Many people make decisions and carry out actions that they regret. It is common for young people especially to not fully think through their actions and end up in trouble. Of course, individuals of any age can make mistakes, and one mistake on your part may have resulted in your facing a criminal conviction.
Unfortunately, criminal convictions can have lasting consequences, and though you may have faced your punishments and sought forgiveness for your actions in whatever ways you felt necessary, the mark on your record can act as a stark reminder of your past errors.
What can you do?
In some cases, Louisiana residents may qualify for record expungement. Essentially, an expungement seals a person’s criminal record from public view in most circumstances. As a result, if the court grants you an expungement, you would not have to inform a future employer about the conviction. The same could go for applying for housing. Additionally, the mark would not appear if an employer or potential landlord performed a background check.
Still, it is important to remember that even if the court does grant an expungement, the mark does not disappear in its entirety. While most people would not see the mark on your record and you would not have to disclose it in most instances, law enforcement, criminal courts and other government agencies could have access to this part of your record if necessary.
Is it easy to have a mark expunged?
You may have already guessed that it is not particularly easy to have marks on criminal records expunged. You would need to meet certain requirements, and those requirements could hinge on the following details:
- The amount of time that has passed since the conviction
- The type and nature of the crime involved
- Other information on your criminal record, such as other arrests or convictions
- The nature and severity of those other marks on your record
Understandably, you may not know whether pursuing expungement is a realistic option for you. Fortunately, you can access legal resources that could help you determine your eligibility and assist you throughout the legal process of applying for an expungement. In particular, contacting an attorney experienced with this area of criminal law could provide you with a knowledgeable advocate who could answer your questions, assess your specific case and work with you to achieve the appropriate goals for your situation.
