charged, and the severity of the crime.

3. 

   If you fit the expungement of felony conviction requirements, get a felony lawyer.

   You will need a felony lawyer to make the case for you and give you a professional face and voice in the court room who knows the ins and outs of the law. The courts don't like to just hand out felony expungements easily. Sometimes even if you fit the requirements you may meet resistance without a good felony lawyer. The first meeting should be a free consultation and never be afraid to ask how the felony lawyer will charge for services.

4. 

   Discuss the type of expungement you will likely receive with your felony lawyer.

   You may receive an absolute expungement of a felony conviction which removes the conviction from the record as well as officially removes your guilt. Alternatively, a conditional expungement can occur where only the conviction, not the guilt is removed. Your felony lawyer will be able to help you decide which to shoot for, and the proper steps to making it happen. Fill out all of the necessary paperwork and be sure to make your day in court.

   * See more tips on expungement of a felony conviction below.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow every instruction of your felony lawyer to a 't'. Do not skip steps or avoid humbling yourself when necessary.

• Dress professionally and presentably in court and be sure to keep your mouth shut unless your felony lawyer indicates you should speak.

• Being careful to keep the rest of your record clean from misdemeanors and even traffic tickets can help your case when it finally goes to court.

• See related articles above for more information on expungement and felony convictions.