Practice Areas
Our law firm provides comprehensive legal representation across various criminal practice areas, including white-collar crimes, drug offenses, theft, and violent crimes. We combine in-depth legal knowledge with strategic defense tactics to protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcomes. Whether facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony, our experienced attorneys are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process.
EXPUNGEMENTS
Expungement is the sealing of criminal records, which prevents public access to your criminal record absent a court order. Your criminal record includes both convictions and charges that were dismissed.
To expunge a certain charge or conviction from your record, you must file a petition with the court. This petition contains information including:
- An explanation as to why the charge/conviction should be expunged.
- Your criminal history.
- Your residential history.
- Your employment history.
This petition must be served on all of the local government agencies involved in your charges, including the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Attorney General, the Department of Corrections, the prosecution, the police/sheriff’s office, and any other department that may have been involved.
An expungement can be costly starting with a $285 filing fee plus surcharges. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to avoid filing fees by securing a prosecutor agreement. An agreement from the prosecutor can result in a court order for expungement without any formal filing.
Some charges are enhanceable, meaning that if you are charged with the same crime within a specified period, the second charge may be enhanced to a higher degree, resulting in more severe penalties. Certain offenses are enhanceable to deter people from reoffending, making courts less inclined to expunge them. Examples of enhanceable offenses include:
- Assault.
- Domestic assault.
- Domestic abuse no contact order violations.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Drug crimes.
- Order for protection violations.
- Prostitution.
- Sex crimes.
If you are seeking expungement of a prior charge or conviction, the attorneys at Valentini law are here to help. Contact us at (612) 341-0900 to secure experienced and professional representation for your case