Bend Expungement Attorney

Providing Experienced Counsel to Clients Throughout Deschutes County

Having a criminal conviction on your record can have a serious impact on your life. It can make it difficult to find a job, get a loan, or even rent an apartment. If you have a prior criminal conviction, you may be able to have it removed from your record through a process known as expungement.

At Ward & Grover, our expungement lawyer in Bend can help you determine if you qualify for expungement and guide you through the process. We have a comprehensive understanding of this area of law and can help you make well-informed decisions at each stage of the process. You can rely on us to provide you with the caring and effective representation you deserve.

Do you have a criminal record? Call (541) 312-5150or onlineto learn about your eligibility for expungement.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is a court-ordered process that seals a criminal conviction from your record. If your conviction is expunged, you can legally say that you have not been convicted of a crime. However, your record will not be completely erased. Certain people and entities will still have access to your sealed record.

Your sealed record can still be viewed by:

• The court
• Law enforcement agencies
• Criminal justice agencies
• Public employment agencies
• State bar associations
• Other employers who are required by law to conduct background checks

Even though certain people and entities can still see your sealed record, you do not have to disclose that you were convicted of a crime on most job applications. In addition, your sealed record cannot be used against you in court.

What Crimes Can Be Expunged?

Not all criminal convictions can be expunged. In fact, most felony convictions are not eligible for expungement. In general, only criminal convictions that are classified as misdemeanors can be expunged.

Crimes that are commonly expunged include:

• Minor drug offenses
• Petty theft
• Shoplifting
• Public intoxication
• Disturbing the peace
• Simple assault
• Reckless driving
• Disorderly conduct
• Trespassing

Keep in mind, however, that not all misdemeanor convictions can be expunged. In Oregon, for example, you cannot have a DUI conviction expunged.

How to Expunge a Criminal Record

While it is possible to file for expungement without an attorney, the process can be confusing and time-consuming. If you make a mistake on your application or fail to provide the necessary documentation, your application could be denied. That is why it is in your best interest to hire a skilled attorney to handle your expungement.

Our attorney can help you with the following:

• Determining if you are eligible for expungement: To be eligible for expungement, you must have completed all the terms of your sentence, including any probation or parole. You must also wait a certain amount of time after your conviction to file for expungement. The amount of time you have to wait depends on the type of crime you were convicted of and whether or not you have any prior convictions. Our attorney can review your case and determine if you are eligible for expungement.
• Preparing your application: If you are eligible for expungement, our attorney can help you prepare your application. We can help you gather the necessary documents and fill out the application correctly. We can also help you obtain court records, if necessary.
• Representing you at your hearing: If your application is approved, you will need to attend a hearing. Our attorney can represent you at the hearing and present evidence on your behalf. We will do everything we can to help you obtain the expungement you need to move forward with your life.

Expungement is only available to individuals who have been convicted of a crime. If you were arrested but never convicted, you may be eligible to have your arrest record sealed. Our attorney can help you determine if you qualify for record sealing and guide you through the process.

How Long Does the Expungement Process Take?

The expungement process can take several months to complete. The exact amount of time it will take to obtain an expungement will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific facts of your case and the court’s current caseload. Our attorney can give you a better idea of how long the process will take after reviewing your case.

What Are the Benefits of Expungement?

Having a criminal conviction on your record can have serious consequences. It can make it difficult to find a job, get a loan, or even rent an apartment. If you have a prior criminal conviction, you may be able to have it removed from your record through a process known as expungement.

Expungement can provide you with the following benefits:

• It can make it easier to find a job: Many employers run background checks on prospective employees. If you have a criminal conviction on your record, it could hurt your chances of getting the job. However, if your conviction is expunged, you can legally say that you have not been convicted of a crime. In addition, you do not have to disclose that you were convicted of a crime on most job applications.
• It can make it easier to get a loan: Many banks and other financial institutions run background checks on prospective borrowers. If you have a criminal conviction on your record, it could hurt your chances of getting a loan. However, if your conviction is expunged, it will not show up on a background check.
• It can make it easier to rent an apartment: Many landlords run background checks on prospective tenants. If you have a criminal conviction on your record, it could hurt your chances of getting an apartment. However, if your conviction is expunged, it will not show up on a background check.
• It can give you peace of mind: If you have a criminal conviction on your record, you may have to worry about it affecting your personal and professional life. However, if your conviction is expunged, you will not have to worry about it.

At Ward & Grover, our expungement lawyer in Bend can help you determine if you qualify for expungement and guide you through the process. We have a comprehensive understanding of this area of law and can help you make well-informed decisions at each stage of the process. You can rely on us to provide you with the caring and effective representation you deserve.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Expungement?

While it is possible to file for expungement without an attorney, the process can be confusing and time-consuming. If you make a mistake on your application or fail to provide the necessary documentation, your application could be denied. That is why it is in your best interest to hire a skilled attorney to handle your expungement.

At Ward & Grover, we can help you determine if you are eligible for expungement and guide you through each stage of the process. We have a comprehensive understanding of this area of law and can help you make well-informed decisions every step of the way. You can rely on us to provide you with the caring and effective representation you need.

Does Expungement Seal or Destroy Records?

Expungement does not destroy or erase your criminal record. Instead, it seals your record. This means that the conviction will not show up on most background checks. However, certain people and entities will still have access to your sealed record.

What Is the Difference Between Expungement and Sealing Records?

Expungement is not the same thing as sealing records. When a criminal record is sealed, it is still accessible to certain people and entities. In Oregon, for example, you can request an order to seal your arrest record if you were arrested but never convicted. If the court grants your request, the arrest record will be sealed from public view, but it can still be accessed by certain people and entities, such as law enforcement agencies. However, if your arrest record is sealed, you do not have to disclose that you were arrested on most applications. In addition, the sealed record cannot be used against you in court.

Expungement, on the other hand, removes the conviction from your record. This means that you can legally say that you have not been convicted of a crime. However, certain people and entities will still have access to your sealed record.

Do you have a criminal record? Call (541) 312-5150or onlineto learn about your eligibility for expungement.