Fast Criminal Record Expungement in Oklahoma

Fast criminal record expungement in Oklahoma is possible under the new pardon and expunction laws. A criminal conviction in the state of Oklahoma can cause a lot of problems for you. If you have a criminal record, many jobs might not be available to you. You might lose valuable rights, such as the right to vote or carry a gun. You might be denied an occupational license. Because of this, your aim should be to clear your criminal record as soon as possible so that you can move on with your life. The process is called expunging your criminal record. Here’s more on how to go about expungement and pardons, including how an attorney can help you.

Expunge Your Criminal Record in a Hurry

There are two types of procedures to expunge your criminal conviction. The first is covered by Title 22, Section 991C of the Oklahoma Statutes (the “991C” expungement). These expungements are done through a deferral program with a court. Under this program, you plead guilty to a crime, and the judge delays sentencing until you complete your probation. Once you complete everything the judge dismisses the charges against you, and there will be no record of your criminal conviction. There is no specific waiting period for this category of expungement. Its limited only by the term of probation. This does not wipe out the record of your arrest. Rather the case shows as dismissed.

The second type of expungement is covered under Title 22, Section 18 of the Oklahoma Statutes (the “Section 18 expungement”). Here, if you meet the qualifications, then you can have your arrest, as well as your conviction, wiped clean. You might qualify if one of the following applies to you:

1. You are acquitted.
2. Your conviction is reversed by an appellate court, and the district attorney subsequently dismisses the charge.
3. Your innocence is established using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence after conviction.
4. Receive a full pardon based on a written finding by the Governor of your actual innocence for the crime for which you are sentenced.
5. You are arrested, but no charges of any type are filed against you. Also the statute of limitations expires (or the prosecuting agency declines to file charges against you).
6. Were under eighteen years of age at the time of the offense. Also you received a full pardon for the offense.
7. You are charged with one or more misdemeanor or felony crimes, all charges are dismissed, you have never been convicted of a felony, no misdemeanor or felony charges are pending against you, and the statute of limitations for refiling the charge or charges has expired (or the prosecuting agency confirms that the charge or charges will not be refiled). This does not apply to charges that have been dismissed following the completion of a deferred judgment or delayed sentence.
8. Charged with a misdemeanor, the charge is dismissed following your successful completion of a deferred judgment. And, you have never been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, no misdemeanor or felony charges are pending against you, and at least one year passes since the dismissal of the charge against you.
9. You are charged with a nonviolent felony offense, the charge is dismissed following your successful completion of a deferred judgment or delayed sentence, you have never been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, no misdemeanor or felony charges are pending against you, and at least ten years pass since the dismissal of the charge against you.
10. Convicted of a misdemeanor offense, you have not been convicted of a felony, no felony or misdemeanor charges are pending against you, and at least ten years have passed since the end of your last misdemeanor sentence.
11. You are convicted of a nonviolent felony offense, you receive a full pardon for the offense, you have not been convicted of any other felony, you have not been convicted of a separate misdemeanor in the last fifteen years, no felony or misdemeanor charges are pending against you, and at least ten years pass since the felony conviction.
12. Charged or arrested or are the subject of an arrest warrant for a crime committed by another person who appropriated or used your name or other identification without your consent or authorization.

Time Frames For Specific Convictions

Single Nonviolent Felony Conviction

You may apply to the court for expungement of a single nonviolent felony conviction five years after completion of your sentence. This is applicable if you have not been convicted of any other felony or a separate misdemeanor in the past seven years, and if no felony or misdemeanor charges are pending. In the case of a single felony conviction you no longer need to get a pardon along with the expungement. This stream lined process promotes fast criminal record expungement in Oklahoma by reducing the steps required.

Multiple Nonviolent Felonies

If you are convicted of no more than two felony offenses, neither of which involves serious violence or requires your registration as a sex offender, then you may petition to have the record expunged ten years after completion of your sentence. In the case of multiple felony convictions you may need a Governor’s pardon.

Seal Misdemeanor Convictions

Misdemeanor convictions may be expunged five years. There must be no charges are pending, you have no prior felony offenses, and you have paid all court debt. In both felony and misdemeanor cases its important to understand that the waiting periods before you are eligible runs to the time the sentence is complete. This means that the clock doesn’t start to run from the time of the conviction. The waiting period is waived if you were sentenced to a fine less than $501 and no prison sentence was imposed, as long as you have never been convicted of a felony and no charges are pending.

Tulsa Expungement Lawyer Near You

Expunging criminal recodes in Oklahoma doesn’t have to be so difficult. Over the years the law regarding pardon and expungement has evolved. This evolution males fast criminal record expungement in Oklahoma possible for those cases that were once not eligible. This includes both felony and misdemeanor charges including DUI crimes. Kania Law Office’s experienced expungement and criminal defense attorneys are ready to help you get your record cleared. To learn more about how we can assist you, by calling (918) 743-2233 or contacting us online.