Minnesota Expungements - Want or Need One?

As an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney an all too common question I get (about past mis-deeds) is: How long will a Felony or Misdemeanor offense stay on my record?  After I offer my opinion, that question is often followed with another: What are the chances I can get it removed from my record?

Generally speaking, a Felony charge/conviction stays on an individual's criminal record for the remainder of his or her life. Even though somone's repeat offender status may be “re-set” after a certain number of years, courts, law enforcement and a myriad of other governmental agencies tend to maintain a file listing those previous offenses.

That being said, there is a remedy.  It’s called an “Expungement” and requires a legal action to seek to have one's criminal record sealed.

Now, Expungements don't completely erase one's record, however, having one granted will limit who gets to see it.  In this day and age, where even your landlord, your boss and nearly anyone out in the public can, in theory, get their hands on your criminal record - Expungement is an option for many people.

What Can You Do?

So, I'm supposing - you want to know how to get an Expungement - right? Well, for starters, you need to submit an Expungement request to the court, in the county in which you were charged.  The judge will then consider a number of factors - including: how long it has been since the infraction, whether or not the charges were dismissed, what if anything about said arrest implicates public safety, etc.  Based on those factors (and a couple others,) the judge will render a decision.

If you or someone you love is in need of advice when it comes to seeking an Expungement, contact the Rolloff Law Office today for a FREE consultation.  .

Your record can affect many aspects of your life. Get informed and find out if an Expungement is an option for you.