What is Expungement?
The legal process of sealing or destroying criminal records so they are not accessible to the general public or appear on background checks.
Understanding Expungement
Expungement eligibility varies by state and depends on the offense, time since conviction, and subsequent criminal history. Even expunged records may still be visible to law enforcement and in certain professional licensing situations.
Examples
- 1Expunging juvenile record upon reaching adulthood
- 2Sealing arrest record when charges were dismissed
- 3Clearing old misdemeanor after completion of sentence
Related Terms
Arraignment
The first court appearance where a criminal defendant is formally charged and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Bail
Money or property given to the court as a guarantee that the defendant will appear for future court dates. If the defendant appears, bail is returned; if not, it is forfeited.
Plea Bargain
An agreement between the prosecutor and defendant where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or receives a reduced sentence in exchange for avoiding trial.
Felony
A serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, such as murder, rape, robbery, or drug trafficking.
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in county jail, fines, probation, or community service.
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