Charlotte Expungement Lawyer

Charlotte Expungement Attorney

EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

A criminal charge on your record can impede your life goals. It can impact your career prospects, housing options and personal reputation. One option to brighten your future is to seek an expungement for a past charge or convictionwith the help of a Charlotte expungement lawyer.

At Steven T. Meier, PLLC Attorneys At Law, we help people in the Charlotte area who need to expunge an offense. In North Carolina, you may expunge a crime from your record if you were:

• Arrested but not charged with an offense
• Tried but found not guilty
• Tried but had the charges dismissed
• Convicted of certain misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies
• Falsely accused

Having represented hundreds of clients, we understand the expungement process in great detail. When you speak with our personable attorneys, we can assess your situation and let you know whether you qualify.

What Are The Steps In Expungement?

The state follows a specific process for expunging offenses in Charlotte, NC. Though your situation is unique, you must go through each of these steps to purge your record of qualifying offenses:

1. Filing of petition. You must file a petition with the court in the county where you were charged.

2. Review. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will review your criminal record and attach it to your petition. Then, the Administrative Office of the Courts will review your petition.

3. Decision. Finally, a judge with the court where you filed the petition will make a decision. You may need to attend a formal hearing, but this is rare. If the judge grants your expungement, the court will clear the qualifying offenses from your public record.

These steps are not simple. Making a minor error can add months to the process. We can help you with the process, ensuring that you complete every part sufficiently.

How to Qualify for an Expungement

Qualifying for expungement depends on the outcome of your case, the type of crime you were convicted of, and your criminal history. If your charges were dismissed or you were found not guilty in court, there is no mandatory waiting period for you to petition the court to have them removed from your record.

In other cases, you typically have to wait five to 10 years, depending on whether the conviction was for a misdemeanor or a felony. Regardless, there is a waiting period after your sentence is completed.

What’s more, you must have maintained an otherwise clean record during that waiting period. You can have no pending charges against you and no active sentences.

Keep in mind, some crimes cannot be expunged, like violent crimes, those involving impaired driving, and sex crimes. Similarly, while you can expunge multiple charges at once, there may be longer waiting periods to do so. Speak with an attorney about your expungement case to see if you are eligible to begin this process.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Expunge Your Record in NC?

A: How much it costs to expunge your record varies from case to case. For criminal convictions, you must pay a $175 filing fee to the court to request expungement. Beyond that, the greatest expense will probably be your attorney fees. When you meet with your Charlotte expungement attorney, they can explain their fee structure. Keep in mind that if you are simply requesting charges that did not result in a conviction to be removed, there often is no court fee.

Q: How Do You Get a Record Expunged in Charlotte, NC?

A: To get your record expunged, first, you need to make sure you meet the state’s eligibility requirements. You can consult a Charlotte expungement attorney to see if you qualify. Then, you have to file a request for expungement with the court. You will need to obtain your criminal record, file the appropriate forms, and wait for a judge to review your request to decide if expungement is possible.

Q: What Felonies Can’t Be Expunged in NC?

A: The felonies that cannot be expunged in NC generally include Class A through G felonies. The same goes for crimes that require registration on the sex offender list or those that involve assault as an essential element. Violent felonies also cannot be expunged, nor can DUI-related convictions. Speak with an attorney if you are interested in having your record erased or sealed to determine your eligibility.

Q: How Long Does It Take for Expungement in NC?

A: How long it takes for expungement largely depends on the court’s caseload. For a record to be expunged, a judge must review your petition, your criminal record, make sure there are no outstanding charges or sentences, and check that you meet other eligibility requirements.

In 2024, the court granted over 46,000 expunctions, with 38,622 expungements for charges that did not result in convictions. With the courts handling so many cases, expungement could take several months to over a year.

Hire an Expungement Lawyer at Steven T. Meier, PLLC Attorneys At Law

Talk to us at Steven T. Meier, PLLC Attorneys At Law, about how you can get a fresh start by clearing your public record. When you hire an expungement lawyer from our firm, we take the time to explain the state’s expungement laws and help you understand if you qualify. Reach out to our office to schedule an initial consultation. To reach us, contact us today to get started.