A criminal conviction can haunt you long after you have paid your debt to society. Mistakes in judgment that you made early on in life may needlessly stigmatize you for the rest of your life, and a criminal record can make it difficult for you to get a job, obtain an education and create a better life for yourself.
However, you don’t have to let your past mistakes prevent you from enjoying a better future. In 2012, changes to Oklahoma law made it easier to expunge your criminal record. This article discusses why you might want to expunge your criminal record in Oklahoma.
What Does it Mean To Expunge Your Criminal Record in Oklahoma?
An expungement is a court order that seals your criminal record so it is no longer available to the public. It essentially clears any record of your arrest or prosecution.
To expunge your criminal record in Oklahoma, you have two different options:
- Expungement under Title 22 O.S. § 991c, which seals your name only from court records.
- Expungement under Title 22 O.S. §18, which seals your name from court records and erases your criminal history with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Why Should You Expunge Your Criminal Record in Oklahoma?
Expungement offers many advantages for those who have a criminal record. Here are some common reasons why you might want to expunge your criminal record in Oklahoma:
- Federal law and most state laws do not forbid discrimination based on a criminal past. Employers can legally choose to not hire you if you have a criminal record. An expungement will prevent your criminal record from coming up in a background search.
- Expunging your criminal record can even be an advantage to you if you are self-employed. Past criminal charges can be a red flag to future business partners and associates, who may research your background before entering into business with you. In addition, your record may be taken into consideration while negotiating government contracts and other such business endeavors.
- Most housing laws do not forbid discrimination based on prior criminal records. Therefore, landlords can legally refuse to rent to you if you have been convicted of a crime, or even if you were charged and later found not guilty. This can limit your housing options and have a serious impact on your quality of life.
- In many cases, a second or subsequent arrest for a particular crime may result in harsher penalties if you are convicted. In addition, if you were previously charged with an offense, then later charged with a new offense, you will be prevented from filing for an expungement until the new charge is resolved. The result of the new charge may then cause you to be ineligible for expungement altogether. So, expunging your criminal record before you receive another charge will seal your current records and minimize the impact of any future charges you may receive.
If you believe that you are eligible for expungement of a non-violent felony, misdemeanor, juvenile offense or a suspended sentence, you should consult with an Oklahoma expungement lawyer to evaluate your case.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Expungement Attorney
The skillful, aggressive and compassionate lawyers at the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm can provide a free, no-hassle and confidential consultation about your expungement questions regarding your specific case.
Simply call a Tulsa Expungement Attorney at (918) 256-3400 for a free, no-hassle, confidential consultation. If you prefer a felony defense attorney on our team to call you or reach you by email, click here to ask your questions via the easy to fill-out online consultation request form.