Five Reasons To Get Your Criminal Record Expunged

Perhaps there is a felony conviction somewhere in your past. Maybe you think it was a minor felony as felonies go, and you served your time and can move on with your life. Unfortunately, in the society we live in, the reality is that something like a criminal conviction follows you everywhere, even if it is just a misdemeanor. You may not think it's worth the time, money and effort to get your record expunged. If that's true, here are five reasons why you will definitely want to reconsider.

A clean criminal record can make the difference in whether or not you get the job you want or the loan you need to buy a house or car, and other areas of your life you may not have even considered. If you don't want one mistake to haunt you for the rest of your life, you should learn everything possible about expunging a criminal record.

1. Getting a Job

If you've ever filled out a job application, you probably remember the section where they ask if you've ever been convicted of a crime. This always creates an awkward situation for someone with a criminal record. They can either answer truthfully and risk not getting the job, or lie and risk being in violation of the law once again. If you successfully expunge your record, you should be able to truthfully write "no" in answer to that question.

2. Getting a Loan

Some loan agencies think that a criminal conviction is an indication that someone is less likely to meet their financial obligations. That means you may be facing prohibitive interest rates or be unable to get a loan at all. That means difficulty buying a car, a home, or paying for an education. Combine that with difficulty getting a job and you could be in a very tough situation.

3. Adoption

Have you ever considered adopting a child? Do you want to adopt one right now? If you do, you may want to look into getting your record expunged. 15 states currently make it illegal for someone with a criminal record to adopt children. You should note that in most if not all cases, criminal convictions involving offenses against minors cannot be expunged, so if you have been involved in a crime involving children or a sex crime, you will almost certainly never be able to adopt a child.

4. Peace of Mind

Although there are many other reasons why expunging your criminal record is definitely to your advantage, the most important one might be your own peace of mind. While you have that mark on your record, it's hard to feel truly free. When you clear your record you have a clean slate. You can feel like a truly contributing member of society, just as entitled to the rights and privileges of a citizen as anyone else around you. Even if you've taken your punishment for your offense, it's sometimes hard to feel like it's completely behind you while your criminal record is still out there.

5. ClearUpMyRecord.com

Another great reason to get your criminal record expunged is that it can be a lot easier than you might think. You don't have to hire a lawyer or spend days hunting down the right forms and figuring out where to send them. ClearUpMyRecord.com can do all of that for you. The process is simple. Just set up an account and take the free eligibility check to see if you are eligible for expungement. If you are, you can hire ClearUpMyRecord.com to take you through the process. You'll get an application kit with instructions on how to fill out those forms and where they should be sent. Then all you have to do is wait for a response from the government agency that handles expungement. You may have to appear in court, but once that's done, if the judge deems your case is valid, you can be free and clear and ready to get on with your life.