A criminal conviction on your record can lead to serious negative consequences further down the road. Maybe you're applying for a job, or to get into a certain school, and that conviction will come to light. Or perhaps you're hoping for a promotion to a management position, or you're applying for some sort of professional license - that conviction could certainly get in the way. If you have a Tennessee criminal conviction on your record, can you get it expunged?
There are three general types of cases where a criminal record can be expunged. First, a record can usually be expunged where you were charged with a crime but never convicted. This usually comes in the form of an acquittal, a not guilty verdict, dismissal of charges by the court, or a nolle prosequi (this is when the prosecutor has elected to no longer pursue a criminal charge). Second, a record can typically be expunged when you have successfully completed a diversion. Diversion is a program where you are placed on probation for a fixed amount of time, and if you succesfuuly complete the probation the charge will be dismissed. Third, Tennessee has a new law that allows for expungement of certain prior criminal convictions. Not all prior convictions are eligible for expungement under the law, but certain misdemeanors and lower level felonies are eligible. In order to qualify for an expungment under the new law, (1) your conviction must be for a crime eligible for expungement (2) it must be the only conviction on your record, and (3) at least five years must have passed since the completion of any sentence.
If you want to find out if your conviction is eligible for expungement or learn more about the expungement process, contact our office today.
