22 Jul Obtaining an Expungement in Oklahoma
Making Your Criminal Record Disappear
A criminal conviction is the proverbial equivalent of a scarlet letter, impacting your employment, where you live, school admissions, and so on. If a past conviction, misdemeanor or felony, is keeping you from moving forward, you may be eligible to have your criminal history sealed and removed from public view through an expungement.
WHAT IS AN EXPUNGEMENT?
Simply put, an expungement is a court order that seals your criminal record so that it is no longer available to be seen by the public. It essentially clears record of your arrest or prosecution from the public eye, although law enforcement will have access to your record. Once an expungement is obtained, you are no longer required to disclose your criminal past to potential employers or landlords. While certain government agencies, such as police departments and courts, will still be able to see an expunged conviction, an expungement can have a significant impact on your employment and educational prospects.
WHAT TYPES OF EXPUNGEMENTS ARE THERE?
· Section 18/19 Expungements;
· 991c (Deferred Sentence) Expungements;
· Protective Order (VPO) Expungements;
· Juvenile Criminal Record Expungements.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT IN OKLAHOMA?
There are specific criteria as to whether one is eligible for an expungement or not. Generally, one who has received a deferred sentence after pleading guilty or no-contest and has adhered to the terms of his probation may apply to have their record sealed or expunged. For a free consultation as to your eligibility, contact us today.
WHEN YOU ARE READY:
The next step is to submit a civil petition with the district court in which the arrest occurred, serving the Petition on all relevant parties (custodian of records of the arresting law enforcement agency, OSBI, etc.) After the petition is filed, the Judge’s clerk will set a hearing date at least 30 days out from the filing date.
If you believe that you are eligible for expungement, consult with Attorney Aaron Bruner of Whiting & Bruner, PLLC today to have your case evaluated. Call (918) 488-8000 for a free, no-obligation confidential consultation.