When a person is involved with or accused of criminal activity, it results in a black mark on your record. Even if a court dismissed your criminal case, your alleged involvement may still appear if a work superior or a potential landlord investigates your past.
As you might expect, any records indicating that you were part of a crime can impact your life in many negative ways. You may have trouble finding work, buying a home or going to college.
What if you could find a way to clean your record and make it like it never existed in the first place? Petitioning for an expungement, also known as an expunction, can help you do just that in many cases.
What crimes or records qualify for expungement in North Carolina?
While each case relies on its specifics, you can generally secure expungement for:
- Crimes that occurred when you were under the age of 18
- Most nonviolent misdemeanor crimes
- Some nonviolent felony offenses
- Offenses revolving around drugs (possession, sale, etc.)
- Crimes in which you resolved the matter through a diversion program
- Formal dismissals of your case
- Some gang-related offenses
- Some prostitution-related crimes
A Bolivia, NC, criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the expungement process and improve your odds of success. Working with a lawyer offers additional benefits, as well, including:
- Making sure that your rights remain protected during the expungement
- Determining if you qualify for expunction before you waste your time
- Guiding you as smoothly as possible from the start to the end of the process
If having a clean record matters to you, it is wise to talk with a legal professional right away. Imagine the doors that will open for you once you have successfully cleared your criminal history.