Having a conviction for a crime on record can do some heavy damage. Many people find this record haunting them for the entirety of their lives.
Fortunately, a person can take action through expungement, which serves as a form of post-conviction relief for many.
Defining expungement
Expungement will isolate and clear your criminal files. As Mackinac Center for Public Policy states, expungement is a useful tool in many respects. It can specifically handle things like detention information, your arrest record, trial information and apprehension.
Deep background checks may potentially lead to someone finding out that you had a record that got expunged. However, standard checks such as those run by businesses and potential employers typically do not dig up an expungement.
What are the benefits?
When you do not have an easily viewable criminal record, it helps you avoid the stigma that comes with having one.
You will likely not face any discrimination in terms of housing or employment, and you do not have to worry about someone digging up a past that you would rather forget. It also removes any previous restrictions that having a criminal record might have imposed, such as restrictions on the types of jobs a person can apply for.
What crimes are ineligible?
Some crimes are not eligible for expungement. This includes terrorism, kidnapping, sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual conduct, criminal homicide, and most crimes involving children.
For those who have convictions for other crimes, it is often dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Each individual will have to discuss their options in order to see whether or not expungement exists as an opportunity for them.