Redemption Law

Finding someone else’s arrest on your Washington criminal history can be alarming. The problem may surface during a Seattle-area job or other background check. This can happen when another person gives your name and date of birth during an arrest. The Washington State...

There are many ways to address past criminal records and related documents. People often want to explore their options as they move forward with their lives, as a criminal record may make it harder to find employment and take other crucial steps. One of the most...

A certificate of discharge allows a person convicted of a Washington crime to have some key civil rights restored, such as the right to serve on a jury or the right to vote. A certificate of discharge can also play an important role in establishing eligibility for...

Sealing an adult criminal record is not an automatic process. For those with criminal records to expunge or seal the record of a conviction, they must first ask the Washington courts to vacate the conviction. That process involves a thorough review to ensure the...

It is possible to vacate some misdemeanor charges under Washington state law. However, not all offenders will qualify, and not all charges can be vacated. As such, people need to understand the criteria that must be met to qualify. Below are four important criteria to...

When a court grants vacatur, you receive meaningful legal relief, but the order does not erase every reference to the case. An employer may still find the matter through a public court file, an outdated private report or another source. Recognizing what your options...

The criminal justice system provides several ways for people who have served their sentence to seek relief. However, those ineligible for expungement, pardons or vacating a conviction can feel like there is no hope for them. Fortunately, Washington offers the...

A mistake made at 15 or 16 should not define a person's adult life. But in Washington, a juvenile record that stays open can show up on background checks and create barriers to employment, housing, education and military service. The good news is that Washington law...

Sex offender registration exists to protect the community. However, it can become a form of harsh punishment and social humiliation for people with convictions from years ago. Every time an individual subject to registration requirements moves to a new home, they must...

Lifetime sex offense registration often feels final. Many people believe it means there is no path forward and no chance to seek removal. That belief is common, but it is not always accurate. In certain situations, lifetime registration does not actually mean...