What does the term expunging mean in regards to a criminal record?

Answer 1

In some states, expungement means that the records get sealed and it is treated as though it never happened. In other states (such as California) it means that the disposition is simply changed from conviction to dismissed, but all other details of the case are the same.

Source: http://www.answers.com/Expungement?gwp=11&ver=2.3.0.609&method=3

Blotting out or doing away with, destructive, deleting.

Answer 2

The process of expungement varies from state to state, but it means to remove a criminal record from being viewed or accessed by memeber of the public.

Added: Law enforcement, the courts, and government agencies still have access to these records - it is only the general public that is excluded.

Answer 3

An EXPUNGEMENT is to dismiss the case and or erasing the misdemeanor from your record, so it will not be easy to find in your background check. I am an Anger Management and Domestic Violence facilitator, in most cases completing our program of anger management or domestic violence your record can be expunged, for more information on our many locations please go to www.andersonservices.com and click on certified providers.

Answer 4

Expungement means removal, erasure, or elimination.

An individual can sue to have a previous arrest or conviction removed from his record. If granted, the expungement order either removes or seals the record for that conviction. This allows the person to obtain employment or other rights that would be denied to someone having a record (e.g. firearm ownership). However, it does not always provide a cleared record for the person involved.

While some jurisdictions will deem the criminal arrest to have never happened, others will simply prevent its public disclosure. The material may still be released to law enforcement officials or prosecutors in the event of a later criminal proceeding.

States have varying laws on the types of offenses that may be expunged, and the extent to which the information may still be obtained in the future. Additionally, some states will not recognize the validity of an expungement from another state.

Answer 5

To expunge can have two different meanings: 1) To erase or strike out something 2) To eliminate completely/annihilate something The noun expunged is also used as a synonym for sealing records of prior convitions so the records are thereby unavailabe through the state or Federal repositories in the common law legal system.

Answer 6

It means that if you qualify in your state, you may have a charge (either misdemeanor or felony) removed from your publicly viewable criminal history record.