Expungement

Spokane, Washington Expungement Attorney

In some cases it is possible to have a conviction expunged, which means it is permanently erased from your record. Expungement is most easily achieved in misdemeanor convictions for non-violent offenses, but in some circumstances, convictions for more serious offenses, including felony offenses, may be expunged. At the Law Offices of Gerald R. Smith, I help people remove convictions from their record. If your record is expunged, you can answer "no" on job applications or whenever you are asked if you have a criminal conviction (if you have no other convictions).

Types of convictions that may expunged

The following are some of the types of convictions that may be removed from your record by expungement:

• Juvenile criminal convictions

• Misdemeanor criminal convictions
        Drug Possession
        Shoplifting
        Theft
        DUI/DWI
        Vandalism
        Reckless Endangerment
        Vandalism
        Traffic offenses

• Felony criminal convictions

Although the process is more difficult, it is possible to have some felony convictions expunged.

How Expungement Works

For most misdemeanor offenses, if you have not been convicted for another crime in the last five years, you can petition the court to expunge your record. Most felony convictions require a longer waiting period and the process is more complicated. As your attorney, I prepare all necessary paperwork while assembling additional information when necessary to convince the court you deserve a fresh start. Typically, the process is simple and straightforward and does not require testimony from community leaders, pastors, or employers. Instead, the court will review your initial misdemeanor conviction and whether or not you have re-offended since your conviction.

Expunge Your Criminal Record Today - Contact the Law Office of Gerald R. Smith

Electronic data mining and tracking is a fact of modern life - and creditors, banks, insurers, and employers are increasingly using information to reduce their exposure to liability. Even if your conviction is many years old and hasn't yet caused you hardship, there is no guarantee the financial or insurance industries won't use this information in the future as a means of denying people services or charging them a higher rate.

Additionally, with the Patriot Act and changes to federal and state law, there may come a day when a person's criminal record further erodes their right to travel abroad, work for the government, or qualify for certain kinds of federal programs.