Expungements
Effective July 1, 2021, the Alabama Redeemer Act made critical improvements and expanded Alabama’s expungement law. This means tens of thousands of Alabama residents could now be eligible to have past criminal charges and convictions wiped from their records. However, a successful case requires the expertise of a professional expungement attorney in Birmingham, AL.
Learn more from our expungement guide. Then, if you are ready to move forward with your life, call Birmingham’s leading expungement lawyer, Bennett Law, to see if you are eligible to wipe the slate clean with an expungement.
Expungements Attorney in Birmingham
What is Expungement in Alabama?
An expungement is like a fresh start—a second chance to rehabilitate your life without a criminal record holding you back. Under Alabama’s recently expanded expungement law, many people are now eligible to wipe away misdemeanor arrests, charges, and convictions that they previously couldn’t. By removing court records related to your case, you can reduce or even eliminate your arrest record.
With an expungement, all information about your case is removed from public records, including your arrest records, booking photos, some felony convictions, and other identifying information. Expungement frees you to seek employment opportunities, apply for scholarships, regain child custody, obtain housing loans, and more that could be held back by a criminal conviction.
When to Hire an Attorney for Criminal Record Expungement
We all make mistakes. But if you were charged with a misdemeanor in the past, that mistake can still negatively impact your life. At Bennett Law, we believe you deserve a second chance to pursue the dreams and goals of your choosing. We will fight to clear your record so you can move forward with your life. It is crucial to seek our legal advice for expungement cases to ensure the best possible outcome.
You may be eligible for expungement if you meet any of the following criteria:
For a full review of your eligibility for an expungement, contact Bennett Law today! We provide free consultations to help you determine your eligibility and options. Don’t put your future on hold any longer—hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to streamline your journey to a clean slate.
Testimonials
Ansley helped to expunge an old charge from my record that was going to come up during my professional licensure and employment applications. She streamlined the process and had the charge expunged quickly, so that I could move on with my employment search. She constantly called to check in and keep me updated on where we were in the process. I couldn’t recommend her enough!
Frequently Asked Questions About Expungement
One way to think about the difference between expungement and pardon is forgetting vs. forgiving. Both expungement and pardon involve a legal process. An expungement is like forgetting—a way to seal your criminal charge or conviction from public searches so they won’t appear on a background check. They are typically granted by a court or judge, and not government officials like pardons.
A pardon is like forgiving—it does not clear your record, but it relieves you from further penalties. For instance, if someone in prison is pardoned, they will generally be released. Government officials also issue pardons but are limited in what they can pardon.
For example, a president can issue a pardon for any federal offense but not a state offense. In contrast, the Governor or a state pardon board can only issue pardons for state offenses committed within their state. If you seek a pardon for a state offense committed in Florida, don’t ask Alabama’s governor or our president for help.
It isn’t as hard as you might think to be granted a pardon in Alabama. A successful pardon or expungement can help clean up one’s criminal history. In Alabama, pardons go through the Pardon and Parole Board on an individual case-by-case basis. If you’re seeking an expungement, you’ll have to petition the court system to be successful, hence why hiring a lawyer is the best option.
The key to a successful pardon or expungement is having experienced legal representation who can compile a convincing application, gather all relevant criminal history and records, and file that application properly.
Alabama’s new expungement law went into effect on July 1, 2021, meaning that more cases are eligible for expungement than ever before. Meeting the legal requirements is essential for expungement eligibility. In the past, only misdemeanor charges and arrests were eligible for expungement.
Now, convictions for nonviolent misdemeanors, minor traffic violations, municipal ordinance offenses, and some felony convictions (if nonviolent and accompanied by an official pardon) can also be expunged.
Some cases and convictions do not meet expungement eligibility. Legal assistance is crucial for navigating the expungement process. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to interpret the specific details of our case and match them appropriately to Alabama expungement law. It takes an experienced lawyer to do this properly.
The process can take up to four months, even with an experienced, well-versed expungement lawyer. Legal expertise can help expedite the expungement process. To determine if your case meets these criteria, contact Bennett Law for a free consultation today!
Expungement can significantly restore your civil and political rights, such as voting, serving on a jury, and holding public office. Additionally, it can improve your ability to secure employment, housing, and educational opportunities that may have been previously denied due to your criminal record.
No, Alabama law does not allow for the expungement of violent felonies. Only non-violent felonies, misdemeanors, minor traffic violations, and municipal ordinance offenses are eligible for expungement.
It is important to consult with our experienced Alabama expungement attorneys to determine if your specific charges qualify.
The district attorney’s office plays a crucial role in the expungement process. They review the expungement petition and can either support or contest the request.
Our experienced expungement attorneys ensure that all necessary documentation and evidence are provided to the district attorney’s office to strengthen your case and increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
We must stress how risky it is to take on this challenge alone. Working with an expungement lawyer provides you with the best odds of rewriting your past and defining your future. You don’t have to fight this battle by yourself; contact our expungement lawyers today!
Alabama Expungement Lawyer
Are you struggling with the burden of a criminal record in Alabama? Whether it’s an arrest record or a conviction for non-violent felonies, Bennett Law Firm is here to help. Led by experienced Alabama expungement attorney Ansley Platt Bennett, we specialize in navigating the complexities of Alabama law to get your arrest record expunged. Our legal services include a wide range of assistance, from expungement to other criminal defense matters.
Our team will guide you through the expungement process, from filing an expungement petition to representing you at the court hearing. We work closely with the district attorney’s office to ensure your petition meets all requirements, helping you regain your civil and political rights and overcome government regulatory obstacles.
Change Your Past, Reclaim Your Future
Don’t let past mistakes hold you back. If you’re dealing with charges ranging from domestic violence to non-violent felonies, now is the time to take action. Contact Bennett Law Firm today for a free consultation and start your journey toward a clean slate.