If you are considering an expungement for criminal charges or convictions, then it is important to contact an experienced expungement attorney to discuss your options, as well as the expungement process. Expungement involves the removal of any criminal records or information from government records including court files, police records, and state databases.

Though you may have served jail time, paid your fines, and successfully completed probation, you might still be encountering penalties as a result of a criminal charge or conviction. A criminal charge or conviction can have negative consequences if you are seeking employment, housing, or professional licensing.

Unfortunately in cases where there was a criminal conviction, simply asking for an expungement does mean it will be granted. Whether or not an expungement will be given and your criminal records sealed is up to a judge. Several factors will be weighed by the judge when determining whether or not to grant an expungement. These include, but are not limited to, how long ago the offense occurred, the severity of the offense, and rehabilitative efforts.

The expungement process consists of the formal filing of a petition asking that the record be sealed. Also contained in the petition will be the reasons for seeking an expungement, any other criminal history or offenses, and rehabilitation. Once the petition is filed with the court, and all interested parties such as law enforcement agencies and the city and county attorney’s offices have been served, a hearing will be set before a judge.

An experienced expungement attorney will be able to assist you with the formal paperwork required to seek an expungement, in addition to representing you at the expungement hearing, thereby giving you the best chance possible of moving on from the collateral consequences of a previous mistake. Call Frame Law, LLC today at (651) 361-9830 to discuss your concerns with a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney today.