A criminal record can have serious, long-lasting consequences on your life. Even minor offenses can make it difficult to find employment, secure housing, or access other opportunities. The good news is that in Maryland, you may be able to get your record expunged through a legal process. And in some cases, you may even be eligible for an early expungement.
So what is an early expungement, and why should you consider pursuing one? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Expungement?
Expungement is the legal process of removing a criminal charge or conviction from your record. Once a record is expunged, it is as if the offense never occurred – you can legally say you have not been arrested or convicted of a crime when asked on job applications or housing forms.
The benefits of expungement are clear. A clean criminal record can open up new opportunities that may have been closed off before. It can make it easier to find a job, secure housing, or even get approved for loans. Expungement also prevents the offense or conviction from showing up in government background checks.
What is an Early Expungement?
In Maryland, there are usually waiting periods before you can get a crime expunged from your record. For example, someone who received a disposition of probation before judgment cannot file for a regular expungement until three years after they have satisfied all conditions of their sentence, including probation.
However, the court may grant an early expungement if the judge finds that there is “good cause” to do so. Good cause is a legal term that means the judge believes there is a compelling reason to waive the usual waiting period – typically because the criminal record is creating a barrier for you in some area of your life, such as:
- Accessing employment opportunities
- Securing housing or renting an apartment
- Obtaining professional licenses or certifications
- Accessing government benefits or student loans
- Maintaining or obtaining a government security clearance
The key is being able to demonstrate to the court that the benefits of an early expungement outweigh the normal waiting period. An experienced criminal defense attorney at Shepard Law can help you make this case.
Pros of Getting an Early Expungement
There are several advantages to pursuing an early expungement, including the following:
- A Faster Path to a Clean Record Rather than waiting several years, an early expungement allows you to clear your record much sooner. This can open up job opportunities, housing options, and other life opportunities that may have been limited due to your criminal record.
- Avoiding Ongoing Consequences A criminal record can continue to haunt you for years, even after you’ve paid your debt to society. An early expungement helps you move on with your life and avoid the stigma and practical barriers that often come with a criminal record.
- Preserving Your Reputation Having an offense on your record – even a minor one – can be embarrassing and negatively impact your reputation. An early expungement allows you to quickly restore your good name.
- Increasing Employment Prospects Many employers run background checks and may be reluctant to hire someone with a criminal record, even for minor offenses. An early expungement removes this barrier and opens up more job opportunities.
- Improving Access to Housing Landlords and property management companies often conduct background checks as part of the rental application process. An expunged record can make it easier to secure the housing you need.
- Eligibility for Professional Licenses Certain jobs and professions require specific licenses or certifications. Having a criminal record can prevent you from obtaining these, but an early expungement may help you qualify.
How Shepard Law Can Help
At Shepard Law, our award-winning criminal defense attorney has extensive experience helping clients throughout Baltimore County pursue early expungements. Our defense team understands the legal standards for good cause and knows how to build a strong case to get the waiting period waived.
Our attorney will carefully review your criminal history, assess your eligibility for early expungement, and guide you through every step of the legal process. Our attorney will help you gather the necessary documentation, prepare your petition, and represent you in court to give you the best chance of a successful outcome.
Don’t let a past mistake continue to hold you back. Contact Shepard Law today to learn more about how an early expungement could benefit you.
