My niece will turn 18 soon and her parents are looking at having her juvenile record expunged. Like many teens, she ran into a little trouble with the law a couple of years back. When she started at a new high school she began hanging with a new group of kids who were more interested in raiding dad's liquor cabinet and smoking weed than they were in studying. She got picked up for possession once and got busted for intoxication when neighbors called the cops about a teen party. Fortunately, she's cleaned up her act. She's been straight and sober for two years, has a new group of friends, and is a regular on the honor roll these days. But that juvenile record still bothers her -- and her parents.
"A criminal record can prevent you from getting a good job, obtaining credit, renting an apartment, voting, obtaining certain licenses (nursing, realtor, medical and other professional licenses), running for political positions, and other benefits of society we take for granted," warns expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez.
Worried that a background check or Internet search might reveal their daughter's past indiscretions, my niece's parents have contacted an attorney to see if her record can be expunged. My niece has been accepted to college and has her whole life ahead of her. She's worked hard to put her past behind her and her parents don't want some ill-willed future "friend" or over-diligent personnel manager digging up the past and creating a problem. Expunging their daughter's record will remove her convictions from the public record.
"Expunging the criminal record dismisses and sets aside your felony and/or misdemeanor conviction from the public record," explains criminal defense attorney Rodriguez.
When your record has been expunged, you can lawfully answer "no" to questions on forms asking whether you've ever been convicted of a crime. (You must, however, report your conviction and expungement on official government forms.) Expungement allows you to hold your head high with confidence and compete equally in society. When your record has been expunged, you don't have to worry that someone will find out about your past indiscretions. You can seek employment and housing and obtain credit without having to report a criminal conviction. Expungement wipes away the past and lets you focus on the future.
Not all records can be expunged. If you or your teen has a criminal record that you would like to have expunged, the expert criminal defense attorneys at Stephen G. Rodriquez & Associates can review the case and advise you about your options.
-Legal Pro
