A Second Chance

To “expunge” is to “erase or remove completely.” The Alabama Expungement Stature allows a person to petition the court to have the record of a criminal offense expunged. An expungement order directs the court to treat the criminal conviction as if it had never occurred. The offense won’t show up on a background check, and you won’t be required to disclose it on a job or credit application.

There are Limits

Not all charges are eligible for expungement, but a recent change to Alabama law made expungement an option for many misdemeanor convictions. If three years have passed from the date of conviction, all court-ordered sentencing is complete, and the conviction is not for a violent or sex offense, your offense may qualify. However, even expunged offenses must be disclosed to government licensing agencies, banks, and on law enforcement job applications.

The Cost of Success

You will incur several expenses when seeking an expungement in Alabama. There is an administrative filing fee of $500, plus approximately $300 in court costs, a certified records fee of $100 as well as your attorney’s fee. My fee for filing an expungement petition is typically $1500 per charge to be expunged. Although an expungement does require some time and expense, it is a small price to pay for the benefits that come with having a clear criminal record.