How Do You Expunge A Misdemeanor Conviction?
Whether you can expunge a misdemeanor conviction from your criminal records depends solely on the laws of the state where you were convicted. Some states do not allow expungement of any records of misdemeanor convictions, such as New York, while other states allow expungement of some misdemeanor convictions depending on the crime, such as California. If expungement is available to you, it is an opportunity you should pursue. An expungement–also called “sealing” or a “dismissal”–of your criminal record will provide several benefits. The most important benefits are you don’t have to disclose the conviction on most employment applications, and you can remove a barrier to obtaining housing. Locate your state’s information regarding expungement of criminal records. FindLaw.com has an overview of expungement laws in each state, but for your case a good starting point is the clerk’s office for the court where you were convicted. In some states, such as New Jersey, you can obtain a packet of
