Columbus Expungement Attorney
Erase Your Criminal Record - Call (614) 707-4239 to Talk to a Defense Lawyer!
If you've been convicted or arrested for a crime, then you may be able to get your record sealed or cleared so you are able to obtain gainful employment, get housing, pursue secondary education, and more.
The process is begun by filing an application with the court, specifying a particular conviction for possible expungement. The court will review and process the application, and then forward it to the Prosecutor's Office for review and response.
If you are intending to file for an expungement to clear your record, it is highly advised that you contact a Columbus expungement attorney right away. An attorney can provide you with assistance throughout the filing process that can greatly increase your chances of an outcome in which your expungement is granted.
Am I Eligible for Expungement?
Unfortunately, not all convictions are eligible for expunction. In Ohio there are "prohibited offenses" and these are not eligible for an expunction, such as:
- Any first, second, or third-degree felony
- Any offense which involves a mandatory prison term
- Any "violent" offense such as aggravated assault, sexual battery, rape, and domestic violence
- Any sexual offenses involving minors among others.
On October 29, 2018, Ohio passed new rules regarding expungement. Under these new laws, you can have an unlimited number of misdemeanors expunged and up to five felony convictions.
If you are not eligible for expungement under the new law, you still may be able to apply under the old one. The old law allows you to expunge a third-degree felony conviction, but in order to qualify you can have more than one felony and one misdemeanor conviction.
Can Anyone See My Criminal Record After It Is Expunged?
In many cases, when you apply for certain jobs, licenses, or housing, the person reviewing your application may look to see if you have a criminal record, and if they discover that you have one, they may choose not to hire you, or rent that apartment to you based on the information they find. However, once your record has been expunged, when you are asked about a criminal record, you can honestly say that you don't have one and you can ethically act as if an arrest and conviction never occurred. However, once your record is sealed, the following agencies still have access to your record:
- Law enforcement agencies
- Prosecutors
- Judges evaluating previous convictions when sentencing future crimes
- Jobs involving working with children or the elderly
- The majority of professional licensing boards
- The police
- Some real-estate and financial institutions
Keep in mind that if you commit another crime, then your sealed record can be used against you during sentencing.
Am I Eligible To Get My Criminal Record Sealed?
Click the following link to see a guide to adult conviction sealing in Ohio:
https://ohiojpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Record-Sealing-Resource_Updated-April-21-2021.pdf
Contact an Expungement Attorney in Columbus
With over 15 years of experience, The Meranda Law Firm LTD is well versed in all aspects of criminal defense, having served numerous clients throughout Columbus in their criminal cases. We provide knowledgeable, high quality legal assistance to each client we represent, in all manner of criminal charges, and our goal is that of obtaining favorable results in each case. Contact us today if you are seeking an expungement, and we will take you step-by-step through the process in an attempt to secure a successful resolution in which your record is cleared of a previous wrongdoing.
Want a prior conviction or arrest expunged? Contact us to consult a Columbus criminal attorney! All initial consultations are confidential and free of charge.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"As stress free as it can be"A criminal case can be very stressful. The Meranda Law Firm can help you with this process. Zack is there to make sure that you get the best personal one on one help you can get. So you don't get pushed around in the system. Takes all the worry out of your case. Very down to earth guy. Easy to talk too. Without Zack I don't know where I would be right now. Thanks Zack; can't tell you how much I appreciate the help you gave me. If you are looking for a lawyer that can take the stress out of your case Zack is your guy- Jeff w
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"Great Representation"There are three reasons I recommend Zachuary Meranda if you are arrested for DUI. First off, he is a straight shooter. Never did he sugar coat my situation. Second, he handled everything while keeping me informed and walked me through everything as it progressed. Third, he got me the result- NO DUI!!! Thanks Zak!- Shane Dolen
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"Excellent job!"We are very appreciative of the efforts put forth by Zach Meranda. The outcome was positive and he made us feel secure in an out of control situation. Felt glad to have him defending us and having his common sense approach to our case. We would recommend his services to anyone in need.- Anonymous
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"I Highly Recommend The Meranda Law Firm"I couldn't have asked for a better attorney. I've had other attorneys and Zach is the only one that actually knew my case and put a lot of time and effort into making sure the outcome was good, which it definitely was. I really think he is one of the best attorneys & I highly recommend him to anyone that needs legal help.- Payton R
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"Great work!!"Zach Meranda was a real attorney with a no bull shit strategy!!! But he won my criminal case even when the odds were against me and I thank him and his associates!!- Pfeifer
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"Great Job"Zach did a great job representing me. He worked hard to take care of me in my case. If I ever need a lawyer again, I'll definitely give him a call first.- Rod
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"Great Attorney"Zach is a great attorney. He has represented me twice and both times I got positive results. If you need an attorney call The Meranda Law Firm, he's the best.- Frances Benson
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"An Attorney That Will Give You His All!"Zach is incredibly professional and will work as hard as he can for you, no matter how big or small your case is. He shows genuine concern and interest in his client and the situation. He is straight forward and honest. Zach was the third attorney on my case and the only one that actually took the time to become familiar with my case. He was not intimidated as my previous attorneys were and his competency resulted in my case ending in a very satisfying outcome.- Rylan Burrie
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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What should I do if my child was arrested?No parent wants their child to have to go through an ordeal like being arrested. When these situations do occur, it can be difficult to determine what the best course of action would be. The juvenile justice system is different from the adult justice system and so it is important that you have a legal representative who understands the juvenile system and can help you get through this time. Whether your child has been accused of DUI, a drug crime, a misdemeanor, or a felony, you will be able to have peace of mind knowing that we are there helping you every step of the way.
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Can I afford a criminal defense attorney?Another question you will have to consider when deciding which defense lawyer to handle your case is whether or not you can afford it. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, we want to be able to provide reasonable rates to our clients so that you can get the help you need. In order to give you an idea of how much it will be, we will meet with you in a free consultation and discuss what kind of fees you could expect.
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How do I appeal my conviction?What should you do if you have already been convicted of a crime and have received your sentence? If you believe that justice was not served, your first step should be to contact our firm to see if we could help you appeal your case. Not every attorney takes on appeal cases they can be more complex and time-consuming than other cases. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, however, we are committed to fighting for the rights of our clients, no matter how difficult the case. If you want us to look over your case, please contact our team as soon as possible.
