According to the Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition, expungement involves sealing your criminal record so that any record of your previous criminal activity or convictions is court file sealed. Legally speaking, your record will be the same as it was before you were convicted – as if you were never found guilty of a crime.
Expungement Qualifications
After a conviction, certain crimes may not be able to be sealed. For instance, if you have been convicted of rape, sexual battery, corrupting a minor, gross sexual imposition, sexual imposition, obscenity involving a minor, pornography involving a minor illegal use of a minor in pornography or a motor vehicle violation, your record cannot be expunged. Additionally, your record cannot be sealed if you have been found guilty of the following crimes:
- Bail forfeiture in a traffic case
- Any first-degree misdemeanor committed against a minor
- A first-degree felony
- A second-degree felony
- A drivers’ license violation
Sealing Your Record
Even if you meet the qualifications for expungement, the judge may refuse to seal your record. If you justly qualify for an expungement, don’t let anything get in your way! Our team of attorneys can fight to see that you get the record-sealing you deserve. Contact us to discuss how we can help you.