Changes have been made to Oklahoma’s laws regarding eligibility for the expungement of criminal records, and the bill detailing these changes was put into effect on November 1, 2012. It is extremely important that Oklahomans understand the variety of changes established by House Bill 3091, and how these modifications will affect the eligibility of certain …
Changes have been made to Oklahoma’s laws regarding eligibility for the expungement of criminal records, and the bill detailing these changes was put into effect on November 1, 2012. It is extremely important that Oklahomans understand the variety of changes established by House Bill 3091, and how these modifications will affect the eligibility of certain individuals to obtain an expungement of their criminal record going forward. If you are interested in determining whether or not you qualify for a criminal record expungement in Oklahoma, consult our reputable criminal defense lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options.
November 1, 2012 Record Expungement Changes
House Bill 3091 established a variety of changes affecting certain aspects of criminal record expungement in Oklahoma. After November 1, 2012, thousands of people who were previously ineligible for expungement became eligible to completely clear their criminal records, while other classes of offenders who would have been eligible for record expungement in the past became unable to do so with the passage of HB 3091. Another important change implemented by HB 3091 allows certain expunged records to be used in criminal proceedings without requiring a court order to unseal the record. For example, an expunged juvenile record may now be admissible in subsequent criminal proceedings as a means of demonstrating prior convictions or deferred sentences, and a court order is not required for judges, defense attorneys, district attorneys, the Department of Corrections and the Office of Juvenile Affairs to obtain these court records.
How to Obtain an Expungement in Oklahoma
There are two main types of expungement in Oklahoma: Section 18/19 expungement and 991c expungement. An 18/19 expungement is the most desirable type of expungement, because it completely erases the conviction from the court record, the arresting agency and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, which means it will not show up in criminal background checks or employment checks. Unfortunately, a Section 18/19 expungement is also the most difficult to obtain, due to the narrow eligibility requirements. For those who don’t qualify for this type of expungement, relief may still be available through a 991c expungement, which changes the court record after a deferred sentenced. This means that the court record will still exist, but instead of a record showing that the person pled guilty to a crime and served probation, the record will show a not guilty plea with the case dismissed.
Consult Our Criminal Defense Attorneys for Help
Having your criminal record expunged can significantly improve your quality of life, both personally and professionally. Fortunately, with new changes to Oklahoma expungement laws established on November 1, 2012, individuals who may not have been eligible for record expungement in the past may now qualify to have their criminal record completely cleared. If you think you might qualify for an expungement in Oklahoma, contact our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center for legal help. With our reputable law firm on your side, you can explore your possible record expungement options and work to have your criminal offenses erased from your permanent record.