If you're one of the millions of Americans with a criminal record, you've likely experienced a few hardships as a result. There are countless difficulties that can arise if your background isn't spotless and most of those affected have yet to realize the scale of their disabilities. Below are the top ten reasons to apply for expungement of your criminal record.
Expungement can relieve the burden and restore hope that has faded with the “life sentence” that can come with mistakes made long ago.
- 1. Employment
- Employers often deny jobs to applicants with a criminal record.
- Some states even allow employers to terminate current employees if they are found to have had a conviction
- 2. Education
- The Higher Education Act of 1998 makes students convicted of drug related offenses ineligible for any grant, loan or work assistance.
- Having a criminal record may prevent you from attending the college of your choice or disqualify you from certain graduate programs
- 3. Housing
- Private landlords can legally deny housing to someone with convictions.
- 4. Loans
- Having a criminal record may make you ineligible for a loan or result in higher interest rates
- Certain offenses can eliminate the possibility of a student receiving financial aid
- 5. Licensing & Certifications
- Convictions can prevent you from obtaining state licenses and certifications
- Over half the states in the U.S. have no standards governing the relevance of an applicant's conviction records for occupational licenses
- 6. Insurance Rates
- High insurance premiums may result if a criminal record is found
- Specific offenses may deem you “uninsurable” or “high risk”
- 7. Firearm Rights
- Hunting rights may be limited to archery or muzzleloaders
- Convictions can greatly restrict gun ownership
- 8. Federal Assistance
- Several states ban people with convictions from being eligible for federally funded public assistance and food stamps.
- Many public housing authorities deny eligibility for federally assisted housing based on an arrest that never led to a conviction
- 9. Adoption
- Fifteen states ban people with a criminal record from becoming an adoptive or foster parent.
- 10. Volunteering
- Nearly all volunteer positions involving youth require a clean criminal history
