Who Is An Expungement Lawyer? What Do They Do?

In this article, we talk about an expungement lawyer. They are extremely useful when you want to clear a criminal record for better job opportunities. It may be for yourself or for a loved one, but expungement of records often mean a second chance.

So, if you want to remove a past offense for housing or rental applications.  

Or, to regain certain civil rights after a conviction.

Or, to explore options for sealing or expunging juvenile records.

Read on!

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is a legal process that eliminates the record of a person. Therefore, after the expungement, the state erases a person’s criminal records.

When a record is expunged, all citizens, companies and organization treat it as if it never existed. Therefore, it leaves the individuals with a clean slate in terms of their criminal history.

This process varies in its availability and specifics across different jurisdictions. However, it generally involves sealing or removing records related to past criminal convictions or charges. The aim is to give the individuals an opportunity for a fresh start by clearing their record.

Who Can Get Their Records Expunged?

Not everyone can qualify for record expungement or sealing. This is because the laws of expungement can vary from one state to the other. However, to find out more about an expungement lawyer, we need to know details about expungement.

Requirements For Expungement

Expungement wipes a person’s criminal records. Thus, after the expungement, it will be as though the criminal charges never existed. Hence, it is quite a serious process because it absolves the person of their past crimes.

Availability of an expungement will vary across states. Thus, expungement is not common in business litigation but mostly seen in criminal law instead. Let us find out the requirements for expungement that an expungement lawyer can help you with.

Expungement Lawyer- What Do You Need For An Expungement?

An expungement lawyer plays an important role in helping individuals through the difficult expungement process. They offer guidance and expertise in meeting these specific requirements. So, these are necessary for expungement eligibility.

These lawyers help by checking for the following.

Assessing Eligibility

They determine if an individual meets the criteria set by the state for expungement. For this, they consider factors like complete sentences and the absence of new charges.

Documentation and Application

They help in the preparation and submission of the necessary paperwork and formalities to the court. Moreover, they also deal with relevant authorities for the expungement process.

Legal Guidance

They provide legal advice and support throughout the expungement procedure. Moreover, they check for compliance with all legal requirements and deadlines.

Court Representation

They represent individuals in court proceedings. Moreover, they present their case to the judge and advocate for expungement on their behalf.

Follow-up and Compliance

They ensure that the clients meet all post-expungement obligations. For example, there may be probation requirements or additional documents that the client will need to provide. Thus, carrying out a secure successful expungement is the duty of the lawyer.

Appeals or Modifications

An Expungement lawyer even handles appeals or modifications when a petition is rejected.  

Thus, they are lawyers who guide individuals through the entire process. They work diligently to increase the chances of you getting a successful expungement. 

How Much Does An Expungement Lawyer Cost?

Hiring an expungement lawyer costs between $1,000 and $3,000 on average in the U.S. However, the actual price depends on how complicated the case is. Moreover, the lawyer’s experience and where the case is located also matters. Furthermore, this cost can go higher or lower based on these factors.

How Much Does A Lawyer Charge For Expungement, Generally?

The price for hiring an expungement lawyer can differ. It can be various factors like the case’s complexity and the seriousness of the crimes. Moreover, the rules in the area where they took place also matter. LawInfo suggests that an expungement might cost between $400 to $4,000. On the other hand, JurisNation estimates an average expense of $1,000 to $4,000 when hiring an expungement lawyer.

What Kind Of Lawyer Do I Need For Expungement?

You might not necessarily need a lawyer, but if you opt for one, here is what to do. You can choose a criminal defense attorney experienced in expungement cases.

See to it that the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar.

They should hold an A+ rating with the Bar Association.

Moreover, they should maintain positive reviews on platforms like Yelp.

Look for an extensive track record in handling expungement cases within your state.

Also, aim for direct communication with the attorney. If you want to expunge juvenile records, try to get specialized advice from a lawyer experienced in sealing juvenile records.

Can A Lawyer Guarantee The Expungement Of Records?

Expungement might not always be possible even with the best expungement lawyers by your side.

Serious Offenses

Some states do not permit expungement for severe crimes. This may be for offenses that are felonies.

Repeat Offenses

If an individual has a history of multiple criminal convictions, especially for the same offense, expungement will not be possible

Incomplete Requirements

If the individual does not meet the necessary criteria like completing probation or following court orders. This case could stop the expungement.

Certain jurisdictions have no regulations or limited provisions for expungement. Therefore, even if you have a good expungement lawyer by your side, it is difficult to get one. 

To Conclude

Expungement lawyers are important mostly because they help people clear their past mistakes from official records. They know all the rules and steps that they follow to make this happen.

They check if someone qualifies, gather all the right paperwork, and even stand up for them in court.

Moreover, these lawyers work hard to increase the chances of you getting a clean record. They give folks a chance to move forward without their past holding them back.

Besides knowing the legal stuff, they also give lots of support and help during what can be a tough time.

Read Also:

• The Role Of A Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Who Are Houston’s Best Criminal Defense Lawyers?
• How To Select The Best Lawyer For Your Criminal Case According To Experts