Expungement Forms and Guides - Expungement

US Legal Forms has expungement forms that comply with state law for expunging juvenile and adult criminal records. Eliminate documents from your personal history like arrests, convictions, and other criminal records. Get reviews and top quality expungement forms that show you how to get criminal records expunged in accordance with state laws.

Select your State Expungement Definition

Expungement: How to Get a Criminal Record Expunged Expungement Forms

Expungement is the process of getting your police records “sealed” or “erased” in the eyes of the law, and opens up new opportunities for those with prior convictions. Basically, the meaning of expunge is to delete or erase. In criminal law, expungement is a legal proceeding to seal an offender’s conviction records, e.g., removing data associated with arrests from all criminal databases.

How to Expunge Your Record Expunged Meaning

State laws vary from state to state and sometimes new expungement law is enacted. Each state’s laws determine who can delete information and in which cases information can or cannot be deleted. First of all, you need to check whether your criminal record can be deleted in your state, then fill out the proper form – a sample expungement letter.

The courts define the expunged data and statutory requirements. The individual convicted can file a petition for expungement. If an expungement is necessary to promote justice, the courts will order the removal of crime data.

Does Completing the Process Successfully Sponge a Record Completely? Getting Your Criminal Record Expunged

It depends on which state the records originated in. After court approval, some states delete everything related to an individual’s arrest and imprisonment from state and federal repositories. However, some states keep the expunged data available to law enforcement agencies. In other cases, records can be opened if the person is committed with subsequent convictions or if conditions stipulated for expunging data are not complied with.

Data pertaining to less serious convictions is generally expunged. But larger crimes such as rape, offences against minors, pornography or obscenity that involves a minor can't be removed. It’s also important to note that many states prohibit expunging felonies.

Expunged data is not available for general employment or licensing purposes. However, expunged records can be accessed for background checks for any employment in law enforcement or jobs involving minors and seniors.

Apart from data expungement, persons convicted of crimes receive a Certificate of Rehabilitation (COR) to restore civil and political rights. A COR certifies that a person is currently complying with the laws and is showing good moral character.

Additional information on expungement and how to expunge your record is available on the US Legal Forms website. Find state-specific criminal record expunction forms by following the link. File expunge forms and clear your criminal record online.


FAQ Get Your Record Expunged

What is expungement? Expunge A Felony

Expunge definition: the legal procedure of sealing or deleting criminal records from public databases. Any records relating to the investigation, arrest, or conviction of an individual stored with courts, law enforcement institutions, correction centers, and/or criminal justice agencies can be removed. In a nutshell, you can clear your criminal record online.

What are the requirements to be eligible for the expungement of criminal records? Record Expungement

Expungement procedures are governed by the law in the state where the arrest or the conviction occurred. Courts will usually admit a petition to expunge records if the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • there are no prior convictions or arrests of the accused
  • a stipulated period of time has passed since the arrest
  • the accused was released before filing formal charge
  • the accused was discharged without conviction
  • the court proceedings were dismissed
  • after the trial the accused was acquitted or found not guilty.

Can felony records be expunged? Expungement Form

Both misdemeanor and felony convictions can be expunged. But the nature and form of relief available for these convictions vary according to the criminal charges and sentences ordered by courts. In general, courts will not allow a petition for felony expungement for a person convicted of serious felony convictions. The crimes that can't be expunged:

  • first degree misdemeanor committed against a person under eighteen years of age
  • felony committed against a minor
  • pornography or obscenity involving a minor
  • offenses like rape, sexual imposition, and sexual battery.

How to expunge criminal juvenile records? Tennessee Expungement Form

Depending on the state, minors’ records may be deleted automatically when a minor reaches a certain age or after filing an expunge form that will take effect after eighteen. However, courts in every state will not remove juvenile records related to a conviction for murder.

Can an expunged or sealed record be used for future convictions? Federal Expungement

Yes. Expunged records are open for future convictions. Further, when prosecuted for a crime, an accused has to disclose all prior convictions, along with expunged convictions, if any.

Will expunged records be available for background checks? Pennsylvania Expungement Form

Generally, expunged records will not be accessible to the public and once sealed such records cannot be used for law enforcement or civil use. A record expunged cannot be used for criminal history checks or background checks by any private or public entity. However, some jurisdictions allow for scrutiny of expunged records for employment verification of law enforcement officers and in jobs involving children or seniors.

Tips for Preparing Expungement Forms and Guides

  1. Verify the eligibility of expungement. Make certain if your probation period is over; investigate the law or ask an attorney if the committed crime or misdemeanor provide filing an application for expungement.
  2. Gather information. Request copies from the police and courts, and other officials that can have your criminal records to access additional information required for completing expungement forms.
  3. Find the right draft. Use our collection to get professionally-prepared and legally-binding Expungement Forms and Guides forms.
  4. Make the most of integrations. Utilize integrations for advanced record management like PDF modifying, eSignature, and even eNotarization.
  5. Fill or cross out fields. All the blank areas in your Expungement Forms and Guides documents, except orders, reference numbers, or places for official representatives, must be filled or crossed out.
  6. Check the list of supplementary documents. Make sure you provide all needed samples to confirm the details in your expunge form. If you’re not sure about the need to attach files, often, it's easier to provide extra copies than send documents once again.
  7. Submit forms and wait. Verify that the institution has received your samples and give it time. Generally, a court takes a long time to look into your situation, grant or deny your request, or set a hearing.