A criminal record may impact you for years after you finish your sentence. Sometimes, it may bar you from getting certain jobs or even living in some rental communities.

An option you may want to consider is asking the court for an expungement. This process can give you a fresh start and erase your criminal record. To see if this is an avenue you should consider, read up on the way North Carolina law handles it.

What does not qualify for expungement?

Various factors determine whether a judge will consider an expungement. Crimes that involve violence, even misdemeanors, do not qualify for expungement unless a judge found you not guilty or dropped the charge. DWI convictions may also not qualify for expungement regardless of the charge level.

What does the application entail?

When seeking an expungement, you need to file the appropriate application in the court that convicted you. Before filing a petition, make sure that your petition is appropriate based on the type of conviction you want expunged and your age. Make sure you meet other requirements, such as:

• You have to abide by the timeframes for petition set out in the statutes
• Your fines and court costs associated with the conviction need paying in full
• You are not currently on probation for this or any other crime
• You do not have pending charges in any court
• You do not have an open warrant

An expungement may open doors that have remained closed since your conviction. When considering whether you qualify, you may want to consider speaking to someone well-versed in handling the expungement process.