“How do I get this darn conviction off my record!”
“I am tired of losing jobs because of a stupid mistake I made when I was 18!”
These are statements we commonly hear from clients who have been convicted of a crime. Fortunately there is a way to wipe your criminal record clean and get a fresh start. The process is called expungement. Under Utah law the qualifications for expungement are pretty straight forward. In most cases all you need to do to become eligible is to wait.
The waiting periods to become eligible for expungement are as follows:
Dismissed charge: 30 daysInfraction, and Class C Misdemeanor: 3 years from the date upon which your probation is terminated.Class B Misdemeanor: 4 years from the date upon which your probation is terminated.Class A Misdemeanor: 5 years from the date upon which your probation is terminated.DUI, and other drug and alcohol related driving offenses: 10 years from the date upon which your probation is terminated.2nd and 3rd Degree Felonies: 7 years from the date upon which your probation/parole is terminated.
These general guidelines have exceptions that in some cases extend the time it takes, or eliminate the possibility of expungement all together. If you qualify, an expungement will erase all official record of you being investigated, charged and/or convicted of a crime. Without an expungement these nagging references will remain on your criminal background indefinitely. Once you qualify do not hesitate to hire an experienced attorney to make this happen.
Remember, stay safe, be smart and call us when you need us!
Attorney Rhome Zabriskie