Expunging Dismissed Charges

Having a criminal charge dismissed usually brings a great sense of relief. You are no longer facing heavy fines, jail time, or other potential penalties. However, many people do not realize that the story does not end there. Even if you were not convicted, there is still a record of your arrest and the charges that were brought against you. This record is not automatically expunged; anyone can find it.

If you have recently had criminal charges dismissed, your legal battle is not necessarily over. Rhode Island expungement attorney James Powderly can advise you on the steps to take next. Call our offices at 401-662-9006 to learn more.

Why Expunge a Dismissed Charge?

Some people wonder whether they really need to make the effort to have all records of a dismissed case expunged. After all, anyone who finds out about your arrest can also find the results of your trial. Sadly, this is not always enough to protect your rights and reputation.

When you are applying for a job, school, scholarship, or loan, there is a good chance that someone will be checking your public records. When they see that you have been arrested in the past, this will almost certainly count against you. Think of it this way: an employer has two applicants for a job. One has been arrested for theft, DWI, or other offense. The other’s record is totally clean. Who would you hire?

What Can be Expunged?

As soon as your charges are dropped, you are likely eligible to file for expungement. However, this is not always the case. Strangely, you are only able to expunge your charges if all of them are eligible for expunction. For example, if you have been convicted of a violent crime, you may not be able to get any related charges expunged, even if those particular charges were dismissed.

Contact a Rhode Island Expungement Attorney

Rhode Island’s expungement laws can be complex and are always subject to change. To make sure your rights are being fully protected, contact Rhode Island expungement lawyer James Powderly at 401-662-9006.