visit their siteRestoring Your Rights and Clearing Prior Criminal History
Morris and Hart: Criminal Defense Lawyer Protecting Your Future
Whether it was a youthful indiscretion or just a poor choice you made in the past, there may very well be something in your record that could jeopardize your future career (including receiving a professional license), housing or educational opportunities. If your record includes a felony conviction, you also very likely have lost your right to possess a firearm.
The Seattle criminal defense firm of Morris and Hart may be able to help. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might qualify for a vacation and/or sealing of your criminal record. Vacation (formerly known as expungement) restricts police agencies, like the Washington State Patrol, from disseminating information about prior convictions.
If your conviction has not been vacated or sealed, it is readily available to potential employers, landlords, lenders and school administrators through the Washington State Patrol's Website (visit the State Patrol's site).
There are many factors that may determine your eligibility to have your conviction vacated, including:
- The nature of the crime
- The date of the conviction
- Whether there are any unpaid fines or court costs
- Whether you have successfully completed any conditions of probation or parole
- Whether you have any recent arrests
- Whether you have any subsequent convictions
Once your conviction has been vacated, access to your prior criminal history becomes more difficult and can generally be obtained only through a search of your court file. In some cases, it is possible to seal your court file, or to redact limited information. Restoring your gun rights is a separate matter, but involves related issues.
Move Forward with Confidence
If you want to learn more about clearing your criminal history or restoring your constitutional rights, contact criminal defense attorneys Daron Morris and Brent Hart by calling 206-801-5162, toll free at 866-943-9910 or sending an e-mail.
