Vacate Your Criminal Record

If you have a criminal record in Seattle, Tacoma, or Washington state and would like to clear your record in Seattle, Tacoma or anywhere in Washington, or expunge your criminal record in Seattle, Tacoma or anywhere in Washington, contact Mick for a free consultation on whether you are eligible. Also, to see if you are eligible to regain/restore your right to possess a firearm and gun rights in Seattle, Tacoma, or Washington state.

Those who have a criminal record, whether a misdemeanor or felony, no matter how long ago, know the effect the criminal conviction can have on your life -- even well after the case is “over.” Today, many businesses and employers require “background” checks for those who seek employment, loans, mortgages, and residency in an apartment complex. Many of these businesses will disqualify you if they discover you have a criminal record. These businesses hire private “background check” companies whose job it is to find out everything they can about you, including whether or not you have a criminal record. It can be a surprise to find out that you will not be getting that desired job, unable to buy the home of your dreams, or move into that great apartment complex because of a criminal charge from years ago, often times a criminal charge that you forgot about because it has been so long.

The law in Washington allows an individual who has a criminal record to vacate certain convictions, this is commonly referred to as “expunge” criminal charges or convictions. Not all charges are eligible to be expunged. For misdemeanors, either 3 or 5 years must have passed from the date the case was closed, not the date of the incident or of conviction. Also, there must not be any criminal charges during that time period.

For felonies, either 5 or 10 years must have passed from the date the case was closed, usually when the certificate of discharge has been placed in your court file. Nothing in the statute prohibits expunging more than one felony. The law also allows for juvenile records to be sealed.

If your criminal felony or misdemeanor charge has been successfully vacated or “expunged,” it means you can legally state that you have not been convicted of a crime. You are given certified copies of the court order for your files. As a result it means you do not have to check those boxes on employment applications that ask whether you have been convicted of any criminal charges.

There are also other steps an experienced Seattle, Tacoma and Western Washington criminal defense attorney can take to further expunge criminal charges off your record. Call Mick today at (206) 228-5767 for a free consultation from an experienced, aggressive, and affordable Seattle, Tacoma, and Western Washington area criminal defense attorney on whether your criminal record, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony charge, can be expunged and taken off your record.

Furthermore, felony and some misdemeanor convictions will result in your loss of certain constitutional rights, such as the right to possess a firearm. Your right to possess firearms does not return automatically upon “completion” of your case or probation. You must petition the Superior Court in the county where you were convicted for your right to possess a firearm to be restored. The law in Washington allows for reinstatement of the right to possess a firearm in certain situations. Call Mick today at (206) 306-0963 for more information about reinstating your right to possess firearms in the state of Washington from an experienced, aggressive, and affordable Seattle, Tacoma, and Western Washington area criminal defense lawyer.