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Are my misdemeanor convictions eligible for expungement?

On Behalf of | Jan 22, 2021 | Firm News |

In Ohio, you cannot expunge your criminal records, You can request to have the state seal them, which is similar.

According to the Cuyahoga County Officer of the Prosecutor, if you have misdemeanors, you can request that the state seals them in most cases. Keep in mind that sealing your record does not remove it completely. It is still accessible by some agencies, such as the government and the court, but it does conceal it from the general public, which is beneficial in many aspects where a criminal record may hold you back.

Limitations

For felonies, the state does place a limit on the number of charges you can seal, but for misdemeanors, there is no limit. The charges can be from any time in the past, from individual cases or one case.

There are certain types of crimes that you can never seal, so if your charge falls into one of these categories, then you cannot make a request to seal them. These excluded charges include anything violent, such as assault, any sexual offenses, and charges related to automobiles, such as driving under the influence or hit and run charges.

Requirements

The only general requirement to have the state seal your record is that you must wait one year before you make your request. You must also file the appropriate paperwork, including all documentation. Your petition will go in front of the court where a judge will make a determination about sealing your record. It is up to the judge’s discretion.

Sealing a record is not a right but a privilege for showing that you learned from your mistakes and made a change in your life. A judge does not have to grant your request.

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