If you have a criminal record, you may be eligible for expungement, which may allow you to start over. It means hiring the best Expungement Lawyers in Dallas Tx for many people— but how do you find that lawyer, and what happens after hiring one?
In this article, we answer all your questions and understand misdemeanor expungement in brief.
What is misdemeanor expungement?
"Misdemeanor expungement" is when a person who has committed a misdemeanor crime, such as a traffic violation or petty theft, gets that crime removed from their criminal record or has that part of their criminal record sealed off from public access.
Who is eligible for expungement?
When a state or county offers the option of deleting an arrest or conviction, a person's criminal record must usually meet specific criteria to be eligible. The eligibility for expungement is generally determined by a variety of factors, including:
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The time since the arrest or conviction;
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The seriousness and nature of the event for which expungement is sought (for example, a sex offense conviction may result in refusal of expungement);
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Occurrences in the applicant's criminal history (including arrests or convictions in all jurisdictions, not just the offender's state/county); or
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The severity and nature of any criminal incidents on the applicant's record.
How to begin the process of expungement?
Expungement is not automatic, and it is never assured, even if it is available to persons who have been prosecuted or convicted.
A person wanting to have a criminal conviction or arrest erased from their record must typically start their expungement process by filling out an application or petition and submitting it to the appropriate criminal court for examination and decision.
A fee is usually required in conjunction with applying to most states.
How can an attorney help in expungement?
Your attorney has done this before
A lawyer can assist you in defining your precise reasons for deserving and requiring expungement. Best Expungement Lawyers Houston Texas had stood before a judge and assisted people in expunging their records. They have the skills and knowledge to present a case so that your expungement is most likely to be granted.
The lawyer will save you time and stress.
Your time is far too valuable to spend hours upon hours undertaking all of the legwork required for your expungement.
You'll squander weeks figuring out if you qualify, digging down court records, and learning how to form a petition, file it according to your county's special court processes, and serve it on the other parties if you go it alone.
The rates charged by attorneys for expungements are fair, and they relieve you of a great deal of effort and stress. The procedure is relatively simple when you have expungement lawyers in Houston Texas to handle your case.
How to find the best expungement lawyers for your needs?
Ask for referrals from your friends and family.
Asking family and friends who they've employed in the past is the best method to find an attorney you'll enjoy working with. They'll provide you with honest, unbiased advice to make the best decision possible.
Read reviews and testimonials.
People who take the time to write reviews on the internet do so for a reason: they want to assist others in making the best decisions possible. They are either extremely satisfied with their services or wish to warn others about attorneys who have failed to meet their expectations.
Look for Google reviews, where you'll find honest reviews from individuals who have been in similar situations to you, and while you shouldn't take everything you read as gospel, the reviews you read can help you make the best decision.
The best Dallas personal injury lawyer can be easily recognized by reading reviews, as they know how to provide the best services to their clients no matter what the outcome is.
Look at the attorney's website.
You want to deal with an attorney willing to share information with you. Look for updated articles that provide practical answers to your most pressing problems and clarify sophisticated legal concepts in simple, understandable language.
How a lawyer interacts on their website might reveal how they communicate in person. Lawyers that are stingy with information or don't take the time to clarify complex subjects may not be the right fit for you.
To Conclude:
You want to make sure your expungement is completed appropriately. If the court dismisses your expungement petition, you cannot file another petition until a year has passed since your initial petition was filed.
If you're not sure what you're doing, it's best not to guess because there are consequences for getting it wrong. Expungement lawyers Dallas Tx will assist you in ensuring that everything is done right the first time so that you do not face dismissal and a one-year prohibition on filing again.
