Expungements
The court system is now behind you, but that does not mean that you have a clean record. Being charged with a crime places a hard copy and an electronic version on your record. Employers, educators, and landlords can access this record. However, an expungement is a court order that requires everything to be destroyed and erased so that it cannot be viewed or accessed by anyone.
North Carolina has implemented new expungement laws. The main change is a reduction in the waiting period to expunge non-violent misdemeanor and felony convictions.
For cases that have been dismissed or found not guilty:
- No wait time between dismissals and expungements.
- No limit on the number of dismissals than can be expunged.
For non-violent convictions:
- Misdemeanor convictions wait period reduced from 10 years to 5 years.
- Felony conviction wait period reduced from 15 years to 10 years.
- New Eligibility Rules for those with multiple nonviolent misdemeanors or felony convictions. The law would soon allow for those with more than one conviction on different dates to seek relief.
- Eligibility Rules for those with convictions from under the age of 18. Almost all H and I Felony Convictions and almost all misdemeanor convictions are now covered minus DWI related or sexual registry related convictions under the age of 18. Multiple convictions are also covered. If you have anything on your record that happened before you turn 18, you should call for a free consultation today.
If you have any questions about expunging your record, please give us a call at (828) 386-1705.