The following is a partial list of some of the most important reasons to consider getting your criminal record expunged:

1. Employment

Employment is one of the most important areas affected by a criminal record. Employers now have unprecedented ability to access criminal records, and they often deny jobs to applicants with a criminal record. Some employers even have periodic programs to check the criminal background of current employees.

2. Education

Drug related offenses make a student ineligible for loans, grants, and work assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1998. Some educational institutions consider criminal records in their application reviews, and a criminal record may disqualify you from attending college or graduate school.

3. Housing

Individuals can legally refuse to lease or sell to a person with a criminal record.

4. Loans

Having a criminal record may make you ineligible for a loan or result in higher interest rates. Certain offenses can eliminate the possibility of a student receiving financial aid

5. Licensing & Certifications

Some convictions result in the loss of certain licensing privileges (such as firearms rights). Other convictions can prevent you from obtaining state licenses and certifications.

6. Insurance Rates

A criminal record may result in higher insurance premiums, and certain offenses may deem you to be “uninsurable” or a “high risk.”

7. Firearm Rights

Firearms privileges may be restriced or eliminated depending upon the conviction. Hunting rights may be limited to archery or muzzleloaders.

8. Federal Assistance

Federal assistance in the form of housing or food stamps can be restricted or a person declared ineligible because of criminal convictions. In some cases, even an “arrest” that doesn not lead to a conviction may be considered by public housing authorities.

9. Adoption

There are now fifteen states that ban people with a criminal record from adopting children or becoming foster parents.

10. Volunteering

Volunteering to help with youth almost universally requires a clean criminal history.

This website is posted for informational purposes only and nothing on this website is to be construed as legal advice.  Your situation is unique, and requires personal advice from an attorney.  Nothing on this website is to be construed to create an attorney-client relationship between you the reader, and the publisher of this website.