Can My Criminal Record Be Expunged in North Carolina?

When you’re accused of a crime, it can impact every area of your life. It’s not just the threat of jail or prison time. It’s also the financial pressure of a criminal case, the impacts to your career, and even a lack of housing opportunities and certain rights. Many of these problems stem from having a criminal record, which may be public to potential lenders, landlords, and employers.

You may be considering expungement for your criminal record, but that can be tough to seek on your own. Reach out for a North Carolina criminal defense attorney at The Chetson Firm who has the tools to help you get a clean record.

How to Expunge a Criminal Record in North Carolina

You may have already taken the right steps to recover from a criminal case. You may have paid off any fines, finished your sentence, and completed any probation, parole, or community service requirements. But your criminal record is still impacting your future. Luckily, expunging your criminal record can remove these charges from your record.

Let’s say you were accused of a felony, but it was your first offense and you were under eighteen at the time. If you believe you’re eligible for expungement, your lawyer can help you gather evidence and prepare the documents needed to petition for your expungement. Your case will be reviewed in a hearing, and the judge will decide whether to approve or deny your expungement request.

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

In a situation where you can’t get your criminal record expunged, you may have a chance to avoid the charges if you’ve not yet been convicted. Even if the charges can’t be removed, your criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid harsh penalties in the future.

For example, you may have been accused of a felony that you won’t be able to get expunged. But you may not have gone to court for these charges yet. If that’s the case, you and your criminal defense attorney can spend your time focusing on your defense. If you’re able to get the charges dropped or dismissed, you may have less severe penalties now and more options for expungement later.

Get Help with Your Criminal Record

When you’re accused of a crime, it can impact your life and your family for years following the case. But you may have options to avoid serious long-term penalties following your case.

At The Chetson Firm, we’re prepared to represent you throughout your expungement case, helping you get justice after you’re accused of a crime. When you’re ready for a consultation with your criminal defense lawyer, call 919-352-9411 or fill out the following online contact form.