How do you expunge your convicted felony record?

Answer 1

Most states have their own procedure and eligibility requirements for expungement of convictions. However, some states, such as Texas, do not allow a court to expunge a conviction. Accordingly, one would need to know what state your conviction was to answer your question. In general, the process involves petitioning the court where you were convicted and demonstrating that you meet the legal requirements or standards necessary to have your record cleared.

If your conviction was in federal court, you cannot have your conviction expunged. However, some states, will allow you to petition to have some or all of your civil rights and gun rights restored.

Most counties have a public defender's or legal aid office that will file a petition for record clearance (expungement, vacating, setting-aside, sealing, or whatever it is called in your state) for free-- though most public defenders have a low-income requirement. They may also have packets on how to do it yourself. If you have financial means, I would highly recommend having an attorney handle it for you. However, there are many others. If you are paying someone, just make sure they are licensed attorneys who have experience clearing records. Many attorneys will give a money back guarantee. Also, if you have convictions in multiple states, make sure your attorney understands the record clearing laws in both states because proceeding in the wrong order could cost you your eligibility in one of the states.

ADDED: I don't know in what jurisdiction the above contributor lives, however in my experience the only function of the Public Defenders Office is to DEFEND the accused at trial prior to their conviction. They have neither the time, the budget, nor the assigned mission to help you clear your criminal record '''after the fact.'

''Additionally: For general info: There is no such thing as a blanket expungement of your entire criminal record, and in most (all?) states you may expunge only offense per lifetime.

Also, if you happen to live in a state that grants you partial restoration of your gun rights - it is valid ONLY WITHIN THAT STATE. Do not try to 'carry' out-of-state or you'll be looking at the possibility of another 15 years in prison.

It may be possible to expunge a felony conviction

Felony expungement possible?Felony expungement is possible in many circumstances, but not all. In most states a felony is simply a classification of a crime for which the possible punishment ranges from; incarceration for more than one year all the way up to the death penalty. However, it is important to remember that criminal classifications for state offenses are set forth by each state. So it is important to understand the laws and procedures pertaining to felony expungements in the applicable state. The following has good information on the process.