Long Beach Expungement Lawyer

Long Beach Expungement Attorney

Criminal convictions don’t just come with fines, jail time, community service, and probation. The consequences of a criminal record extend beyond state-sanctioned punishments, affecting your personal and professional lives. Even though you’ve served your sentence, you may find yourself getting turned down for jobs or denied loans because of your record. That’s where a Long Beach expungement lawyer can prove vital. Miller Law Offices can fight to clear your record, letting you have a fresh start.

What Is Expungement?

Simply put, expungement is the clearing or erasing of your criminal record. Upon a successful expungement, it’s as if your arrest and case never happened as far as the general public is concerned. Without an expungement, your record can keep you from getting jobs, securing loans, or applying to college. The effects can be incredibly pervasive.

Under some circumstances, law enforcement and the courts can still access this record, particularly in relation to further criminal charges. Similarly, some employers may still be able to inquire about your record, even if your charges were expunged.

The Benefits of Expungement

When you’re convicted of a crime, the court sentences you to some kind of punishment. Usually, this is some combination of fines, jail time, probation, and community service. However, when you’ve completed that sentence, you’ll likely find that you’re still being punished. When you apply for jobs, you may be turned down after a background check. You could be denied admission to school or rejected when you apply for an apartment.

Despite millions being eligible, only 10% to 20% even apply. With expungement, your charges and conviction won’t appear on background checks anymore. This will open up all sorts of opportunities for you. Employers, lenders, landlords, and schools will no longer have access to your criminal record.

How to Apply for Expungement in Mississippi

With nearly one in three adults in the U.S. having a criminal record, it’s important to know the process of expungement. Under current Mississippi law, there is no automatic expungement of any crimes, which means you must petition the court yourself. For eligible charges, you must wait five years after your conviction to apply. At that point, you’ll need to compile the necessary documents to show the court you’ve satisfied all requirements of your sentence.

Eligibility for Expungement

Not all charges and convictions are eligible for expungement. If your case was dismissed, charges were not formally filed, or you were found not guilty, you can immediately apply to have your record expunged. Most first-time misdemeanor convictions can be expunged five years after completing your sentence. Qualifying felonies can also be expunged after that five-year period, though you can typically only expunge one felony from your record.

However, many felonies cannot be expunged from your criminal record. Violent charges like rape, assault, kidnapping, and murder cannot be expunged. Similarly, crimes committed using a firearm are ineligible. Some nonviolent crimes also can’t be expunged, like certain sex crimes, arson, and DUIs beyond the first conviction.

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Trust Miller Law Offices for Your Expungement Case

Expungement is your chance to fully get your life back after completing your sentence. Kyle Miller of Miller Law Offices can be your ally in clearing your record. Shortly after graduating from law school, Kyle was elected county prosecutor of Jackson County. While having the honor of serving his community, he also gained valuable insight into how prosecutors build and argue cases. Now, as a defense lawyer, he uses that insight to build winning strategies for his clients.

Kyle Miller knows the state’s expungement laws, and he knows what it takes to get his clients’ records cleared. You can trust Miller Law Offices to be your advocate throughout the legal process.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Record Expunged in Mississippi?

The cost to get a record expunged varies case by case. In Mississippi, state statute § 99-19-72 sets the filing fee for expungement at $150. Therefore, at the very least, you can expect to pay that. However, if you hire an expungement lawyer, their fees will depend on their experience and the complexity of your case. An experienced attorney working on a complicated case will likely charge more than a newer lawyer on a simple case.

What Charges Cannot Be Expunged in Mississippi?

Many charges cannot be expunged. These include:

• Violent felonies, like rape and manslaughter
• Offenses involving the use of a firearm
• Certain sexual offenses
• DUIs beyond the first offense

Even as part of a plea deal, certain crimes cannot be expunged. Talk to your attorney before pleading guilty or committing to a trial. They can explain the full consequences that come with a conviction.

What Is the New Expungement Law in Mississippi?

Passed in 2019, the most recent bill to become law in Long Beach, Mississippi regarding expungement expanded the list of eligible felonies. Since then, several other laws have been proposed to broaden the scope of expungement and automatically expunge certain eligible records, though those have either been struck down or are awaiting votes.

How Long After a Felony Can You Have It Expunged?

Under § 99-19-71, you must wait five years after a conviction to petition for an expungement of eligible felonies. However, you must have no other convictions in that timeframe, and you can only apply to expunge one conviction at a time. While there is proposed legislation that would allow for expungement for more serious crimes after a longer period, those laws have yet to pass.

Hire an Expungement Lawyer From Miller Law Offices

Everyone makes mistakes, but that doesn’t mean you should have to pay for a bad decision for the rest of your life. If you’ve served your sentence and want a chance at a clean record, a Long Beach expungement attorney can assist you. Miller Law Offices can review your charges to determine if you qualify for expungement and petition the court to clear your record. Contact us today to discuss your case, learn if you qualify for expungement, and discover how we can help you with the process.

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