Misdemeanor Expungement

The least severe level of crimes in Minnesota are misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors. If you have completed a misdemeanor conviction sentence and have not been convicted of another crime for at least two years, then you are eligible for a misdemeanor expungement under the new Minnesota expungement law.

Starting in 2015, Minnesota changed their laws regarding the clearing of criminal records. No matter how short or severe your criminal record is, you may benefit from an expungement in ways you have not have considered. Petty misdemeanors and misdemeanors can impact how much you pay for car insurance or even your job prospects. Leaving any previous arrest or conviction on your record unexpunged could be costing you thousands of dollars every year in lost potential revenue or penalties.

Some stats can better put into perspective just how important an expungement can be:

    • 1 in 4 Minnesotans have some form of a criminal record
    • 87% of employers perform background checks on job applicants
    • 26% of employers would not extend an offer to an otherwise qualified candidate because of a non-violent misdemeanor conviction.
    • More than 60% of colleges currently consider criminal histories in making enrollment and scholarship decisions.
    • One speeding ticket may raise your car insurance premiums on average a few hundred dollars, especially if you're a young driver.
    • Certain misdemeanor convictions can result in a 7-year disqualification for licensing through the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Clearly these statistics show that an expungement of any of your records will have a positive impact on your life, no matter how small those records may be. There are a number of different options depending on your particular case.

Do You Need an Attorney?

It is possible to get a misdemeanor expungement, but its less likely without an attorney. Some misdemeanor expungements can be easily obtained if they are older cases, but the court will still put up some resistance to more recent convictions. The most effective actions you can take are to attain steady employment, stay out of trouble, and show the court how the conviction is holding you back. Having an misdemeanor expungement attorney will ensure that the best possible argument is made on your behalf while you are free to continue living your life. We know how to make use of the 12 factors for an expungement that the Court considers to make you as viable candidate as possible. Through our experience of successfully expungement misdemeanor records throughout the State, we know the ins and outs of the misdemeanor expungement law and what the court wants to hear. You can schedule a free consultation with us by contacting us here.

Not Yet Eligible?

Even if you are not yet eligible for a misdemeanor expungement, there are steps you can take now that can make the process easier when you eventually are eligible. Don't wait, schedule a free consultation today.

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