Do I Need An Attorney to Have My Federal Criminal Record Expunged?

UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023Fact Checked

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Jeffrey Johnson

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Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023Fact Checked

The process of federal expungement is very complex. Because of the detailed nature of the expungement process, anyone considering it should seek a lawyer with knowledge and experience specifically in expungements. Tedious and technical paperwork must be filled out flawlessly and submitted against strict deadlines. While you may still be tempted to go on your own, fill out and file the paperwork, or motivated to avoid the fees that attorneys charge, consider that your criminal attorney is familiar with the procedure, knows the deadlines and people, and can be of tremendous persuasion to the court to accept your petition, all of which improves the outcome of your case. What is at stake cannot be over-emphasized: once an expungement is granted, virtually all official records, all references to your arrest for the offense, and the results of any criminal proceedings against you are removed from your record and destroyed. If then asked, you can then lawfully deny that you have ever been arrested for and/or convicted of the offense. This is the benefit of having submitted an accurate and expert federal record expungement request.

Clearly, this legal remedy of expungement is worth pursuing. But just as clearly, having an experienced and competent criminal law attorney to help you with the process and who is committed to getting optimal results is in your best interests. Do-it-yourself legal work doesn’t make much sense. Take it seriously. Once your record is expunged, it will be as though you were never convicted of a crime. You will never have to fear a background check again. New opportunities in employment, housing, education and many other areas will be opened up to you, not to mention the peace of mind that it will bring.

For more information, visit the following topics:

Federal Expunging of Criminal Records: An Overview: snapshots the type of relief for getting an expungement of a federal conviction.

Eligibility: discusses the availability of expungement in relation to drug arrests.

Process: discusses the federal application procedure and process.

Case Studies: Federal Criminal Record Expungement

Case Study 1: John’s Successful Expungement

John, a first-time offender, was convicted of a federal offense five years ago. He decided to hire an experienced criminal law attorney to help him navigate the expungement process. The attorney ensured that all paperwork was accurately filled out and submitted within the deadlines.

Thanks to the attorney’s expertise and strong presentation to the court, John’s petition for expungement was granted. Now, John can confidently deny his arrest and conviction, opening up new opportunities for him in employment, housing, and education.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s DIY Pitfall

Sarah, determined to save money, decided to handle her federal record expungement on her own. Despite her best efforts, she made a few critical mistakes in the application process, leading to the rejection of her petition.

Without an attorney to guide her, Sarah missed important deadlines and failed to provide convincing arguments to the court. As a result, she still carries the burden of her criminal record, limiting her options in various aspects of life.

Case Study 3: David’s Late Realization

David, unaware of the benefits of federal expungement, lived for years with the weight of a criminal conviction on his record. After learning about the expungement process, he sought legal help to rectify his situation.

Although David missed the opportunity for immediate relief due to delayed action, his attorney guided him through the process, ensuring that all requirements were met. Despite the delay, David eventually obtained expungement, providing him with newfound peace of mind and expanded opportunities.

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.

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