Expungement

Don’t let a mistake follow you around forever. When a past conviction is stopping you from achieving things that are important, choose to make a better life for yourself by pursuing an expungement.

An expungement erases, or seals, your criminal record from public view. Successfully expunging your record means that you:

• Do not have to say that you have a criminal record when asked, such as on job applications.
• Cannot be denied a job or housing for refusing to show an expunged record.
• Your case won’t show up on OSCN searches
• Your case will not appear on most background searches

The only way someone would be able to see your expunged arrest or conviction record would be if you gave them permission.*

*In some special circumstances, law enforcement officials might be able to see arrest and conviction records as part of an investigation.

Why Get an Expungement?

After an arrest or a conviction has been expunged, you do not have to disclose your record to employers, landlords, or educational institutions, which leads to better jobs, housing, and professional opportunities.

Additionally, an expungement will remove your case from OSCN, meaning no one (such as friends or family) will be able to find your old case via an online search. In addition to this, your arrest record can be expunged, making it harder for all agencies to find.

Research shows that people with expunged records see a major increase in employment opportunities, salary, and benefits. And you will no longer have to face the social stigma of having a conviction on your record.

Expungement vs. Pardon

Expungements and pardons are two entirely different processes with different benefits for you. While you would need to pursue both independently to receive their individual benefits, you may elect to pursue one over the other in order to get what you’re looking for.

• Expungement is a shorter, less complex process that seals your record and allows you to legally say the arrest or conviction never happened. It clears your record, but doesn’t restore your rights (i.e. voting and gun ownership). Expungements are generally cheaper and faster than a pardon.
• Pardon is a longer and more complicated process that doesn’t wipe your record, but does restore your voting and gun rights. Pardons are generally more expensive and take longer to receive.

There are also different rules for expunging a misdemeanor versus a felony.

Are You Eligible?

Your eligibility is determined by many factors, such as your criminal history and what punishment you received as a result of your case. Some qualifications are universal: (1) you can’t have a conviction for a violent felony; (2) you can’t have a pending charge; (3) you must have paid off all of your court fees and fines. Whether you qualify can be complicated, but our free expungement quiz can give you a quick answer of whether you are likely eligible or not.

Start Clearing Your Record Today

New Oklahoma laws make it easier than ever to seek relief through expungement:

• Shorter wait times
• More people eligible
• Some felonies can now be expunged without a pardon

Your past doesn’t have to define your future. We have helped hundreds of people move on with their lives and erase their criminal record forever. Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your eligibility.