Can I get charges expunged?
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Can I get charges expunged?
I got a residential burglary charge reduced to a criminal trespassing by pleading out to a drug court sentence. Is it possible to eventually have this criminal trespassing charge expunged? I also have misdemeanor theft of under $300 from 5 years ago – and a class for 4 felony for manufacturing and delivering of cannibis. I completed probation on all charges, but am still on drug court for the next 1 1/2 years. What will I be able to get expunged? I’m 15 months clean and dealing with the consequences of my drug use.
Asked on July 5, 2012 under Criminal Law, Illinois
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Criminal expungements allow for the complete removal of a criminal offense from your public record, which means that you can honestly tell future employers and the like that you have never been convicted of a criminal offense.
You must first however meet all of your State's expungement eligibility requirements first in order to apply for an expungement. In Michigan, you must first wait at least 5 years from the date of sentence or release from prison to apply. In addition, only "one" (1) criminal offense can be expunged. So in your case, having two or more criminal convictions would automatically disqualify you from having an expungement.
I would advise you contact a Criminal Defense Attorney in your area to see if your circumstances would qualify you for an expungement under your State's expungement law.
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