If you have a state felony can it be expunged after ten years?

Question

Is there a waiting period? Like it's 5 years for a deferred felony....

Answer 1

Expungement rules vary from state to state, but certain conditions must be met in all cases.

Only a first time felony can be expunged. If you have two or more numbers, they will stay with you for life.

Time elements do apply. Most states demand 5 years free and clear of all legal encumbrances (with some states demanding 7 years).

Only certain felonies can be expunged. This is the state specific area I referred to. Each state has the right to mandate whether a certain felony may be expunged.

Best advice would be to contact an attorney within the jurisdiction of the arrest/conviction. He will be able to tell you if you qualify and if so, he can  draw up your petition and submit it to the court in your behalf.

Make sure in your phone contact that your first consultation is free of charge. Most attorneys allow this, but if you dont ask, you could be charged needlessly. The attorney will tell you up front what he values his time and efforts at to take care of this in your behalf, so it will allow you to shop around.

Best of luck and I hope this is useful to you

Answer 2

I generally agree with the above. However, depending on your financial situation, I would suggest contacting the public defender's office in the city or county where you were convicted to get advice/have the paperwork done for you. You could have the matter taken care of for free if you meet the financial requirements for assistance from the public defender. And some public defenders offices will do it regardless of your financial situation.  

Answer 3

Any felony regardless of the time which goes by, can be expunged. There is no time element on these. However, one must go to court and have a judge do this expunged and its only a 50/50 chance that any judge will allow this and you will need one heck of a good argument presented to the court of why it should be expunged.