Filing For An Expungement In Kansas City
If you have been convicted of a crime in the past, you may be eligible to have your criminal record expunged. Aside from offering criminal defense services, I also represent clients who are seeking to have their criminal records expunged. I am a criminal defense attorney in Kansas City and I fight for my clients’ rights. At The Law Office of Andrew T. Christie, LLC, whether you have been charged with a minor misdemeanor or a serious felony, I will thoroughly prepare a passionate defense on your behalf. After the requisite time restrictions have passed, if you need an experienced expungement attorney, I can help.
What Is An Expungement?
An expungement completely removes a criminal arrest or conviction from a defendant’s criminal record. With a few exceptions, once a criminal record has been expunged, any information relating to the arrest or conviction is prohibited from being disclosed. The details and information about the crime are essentially, legally erased. When you are asked on job or housing applications if you have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime, you are allowed to answer no for expunged crimes.
What Records Or Crimes Are Eligible For Expungement?
Generally, arrest records can be eligible for expungement if a defendant was found not guilty in a jury trial or court proceedings. An expungement is also possible for arrest records involving cases of mistaken identity, or if the court ruled that there was no probable cause for the arrest.
After certain time requirements, some criminal convictions may be eligible for expungement, such as:
- Misdemeanors
- Traffic infractions
- Certain first offenses
Crimes that are not eligible for expungement include dangerous felonies, crimes involving deaths, felonies that require registration as a sex offender and other sex crimes.
The Expungement Filing Process
Filing for expungement is a legal proceeding that is started with a petition. Ultimately, your petition for an expungement will be considered by a judge in a hearing. At the hearing, the judge may consider the opinions of the prosecuting attorney, police officers who were involved in the arrest and others to decide if an expungement should be granted. Hiring an experienced expungement attorney will give you the best chance of having your arrest record or criminal conviction expunged.
Thinking About An Expungement? Call Today.
If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime and think that your circumstances might qualify you for an expungement of your arrest or criminal record, I can help. Call today at 816-533-3456 or email me using my online form to schedule your free, initial consultation.