Why You Should Seek a Minnesota Expungment

A run-in with the law can have a huge negative impact on your life. Most people think that all of the consequences that they will face are tied to whether or not you are convicted, but unfortunately this is not the case.  Granted,  you won’t be going to prison or paying off ridiculous fines if you beat your charges, but that doesn’t mean that everything just returns to normal. This is why you should speak with an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyer - about sealing your record.

Why Should You Do This?

All it takes to acquire a criminal record is for you to be arrested – you don’t even need to be formally charged and/or convicted.  Don’t think that’s a big deal?  Think again.  It’s no secret that “criminals” are looked down upon in our country, but the issues that individuals face with a criminal record go far beyond someone giving you dirty looks.  

Ways a Criminal Record Makes Your Life Harder

1. Hurts Your Ability to Get a Job: Most employers perform background checks while reviewing applications. Applicants with a criminal history are the first to be tossed in the garbage. An Expungement erases the record of your criminal past so that employers can’t see it, making it more likely that you will get to the interview process. The same goes for volunteer positions.

2. Housing/Renting an Apartment: After time in prison, all you may want is to start a new life in a new location… but a felony record can prevent you from doing so. Housing applications often ask about your criminal record, and may deny you if you have one.

3. Restoration of Firearm Rights: Felons lose the right to bear arms after a conviction. While some felonies restrict offenders from restoring the right to own a gun under any circumstances, these crimes are usually crimes of violence and are a special exception to general rules. In most cases, a sealed or expunged record restores the offender’s ability to purchase, own, or lawfully use a firearm.

Felony records are public knowledge. No matter what you are applying for, or why someone may be searching your name online, a criminal record hangs over your head. Wouldn’t it be easier to tell people about your criminal past when you are ready?

To learn more about an Expungement, whether or not you qualify, and what it takes to get your record sealed, contact the Rolloff Law Office.  We aggressively fight for our clients --- utilizing innovative tactics to get the most positive results for our clients . Call today: (612) 234-1165

Why Expunge Your Record

Clients frequently ask me about how they can clean up their criminal records. I have assisted clients in expunging their records with much success. The number one reason why clients want to seal/expunge their record is to upgrade their employment. Having a criminal record can make applying for a job difficult. In this competitive economy, perspective employers are performing background checks on applicants more than ever before. Some surveys indicate that more than 70% of employers are performing these background checks, which can cause someone to lose opportunities if they have accumulated a criminal record.  This is why you should talk to an experienced Minnesota Expungement Attorney.  

Expungement is the best way to clean up your record. Once a criminal record has been expunged, a person may become eligible for enhanced employment, student loans, housing assistance, and professional licenses. Cleaning up your record can also remove mention of arrests, dismissals, and other entries in the criminal history database. In short, you get a clean slate.

If you have a criminal record, and would like a clean slate, you should contact the Rolloff Law Office and get more information about when and how to get an Expungement.  Call (612) 234-1165

Minnesota Expungements (Explained)

The laws of the State of Minnesota allows individuals to expunge their criminal records in certain limited circumstances.

There are two types of criminal record expungement: “statutory expungment” and “inherent authority expungement.”  To get the total lowdown on an expungement, you should sit down a have a free consultation with a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney. 

Statutory Criminal Record Expungement

Statutory expungement in Minnesota is available (only) in certain limited circumstances, specifically: (a.) when someone has had certain controlled substance offenses dismissed and discharged; (b.) for certain juveniles prosecuted as adults; and (c.) for certain criminal proceedings not resulting in conviction.  For people that do not qualify for statutory expungement, there may be other options available, such as inherent authority expungement.

An individual that qualifies for statutory expungement and wants to proceed with the expungement process must formally petition the court. If the expungement petition is successful, the court will issue an order sealing the criminal records and prohibiting their disclosure to the public except in certain limited circumstances.  The expungement order, however, does not destroy the criminal records, and the records are not returned.

Inherent Authority Criminal Record Expungement
Inherent authority criminal record expungement in Minnesota is available to certain individuals that do not qualify for statutory criminal record expungement—individuals that were convicted of a crime through a guilty verdict (as the result of a jury or bench trial) or a guilty plea. This includes individuals who were convicted of a crime and received a stay of imposition of sentence or a stay of adjudication of sentence.

An individual that qualifies for inherent authority criminal record expungement and wants to proceed with the expungement process must formally petition the court. The petition includes such information as the crime sought to be expunged; the petitioner’s entire criminal record; and the reasons the petitioner is seeking expungement (e.g. for employment or housing purposes).

A hearing will take place after the expungement petition is filed with the court.  At the hearing the court will hear arguments from the petitioner; the state; and will also hear a statement from victim(s) of the crime sought to be expunged (if applicable).

After the expungement hearing the court will consider the petitioner’s argument; the state’s argument; and the victim’s statement (if one was provided).  The court analyzes several different factors when considering whether or not to grant expungement—including, but not limited to, the severity level of the crime sought to be expunged and steps the petitioner has taken to rehabilitate themselves since the conviction.

The court will either grant or deny the expungement after taking into consideration the above-stated parties’ arguments.  If the court grants the expungement the court will issue an order sealing the criminal records and prohibiting their disclosure to the public except under certain limited circumstances.  The expungement order, however, does not destroy the criminal records, and the records are not returned.

What To Do Next

The Rolloff Law Office offers a free consultations asa courtesy to potential clients. This evaluation will help determine whether potential clients may be eligible for criminal record expungement, pardon extraordinary, and/or return of arrest records.  The information you provide for the free evaluation is kept strictly confidential and used only for the purposes of the evaluation.  Call today and request an appointment: (612) 619-0262.

Minnesota Expungements & Attorneys (Explained)

If you have a past criminal record that is haunting you, possibly making it difficult to find a job, somewhere to live or obtain a loan, you may be eligible to have your record expunged (sealed or cleared). There is a rather involved process that has to be followed, making sure all the “i”s are dotted and “t”s are crossed. 



So You know, the procedure is set up so that you can do it yourself; however, many people choose to employ a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney to assist them.  


What Can an Attorney Do for You?


Even before you spend one-penny, I will evaluate your record to determine whether you are eligible to file a petition for Expungement. Once we determine a petition might be in order - I'll draft it and appear with you in court to argue that the judge grant it.  


Specifically, I'll help you to craft an argument around three (3) specific criteria:

1. The seriousness of the offense (the less serious, the better chance of having the petition granted;)
2. Time that has elapsed since the offense (the more time, the better chance of having the petition granted;) and
3. The rehabilitative measures you have taken (such as community service, counseling, stable employment, etc.) since the incident.

Call Today

If you have any questions about your record and the possibility of having it expunged, just contact The Rolloff Law Office at (612) 234-1165. We will provide a FREE CONSULTATION. I will meet with you at a time and place most convenient to YOU to discuss your situation.

Why You Should Seek a Minnesota Expungement (Explained)

If you have been charged with a criminal offense in the State of Minnesota, you need to be aware of the serious ramifications that a conviction can have on the rest of your life.

A criminal record can leave a negative mark on your future that will affect your opportunities for housing, work and more. Many companies will refrain from hiring convicts because they do not want to be charged with negligent recruitment and they want to provide a safe working environment to existing employees.

If you have a criminal record, you may also have a tough time finding a job in an organization that requires security clearances (i.e. banks, financial institutions). Being dishonest about your criminal record is never a good idea, as most companies will run a background check for criminal records regardless. If you have been convicted of a felony, you may also be unable to vote, serve on a jury or hold elective office.

A criminal record can also affect your ability to travel to other countries. Most visa applications will ask about any convictions and some countries will deny anyone with prior convictions. Other countries will deny entry only to those convicted of specific crimes, and some countries have no restrictions to criminal records. Regardless of whether you want to travel in the future or if you want the liberty to apply for any job, having your criminal record vacated is beneficial to your future in every way.

Who Are You Going to Call?

Clearing your criminal record can be difficult and extremely complicated without the help of a knowledgeable Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney. There are certain circumstances that must be present in order to remove a criminal charge from a person's record, and you need the assistance of a legal expert who can guide you through the entire legal process. Contact The Rolloff Law Office today to start the process. Call or Text: (612) 619-0262.

Minnesota Expungements (Explained)

In difficult economic times, having a clean criminal record is more important than ever. Someones criminal history may affect their efforts to find employment, rent an apartment, obtain a bank loan, obtain certain licenses, and/or receive government benefits.

Due to changes in technology, information about an individual's criminal history is easily available. These records are no longer necessarily private - stored in some basement filing cabinet.  Rather, they can often be accessed with just a few clicks of one's mouse over the Internet.

What is Expungement?

Expungement is a legal process that permits qualified individuals to have their criminal records sealed or destroyed.  If you have questions about this process - and what you can do to earn an Expungement - your first, best step should be to call an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense and Expungement Attorney. 

Statutory Criminal Record Expungement in Minnesota

Minnesota law allows individuals to expunge their criminal records in certain, limited circumstances. Essentially there are two types of Minnesota Criminal Expungements: Statutory and Inherent Authority.

Statutory Expungement  

Statutory Expungement is available in very limited circumstances, specifically: (1) When someone has had certain controlled substance offenses dismissed and discharged; (2) for certain juveniles prosecuted as adults; and (3) for certain criminal proceedings not resulting in conviction.  Often, these conditions do not "fit" most individuals circumstances; therefore, there is also the Inherent Authority option.


If you qualify for a Statutory Expungement and want to proceed with the process, you must formally petition the court. If your petition is successful, the court will issue an order sealing the records and prohibiting their disclosure to the public - except in certain limited circumstances. The Expungement order, however, does not destroy the criminal records, and the records are not returned.

Inherent Authority Expungement

As things currently stand, an "inherent authority of the court" Expungement is probably the least attractive option, but (as set forth above) it is often the only remedy available to most people who pled guilty or were convicted of a criminal offense.

The factors that the court uses to decide this type of Expungement includes, but is not limited to, the severity of the crime, how long ago it occurred, whether you have had any other problems with the law, if you have been rehabilitated, and the reasons for seeking the Expungement. Ultimately the court must weight the individuals need for the relief that an Expungement affords versus society's need to maintain accurate records of criminal convictions.

What Can You Do?

The best way to ensure that you are eligible for an Eexpungement is before you plead guilty to a crime. The cornerstone of my practice is the work I do to resolve cases so that my clients are eligible to clear your record in the future.

If you have been charged with a crime and want to obtain a result that will allow for the possibility of future Expungement, or have a previously resolved case and are interested in an Expungement, you need an experienced legal advocate to fight for your rights. To learn more, contact the Rolloff Law Office, today, at (612) 234-1165.

Minnesota Criminal Background Checks (Explained)

In this technological era files have become very accessible and access to your records is no exception.

Background checks have become more and more common and any criminal record can be very harmful to employment options, bank loans and even apartment rental opportunities.. Fortunately there is something you might be able to do to delete or stop access to your criminal records.

Minnesota Expungement

An Expungement is the  removal of your crime from your criminal record. An experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney can help you with getting an expungement.

Who Qualifies?

Various people are eligible to get an Expungement. These people may include individuals arrested for an offense but never convicted, someone charged for a crime that was later dismissed, someone acquitted (ie. found not guilty) by a judge or jury.

Benefits

There are many benefits that come along with getting an Expungement - in addition to cleaning your criminal record. Once your records have been expunged you can deny ever being charged with that crime (except under oath in which case you can state only that those records have been expunged). For example, when looking for a job, you can tell employers that you have never been convicted of a crime. Other benefits that you may be eligible for after an Expungement include eligibility for housing assistance, student loans, and state issued licenses.

What To Do Next

Expungement procedures are long and very complicated, but the end result can be of a huge benefit to you if your record is cleaned.  If you have any questions or need legal advice --- call the Rolloff Law Office today at (612) 234-1165 to set up a FREE meeting to learn about your options.  

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.