The expungement process in Oklahoma allows you to seal the record as if the crime never happened. Oklahoma law provides that certain offenders are eligible for expungement of their criminal records. This process, while appearing simple, can be somewhat tedious. This article will explain who is eligible for an expungement and how it works.
Getting an Oklahoma Expungement
Oklahoma’s Criminal Procedures define expungement under Title 22 §18(B).
“For purposes of this act, “expungement” shall mean the sealing of criminal records, as well as any public civil record, involving actions brought by and against the State of Oklahoma arising from the same arrest, transaction or occurrence.”
Therefore, apply for and receiving an expungement will clear your record. This allows you to move forward in life as if you did not commit the crime. However, there are some requirements you must meet to be eligible. These include:
– receiving a full pardon from the Oklahoma governor
– the offense must be a misdemeanor or a nonviolent felony
– there are no subsequence crimes in the past 5 to 20 years. The exact time range depends on the offense you wish to expunge.
– you receive an acquittal, enter a guilty plea and serve your sentence, or receive a DNA exoneration
– someone else commits the crime using your name
– you fully pay all court fees, plus any restitution required by law
YOU MAY ALSO FIND OUR ARTICLE ON CHOOSING A LAWYER FOR DUI CRIMES USEFUL.
The Process of Expungement
The process to apply for an expungement can be relatively quick. You must begin by filling out an application. This generally requires you to provide proof of your address, employment status, and character references. Once you gather these documents and provide them to our offices, we will handle the rest.
When your application and all the supporting documents are fully prepared by our office, we will have you sign the form and send it to the Pardon and Parole Board for consideration. This is the part that can sometimes take a while. At this point, you must wait for the Board to contact you. In some cases, they will require an interview to assess you and your character. After this, the Board will consider if you deserve an expungement. If the Board grants your expungement request, then you no longer have to list the offense on employment applications or educational admission slips.
Tulsa County Expungement and Pardon Lawyers
Our Oklahoma expungement attorneys have numerous criminal defense clients who have applied for expungements and pardons through our offices. We are proud to represent those people who are looking to change their lives and move forward. For a free and confidential consultation with an expungement attorney, you can count on call the Tulsa County Lawyers Group (918)379.4764. Or you can follow this link to ask an online legal question.
