Help with Criminal Record Expungement

Expungement or record sealing is the process of requesting that the courts and/or law enforcement agencies modify, seal, or destroy criminal records. The definition, benefits and requirements of expungement or record sealing varies by state. In many instances when a record is expunged or sealed, it cannot be viewed by the public and the applicant does not have to disclose any past criminal activity when an employer or landlord asks for it. Most states offer this relief because it is good public policy to allow deserving people to fully contribute in society.

backgroundchecks.com initiated the independent MyClearStart program as an easy-to-use tool and guide for consumers through the legal process of criminal record expungement and sealing, starting with a FREE eligibility test.

Benefits of Criminal Record Expungement

Tell employers that you have not been convicted of a crime
Become eligible for housing assistance
Stop fearing when someone does a background check on you
Become eligible for student loans
Become eligible for more types of licenses and certificates

As part of the MyClearStart program that we developed for our the background screening industry, backgroundchecks.com and other background screening firms arrange for a FREE and confidential online case evaluation that was designed in partnership with a team of experienced attorneys to quickly and confidentially determine if you are eligible to have your criminal record cleared.

Getting your record expunged is actually only half the battle!

Since many courts and agencies do not proactively inform the public of expungements, a person may obtain a court order expunging or sealing a record but that order may never be received by the criminal record database companies, who are a source of criminal record information to many of the background screening companies in the US..

After working for a year behind the scenes with various industry leading criminal record database companies, backgroundchecks.com initiated the Expungement Clearinghouse program. The Expungement Clearinghouse is designed as the central mechanism for sharing validated expungement orders by collecting the information from individuals, their attorneys, courts and other sources. Once expungements are validated, backgroundchecks.com and the other members of the Expungement Clearinghouse will receive expedited notification to remove these expunged records from their private criminal records databases. This service provides a faster and more coordinated approach to removing the records that are no longer publicly available.

To offer consumers a single point of contact to submit their requests, the Expungement Clearing House has formed an exclusive partnership with The Foundation for Continuing Justice. The Foundation offers a free service to those who have had their criminal record sealed, expunged or otherwise made non-public by the court to have this information removed from private companies who provide the information for private background checks. Visit the Continuing Justice website to download their application form to start the removal process.

This partnership will help to ensure that job seekers realize the full benefits afforded to them under the legal process of expungement, leading to faster and more efficient background checks, and helping qualified job applicants to more quickly secure meaningful employment.

FAQs

In what states can I have my record expunged?: MyClearStart currently supports the free eligibility test in the following states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Washington. For other states that support expungement, click here.
What costs are involved in criminal record expungement?: Each state charges different fees. If you take the free eligibility test, all fees will be shown prior to you making any commitment.
What offenses can be cleared with MyClearStart's expungement service?: Each jurisdiction is different so take the free eligibility test to find out.
My case is deferred, dismissed or discharged. Why is it still available to the public?: Court records are generally public records. Even if your case is dismissed, deferred or discharged, your offense is still publicly available. Which means your prospective employer, landlord or school may discover the court case.
Why does my record still show up on a background check report even after the judge ordered it expunged or sealed?: Since many courts and agencies do NOT proactively inform the public of expungements, a person may obtain a court order expunging or sealing a record but that order may never be received by the criminal record database companies, who are a source of criminal record information to many of the background screening companies in the US. Consumers that engage with the MyClearStart program and the attorneys from our partner can rest assured that, once the offense has been officially expunged or sealed, the lawyer also works to remove the records from proprietary criminal databases at the nation's largest criminal record database providers that have joined forces in the Expungement Clearinghouse.

And for people that already have an expungement, our partner can now offer you an additional service that will expedite the removal or modification of your criminal record.

The Expungement Clearinghouse expedites the updating of information provided to over 500 commercial background screening providers in the U.S. by securely sharing data about expunged criminal records with participating member companies. The clearinghouse provides a faster and more coordinated approach for consumers, their attorneys, courts and other sources to efficiently disseminate information about criminal records that have been cleared or updated by the courts to the commercial background screening industry.

Having MyClearStart handle your case means that you will have the security and confidence in knowing that you have an experienced and licensed attorney working to make sure your record is cleared by the court to the fullest extent possible as fast as possible and removed from private criminal databases.

We have partnered with The Law Firm of Higbee & Associates to offer you this service.

Benefits of Criminal Record Expungement

Getting your record expunged is actually only half the battle!

Be sure. Be confident. Be fast, efficient, and consistent.

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