A criminal conviction can forever change the course of an individual’s life. Obviously, the fines, probation, incarceration or other criminal penalties ordered as part of a sentence for criminal activity can impact an individual’s life.
The record of their criminal offense can alter their access to everything from higher education and financial support to job opportunities and rental housing. In some cases, individuals may hope to remove records of a prior criminal offense from their background so that they can move on with their lives.
The process of removing or sealing records is different in every state. Some people in Washington might be eligible for expungement. Is expungement an option for those with state-level criminal convictions?
Expungement isn’t for convictions
Differences in terminology from one jurisdiction to the next can leave people feeling confused and frustrated about their options. An expungement in some states involves the official sealing of records. However, Washington’s rules for post-conviction relief are a bit more literal.
Expungement often means destroying records or making them inaccessible to the public. Washington does not currently expunge criminal convictions, regardless of how old they are. It is only an option for state records related to arrests and charges that did not result in a conviction.
How do people address convictions?
There is a form of post-conviction relief that applies to criminal records rather than arrest records and records of dismissed criminal charges. In scenarios involving minors convicted of criminal offenses, it may be possible to seal certain conviction records after a court hearing.
People can request the vacation of a prior criminal conviction. Those applying for vacation have to undergo court review and must meet certain standards involving the nature of the offense and their criminal record since that conviction. The process can be a challenge, especially if people try to navigate it without support.
Consulting with an attorney can help people evaluate their options for post-conviction relief in Washington. With the right support, people can remove certain blemishes from their permanent record or ask the state to expunge the record of arrests and dismissed charges. Pursuing post-conviction relief with a skilled legal advocate can help an individual with a criminal record expand what opportunities they can access in the future.