Expungement

Everyone has something cringe-inducing in their past that they’re ashamed of. For many Washington residents, that can be an early arrest and conviction. Justice works best when it’s rehabilitative and not just punitive. You’ve certainly proved that you turned over a...

For many professionals, a past marijuana-related conviction continues to present challenges. Luckily, Washington now offers a more accessible process for clearing marijuana offenses. If you have one on your record, you may qualify for a clean slate. How has...

Many people seek expungement after a false conviction. There have been hundreds of expungements related to DNA evidence, for example. Someone may have been convicted based on the testimony given by an eyewitness, but DNA later proves that the eyewitness was wrong, so...

If you’re hoping to clear your criminal record in Washington State, relying on artificial intelligence tools for guidance can do more harm than good.  While AI may seem like a quick and easy way to find answers, redemption cases require a precise understanding of...

You’re working hard, staying out of trouble, and trying to build something better for yourself. However, every time you apply for a job, a past criminal charge keeps showing up in background checks and shutting doors. Interviews now seem like dead ends, which can be...

Despite popular belief, a juvenile offense, such as theft, vandalism or assault, does not simply disappear when you become 18 years of age. A mistake you made when you were still a minor can end up creating a lot of difficulties for you as an adult. You may face...

Often, individuals who are arrested and jailed for certain offenses reoffend after being released. Within a few years, they may be arrested again, sometimes for the same crime. Prison sentences are—in theory—supposed to help reform those who have broken the law and...

The ongoing financial consequences from a long-ago mistake can seem particularly unfair. People who have atoned for their mistakes should be able to free themselves from these financial hardships without having to cough up even more money to reduce those hardships....

As with many questions in the legal world, the short answer is “it depends.” Generally speaking, “expungement” only applies to a handful of situations. However, “vacating” a criminal record is another story. Expunging non-conviction criminal records Thankfully, these...

There are many ways that a Washington criminal conviction will inconvenience someone. First and foremost, they face arrest and court proceedings. After that, they will have to potentially serve the sentence handed down by the courts if they plead guilty or get...