9 Benefits of Expunging Your Criminal Record
If you made a mistake in your past that resulted in a criminal arrest, charge and/or conviction, you may be wondering if there’s a way to erase it from your criminal history and whether it’s even worth doing.
There is a way. And it is worth it.
With an expungement, you can clean your slate and move on with your life.
In this article, we’ll explain what an expungement is and nine ways that it can change your life.
What is an Expungement?
An expungement is a legal process that seals your criminal record from public view. It protects your privacy and allows you to take advantage of job, school, and other opportunities that previously were unavailable because of your arrest and charges showing up in a criminal background check.
An expungement is an investment in your future because it erases parts of your past that no longer match who you are now.
1. More & Better Job Opportunities
If you are or have ever been on a job hunt, you’ve no doubt realized how hard it can be to find a great job if you have a criminal record. If you do manage to get hired, it’s probably not the kind of work (or pay) you really want.
Some charges and convictions immediately disqualify you for government jobs that have great pay and benefits. Sure, you can seek a job that doesn’t require a background check (which is getting rarer and rarer), but those jobs may not offer enough to pay the bills.
Instead of working multiple low-paying jobs, invest in yourself with an expungement. Once your criminal record is sealed, you legally don’t have to disclose the incident on job applications and can apply for the jobs you really want with confidence.
2. Better Education Opportunities
Many people choose to go to college to jumpstart a new career. If that involves going to graduate school, your criminal record could become a real barrier.
Most graduate programs are very competitive to get into. Unfortunately, your criminal record might be the deciding factor between you and another candidate who, in all other ways, is on an equal footing with you.
If you want to return to school to build your dream career, consider an expungement.
3. Remove the Stigma of Having a Criminal Record
As you move past your mistake and no longer identify as the person you once were, the weight of your conviction can take a toll. One of the most impactful benefits of expunging your criminal record is simply removing the weight and stigma of your record.
With an expungement, you’ll no longer have to worry about people finding out about your past. You’ll never have to wonder what people will think of you if they find out that you were arrested and charged with a crime. You’ll finally be able to breathe easy knowing that your public record matches the person you are now.
4. More Options for Housing
Many landlords in Oklahoma conduct background checks on potential tenants before signing a rental agreement. Court records are easy to obtain and landlords are normally cautious about renting to someone with a criminal past, regardless of how long ago it happened.
An expungement can open the door to more and better rental properties for you and your family.
5. Starting or Expanding Your Family
If you and your partner are considering foster parenting and/or adoption to grow your family, you may find that your criminal record is a barrier. In most cases, the Department of Human Services will conduct a background check on foster parent candidates. It can be very difficult to get approved if you have a criminal record.
An expungement removes incidents from your criminal record so you’ll be judged for the person you are now, not the person you were in the past.
6. Public Assistance
People with prior felony convictions may end up facing “collateral consequences” of their conviction, meaning they face punishments even after they complete their sentence. For example, some states don’t grant SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits to people with felony drug convictions.
Expungements can help you qualify for essential assistance that you and your family really need.
7. Lower Insurance Premiums
After certain charges, such as a DUI, you may see your car insurance premiums rise. An expungement can help lower those premiums, saving you quite a bit of money over time. It can also make you eligible for a CDL license, which can be out of reach with a DUI conviction.
8. Make a Difference in Your Community
Almost all youth volunteer positions (Boy Scouts, Little League, Pop Warner, etc.) require a clean criminal history. Expungements open up a lot of opportunities to improve your community through volunteering, mentoring, and even chaperoning school events for your kids or grandkids.
9. Privacy
Everyone has a nosy neighbor, coworker, or family member who pries into their business. Unfortunately, your criminal record is pretty easy for people to find. One way to combat that is with an expungement because it erases every trace of your criminal history from public access.
Am I Eligible to Apply for an Expungement in Oklahoma?
If you’re ready to change your life and take advantage of these benefits, then take our free Expungement Eligibility Tool. It’ll help us see if you’re eligible for an expungement in Oklahoma. You can also schedule a no-obligation case assessment with our team to talk about your case and options moving forward.
