Can I expunge my criminal record?

On Behalf of | Nov 30, 2017 | Criminal Defense

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Having a clean criminal record is essential to getting a job in the modern world. Numerous employers will conduct an automatic criminal background search before hiring you. If you have a black mark on your record, it could prevent you from receiving an offer of employment.

If you have a previous criminal conviction on your record, you’re probably wondering if you can get it removed. This process is called expungement, and there are certain kinds of criminal records that you can expunge in Minnesota.

Which types of records can you expunge in Minnesota?

In certain criminal cases, courts can seal your government records so that no one — except select government agencies — can gain access to them. This process is called full expungement. In Minnesota, when the court grants an expungement, it will file an order to seal your records with the courts, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, police department and corrections departments and other agencies.

A court may grant you a request for full expungement in certain circumstances, including:

  • Where an offense was committed by a juvenile who was prosecuted in adult court
  • Some cases involving first-time drug offenses
  • When an accused person received a favorable award ruling of not guilty or when he or she got the case dismissed
  • Cases involving gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors depending on the crime, how long it’s been since the conviction and discharge, and depending on the other cases listed on the criminal history

Are your ready to clean your criminal record?

If you’re tired of being haunted by a past criminal infraction that continues to affect your life negatively today, it may be time to consider filing an application for expungement. Although expungement will not be awarded in all cases, you may attain a huge benefit for successfully navigating the application process.