We all make mistakes. However, some blunders, especially those termed as criminal behavior in Minnesota, can have negative consequences even after you have paid your debt to society a long time ago. With a criminal record, you may find it challenging to get a job, house, car, or loan from a bank. Maybe it was a juvenile crime case that you faced a few years ago where you were charged with shoplifting, vandalism, or disorderly conduct.
What you need to remember is that with a criminal record, anyone who does a background check on you will see all crimes you have been charged with. Unless you get a certified attorney such as Judith A. Samson in Minneapolis, Minnesota to help you navigate the expungement law in Minnesota. Let Judith A. Samson, an expungement lawyer in Minnesota, assist you in sealing criminal records.
What Is Expungement, and How Powerful Is It?
In 2015, Minnesota implemented a new law also referred to as the Second Chance law that allows individuals to have their criminal records expunged or sealed. If your crime falls under the Minnesota expungement law, then your record will no longer be available for access. This means that the criminal record will no longer be able to do any damage to a person’s life.
There are so many factors that have to be considered before a Minnesotan can be eligible for expungement and the States law on this issue are even more complicated. That is why it is best to consult Judith A. Samson, a well experienced Minnesota expungement lawyer who understands the law and specific practices of this state.
Who Can Do Background Checks on You?
It is never a guarantee that your past crimes will be erased. As a result, government bodies such as immigration officers, and FBI, can still access a sealed record. Other agencies or people that can do a background check on you include:
- Rental properties
- School hiring authorities
- Children service providers
- Employer at a Firefighter department
What Crimes Can Be Expunged in Minnesota?
If you were convicted of a crime and want your charges to be sealed, then you may wonder which crimes can be expunged from your record. Some people who are charged with a specific offense may not qualify for the destruction of records but can get their records to be sealed. In some cases, the records can be sealed such that the entailed information cannot be disclosed unless authorized by a court. What expunging your records means is that even if you were found guilty, the charge will be hidden from public view.
The following are convictions that can be expunged in Minnesota:
- Petty misdemeanor
People who have not committed a new crime for at least two years since completing their sentence are eligible for a full expungement.
- Misdemeanor
People who have committed crimes such as first offense DWI and fifth-degree assault can get an expungement. However, they must not have committed a crime for at least two years after completing their probation.
- Juvenile delinquency
Juveniles who were prosecuted as adults are eligible for expungement. For juvenile cases, you need a skilled attorney who understands the juvenile court processes and has knowledge as well as experience in criminal defense. This is because a minor can face any number of charges such a juvenile probation violation or burglary.
- Gross misdemeanor
If you were convicted of a gross misdemeanor, you can apply for expungement. You are eligible only when you have not been convicted of another crime for at least four years after completing your probation. Crimes listed under gross misdemeanor include repeat assaults, prostitution, shoplifting, and second or third-time DWI convictions.
- Low-level felonies
Perjury, homicide, and fourth-time DWI are some of the felony convictions that can be expunged. To apply for the records to be sealed, individuals with low-level felonies must not have committed a crime for at least five years after completing their probation.
- Cases dismissed or resolved in petitioner’s favor
You are also eligible for full expungement when all proceedings or pending actions were resolved in your favor either through acquittal or dismissal.
- Diversion programs
People who have completed a diversion program and have not been charged with a new crime for at least a year can also apply for expungement Minnesota.
Crimes That Can Never Be Expunged From Your Record
Judith A. Samson can easily determine whether or not you are eligible for expungement. Some of the convictions that cannot be expunged include:
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Sexual offenses
How to Get Your Record Expunged
In any expungement case in Minnesota, you need a certified and experienced expungement attorney. This is because expungement petitions can be challenging and tricky as they depend on the specific case and your convictions. If you want to understand whether you are eligible for the Second Chance law or urgently need your criminal records to be expunged, then contact me today and get legal assistance that favors you.
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
