The New Law…Expungement – A Second Chance!
Before the New Expungement Laws:
In the past, expunging a criminal record was difficult and results could be limited. There were many offenses for which obtaining an expungement was virtually impossible. If you were able to get a record expunged, in many cases, the court may have only expunged their own court created records leaving police reports, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) records and records that other state agencies may have available for public inspection.
The State of Expungement Today:
As of January 1, 2015, a new expungement law has taken effect in Minnesota.
The new expungement law gives people, who have been harmed and held back by their criminal record a second chance in life. The new expungement law expands and crimes that are now able to be considered for expungement. The law also more clearly establishes when a court may grant a statutory expungement, (order other branches of government to seal their records), and when they may only grant an inherent authority expungement, (the court can only seal their own record and cannot order another branch of government to seal records they may have).
Also, of great importance, the law requires that data mining companies that gather a person’s personal data, and business screening services that do background checks for employers, delete records if they have been notified that criminal record has been expunged, or has been pardoned.
Why Should You Contact a Minneapolis Expungement Lawyer?
A Minneapolis expungement lawyer can assist you in getting your record expunged in Minnesota. Call 612-382-4545 today to discuss your specific situation with a highly experienced lawyer, Mark Herman. Mr. Herman has wide-ranging experience helping individuals clean expunge their criminal record so they can move forward in life.
An important reason to have your criminal record expunged is that, you will have an easier time obtaining employment. Also, if asked about your past, you will legally be able to say that you were never charged or convicted of an expunged crime.
Criminal background checks are commonplace in the workforce. Performing a background check is a simple inexpensive process that employers can either quickly complete using their own computer, or they can hire an outside company to complete. Background checks provide an employer with information on the prospective employees criminal history. Employers rely heavily on this background information when considering whether or not to hire an applicant.
Another important reason to have your criminal record expunged is to make it easier to find housing. Before renting an apartment to an applicant, landlords run criminal background checks. Landlords are unlikely to rent to someone if they find that a person has records of drug offenses, assaultive behavior offenses, theft offenses or other crimes of dishonesty. Expungement seals your record so it cannot be seen so that your past does not stand in the way of your future.
Our clients feel a great sense of relief when they successfully have their criminal history expunged knowing it helps one move on and begin a new life chapter.
It is important to remember that you may only have one chance to have your record expunged. That is why, if you hope to have a successful result, it is important to obtain superior legal assistance. A Minneapolis expungement lawyer can provide you with this opportunity so that you can begin the process of rebuilding your life.
