Expunging Your Record

When someone has criminal charges filed against them, documents are created that can be accessed by the public. A criminal record is any criminal history compiled by state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies. By expunging a criminal record, the official information about the crime will be removed, erased and destroyed.

Regardless of whether you were convicted or your charges were dismissed, it is best to have the court expunge the file. The process to expunge either a dismissed case or a convicted case is the same, however, there may be restrictions on the number and type of convicted cases that can be sealed. Furthermore, a convicted case must be concluded for a certain length of time before a petition/application to expunge the record can be filed. Traffic offenses including DUI’s cannot be expunged.

The Athens County Municipal Court currently charges a $50.00 fee for each application filed.

NOTE: If you were convicted of a minor misdemeanor for possession of marijuana, you should apply to expunge the record as soon as possible. Drug convictions make you ineligible for federally subsidized student loans.

If you have questions about how to complete an application, how to file an application, or any other questions about expunging a criminal record, please schedule an appointment to speak with an attorney.