Having a felony on your record can be inconvenient. Anyone doing a background check can find it, and some people do not care if you have turned your life around since then. Since a charge or conviction can affect your ability to secure housing or employment, many people ask us if it’s possible to have their past crimes expunged. Our Dallas County criminal lawyers may be able to help you, but it’s important to know Iowa’s rules about these things first.
Can a Felony Charge Be Expunged From My Record?
The good news is that a felony charge can be expunged from your record in some cases. A felony conviction cannot. That means that you have to do everything that you can to fight the prosecution’s case when you are charged with a felony. If you do not do everything that you can to defend yourself, you’ll end up in a situation where there’s a blot on your record that the state of Iowa will not let you erase.
Can a Deferred Judgment Be Expunged?
Getting a “not guilty” verdict or having a felony charge dropped is ideal, but a deferred judgment can also allow you to get your record expunged. These types of judgments are generally for defendants who do not have a lengthy criminal record. It allows someone to plead guilty but “defer” their jail time and other punishments. Instead, they will be assigned probation and their record can be expunged after they serve out their sentence without issue.
Who Can Access an Expunged Record?
It’s important to remember that an expunged record does not just disappear. It will still be available to the local police and other law enforcement agencies. Your records will not be available to the general public though, and that’s what really matters. If you were worried about a felony charge preventing you from getting hired or renting an apartment, expungment solves that problem for you.
Do I Need a Lawyer’s Help?
A criminal defense attorney can help you if you want to know more about how to expunge a felony charge or another crime from your record. Our real service is helping you fight a charge in the first place though. Contact us if you get charged with a felony and we will do everything that we can to help you poke holes in the prosecution’s case. If we can get you that favorable verdict, plea deal, or deferred judgment, that will make a big difference in your life.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you are facing criminal charges, contact Iowa Defenders to schedule a consultation. We can tell you more about your legal options and how our lawyers would help you with your case. Remember, you can remove a felony charge from your record but not a conviction, so beating these allegations is the best way to keep your record clean!
