A criminal record in Oklahoma City can make it difficult to turn a new chapter in your life. It appears on background checks and can make it really difficult to get and keep a decent paying job. It can make it impossible to obtain and keep certain kinds of professional licenses. It can also make it really difficult to rent an apartment or get financing to buy a house. All these basics in life can remain problematic unless you take action and obtain an expungement order Oklahoma City.
How Does an Expungement Order Oklahoma City Help?
New Oklahoma laws passed in 2016 make it easier than ever to move on by expunging your non-violent criminal record.
To “expunge” something is to erase it. Records of convictions, and all the records that go with that conviction, can be erased if you qualify under the law and if you go through the court process to obtain that erasure.
So what does an expungement order Oklahoma City do? It seals your record and makes it as if the crime never occurred. In fact, if asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime, you can lawfully say “no.” This single action makes it easier to move on with your life. No employer, landlord, or anyone else will know as long as your records remain sealed.
How Do I Get an Expungement Order Oklahoma City?
Not every expungement is created equal. Two types of expungement are possible in Oklahoma: expungement of your entire criminal record and expungement of your name from court records.
A Section 18 expungement is a more complete expungement. A Section 18 expungement seals the arrest record, court records, and online court records and background checks. This is the more preferable expungement to obtain, but it is also more difficult to obtain. Also, only certain types of non-violent convictions qualify for this type of expungement.
The waiting times vary depending upon the type of conviction. Some misdemeanors may be expunged immediately. Other convictions require a five-year waiting period after completion of the sentence. While five years is a long time to wait, the Oklahoma legislature recently reduced the waiting period from ten years to five years. Okla. Stat. tit. 22 § 18
Initial Consultation: Oklahoma City Expungement Attorney
There is no cost or obligation for an initial consultation with our Oklahoma City expungement attorney. Call 405-588-4529 today to get answers to your questions.
If you prefer, you may send your question using the contact form at the top right side of this page.