Expungements

(A) Criminal Record

Expungement is a procedure to get a record removed or destroyed. In many circumstances, having a criminal record can be detrimental when seeking employment, getting a security clearance, or obtaining federal or state student loans. Sometimes you need a fresh start. When a criminal case is expunged, the entire record of the case is removed from the law enforcement system and from all electronic files maintained with any agency in the State of Missouri. The records and files maintained in any court become confidential and are only available to the parties or by order of the court. Only some offenses are eligible for expungement, but when a judge grants an order to expunge, this can be a wonderful new beginning! We’ve helped many clients get their old cases removed from the record. Perhaps you have an old case that’s eligible for expungement. Don’t delay! We’re ready to help you right now!

(B) Arrest Records

Expungement is a procedure to get a record removed or destroyed. A person can be arrested for a criminal offense but never be prosecuted (there was no court case). Even though there was no prosecution, the record of the arrest remains in the law enforcement system and in various agencies in the State of Missouri. In many circumstances, simply having an arrest record can be detrimental when seeking employment, getting a security clearance, or obtaining federal or state student loans. Restrictions apply regarding the eligibility to have an arrest record expunged, but when a judge grants an order to expunge, the arrest record for that particular charge will be cleared. We’ve helped many clients get this accomplished. To learn if you’re eligible, contact one of our offices right away! Don’t delay!

(C) DWI Records

Expungement is a procedure to get a record removed or destroyed. DWI cases have their own rules regarding this procedure, but they can also be removed from the record in the law enforcement system and in various agencies in the State of Missouri. Other restrictions apply, but after a period of not less than ten years, an individual who pleaded guilty or was convicted for a first alcohol-related driving offense (misdemeanor) may be eligible to have the case expunged. The effect of the expungement would be to restore such a person to the status he occupied prior to the arrest, plea, or conviction–as if the case had never occurred! To learn if you’re eligible, contact one of our offices right away! Don’t delay!

Withdrawing Guilty Pleas

Pleading guilty can turn into a costly mistake. Many times people will simply pay the fine for a traffic ticket out-of-court, but then comes the bad news. The court notifies the Missouri Department of Revenue about the conviction and points are added to the driving record. Then the insurance company raises their rates. We can help!

In some circumstances, we may be able to reverse these harmful consequences. The procedure is called withdrawing or setting-aside a guilty plea. After a judge reverses a guilty plea and schedules a new court date, then we have a new opportunity to get the ticket reduced to a non-moving violation which would remove the points from your driving record. This will prevent higher insurance rates. The procedure to set aside a guilty plea occurs mostly with traffic cases. If you recently pled guilty to a traffic case, don’t delay. Contact one of our offices as soon as possible!