Past mistakes need not haunt you forever. It's good to know that you're not a criminal if you can get an expungement. A good expungement lawyer can assist you in clearing your Tennessee criminal record.
Most convictions in Tennessee are permanent. This applies whether you are attempting to expunge a misdemeanor or expunge a felony. There are still some convictions that can be expunged, however. If you entered into a pre-trial diversion or post-trial diversion agreement with the prosecution and successfully completed your probation, you could be eligible to get your criminal record expunged. Keep in mind that any violation of your diversion agreement could make an expungement impossible. The only way to know for sure is to contact an expungement attorney familiar with the requirements of the jurisdiction where you were charged. Keep in mind any time you are expunging your record in Tennessee after completing a diversion agreement a small fee will be required.
If the charges were dismissed against you, Tennessee will allow you to expunge them for no fee. Many people do not realize it, but even if a charge is dismissed against you, it will show up in a criminal background check. Though it will appear as dismissed, any charged crime can raise questions about you to others. This can be unfortunate if a potential employer is doing a background check, or if you are going back to school in the near future. This is a needless risk if you can apply for expungement and get an expungement order from the court erasing your record.
A good expungement lawyer can research your criminal record using your full name and date of birth. Expungement applications are detailed legal documents, and a slight misstep can delay your expungement for weeks or even months. A proper expungement application addresses every case number under every name you may have been charged under. A proper Tennessee expungement will make sure that every legal record that can negatively affect you will be erased forever.
Getting a criminal expungement is among the most important things you can do. Even the charge of a crime can be damaging to one's reputation, not withstanding an actual conviction. If you are ineligible for an expungement, there is a process where you can petition the governor for a pardon for the crime committed. This is usually a long shot, but still a worthwhile option if you are unable to qualify for an expungement under present law. The most effective and quick option is getting an expungment if you are eligible for it - a qualified expungment attorney can assist you in determining the best way to go.
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Nathan Moore is a criminal defense lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee. You can learn more about Mr. Moore's practice at his
firm website. If you are interested in discovering whether your prior charges or convictions can be expunged, you can learn more about criminal expungement in Tennessee
here.
