Most people are aware that past criminal convictions can substantially affect potential job opportunities, access to higher education, reputation in the community, and so much more. However, many people are not aware that even if a criminal charge was ultimately dismissed, the charge itself still remains on their criminal record. Obviously, this can have an extremely detrimental impact on a person’s life. Even a misdemeanor charge that was ultimately dismissed will likely prejudice an individual greatly in life. For instance, if two people with mostly equal qualifications apply for the same job, the one without the larceny or drug charge will get the position virtually every time. 

A criminal expungement is a legal process that petitions the Court to remove a criminal conviction or a criminal charge from a person’s record. The order also destroys the state’s records of the arrest, charge, and/or conviction. Any individual who has had an expunction granted generally cannot be found guilty of perjury if he or she denies that the arrest, charge, or conviction ever happened.  Clearly, cleaning up your record can create life changing benefits. Here at Mills & Alcorn, expungements are a major focus area for the firm and we handle North Carolina expungement petitions across the entire state.

Recent changes in the law have made it so that many previously disqualified individuals are now eligible for a variety of expunction statutes. Some individuals may still not be eligible due to their criminal record. However, under certain circumstances, an individual can even readdress old charges and overturn old convictions from their past. Doing that can sometimes make it so that they are not only eligible to expunge the overturned conviction itself but even other charges and convictions as well. This can be accomplished through a legal mechanism called a motion for appropriate relief (MAR), and just like with expungements, recent changes in the law have given more individuals access to this type of relief. If you need an assessment about your eligibility for an expungement and/or an MAR, please contact our office today.