Oklahoma Expungement Attorney & Lawyers
If you have been struggling to overcome the impact of a criminal record or arrest record, an Oklahoma expungement lawyer is your best resource for a fresh start. For many Oklahomans, moving past an arrest, misdemeanor conviction, or nonviolent felony conviction can be difficult. Trying to make a fresh start is complicated by a past mistake showing up on background checks for employment or education. Parents wishing to volunteer in schools and chaperone field trips are also subject to criminal background checks. Even if you were arrested and never charged, or if you were acquitted of all charges, your arrest record may cause you undue embarrassment for years following the incident. Fortunately, Oklahoma expungement attorneys can handle your case to help seal a criminal record or expunge an arrest record.
Who is Eligible for an Oklahoma Expungement?
It is easiest qualify for an expungement of your arrest record if you were never charged following the arrest or if you were acquitted of the charges at trial. However, expungement of a criminal record is possible even if you were convicted of the crime. Not every criminal conviction is eligible for record expungement, however. Violent felonies and sex offenses that require compliance with the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registration Act cannot be expunged. If you successfully completed a deferred sentence or have a past conviction of a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony, speak with an Oklahoma expungement lawyer to see if it may be possible to have your record sealed.
Types of Expungements in Oklahoma
Under Oklahoma law, certain individuals are eligible to have their arrest records cleared or their criminal convictions sealed from public view. There are two types of expungements in Oklahoma, each differing in extent.
- Title 22 O.S. §991c – The most common type of record expungement in Oklahoma falls under Title 22 O.S. §991c of the Oklahoma Statutes. A Section 991c expungement comes after successful completion of a deferred sentence. This type of expungement seals a court record, but does not remove the arrest record or criminal charge from the defendant’s criminal history with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
- Title 22 O.S. §18 – A Section 18 expungement is more beneficial to an individual wishing to eradicate his or her criminal record, as it completely removes the file from not only court records, but also from the OSBI history. It is also, however, more difficult to obtain. To be eligible for a complete purging of both the arrest record and criminal record, one must meet specific criteria which may include acquittal or evidence of factual innocence.
For more information on each type of Oklahoma expungement, please visit our dedicated pages for Section 991c Expungement or Section 18 Expungement.
Clear Your Record with an Expungement Lawyer in Oklahoma City
If you have been burdened by an arrest record or criminal conviction, an experienced defense attorney can help you start over with a clean record. To find out if you qualify, contact the law offices of Phillips and Bailey to speak with an Oklahoma expungement lawyer for a free evaluation of your case.
