If you have a mark on your criminal record, you know how this can affect your life in many ways. A conviction can impact your ability to find employment and housing, and it can even affect a child custody case and more. After a conviction, you may assume there is not much you can do to protect your future interests. However, changes in Kentucky law now make it possible for you to seek a clean slate after certain types of criminal convictions.
Expungement is the process of removing a conviction, indictment or arrest from one’s criminal record. If you are able to remove this mark, you may find that certain parts of your life are much easier, and there could be more options available to you. This is available in situations involving many types of Class D felonies.
How does it work?
The first step in the expungement process is determining whether you are eligible. Not everyone with a criminal conviction, arrest or indictment on his or her record can do this. The following facts may be helpful to you as you seek to understand expungement:
- An expungement is possible in cases where there was a not guilty verdict, no indictment or dismissal of all charges.
- It is possible to seek an expungement after the conviction of a misdemeanor, after a five-year waiting period and completion of the sentence. If there is an enhancement period, the time you may have to wait could be longer.
- It is possible to seek an expungement after a felony conviction in specific circumstances if it is a Class D felony. This will allow for a restoration of your voting rights.
To begin the process of seeking an expungement, you will need to have a certificate of eligibility. If you are able to complete the expungement process, you will find this opens more doors and allows you to move forward with better opportunities in your life.
Know your options
Even without a conviction, an arrest or indictment can still negatively affect your life in many ways. It is in your interests to know the legal options available to you, including how you could clean up your criminal record through expungement. An assessment of your case and criminal history can help you understand how to move forward with the next step in this process.
