Misdemeanors are the most common criminal charge for good reason. They encompass everything from property crimes, like theft and vandalism, to drug crimes, like marijuana possession or public intoxication. Even traffic violations are considered misdemeanor offenses, even though most people don’t even think of traffic offenses as actual crimes. Believe it or not, a speeding ticket is treated the same as domestic abuse.
Depending on the nature of the misdemeanor, they can present significant roadblocks particularly when applying for a number of jobs. For example, not matter how much experience you have, an employer will likely view you differently if your record contains a “resisting arrest” or “domestic abuse” or “assault and battery” arrest.
The good news though is that expungement of a misdemeanor in Oklahoma is possible from your record no matter what type of misdemeanor was committed or what the outcome was so long as you meet certain requirements.
The attorneys of Fry & Elder wish to help navigate you through the complicated process of having a misdemeanor expunged.
How do you know if you qualify to have a misdemeanor expunged in Oklahoma?
You may be eligible to get that misdemeanor erased from your record. If there are no other charges for a felony or misdemeanor pending against you and you have never in the past been convicted of said offenses, a misdemeanor on your record is eligible for expungement if:
- All charges were dismissed against you;
- You have successfully completed a deferred judgment and 1 year has passed since the misdemeanor charge was dismissed;
- The fine for your conviction was less than Five Hundred One Dollars and you served no jail time;
- 5 years have passed since you served a prison term or suspended sentence; or
- You received a fine exceeding Five Hundred Dollars for a misdemeanor conviction (22 O.S. § 18)
The expungement process can be complicated, but it is worth it. Hire a skilled expungement attorney to assure that you can get your misdemeanors sealed and removed. Just like it never happened!
What are the benefits of getting your record expunged?
The benefits are numerous. For starters, you can legally deny the arrest or charge ever happened. That means that when you are applying for a job, for university financial aid, for housing or for anything, you can legally deny in writing that you were ever arrested/charged/convicted.
Second, it is illegal for any of the above institutions to use expunged information against you.
Finally, getting your records expunged can allow you to reach your full potential. No longer will you have this thing holding you back.
The attorneys of Fry & Elder are here to help
Whether you are attempting to get an expungement of a misdemeanor in Oklahoma, or you are going through another legal issue, our nationally acclaimed law firm has the resources and attorneys in place to help creatively construct the best course of action to ensure you have the best opportunity for a successful outcome.