Important changes implemented on November 1, 2012, effectively altered aspects of Oklahoma Section 18/19 laws regarding the expungement of criminal records. Expungement describes the process of completely clearing or changing an individual’s criminal record with the court, the arresting agency and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI), which can significantly improve that person’s quality of life, both personally and professionally. If you have been convicted of a criminal offense in Oklahoma, it is imperative that you understand OK expungement laws, particularly the changes that took effect on November 1, 2012. Consult our reputable criminal defense lawyers at AMA Law today to discuss your eligibility for record expungement in Oklahoma.

HOW THE NOVEMBER 1, 2012 CHANGES MAY AFFECT YOU

Per the recent changes to Oklahoma’s expungement laws, thousands of people who were not eligible for record expungement previously may now qualify to have their criminal records completely cleared. On the other hand, the November 1, 2012 changes also restricted expungement eligibility for other classes of offenders who may have qualified for record expungement in the past. These changes are extremely important, but they can also be confusing, which is why it is recommended that any individual seeking record expungement in Oklahoma first enlists the help of a qualified criminal defense lawyer.

TYPES OF RECORD EXPUNGEMENT IN OKLAHOMA

The two main types of expungement available to convicted offenders in Oklahoma are the Section 18/19 expungement, which is the most desirable but is also the most difficult to obtain, and the 991c expungement. The former completely erases records from the court, the arresting agency and the OSBI, effectively wiping them out so that they are no longer visible to the public or in criminal background checks. The latter simply improves an individual’s criminal record by changing the court record after a deferred sentenced. This means that, instead of showing that an offender pleaded guilty to a crime and served probation, the record is changed to reflect a not-guilty plea with the case dismissed. Although the court record still exists, it doesn’t show a criminal conviction.

CONTACT OUR ATTORNEYS FOR LEGAL HELP

Seeking record expungement in Oklahoma is an important step in clearing your name and living a normal life, not one marred by a criminal conviction. If you have been convicted of a crime in Oklahoma and you want to see if you are eligible for record expungement, consult our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys at AMA Law as soon as possible. Our law firm is based in Oklahoma City, and our defense lawyers have extensive experience protecting the legal rights of defendants throughout the state. With a criminal conviction on your record, you may be restricted from certain educational or professional opportunities that are readily available to others. With the help of our skilled criminal defense attorneys, you may be able to have your criminal record erased so that you can move on with your life.