Expungements Legal Questions

Yes, if you plead guilty to shoplifting, you will have a conviction for stealing on your permanent criminal record, and that will prevent you from getting a job, renting an apartment, and getting federal student loans for college. Hopefully, because you are 15, your case will be prosecuted in juvenile court where they will probably just put you on probation. However, if your case is prosecuted in "regular" court, you will need to hire an attorney to represent you if you want to avoid ending up with a conviction for stealing.... Read More

If you were convicted, the statute of limitations does not apply to you. You may be eligible for an expungement under recent changes in the law. I would need to know what grade of crime you pleaded to. For example, is it a felony which you cannot expunge, or a misdemeanor. Some misdemeanors can be expunged. Call a lawyer to share the facts.... Read More

there is a provision of Tennessee law that allows a case to be expunged. However, there has to be 5 years between the date that you complete all provisions of the punishment and the date that you can file a petition to get it expunged. Look up Tennessee Code Annotated 40-32-101 for more specifics.... Read More

You need to contact an attorney to determine whether and when you will be eligible to have the arrest records sealed. You cannot have them sealed, unfortunately. But, if your offense is one you can have sealed, there is typically a 5 year statutory waiting period during which you cannot file the petition (it's the court's way of making sure you don't get into any more trouble). But, after that waiting period is over, you can file it. Once it's done, most potential employers will not be able to see those records. Feel free to call me with your specific case information, and we can tell you whether your case is eligible to be sealed.... Read More

No, you cannot seal or expunge them. Your only option at this point is to retain an attorney to investigate the potential for a writ of habeas corpus. If successful, it would allow you to go back and fight the original charge. So, if you plead because you were guilty, or because the evidence looked back, it migth not be the best course of action. But, whoever you consult with can give you a better idea of the chances of success, with more information.... Read More

You say in your inquiry that you were "charged" with these offenses. I am assuming that you are asking about "convictions". Convictions where you were a minor at the time are sealed and not available to the public. For convictions where you were an adult, the "expungement" process, subject to certain exceptions, is for either a low grade felony (where the punishment received was three (3) years or less) or misdemeanor convictions, it has been five (5) years since you were released from jail, parole or probation and during that five (5) year period you have not had any new convictions. This process is available where you only have a single conviction on your record. If you have multiple convictions, then it is not available for any convictions.... Read More