Your First Offense

So you've been convicted of your first offense, a misdemeanor. The sentence is usually a fine, and maybe even some jail time. But what you may not know is that under Rhode Island state law, you can file to have this offense expunged from your record. Once you have served your debt to society, you don't have to go through life with the mark on your record.

Expungement

If you meet certain basic qualifications, you may be able to have your offense expunged from your record. The upside of this is that the offense is removed from your record or sealed. The general qualifications for expungement are that:

• A certain amount of time has passed since the crime
• You have committed no intervening crimes
• You had few prior convictions
• The crime itself was not serious

Why Expunge?

A criminal conviction, even one for which you have paid your debt to society, can prevent you from getting a job or attending higher-level education. Getting the conviction expunged can free up your life.

Rhode Island Expungement Law

In Rhode Island, you can file for expungement after your first misdemeanor or felony offense. However, it is a fairly complex procedure that involves obtaining your record, for a price, from the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Infraction Unit, filing a motion in the court in which the conviction took place, and filing with the Attorney General's office and the arresting police department within a 10-day period. Having an experienced Rhode Island expungement lawyer on your side can help ensure that the process goes smoothly.

Contact Us

If you have a conviction that you want to have expunged, contact Rhode Island expungement lawyer James Powderly by calling 401-662-9006.