Top Criminal Expungement Law Firms

Criminal expungement is often charged as a flat legal fee per case, with court filing fees and record costs on top. Several convictions, multiple counties, objections and hearings raise the cost. Some courts waive filing fees for low-income petitioners, and legal aid clinics may help eligible clients for free.

Expungement generally destroys or erases the record, while sealing hides it from the public and most background checks but keeps it available to courts, law enforcement and some licensing agencies. States use the terms differently, so a lawyer should explain which applies to your case.

The length of the expungement process depends on the state, the court's backlog, the number of offenses and whether the prosecutor objects or a hearing is set. Gathering records takes time at the start, and agencies need time to update their files after the order is granted.

An expunged or sealed record should not appear on most private employment background checks, and in many states you may lawfully answer that you were not convicted. Some government jobs, professional licenses and law enforcement checks can still see sealed records, so confirm the rules in your state.

Ask how often they file expungement petitions in your court, for a written eligibility assessment, and whether your record will be erased or sealed. Also ask what the fee covers, including hearings and follow-up with agencies, and what is left for you to do after the court order.