You are likely eligible to have that juvenile record sealed. Sealed goes a step farther than vacating and instead of just un-doing the conviction essentially clears up the entire record making it not accessible to public access, to those data mine companies that get all that information for money. In Washington State eligibility is pretty broad and most people that I speak to, I find that they do qualify.
You have to have stayed out of trouble for 2 years, consecutive crime free, it doesn’t have to be the last 2 years, just 2 years without any trouble. That’s for B felonies, C felonies, and gross misdemeanors. It’s 5 years for class A felonies. And then paid all your restitution, restitution can be negotiated too. If it is something where you haven’t paid in full, you can talk to an attorney about it.
The final requirement is that you are not required to register as a sex offender. Those are what the court is looking at to determine if you can seal your juvenile record. An attorney can help you with this. Give my office a call.
State v. Blake is a big game changer out here in Washington State because it is taking all of the convictions that have ever happened, since the 70s and all that, on possession of drug cases and saying that this law that it was charged under is a bad invalid law and so therefore these convictions cannot stand. This came because a woman was convicted for having methamphetamine in her pants pockets, but the pants weren’t hers. She had borrowed them, her friend got them at a thrift store.
The Court said we can’t punish unknowing possession, that’s not fair that she’s responsible for something that she didn’t even know was in her pocket. So, we have to look at this law and since it doesn’t have an intent element, that means that none of the convictions under this law or valid.
So, what does this mean? Does this mean they are going to throw them all out? They probably should. But instead what they’re doing is coming up procedures and processes and you generally need to work with the courts to get the case off of your record. Since I made this video, some prosecutor’s office, such as King County, are even petitioning the court on behalf of the defendants. They have streamlined the process and it is much simpler than a regular vacate.
Courts are also working to get people back any legal financial obligations they have paid on those drug cases. So, it’s a very progressive area law, there is a lot of movement, and I would be happy to help you with it.
In this post I want to talk about expunging an arrest and what that means and how the process works and how a Washington state expungement lawyer can help you with it. So, there are situations where someone is arrested for a crime and then they are charged with the crime maybe they are not charged with the crime, but it results without a conviction. Maybe you entered into some type of a deal with the prosecutor where it would stay not a conviction if you complied with the terms, such as a stipulated order of continuance, maybe you were found not guilty, maybe charges were never filed.
If you have an arrest but not a conviction, you may qualify to expunge the arrest record. It is a paperwork process I help clients with, it involves sending a fingerprinting kit and prepared paperwork as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope for me. I get it back, write a letter and send it to the Washington State Patrol.
What that essentially does as clears the arrest from the Washington State Patrol database and then they are the repository or holder of records and then they send that information to the FBI for the FBI to update their databases as well. Expunging an arrest is something that people consider when they are having issues with travel, perhaps for immigration, employment or housing or just to feel like you have a clean slate. My office can help. Please give me a call.
Have you been convicted of reckless driving or negligent driving in Washington State after a DUI charge? If so, you may be eligible to vacate that conviction and start fresh. In this blog post, we’ll explore the requirements for vacating a conviction and how the Law Office of Stefanie Dorn can help.
To be eligible to vacate a reckless driving or negligent driving conviction, it must have been 10 years since your arrest and you must have completed all the terms of your sentence. Additionally, you must have stayed out of trouble for a period of time following the conviction. If these conditions apply to you, you may be able to vacate the conviction and have it removed from your criminal record.
At the Law Office of Stefanie Dorn, we have over a decade of experience helping clients vacate their criminal records. We understand the impact that a criminal record can have on your life, including employment opportunities, housing, and even your ability to travel. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping our clients achieve a fresh start and move forward with their lives.
If you’re interested in vacating your reckless driving or negligent driving conviction, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation. We’ll work with you to determine your eligibility and guide you through the process, answering any questions you may have along the way.
To schedule a consultation with our experienced Washington State expungement attorney, email us at info@attorneydorn.com or give us a call at (206) 222-8829. Take the first step towards a better future – contact us today.
In Washington State, vacating a conviction can provide a fresh start for individuals who have completed their sentence and have been crime-free for a certain period of time. Expungement attorney Stefanie Dorn clarifies that vacating and expunging a conviction mean the same thing: turning a guilty plea or verdict into a not guilty verdict. Once a conviction is vacated, the court dismisses the charging document and releases the person from all penalties and disabilities associated with the crime. This allows individuals to state for all purposes, including housing and employment, that they have not been convicted of the offense.
The process of vacating a conviction involves submitting a petition to the court and meeting certain eligibility requirements, such as completing all the terms of the sentence and staying out of trouble for a specific period of time. The Washington State Patrol is responsible for processing the vacated record and updating their records. They also send the updated record to the FBI, who remove the conviction from their records.
If you are interested in vacating a conviction in Washington State, contact expungement attorney Stefanie Dorn at info@attorneydorn.com or call (206) 222-8829 to determine your eligibility and receive guidance throughout the process.
As an expungement attorney in Washington State, I often receive questions about vacating misdemeanor convictions. In this blog post, I’ll discuss what vacating a conviction means and how to determine if you are eligible for this process.
Vacating a conviction means that your guilty plea or the verdict of guilt is withdrawn, and a not guilty plea is entered. The charging document is then dismissed, which allows you to state for all purposes, including housing and employment, that you have not been convicted of the offense. However, it’s important to note that the conviction will still show up on your criminal history, but it will show that it has been vacated.
Eligibility for vacating a misdemeanor conviction in Washington State depends on the case type. Certain sex offenses and DUIs are not eligible unless they have been amended down to a reduced charge. However, the majority of other misdemeanors and assorted crimes, including domestic violence, are eligible for vacating.
The timeframe to qualify for vacating a conviction also depends on the case type. For domestic violence offenses, at least five years must have passed since you have completed everything. For general offenses, such as criminal trespass, theft, or harassment, at least three years must have passed since you have completed all the terms and conditions of your sentence and stayed out of trouble since then.
If you think you may be eligible for vacating a misdemeanor conviction, it’s best to seek the help of an experienced expungement attorney. I am available to review your case and determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. You can reach me, Stefanie Dorn, at (206) 222-8829 for assistance. Don’t let a past conviction hold you back any longer – call my office today to learn about your options.
If you have a felony conviction on your record, you may be wondering if there is a way to clear it. The good news is that it is possible to vacate a felony conviction in Washington State. In this blog post, I will explain what vacating a felony conviction means, which types of felonies are eligible, and the process for determining if you qualify for this process.
What Is Vacating a Felony Conviction?
Vacating a felony conviction means that you are released from all the penalties and disabilities associated with the crime. You can state for all purposes, including housing and employment, that you have not been convicted. Essentially, your record is cleared of the conviction. However, it is important to note that the conviction will still show up on your criminal history, but it will show that it has been vacated.
Which Types of Felonies Are Eligible?
Eligibility for vacating a felony conviction in Washington State depends on the class or type of felony. Class A felonies, which are the most serious, cannot be vacated. However, the majority of Class B and Class C felonies can be vacated. Examples of Class B felonies include auto theft, burglary, and certain types of assault. Class C felonies include certain types of theft, forgery, and drug cases.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Vacating a Felony Conviction?
In order to be eligible to vacate a Class B or C felony, a sufficient amount of time must have passed. For Class B or more serious felonies, it must have been 10 years since you completed all of your requirements, including your sentence, fees, and any other conditions, and 10 years without any other convictions. For Class C felonies, such as theft and drug charges, it must have been 5 years since you completed everything and 5 years without any other convictions.
How to Determine If You Qualify for Vacating a Felony Conviction?
Determining if you qualify for vacating a felony conviction can be a complex process. It is best to seek the help of an experienced expungement attorney who can review your case and determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. As a Washington State expungement attorney, I can guide you through this process and help you understand your options. You can contact me, Stefanie Dorn, at (206) 222-8829 to learn more.
In conclusion, vacating a felony conviction in Washington State can provide many benefits for your future, including improved job prospects and housing options. If you have a Class B or C felony on your record, and sufficient time has passed, it’s worth exploring whether you qualify for vacating your conviction. Contact my office today to learn about your options and take the first step towards a brighter future.
Do you have a criminal record that is holding you back? Have your been arrested for something and even though you were not convicted, it keeps coming up preventing you from travel, school, work opportunities. My name is Stefanie Dorn, and I am an expungement lawyer here to help you.
We know that the punishments from the criminal justice system do not stop at sentencing and new laws have passed that make it even easier to vacate your criminal conviction or expunge your arrest. This can help you with your job, your certifications and licenses, and moving forward from something in life that you are ready to get past. I’m an experienced expungement attorney. I’ve handled hundreds of these cases, I like the intricacies, and results I can get for my clients.
I just received a letter in the mail saying I have court, what do I do next? That letter in the mail is likely a summons, or order to appear. That hearing is likely an arraignment hearing which is a hearing that starts the criminal process going. One of the first things to do is consider retaining counsel. Or start thinking of the qualifies that you are looking for in counsel.
It’s important if you do decide to hire counsel to have them at your arraignment hearing because it is an exceptionally important hearing where the judge can determine conditions of release, or the rules that you have to follow while your case is pending or even bail, so having an attorney at your side from that very first hearing is the best way to stay out of custody and stay away from overly restrictive conditions while the case is pending.
If I committed this crime, shouldn’t I just go to court and plead guilty? No. This is a complex issue, and the short answer is that you have the right to have someone by your side advocating for you, looking into your case, making sure that it is fair, making sure that if you do ultimately decide to resolve it by some sort of a plea or offer that it is one that is fair and reasonable to you.
The maximum sentence for most misdemeanors is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine, so it is important that you hire someone that you can go in and advocate on your behalf even if you feel you did it because you still deserve the fairest outcome.
What if I missed my court date or I can’t make the date? It’s important to get in touch with your attorney, if you have retained one, right away. If you have missed your court date you likely have a warrant out for your arrest, which is very significant and will get you at the worst time. One time I had a client get arrested on the way to his wedding. One time it was on the way home from international travel.
In terms of a warrant, when I am retained, I take steps to get that taken care of, whether it is working with a bail bonds person or the court in order to keep you out of custody without that anxiety when the case is pending. If they sent you a notice to appear and you are on vacation, contact your lawyer right away, and oftentimes we can do a motion and order to set it over a week or so. The key thing is communication.
Criminal Mitigation is something that you do in almost every case where, in addition to what you typically think of as lawyer work in terms of looking at the statues and making legal arguments you also want to highlight for the prosecutor for the judge for the decision makers who your client is. Working with an attorney that can really get to know you and help you develop and feel comfortable enough to express your relationships and what your role is in the community.
It’s going to paint a fuller picture for someone that is making an impactful decision in your life. Oftentimes, I will work with my clients and prepare a mitigation package which can include letters, and other supportive materials and also, I think it is helpful to highlight to the court the ways that someone has already been punished for this case. So, if it is something that you have questions about, feel free to give my office a call.
(206) 222-8829