When seeking an expungement—or to seal your criminal records—one of the most important steps you must take is hiring a lawyer. Some people like to think they can go at it alone to save money, but they don’t always expect their request to be denied.
In some cases, expungement may be denied and the decision is often based on a number of different factors. Before you try going through the legal process alone, speak with our expungement attorneys in Columbus to see how we may help you from being denied expungement.
Here are the reasons that a judge may deny an expungement:
The Prosecutor Makes a Strong Case
One of the best examples of why you should hire an attorney, your request for expungement may be met with opposition trying to convince the judge to deny your action. If the prosecutor can make a strong enough case against you, the records may remain.
Hiring a lawyer puts an experienced advocate in your corner to help you present a strong case as well.
You Missed Specific Deadlines
There may be deadlines associated with the filing of your request. Speaking with an attorney can give you a better idea of this so you don’t miss any important dates. Failure to file by a certain date based on statutory laws may make it difficult to expunge your criminal record.
You’re Missing Important Information
You want to gather the necessary information to build a strong case for your expungement. You need to fill out the proper applications and submit the paperwork to the correct criminal court. Know whether or not the papers must be served onto district attorneys or if an order of expungement must be prepared.
You don’t want to miss out on the chance for expungement because of small mistakes that could have been prevented with proper planning and the help of a knowledgeable and experienced legal counsel.
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your rights and freedom matter to us. Our Columbus expungement attorneys work hard to help our clients seek the outcome they deserve. When your future depends on it, trust in skilled counsel dedicated to your best interests.
Schedule your free consultation today by calling our firm.