Attorney David Serna Talks About Clearing Criminal Records

 Attorney David Serna believes that even if someone is legally innocent, having a criminal record can bring barriers to an individual. Criminal records list people’s arrests and convictions that the criminal justice system maintains. These records will include even minor convictions from many years ago and arrests that did not result in convictions.

 

Having a criminal record can significantly limit an individual’s access to certain privileges in the country. These privileges may include education, employment, housing, public assistance, and civic engagement. Attorney David Serna believes that even when arrests do not result in a conviction, the socioeconomic barriers associated with criminal records can also significantly affect a child’s long-term socioeconomic well-being.

 

How to Clear Criminal Records?

Only a judge or court can either expunge or seal certain criminal records in the United States of America. Expungement removes arrest and convictions from a person’s criminal record entirely as if nothing happened. Not even a court or prosecutor can view a person’s expunged record. On the other hand, sealing will remove a person’s criminal record from public view. However, authorities can still access it through a court order.

 

If you want to clear your criminal record by expunging or sealing, you will have to file a petition, appear in court, and serve a waiting period without reoffending. But, these processes can be costly because of the administrative and legal fees. Attorney David Serna believes these factors dissuade many eligible individuals from expunging or sealing their criminal records. Many people also do not know that they have these options to remedy their records.

 

Different states and local jurisdictions in the United States of America started to make more criminal records eligible for expungement and sealing. They included those criminal records resulting from drug offenses and victimhood of human trafficking. Attorney David Serna is also thrilled that an increasing number of states across the U.S. implement “clean slate” laws to automate sealing and expungement procedures. It is a significant step to recognize the many barriers preventing eligible individuals from clearing their criminal records when required to file a petition.

 

If you need any legal assistance, Attorney David Serna is available for consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can reach him via email, telephone, video conferencing, and in-person visits under strict disinfecting protocol and mask requirements.

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