Why It's A Bad Idea To Try To Expunge A Criminal Record On Your Own
If you are considering having your criminal records expunged, you might already know the impact that your criminal conviction has had on your life. You might believe that you meet the requirements for criminal record expungement and that it shouldn't be very difficult to complete the process. However, criminal expungement can be a process that you might make some mistakes when carrying out without the help of an expungement lawyer.
Find Out Whether You Can Expunge Your Crime
In many cases, if you have committed a crime, you will be able to have your records expunged as long as you go through the right process. However, you will not be able to expunge federal crimes because no such legislation has been adopted yet. Your attorney can explain whether you should go through the process of expungement.
You May Find the Expungement Process Long and Complicated
An attorney will be able to explain the process to you and answer any questions you have. The attorney can also manage much of the process for you and can remind you when you need to take a particular step. As a result, the expungement process will be much faster, and you will be able to reap the rewards.
For example, the expungement process requires that you complete a lot of paperwork. With an expungement lawyer, you will be told what papers you will need and when you will need them. Also, if you find any forms to be confusing, you can ask your attorney for clarification. The attorney will make sure that you're submitting the correct files and that they do not end up lost.
When Your Request Is Denied
You might need substantial evidence to prove that your records should be expunged. This might require the help of an expert witness. An expert witness can gather evidence to prove that you didn't commit the crime, for example, even after you have served your time.
In some cases, you might need to fight your case in court. An expungement lawyer can represent you in court so you can avoid making mistakes during the trial and can avoid the stress.
The Changing Legal Landscape
Even if you research the laws on your own, laws involving expungement are often changing. If you do not hire an experienced expungement attorney, you might not be able to take advantage of recently changed laws that might work out in your favor.
Contact a local criminal record expungement attorney to learn more.
