Ocean City, MD Expungement Attorneys

Dedicated Lawyers for Criminal Record Expungement or Shielding in Ocean City, Maryland

Moving on with your life after a criminal conviction is rarely easy. Family and friends may look at you differently after you have served your sentence, and your criminal record will show up on background checks run by employers and landlords. This prejudice can feel tremendously unfair if you have done everything you can to rehabilitate your image and act as a lawful citizen after your conviction.

If you want to work with a clean slate, you may have an option in the form of expungement. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, our criminal defense lawyers can assess your eligibility for expungement and help you take steps toward clearing your record.

What Is Expungement?

Expungement is the legal process of clearing your criminal record after a charge. Even if you were not convicted, an arrest may still show up on your record, leading to uncomfortable questions after background checks. By getting an expungement, you can have information about a criminal case removed from private and public records. As part of this process, you will have to file a petition with the court detailing your charge, including the date and location of your arrest.

However, expungement is not an option for every charge. The state of Maryland has strict criteria about what offenses can and cannot be expunged, and even if you are eligible, you may need to wait years after a conviction to have it removed from your record. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we can meet with you one-on-one to discuss your options for clearing your record.

Expungement for Records Other Than Conviction

Many judgments aside from a conviction can be expunged. You might be eligible for expungement if:

• You were found not guilty in court
• The case against you was dropped
• You were given Probation Before Judgment, or a "PBJ"
• Your case was placed on indefinite hold in a stet docket
• Your case was transferred from adult court to juvenile court
• The court finds that you were Not Criminally Responsible for certain charges due to mental illness or an intellectual disability

These rules are subject to certain exceptions. If you received Probation Before Judgment but were then convicted of another offense within three years, your PBJ will not be eligible for expungement. Also, you will not be able to file for expungement if you are dealing with another pending criminal charge.

What Convictions Can Be Expunged?

Many misdemeanor convictions and select felony convictions can be cleared from your record through expungement. However, there is often a lengthy waiting period before certain crimes can be erased from your record. Some of these convictions include:

• Marijuana possession after you have served your sentence
• Marijuana possession with intent to distribute after three years
• General theft after five years
• Misdemeanor assault after seven years
• First or second-degree burglary after 10 years

Maryland's unit rule may also disqualify certain convictions from being expunged. According to this rule, if you were charged with multiple offenses in a single incident, you can only clear your record if all of the crimes in that incident are eligible for expungement.

For charges that do not qualify for expungement, shielding may be an option. This will seal access to certain records rather than completely deleting them. Law enforcement may still be able to access information about these offenses, but other parties, such as employers, will not be able to see these records. You can only apply for shielding of a criminal record once during your life.

If the state's attorney objects to your petition for expungement or shielding, our attorneys can represent you at an expungement hearing. We will argue for your right to have your records cleared or sealed based on the facts of your case.

Meet With an Ocean City, Maryland Expungement Lawyer Today

Recovering from a criminal charge can be difficult. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, our Ocean City criminal defense lawyers will fight to get your record cleared. With over 50 years of combined experience, our lawyers are qualified to handle your concerns. Call our offices at 410-280-2500 or contact us online to set up a free consultation today.